E1. Fine Art Photography Vendor QA.pdf

Industry Q&A - M0026426Q0026 NMMC Fine Art Photography

1. The RFQ mentions the possible need for film scanning, but there is no line item for this service on the Pricing Table. Is this service supposed to be grouped with #4, the photography of 2D artwork?

Government Response: The service should be grouped with #4.

2. For #7 on the pricing table, Reproduction fine art print on canvas (per square inch), is this price for unstretched canvas or stretched canvas? If it is for stretched canvas, what depth of stretcher bar? 0.75" and 1.5" are the most common.

Government Response: This is for an unstretched canvas. The margin on the print is usually about 2 to 3 inches to allow for a stretcher bar that a framer will stretch and place on the reproduction.

3. Nature of the Artwork: Please confirm if the forty (40) works identified in Draft Task Order 1 are exclusively two-dimensional (2D), such as framed pictures or paintings, or if they include three-dimensional (3D) objects like sculptures or installations.

Government Response: For this first task order the 40 works will be two-dimensional.

4. Lighting Environment: Regarding the workspace at the Museum Support Facility (MSF), is it a fully light-controlled environment, or does the space have natural light interference that we should account for in our specialized lighting setup?

Government Response: The location for photography is in a room with no windows or natural light. The photographer may need to set up a dim light to be able to see the documents that we are working on for the information for the photographer to use to keep track of each shot.

5. Art Handling and Staff Support: Will NMMC museum staff be available to handle and position the artworks during the session?

Government Response: Yes, usually we work in tandem with the photographer.

6. Security and Equipment Clearance: As we will be bringing cameras and lighting systems, please let us know if there are specific security forms or equipment manifests required in advance for gate access at the Museum Facility.

Government Response: No security or equipment clearance is needed.

7. Geographic Capability: We confirm our full mobilization capability to Quantico, VA, to meet all site-visit and photography timelines. We wish to confirm that our location presents no administrative conflict for this solicitation.

Government Response: There are no local-area set-asides for this solicitation.

8. Reference Standards: Does the NMMC have a formal reference or a "Past Performance Benchmark" from previous projects that illustrates the specific aesthetic and technical quality expectations for this contract?

Government Response: As per page 26 of the solicitation, Addendum to 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors –

TECHNICAL COMPLIANCE: To ensure technical compliance:

1. Quotes must clearly demonstrate that they can meet the solicitation requirements in accordance with the Performance Work Statement.

2. Quotes must clearly state whether the quoter can meet the requested ordering period.

Vendors who cannot meet the required ordering period will not be considered technically acceptable. Please note: Submission of a signed copy of the RFQ alone is not sufficient in demonstrating the quoter's technical compliance/capability. A mere statement that the quoter will meet the Government's requirement or a restatement/copy of the Government's requirements without any additional information provided by the quoter is not sufficient in demonstrating the quoter's technical compliance/capability.

In addition, as per page 29 of the solicitation, Addendum to Evaluation:

2. Past Performance:

The apparent successful, prospective contractor shall have neutral to satisfactory past performance. Past Performance shall be evaluated in accordance with FAR 12.203(a)(2) and DFARS Subpart 212.203(a)1)(i) and utilize the Supplier Performance Risk System.

9. Is there any incumbent/recompete or this is a brand-new project? If yes, could you please provide us with their award number or even if the customer bought similar services in the past.

Government Response: Fine Art Photography is an ongoing and as-needed requirement for the National Museum of the Marine Corps. Most recent prior contracts: M0026425P0103; M0026424D0011.

10. What is the general size of the sculptures?

Government Response: They range anywhere from 12” x 8” x 3 to over three feet tall.

11. Would you recommend including travel time, mailing of prints' cost with the set ups?

Government Response: The resultant contract will be a firm-fixed-price contract;

all quoted deliverables should include the offerors’ best and final pricing with all included components.

12. What documents should be submitted along with the quote?

Government Response: Please include all relevant documents to be considered to address all sections of the solicitation. Please note that the additional instructions for offerors on Page 26 of the solicitation will be amended to include mandatory completion of the pricing table. Completion of the pricing table provided with the solicitation is required.

