DRAFTConservation Services Contract SOW_draft.pdf

STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW)

BACKGROUND

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Monitor National Marine Sanctuary possesses archaeological materials recovered from the shipwreck of the Civil War Ironclad USS Monitor lost at sea in 1862. These materials (the “Collection”) were recovered from the seabed over the course of several years of research. This federally owned collection (NOAA Heritage Assets) contains roughly 5,000 individual artifacts made of a wide variety of materials, primarily iron and ferrous materials, but also including wood, leather, textiles, rubber and various other organic and inorganic artifacts. This requires an intensely diverse and complex approach to materials conservation to ensure each different type and size of material is appropriately treated to ensure long-term stability for interpretation and display. These objects range in size from small buttons and scraps of textiles, to the entire steam engine and 125-ton iconic rotating gun turret responsible for the Monitor’s fame. All of the objects require initial and sometimes lengthy stability treatment followed by ongoing monitoring storage and preservation care for the life of the object. With respect to the initial stability treatment, the timeline for smaller, simple artifacts may take weeks or months to complete (depending on the material), while the timeline for larger, more complex artifacts make take years or even decades to complete. The purpose of this contract will be to ensure ongoing active conservation of all of the USS Monitor archaeological materials in the Monitor National Marine Sanctuary’s custody.

SCOPE

The Monitor National Marine Sanctuary Contractor (the “Contractor”) shall provide professional conservation services to conduct both the initial stability treatments as well as ongoing monitoring and preservation services to include any subsequent conservation treatments necessary for the ongoing care of the artifacts within the Collection. The Contractor shall provide the necessary resources, facilities, and materials to appropriately complete the task of conserving the full scope of materials in the Collection in preparation for public display and archaeological interpretation.

REQUIREMENTS

a) The Contractor must demonstrate that forward progress in the conservation process is achieved. While it is expected this will be a decade’s long project, there must be clear evidence showing chloride extraction from the artifacts. Additionally, the reduction of corrosion products from ferrous components of the engine and turret must be tracked, documented and controlled over time.

b) The Contractor must ensure appropriately trained technicians, who possess an advanced degree in and/or professional hands-on experience in archaeology, analytical chemistry, or collection management, are available, and that they have the tools and facilities on hand in order to make advances towards the goal of completing initial stability treatment and subsequently establishing the proper monitoring, storage and preservation care regiment for all materials in the Collection.

c) The Contractor must demonstrate that the staff allocated to this project are appropriately qualified and experienced to perform conservation work with a background in conservation sciences, archaeology, or a related field. Qualified and experienced staff include individuals who possess an advanced degree in conservation from an internationally-recognized graduate level conservation training program, have experience in the conservation of archaeological materials and abide by the code of ethics set forth by The American Institute for Conservation (AIC).

d) The Contractor shall provide periodic completion of initial stability treatment of smaller artifacts while initial stability treatment of larger more complex artifacts is ongoing.

e) The Contractor shall procure chemicals and consumable solutions as necessary, dictated by the needs of the conservation project.

f) The Contractor must ensure chemical and hazardous materials disposal is handled in compliance with applicable local regulations. The Contractor will comply with rules set forth by the Code of Virginia 9VAC20-60-273 and 40 CFR Part 273.

g) The Contractor shall provide tools and materials as needed to accomplish the conservation work as described in this Statement of Work (SOW).

h) The Contractor shall provide appropriate facilities and workspace for the Collection, conservation materials, and conservation personnel. These facilities shall include large watertight tanks to house large artifacts such as the steam engine and rotating gun turret, while they are awaiting and undergoing initial stability treatment. The facilities shall also include cold storage capabilities for sensitive organic materials. The facilities shall also include adequate work space and storage space for proper on-going collections management care, and artifact preparation for public display. The facilities shall also include appropriate office space for personnel working on this project.

i) The Contractor may have limited regional travel to attend professional conferences or meetings.

j) The Contractor assumes all responsibility for artifacts within its possession during the performance of this contract.

k) The Contractor shall provide complete access to the Collection to authorized NOAA personnel during business hours.