SOW-DRTOConserveMetalArtifacts.pdf

STATEMENT OF WORK

CONSERVE METAL ARTIFACTS FROM FORT JEFFERSON, DRY TORTUGAS

NATIONAL PARK

Scope

In accordance with the terms and conditions of the Contract, the Contractor shall perform the project work for the National Park Service (NPS) as described herein.

The services shall include, but not be limited to:

1. Packing and transportation (including labor and materials) from the museum facility in

Everglades National Park, Homestead, Florida, to the Contractor’s place of business.

2. Preliminary assessment of all objects and treatment proposal.

3. Labor and materials for conservation treatment.

4. Final conservation treatment report for each object conserved.

5. Packing and transportation (including labor and materials) from the Contractor’s place of business to the museum facility in Everglades National Park, Homestead, Florida.

6. On-site examination of wooden architectural components from Fort Jefferson with embedded metal pieces, and a report detailing treatment and storage recommendations for such mixed-material objects. The objects are in museum storage in Everglades National Park.

Confidentiality

The information developed under this Contract is the property of the U. S. government and shall be kept in strict confidence. Proprietary or copyrighted material may not be included in the treatment proposal unless approved by the Contracting Officer.

Performance Period

Contractor will provide an estimate of the time needed for conservation work to be completed on all objects. The period of performance in the awarded contract will be based on the estimated time of completion.

Project Identification

The project title is Conservation Treatment of Metal Artifacts from Fort Jefferson, Dry Tortugas

National Park. The title may be abbreviated to “Conserve Ft. Jefferson Metals” where space is limited on deliverables. Please be consistent when using abbreviations.

The physical location of the collection objects in storage is:

Everglades National Park, South Florida Collections Management Center, Research Road, Homestead, Florida 33034. The museum facility is approximately five miles from the Homestead entrance to the park. Details: https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1565/location.htm.

Background of Dry Tortugas National Park

Dry Tortugas National Park (DRTO) was established by Public Law 102-525 on October 26, 1992, “to preserve and protect for the education, inspiration and enjoyment of present and future generations nationally significant natural, historic, scenic, marine and scientific values in South

Florida.” In addition, the 1992 national park enabling legislation abolished the previously established Fort Jefferson National Monument. Fort Jefferson National Monument was established in 1935, when President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued a presidential proclamation

(No. 2112) to preserve Fort Jefferson and the surrounding waters of the Dry Tortugas. The original acreage of Fort Jefferson National Monument was incorporated into Dry Tortugas

National Park and the boundary was reconfigured to encompass approximately 100 square miles

(64,701 acres). The original boundary of Fort Jefferson National Monument (47,125 acres), including Fort Jefferson and surrounding waters of the Dry Tortugas, was placed on the National

Register of Historic Places in 1976.

Park Museum Collections

The park’s museum collections include nearly 380,000 artifacts, specimens, and archival documents. The South Florida Collections Management Center (SFCMC) is located in Everglades

National Park and serves as the designated repository for most cultural and natural history objects from Dry Tortugas National Park. Archeological artifacts recovered from the park during systematic investigations, are currently on loan to the Southeast Archeological Center (SEAC), Tallahassee, FL, for storage purposes.

The park’s museum collection has grown sporadically, and the quality of collection documentation and care varied over time. Specific impacts to the museum collection from

Hurricane Andrew (1992), although surely documented at the time by curatorial response teams, have not been formally recorded for individual objects or groups of objects. Likewise, although numerous metal artifacts from Fort Jefferson have received conservation treatment, treatment records are scarce.

Collecting and maintaining a museum collection is an important part of the management of the park’s resources. The purpose of the cultural collection is to preserve resources and to increase knowledge and inspiration among present and future generations through exhibits, research and interpretive programs. Mandated collections, objects, and archival materials with direct associations to the cultural resources of Dry Tortugas National Park are desirable to the extent that they are available and can be preserved by the park.