13. Is the quote and the related documents to be e-mailed directly to you?

Government Response: As per page 26 of the solicitation, Addendum to 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors –

SUBMISSION OF QUOTES:

1. Quotes shall be submitted no later than the time and date specified on Block 8 of page 1 of the SF1449 solicitation. Late quotes will not be accepted or considered for award.

Vendors are responsible for ensuring their quotes have been received by the date and time specified in Block 8 on Page 1 of this solicitation. Delivery delays that cause a quote to be late are not the responsibility of the Government agency.

2. Quotes shall be submitted electronically via email to both David Laster and Michael Bogatyr at the following email addresses: david.laster@usmc.mil and michael.bogatyr@usmc.mil.

14. Digital Image Resolution Requirement. Section 3.1.3 states that digital images shall be captured at 300 DPI for output at 60 inches along the long dimension. The same section also lists the high-resolution deliverable as a TIF file at 20 inches at 300 DPI.

Please clarify whether the required high-resolution TIF deliverable should be delivered as 20 inches at 300 DPI, or as 60 inches along the long dimension at 300 DPI. If the requirement is 20 inches at 300 DPI, should contractors understand that the file is intended to be suitable for enlargement to 60 inches?

Government Response: 60 inches. The file should be large enough to clearly reproduce a 40” x 60” reproduction.

15. Available Photography Workspace. For preliminary setup and equipment planning, can NMMC provide the approximate maximum working space dimensions and ceiling height for the MSF artifact processing room and/or high-density artifact storage area?

Government Response: The workspace is approximately 1500 square feet.

There is a roll up door as well as a normal door. Ceiling is above standard.

16. Artwork Handling and Movement. Please clarify whether NMMC staff will be solely responsible for art and artifact handling, including retrieving, moving, positioning, and returning works to storage, or whether contractors are expected or permitted to handle art or artifacts directly.

Government Response: There will be some cases where the contractor may have to position the artwork to get the best photograph. NMMC staff will be present to oversee any work of arts handling.

17. Staging Surfaces and Collection-Safe Support. Will any worktables, staging surfaces, collection-safe object supports, or temporary mounts be made available for contractor use during photography, or should contractors assume they must provide their own collection-safe support solutions?

Government Response: While the works will be staged on tables, rolling carts or “A” frames, the contract should be prepared to bring their own easels or other supports for photography. This will be made clear during the site visit when the room will be available for viewing.

18. Background Treatment Requirements. For pricing and production planning, should contractors assume a standard background treatment for two-dimensional and three-dimensional works, or should background requirements be considered variable and determined by the TPOC for each task order?

Government Response: A standard background is acceptable. For three-dimensional artwork then a more dark to back background is preferred.

19. How many views are required of each sculpture? What is the approximate size of the sculptures?

Government Response: Usually, three to four views are required for each sculpture. Sculptures range anywhere from 12” x 8” x 3 to over three feet tall.

20. Can you clarify the relative importance of technical capability, past performance and price in the evaluation process?

Government Response: The lowest priced quoter, who meets the criteria below and as per described in the solicitation, will be selected for award. Please see the solicitation for full details. As per page 29 of the solicitation, Addendum to Evaluation:

(a) The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible quoter (Contractor) whose quote conforms to the solicitation.

(a)(1) The basis for award is PRICE per FAR 12.203(a)(3). (a)(2) Evaluation procedures per FAR 12.203(c).

The following factors shall be used to evaluate quotes:

1. Conforming to all matters with respect to the solicitation:

Quote/Quoter must clearly demonstrate the quoted items meet or exceed the salient characteristics or extended description of supplies/services; must specify delivery date/coverage period; and must meet all the terms and conditions of the solicitation.

2. Past Performance:

The apparent successful, prospective contractor shall have neutral to satisfactory past performance. Past Performance shall be evaluated in accordance with FAR 12.203(a)(2) and DFARS Subpart 212.203(a)1)(i) and utilize the Supplier Performance Risk System.

3. Price:

In accordance with FAR 12.204(a), before making the award, the Contracting Officer will determine that the apparent successful, prospective contractor's proposed price is fair and reasonable.

21. Will there be a site visit available for this solicitation?

Government Response: No site visits are available during solicitation or pre-award.