noi-ta-nb whaling museum.docx

National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior

NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD

This Funding Announcement is not a request for applications. This announcement is to provide public notice of the National Park Service’s intention to fund the following project activities without full and open competition.

ABSTRACT

OVERVIEW

Cooperative Agreement Number P15AC01392 was entered into by and between the Department of the Interior, National Park Service, (NPS), and Old Dartmouth Historical Society – New Bedford Whaling Museum (Museum or Recipient) for the purpose of establishing cooperation between the two parties for preserving the integrity of Museum property and collections and to assist in furthering their preservation. In addition, the NPS and Museum will work to promote the preservation, exhibition and interpretation of the Museum as a part of New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park. The parties seek to foster a collaborative effort that leverages the strengths of each partner for the benefit and inspiration of the American people.

Project Title: Conservation and Treatment for the Purrington and Russell Grand Panorama of a Whaling Voyage ‘Round the World

Project Description: The New Bedford Whaling Museum is one of the park’s primary legislated partners and has developed a treatment protocol to conserve the 1848 panorama, a rare survivor of a unique style of large scale landscape and narrative painting. The panorama is one of the Museum’s most unique and impressive icons, yet its fragile condition has forced the Museum to relegate it to storage and to refrain from handling it even for scholarly study. With treatment this national treasure will once again become accessible to visitors and scholars.

The collections of the Whaling Museum are an important repository for all things whaling and serve as a "collection" for the park as well. This partnership project will allow the Museum to restore the 1848 panorama. The panorama is possibly the largest painting in North America and one of the last examples of this type of art form. A precursor to the modern cinematic film, a panorama provided its audience with a compelling story, in this case the story of the 19th century whalefishery and its global impact. Restoration of the panorama will allow the Museum to exhibit the piece for the greater New Bedford community and a wider global audience, providing an opportunity to experience this one-of-a-kind piece of artwork.

Public Purpose: The project will promote public understanding and education of the cultural and historical significance associated with the history of whaling and related social and economic themes promoted by the Museum and by New Bedford Whaling NHP.

RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT

The Museum agrees to:

1. Hire specialists in paint and textile conservation to complete the complex conservation work, including the in-painting and textile repair as needed.

2. Construct a long term storage system to house the panorama when not on display.

3. Digitize the Panorama and photo document the conservation work in accordance with the AIC Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Practice.

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE INVOLVEMENT

NPS is responsible for the following:

1. Review the Scope of Work and supporting documents.

2. Inspect the "living exhibit" gallery space where conservation work will be conducted to ensure the safety of the Panorama. This may include the proximity of the Panorama to visitors, equipment and environmental factors.

3. Advise NPS Cultural Resource Specialist and Museum staff members on issues relating to storage, security, transportation or any other preservation concern regarding the Panorama.

4. Ensure conservation work performed meets AIC Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Practice.

SINGLE-SOURCE JUSTIFICATION

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

SINGLE SOURCE POLICY REQUIREMENTS

Department of the Interior Policy (505 DM 2) requires a written justification which explains why competition is not practicable for each single-source award. The justification must address one or more of the following criteria as well as discussion of the program legislative history, unique capabilities of the proposed recipient, and cost-sharing contribution offered by the proposed recipient, as applicable.

In order for an assistance award to be made without competition, the award must satisfy one or more of the following criteria:

(1) Unsolicited Proposal – The proposed award is the result of an unsolicited assistance application which represents a unique or innovative idea, method, or approach which is not the subject of a current or planned contract or assistance award, but which is deemed advantageous to the program objectives;

(2) Continuation – The activity to be funded is necessary to the satisfactory completion of, or is a continuation of an activity presently being funded, and for which competition would have a significant adverse effect on the continuity or completion of the activity;

(3) Legislative intent – The language in the applicable authorizing legislation or legislative history clearly indicates Congress’ intent to restrict the award to a particular recipient of purpose;

(4) Unique Qualifications – The applicant is uniquely qualified to perform the activity based upon a variety of demonstrable factors such as location, property ownership, voluntary support capacity, cost-sharing ability if applicable, technical expertise, or other such unique qualifications;

(5) Emergencies – Program/award where there is insufficient time available (due to a compelling and unusual urgency, or substantial danger to health or safety) for adequate competitive procedures to be followed.

The National Park Service did not solicit full and open competition for this award based on the following criteria:

(4) UNIQUE QUALIFICATIONS

Single Source Justification Description:

The New Bedford Whaling Museum is operated by the Old Dartmouth Historical Society. The mission of the Museum, a non-profit entity, is to educate and interest all the public in the historic interaction worldwide of humans with whales; in history of Old Dartmouth and adjacent communities; and in regional maritime activity. The Museum is the largest whaling museum in the United States and is recognized as having the most outstanding collection of items related to the American whaling industry. The Museum is the principal collecting institution located in the national historical park. The Museum also holds an extensive collection of images and primary source materials associated with New Bedford’s maritime heritage, including the commercial fishing industry, and is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums.

The Museum is the owner of a complex of buildings, many of which are listed in the National Register of Historic Places. This complex includes the Bourne Building, the Eben Hirst Building, the National Bank of Commerce, and the non-contiguous Sundial Building. All of these named structures have been affiliated with the American whaling industry. The Museum is located within the New Bedford National Register Historic District, which is included in the boundary of the Park.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY

54 USC § 101702(a) provides that the NPS may, in fiscal year 1997 and thereafter, enter into cooperative agreements that involve the transfer of National Park Service appropriated funds to State, local and tribal governments, other public entities, educational institutions, and private nonprofit organizations for the public purpose of carrying out National Park Service programs pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 6305 to carry out public purposes of NPS programs.

16 U.S.C. § 410ddd(e)(2) – New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, the Secretary of the Interior may consult and enter into cooperative agreements with interested entities and individuals to provide for the preservation, development, interpretation, and use of the park.

16 U.S.C. § 410ddd(e)(3)(A)(ii), Construction, restoration, and rehabilitation of visitors and interpretive facilities (other than annual operation and maintenance costs) shall be expended in the ratio of one dollar of Federal funds for each one dollar of funds contributed by non-Federal sources.

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