Purpose of Work

The purpose of the work is to engage a professional conservation firm to perform treatment on badly rusting historic metal objects in the museum collection of Dry Tortugas National Park. The objects are structural elements from the 1800s-era Fort Jefferson, namely metal straps and other pieces from the historic hot shot furnace in the fort. The conservation treatment will include cleaning, removing deteriorated material, and stabilizing the metal. All work will meet American

Institute for Conservation (AIC) standards. The conservator will provide conservation treatment reports and photographs at the completion of the project. The conservator will also provide a treatment plan for cannon carriages that contain wood elements and corroded metal elements bolted together. These objects are currently in storage at the SFCMC. A detailed inventory of items proposed for treatment is included as an appendix to this statement of work. Project work will follow the conservation treatment priorities defined by the SFCMC Museum Curator and

South Florida Parks Chief of Cultural Resources. Metal objects identified for this work include some large objects which will require special handling. The metal objects recovered from Dry

Tortugas National Park need conservation treatment due to their age and prolonged exposure to the marine environment of the park. These objects represent irreplaceable original materials. In

2006-2008 the metal furnace components were placed with desiccant in Marvelseal bags. More than ten years later the bags are failing and the straps show signs of severe rusting and flaking.

Conservation treatment will remove the flakes and treat the metal so that the straps can be stored in museum storage conditions with other conserved metal components from Fort Jefferson.

In addition, the conservator will travel to museum storage to examine, document, and make recommendations about treatment and conservation needs of wooden timbers and other architectural components salvaged from Fort Jefferson. The wooden beams have embedded metal components that are often painted and corroded. The museum staff needs professional expertise to devise a storage and treatment plan for these artifacts that are nearly impossible to move and that provide the challenge of well-preserved wood mixed with corroding metal components.

In the bid package, potential Contractors shall:

1. Agree to fully comply with the Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Practice of the

American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (AIC) in all work performed.

2. Provide a curriculum vitae containing the relevant qualifications and experience of the

Contractor and any other the individuals who will be involved in the examination and treatment process, including an estimate of the nature and extent of their anticipated involvement. This will include references to similar work that clearly demonstrates an expertise in the conservation of museum objects and a history of completing work of this scope and character. Include a comprehensive work history that shows specialized training and education in the field of conservation.

3. Provide proof of membership of the project leader in the AIC, for private conservators, or equivalent academic credentials for conservators working at a public institution that may not be a member of AIC.

4. Provide a list of references from museum professionals with first-hand knowledge of similar conservation work performed.

5. Provide proof of liability and damage insurance to cover museum objects while in the conservation lab and during transportation to and from Everglades

National Park.

6. For work that is to be performed on-site, provide a copy of liability insurance that covers such work.

7. Provide a description of the facility where activities are to be performed, including the applicable portions of a standard American Alliance of Museums facilities report addressing climate control, security, and fire detection systems. Off-site work will require transport; the Contractor shall use appropriate museum and fine art shipping practices for packing and transport to and from the park. A description of the planned transport procedures and insurance coverage must be included.

8. Provide a detailed bid that separates estimated packing and transportation charges from the labor and materials needed to complete the conservation treatment. In addition, bids shall be separated into three parts: one for priority one objects as a group as listed in the appendix, a second for priority two objects as a group listed in the appendix, and a third for travel and preparation of the wood/metal condition assessment and conservation plan. Based on availability of funds, NPS may award a contract for all of the work or only a part of the work described, at its discretion.

In order to complete as much work as funds allow, it is essential for bids to break out costs for the three major components of the proposed work.

Prior to entering into a contract, the park/NPS shall:

1. When the Contractor will be on-site at the park for examination or packing of materials to be conserved, the park/NPS will provide:

• Supervised access to collection storage rooms, vaults, cabinets, shelves, and other locations of museum objects as necessary.

