Intent to Sole Source - Frederick Wasserman

NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD SOLE SOURCE THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS. This is a notice of intent to solicit and award a sole source contract under statutory authority 10 USC 2304(c)(1), set forth in Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1, Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements.

The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum intends to solicit and award a sole source contract to facilitate the acquisition of artifacts, art, photos, and documents within the Holocaust survivor community in the New York metropolitan area and elsewhere as needed to Frederick Wasserman. The anticipated period of performance will be for a one-year base period with four one-year option periods.  This notice of intent is NOT a request for proposals or quotations.

Any individual or firm who believes that they can provide the services as detailed below should contact Bruce Falk, Procurement Director at bfalk@ushmm.org. 

Description of Services

The contractor shall facilitate the USHMM's acquisition of artifacts, art, photos, and documents within the Holocaust survivor community in the New York metropolitan area and elsewhere as needed. This will include identifying, establishing, and maintaining written, telephone, and in person contact with potential donors and other sources of acquisitions, on-site visits, and field work. The Contractor will research the history and provenance of materials and objects, evaluate their relevance to the USHMM's established collecting parameters, including condition, verifiable provenance, and potential for filling lacunae in the USHMM's existing collections, and document the same in detailed notes for the USHMM. Upon the USHMM's decision to purchase materials and/or objects, the Contractor will facilitate donors' execution of USHMM gift and purchase agreements. Contractor will submit monthly progress reports to the Contracting Officer's Representative.

Qualifications

• Expertise of legal and ethical issues surrounding the acquisition of sensitive cultural heritage collections, and acquisitions representing trauma
• Expertise networking in communities with Holocaust survivors and in working with Holocaust survivors on an individual basis
• Deep understanding of museum collections management policies and collections plans, to ensure objects acquired meet the strict parameters of the Museum’s collecting scope
• Ability to identify and recognize the importance of ephemeral objects to the Museum’s collecting goals
• Ability to communicate the Museum’s collecting goals to owners who may not recognize artifacts that we wish to collect as culturally important
• At least 10 years experience identifying and acquiring museum objects for history museums
• At least 10 years experience conducting provenance research and / or otherwise authenticating historical artifacts

A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed action based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.