Specs 11.16.23~1.docx

This bid is for the restoration of a firefighting hose cart and a horse-drawn firefighting ladder wagon, both manufactured in 1884 for the Wenona (Illinois) Fire Protection District by the Fire Extinguisher Company of Chicago. These artifacts reside at the Illinois Fire Museum, 7 Central Avenue, Springfield, Illinois 62702.

The vendor shall have expertise and knowledge about historical firefighting equipment, especially in wooden wagons from the late 19th to early 20th centuries.

Inspection and Assessment: The vendor shall comprehensively inspect the ladder wagon and hose cart to determine their overall condition, structural integrity, and functionality. Note any damages, missing parts, or potential safety concerns.

Transportation: The vendor shall provide transportation for the ladder wagon and hose cart from the Illinois Fire Museum, 7 Central Avenue, Springfield, Illinois, to the vendor’s service location and return the items to their resident location. The vendor will be responsible for any disassembly and reassembly needed because of transportation.

Storage: Vendor may be asked to store the hose cart and wagon for up to one year. Storage location must be indoors with ventilation and climate controlled to prevent environmental damage. Storage space must have adequate clearance around each unit to facilitate inspection, maintenance, and easy removal in case of emergency. Location shall be approved by OSFM prior to storage.

Disassembly: The vendor shall carefully disassemble the ladder wagon and hose cart, ensuring all parts and components are organized and labeled for easy reassembly later.

Cleaning and Surface Preparation: The vendor shall thoroughly clean all the parts, removing dirt, grime, rust, and old paint. Surface preparation is crucial to ensure proper adhesion of new coatings.

Repair and Restoration: The vendor shall address any structural issues or damages found during the inspection phase. They will replace or repair damaged parts as close to the original as possible and ensure the ladder, wheels, and other components are properly working.

Woodwork, Leather, and Upholstery: The vendor shall inspect all wooden parts for damage or rot and replace or repair wooden elements as needed. If the ladder wagon or hose cart has leather accessories or upholstery for seats, those items may also need to be replaced or repaired.

Sandblasting, Stripping, and Coating: The vendor shall sandblast or use other suitable methods to remove old paint and rust from metal surfaces. Apply appropriate primers and coatings to protect against corrosion and provide a smooth base for the final finish. Strip old paint from wood pieces and prep for appropriate primers and coatings to protect against deterioration and provide a smooth base for the final finish.

Repainting and Finishing: The vendor shall repaint the ladder wagon and hose cart using agreed-upon historically accurate colors, gold leaf, and pinstripe designs, if possible, to retain their vintage aesthetics. Use high-quality paint suitable for outdoor exposure and firefighting equipment.

Reassembly and Testing: The vendor shall reassemble all components, ensuring everything fits and functions correctly. Test the ladder wagon's mechanical parts, brakes, and steering to ensure they are properly working.

Preservation and Maintenance: After refurbishment, vendor shall establish a recommended regular maintenance schedule to keep the ladder wagon and hose cart in excellent condition and extend their lifespan.

Pricing: Vendor shall provide a quote for the total cost of completion of the project, except for the line item for monthly storage costs, which shall be entered in line item #2 in BidBuy.