• Access to storage cabinets, vaults, or other containers that may be locked.

• Limited access to museum records (e.g., catalog and accession) and conservation records (e.g., treatment and survey) as required.

• Answers to questions about existing environmental monitoring and control, preventive care of objects, uses of objects, plans for future exhibition of objects, and the park's integrated pest management (IPM) program.

• Other relevant information as needed and practicable for NPS staff to provide.

2. Provide necessary information about current building access and use restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tasks

1. Independently and not as an agent of the Government, the Contractor shall provide all packing, packing/shipping supplies, labor, materials, facilities, and travel necessary to execute conservation treatments on the object(s) listed and described in the appendix.

2. Commence treatment of the object(s) upon park approval of a Treatment Proposal, Examination Report, and high-resolution photographs for each object before treatment starts. If the proposal includes recommendations to not treat any object, that recommendation should be explained fully with justification and documentation sufficient to allow the museum curator to deaccession those items.

3. Provide a final Treatment Report that includes treatment methods and high-resolution post-treatment photographs and catalog data for each object conserved.

4. Provide a written condition survey of mixed wood/metal objects that includes photographs of representative objects and that makes specific recommendations for storage and treatment of these objects with explanations of the rationale employed.

Deliverables: Treatment Reports and Recommendations

1. A draft and final Treatment Report for each object or the group of metal objects for which the Contractor performs treatment delivered to the NPS in a digital format of the NPS’s choosing.

2. Full-color digital photographs of each object taken before treatment (required), during treatment (if appropriate or requested by NPS), and after completion of treatment

(required). Digital photographs should be high resolution (minimum 400dpi) and delivered to the NPS electronically.

3. At the completion of treatment, a meeting (in person or via virtual call) with the designated curatorial staff to review the results of the treatment and the Contractor’s recommendations for the future storage and exhibition of the objects.

4. Submit to COR one electronic copy of the final Treatment Report, digital images, and all treatment proposals.

5. Submit to COR one electronic copy of the final condition survey and conservation report for mixed wood/metal objects.

Note:

1. All reports, proposals, and photographs shall be created in accordance with the American

Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (AIC) Code of Ethics and

Guidelines for Practice.

2. All work will be subject to inspection and acceptance by the designated Contracting

Officer’s Representative (COR). If submitted deliverables are not to the satisfaction of the COR, revisions/further drafts must be submitted by the Contractor until the issue(s) are corrected.

3. All deliverables will be sent to the NPS representative and the COR.

Editing and Production

Contractor shall conform to the NPS Harpers Ferry Center Editorial Style Guide (found at https://www.nps.gov/subjects/hfc/hfc-editorial-style-guide.htm) and the most recent edition of the

Chicago Manual of Style to edit and format the text per the following standardization within the document:

• Grammar and spelling

• Fonts and format

• Table of contents

• Forms, charts, and tables

• Section introductions and headings

• Headers, footers, photo captions, and footnotes

Inclusion of Photographs https://www.nps.gov/subjects/hfc/hfc-editorial-style-guide.htm

1. The document may include color images to be inserted into the text. They will be provided in digital format with a size of 4x6 at minimum 400dpi.

2. The Final Treatment Report will be paginated in a way that treats each object separately, i.e., that allows NPS to print and file the pages for each object in the object’s catalog file.

3. Images included in the final document will also be provided to the NPS in digital format with a size of at least 400dpi. Digital image files shall be submitted electronically.

Protection of Sensitive Information

All information and documentation gathered or produced by the Contractor during the course of this work shall be held in strictest confidence and shall be fully protected from access by unauthorized persons. Any documentation furnished by the site and retained by the Contractor during the course of the project work or thereafter shall be secured in a locked filing cabinet or safe, at a minimum. During the initial site, the Contractor shall indicate to the Superintendent the manner in which he/she intends to secure any documentation the site may furnish. The

Superintendent will have the prerogative to specify when more stringent security must be provided for any particular document furnished to the Contractor. Documentation that cannot be secured to the Superintendent's satisfaction will be furnished to the Contractor for on-site use.

