SOW_-_Solicitation.pdf

Statement of Work:

Photograph and Flat Art-on-Paper Conservation Services

History of Medicine Division Prints & Photographs

I. Objective

The objective of this procurement is to obtain services for photograph and flat art-on-paper conservation for items in the History of Medicine Division’s historical Prints & Photographs (P&P) collection.

II. Background

The material in the History of Medicine Division (HMD) provides researchers with sources both rare in availability and exhaustive in scope. HMD produces exhibitions, public programs, symposia, and educational resources for students, teachers, and the public.

The National Library of Medicine (NLM) is the world’s largest research library in a single scientific and professional field.

The NLM’s History of Medicine Division maintains a pre-eminent collection of the world’s published medical literature, including books, journal volumes, pamphlets, and theses, printed from the 15th through the early 20th century; manuscripts ranging in date from the 11th century to the present; fine prints, and other graphic materials from the 15th century to the present; and historical audiovisuals up through 1970.

NLM has procured photograph conservation services since 2002 and has an ongoing need for these services to treat damaged and deteriorating materials in the P&P collection.

NLM’s resources for historical scholarship in medicine and related sciences are among the richest of any institution in the world.

NLM requires the services of an experienced photograph and flat art-on-paper conservator available to work part-time Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays, in the onsite conservation lab. The work quantity and schedule are expected to vary. The photograph and flat art-on-paper conservator treats a variety of valuable and unique photographic prints and negatives and flat art-on-paper materials. Art-on-paper materials include, but are not limited to albums, posters, ephemera (including but not limited to postcards, pamphlets, and patent medicine trade cards), fine art prints, and prints representing various printmaking techniques (including but not limited woodcuts, engravings, etchings, mezzotints, aquatints, and lithographs).

III. Statement of Work

1. Tasks to be performed

The photograph and flat art-on-paper conservator treats a variety of valuable and unique photographic prints and negatives and selected flat paper materials.

Treatments include, but are not limited to, cleaning, removal of adhesives and stains, mending tears and voids, flattening, and replacing acidic mounts.

Specialized knowledge in the safe use and storage of hazardous chemicals is required.

The photograph and flat art-on-paper conservator also does the following:

1) advises NLM on photo preservation strategies, setting priorities, storage enclosures, environmental conditions, onsite and offsite treatment options, reformatting options, and disaster recovery

2) writes procedures for and provides hands-on training in recovering water-damaged materials

3) recommends specific conservation supplies and equipment and provides order information

4) when needed, provides hands-on training to staff in identifying formats, care and handling, re-housing, and assessing the physical condition of items

5) provides condition and treatment reports using a written form or online database

Work schedule will be determined by the COR in consultation with the vendor.

2. Project Management

The Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) for this project will be TBD.

The vendor’s work shall be assigned, reviewed, and approved by the COR or assigned alternate(s). The COR will consult with the vendor during all phases of activities, reviewing plans prior to implementation, reviewing work for accuracy, and making recommendations as needed to ensure conformation to NLM specifications and timely completion of work.

The vendor shall complete the online mandatory Security Awareness and Secure Remote Computing courses available at http://irtsectraining.nih.gov before work begins.

When working onsite at NLM, the vendor shall always wear an NIH identification badge.

The vendor shall provide monthly progress reports and submit itemized monthly invoices to the COR and NIH Office of Financial Management.

It is the responsibility of the vendor to report non-receipt of payment to Office of Financial Management. The phone number for payment inquiries is 301-496-6088.

The vendor shall keep the COR informed about all invoicing problems.