Notes, images, data, and other information provided to or produced by the Contractor shall be secured in a locked filing cabinet or safe, at minimum. Electronic files, including digital images, shall be secured in an equivalent manner, such as by retaining files only on an external hard drive or CD/DVD that is kept in a safe, and by the use of passwords or encryption. During the initial site visit, the Contractor shall indicate to the Superintendent the manner in which he/she intends to secure paper documents/files, electronic files, and data generated during the course of the project work. The Superintendent will have the prerogative to specify when additional security measures must be followed.

Period of Performance

Project work shall begin following the contract award, proceed in accordance with the schedule for submittals, and be completed within the period of performance defined in the contract award.

Work Element Completion Time After Award

Initial meeting via conference call within 30 days after award of contract

Preliminary treatment proposal submitted within 60 days after award of contract

Preliminary treatment proposal approved within 90 days after award of contract

Packing and shipping of objects within 30 days after proposal approved

Offsite conservation work begins upon receipt of artifacts and objects

Completion of work/Return of conserved objects as stated in the contract

The nature of conservation work dictates the time frame must be flexible. Some objects may have disparate materials that require special treatment to prevent further deterioration. It is anticipated that the project work will be completed within one calendar year from the start of the project unless the Contractor specifies in the approved preliminary treatment report that more time is required.

Schedule of Payments

Payment is contingent upon completion and acceptance of work and receipt of a proper invoice.

The Contractor may invoice for partial payments per the schedule below.

Submission and acceptance of treatment proposal 25%

Completion 50% of the conservation work 40%

NPS final acceptance of work and return of collections to SFCMC

Selection Criteria

35%

Selection of the most technically qualified conservator will be based on the criteria defined below. Weights are presented in parentheses.

1. Specialized experience – Experience in conducting conservation treatment of metal object in museum collections (40%)

2. Key personnel – Resumes for key personnel shall be provided for review. Key personnel are hereby defined as those employees whose estimated labor hours represent more than 15% of the total labor hour estimate. (30%)

3. Past performance – Descriptions of at least (3) similar projects and explanation of the roles the previously identified key personnel fulfilled in these projects. Client points of contact shall be provided to serve as references. (20%)

4. Availability of resources – Ability of Contractor to provide the resources necessary to meet the deliverables schedule. (10%)

Selection will be based on qualifications and best value to the Government for the project.

It will not be based on the lowest bid.

Inspection and Acceptance

The Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) is empowered to inspect and evaluate all work of the Contract for compliance with terms of this Scope of Work Statement.

Acceptance of the work of the contract and any changes to the terms of the contract shall be made in writing only by the NPS Contracting Officer.

The Contractor shall coordinate with the designated point of contact at the South Florida

Collections Management Center. This may include participating in virtual calls and progress review meetings.

APPENDIX: Inventory of Objects to Be Conserved

PRIORITY ONE OBJECTS (see item 8 in the bidding requirements, above, p. 4).

Large metal pieces from the hot shot furnace at Fort Jefferson. All estimated in poor condition.

1. DRTO 3494: Firebox retaining strap from the Hot Shot Furnace as Dry Tortugas National

Park. Rectangular iron strap with three holes for bolts to pass through. Heads of all three square nuts, which attach the bolts to the strap, are still in place. Two bolts are broken off, with only c. 2 inches of the bolt remaining in each. The third bolt fragment is 21.75 inches long. The square nuts are two inches by two inches. L 61.75, W 2.0, D 1.5 IN (strap dimensions)

2. DRTO 3496: Iron damper plate fragment from the Hot Shot Furnace at Dry Tortugas

National Park. Consists of an iron framework of arches, into which plates were inserted. In its historical use, the plates were lifted to provide access to the shot that had been heated by the furnace. L 36.25, W 11.0 IN

3. DRTO 3499: Iron lower cross tie fragment from the Hot Shot Furnace at Dry Tortugas

National Park. Consists of one complete rail support bar with a cross tie fragment at each end.

Rail support bar is 39.5 inches long and 5.5 inches wide. L 84.0, W 5.5 IN

4. DRTO 3500: Iron lower cross tie fragment from the Hot Shot Furnace at Dry Tortugas

National Park. Consists of a complete rail support bar with a cross tie (rod) fragment at each end. One tie fragment has a square nut threaded onto the end. The rail support bar is 39 inches long and 8.25 inches wide. L 92.0, W 8.25 IN

[photo represents both DRTO 3499 and DRTO 3500, which are nearly identical in form and condition]

5. DRTO 3501: Iron upper cross tie fragment from the Hot Shot Furnace at Dry Tortugas

National Park. Consists of a cross tie (rod) fragment with a complete star closure and square nut on one end. Star closure has four points. L 93.0, W 10.5 IN

6. DRTO 3502: Iron upper cross tie fragment from the Hot Shot Furnace at Dry Tortugas

National Park. L 92.0 IN

[photo includes both DRTO 3501 and 3502]

7. DRTO 3503: Iron upper cross tie fragment from the Hot Shot Furnace at Dry Tortugas

National Park. Consists of complete rail support bar with tie (rod) fragments at each end. The tie rod is threaded at one end. 81" x 4'. [See photo for DRTO 3501 and 3502. This object is similar in size and condition.]

8. DRTO 4138- 4144: Six nearly identical objects. Component piece of a shot rail from the hot shot furnace at Fort Jefferson. End piece, consisting of a length of cast iron, with 1 and 7/8 inch diameter hollow down its length and with 5 projecting "legs" spaced along its length.

One end is a 4.5" wide rectangular butt end while the other is a partial lip which is meant to overlap with an adjoining piece. EACH: L 117.5, W 4.5, D 10.5 IN

[These photographs represent DRTO 4138-4144.]

9. DRTO 5277: Segment of curved metal which measures approximately 15.2cm, with arc of

5.0cm. Numerous additional smaller fragments are present. 465.0 G. No photo.

10. DRTO 5278: Iron rod with overall length of 73.0 cm; on end with large heavy hexagonal bolt; the other end with roughly square shaped fitting and circular washer (?). This end with extensive surface deposits and possible wood fragments. The mid-section of the rod is circular in cross section with fractured sections de-laminating outward from central core. L 72.0, W

(max) 5.5, (min) 4.0 CM

11. DRTO 5792: Square head with portion of shaft, badly corroded. 176.8 G

12. DRTO 5793: Iron spike. 161.5 G

[Photo includes DRTO 5279, glass, not included in this contract]

13. DRTO 6722: Rusted throughout and crumbly on top and bottom surfaces. crumbled into several pieces. H 4.0 L 4.0, T 1.2 CM; H 3.5, L 1.5, T 0.7 CM

PRIORITY TWO OBJECTS (see item 8 in the bidding requirements, above). Total of xx objects.

1. DRTO 5271: Piece from hot shot furnace. Records indicate this object has undergone conservation treatment. Condition indicates it is in need of additional treatment. Cast iron fitting: rectangular "head" with one surface curved and bolt-like shaft. Opposite the head is a large square nut threaded onto the shaft. Near the head the shaft is square in cross section, it then tapers to round form with a diameter of approximately 3.0 cm. There is a rectangular plate corroded in place at the square shaft section (shaft is inserted through its center). The plate has four large holes near each corner and measures approximately 8.0 cm x 12.7 cm x 0.5 cm thick. The shaft is threaded approximately one-quarter of its length. A circular washer which rotates freely is near the nut. The washer measures approximately 7.5 cm diameter x 0.5 cm thickness; it appears to have a slanted edge

(uncertain due to corrosion). The nut measures 5.0 cm x 5.0 cm x 2.5 cm and is corroded in place; the side facing the washer is flat and the opposite face is angled around the edges and the convex head of the shaft protrudes slightly from its center.

2. DRTO 300618: Star-shaped piece of metal. This item is a star washer off the side of the hot short furnace.

3. DRTO 300821-300824: Four pieces of wound metal cable identified as from c. 1873.

4. DRTO 9714: Original iron stand pipe from water cistern at front one, Fort Jefferson. The pipe has a square base with a cylindrical pipe in the center. Inside the pipe is cement. The front right corner of the base is missing and the top of the pipe has jagged edging. Rusting throughout.

5. DRTO-00164 (uncatalogued): Metal object lacks provenance.

6. DRTO-00112: Wrench and other tool or piece of hardware.

7. DRTO-00098: Assortment of approximately four small, corroded metal objects (two bolts at lower left), in first photo. Approximately eight small, corroded metal objects in second photo.

8. DRTO-00270: Galley door hinge plate and two hinge pieces.

9. DRTO 9737: Corner brace. Square center with one rounded edge. There are rectangular arms protruding from each right angle of the center. There is a bolt hole in the middle of the center piece. Severe rust damage present. L 47cm W 47cm T 6.5cm

10. DRTO 9741: Corner brace. Square center with one rounded edge. There are rectangular arms protruding from each right angle of the center. There is a bolt hole in the middle of the center piece. Severe rust damage present. L 66cm W 33cm T 6.5cm

11. DRTO 4315: Metal spigot fitting (reddish-color metal with gray-colored crust). It has a metal rectangular handle with cut outs for a finger on either side of the stem. The handle appears to be rusting into place. The faucet is curved downward and has a curved rectangular piece above to hold the handle of a bucket. The pipe portion is round, tapers at juncture with handle portion. H 8.5, W4.5, L 22.0 CM

12. FOJE-00137 (uncatalogued): Unidentified metal hand tool with multiple fragments.

13. FOJE-001 (uncatalogued): Metal ball.

14. T-178: Unknown metal object with concretions (?).

15. T-186: Metal ring and bolt, corroded.

16. DRTO 4580b: Large crescent shaped metal object.

17. DRTO 65: Projectile. Solid iron shot, small caliber probably for a small cannon/swivel gun or small arms. Recently determined to be inert.

18. DRTO 4318: Bronze pin and bushing from a Totten shutter at Fort Jefferson. a: is a long cylinder pin with one end angled and the other has a hole filled with another piece of bronze.

The other piece, b, is a piece of a pin with a larger ring attached around the top third (which is the bushing). Below the bushing are remnants of another ferrous metal piece that corroded into place. The bushing is a thick round disk.

19. DRTO 6739: Copper mesh. Gray in color and rectangular in shape. 19 small cylindrical strips of copper woven in plain weave to form a mesh.

20. EVER 28380: Plaque. Square plaque commemorating the death of Guy Bradley, Audubon

Warden. Plaque has four holes (one at each corner) for screws to attach it.

21. EVER 306076: Iron blade or cutting attachment from a sugar cane mill.

22. DESO 110: MATCHLOCK MUSKET LOCK. Sixteenth-century manufacture.

23. BISC 5572: Bolt. Large bolt has flat-topped hexagonal head with thick round shaft;

approximate lower one-third of shaft is threaded (5 threads per inch). Approximately one-half of a hexagonal nut; threading appears to match bolt.

24. BISC 13123 and 13124: Turnbuckles. Iron turnbuckle from Biscayne Channel Light.

Rectangular box with bolts coming out of ridght and left side. Brown, red, and white coloring. Severally rusted (13123) and light rusting (13124).

25. BISC 8115: Lobster gauge. There is some green discoloration throughout. Logo and

“Bidwell” stamp are fading.