Notice of intent to award a sole source contract - full conservation and regild

NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD A SOLE SOURCE CONTRACT - FULL CONSERVATION AND REGILDING OF MONUMENTAL EQUESTRIAN BRONZE SCULPTURES.

The Department of the Interior, Interior Business Center, Acquisition Services Directorate, intends to award a sole source contract on behalf of the National Park Service for the full conservation and regilding of four (4) monumental equestrian bronze sculptures. Work includes:
• Conservation cleaning and stabilization of historic bronze
• Repair of casting defects, corrosion, and failed prior treatments
• Application of corrosion-inhibiting primer system
• Application of 30-gram, 23.75 karat gold leaf, including size, sealers and burnishing.
• Cleaning and repair of granite plinths
• Installation of scaffolding, containment, and environmental controls
• Execution of phased mock-ups for all treatment steps
• Completion within a fixed period ending July 1, 2026

All work must comply with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties and the American Institute for Conservation (AIC) Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Practice.

This notice is issued in accordance with Revolutionary FAR Overhaul Part 5.

The Gilders’ Studio, Inc. is uniquely qualified to fulfill this requirement, as they have professional experience in the field of decorative gilding, have experience gilding monumental sculpture and architectural components and have the ability to meet the required completion date of July 1, 2026.

This notice serves to announce the Government’s intent to sole source this requirement and determine if any other sources exist. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals and no solicitation will be made available. Interested sources with the demonstrated capability to meet all of the technical requirements outlined in this notice are invited to submit, in writing, sufficient documentation demonstrating their ability to fulfill the requirement. Responses must provide the following:
- Demonstration of 10 years of professional experience working in the field of decorative gilding and conservation of monumental bronze sculptures
- 2-3 relevant projects completed within the last five years demonstrating experience gilding monumental sculpture and architectural components, specifically projects that include exterior gliding using high-purity (minimum 23.75 karat) gold leaf
- Demonstration of ability to meet the required schedule through a comprehensive staffing and sequencing plan.

Responses should not exceed 10 pages and must include clear and convincing evidence that competition would be beneficial to the Government and would not be cost or schedule prohibitive. This Intent to Sole Source is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation or obligation on the part of the Government.

All responses received by the due date of this notice will be considered by the Government. A determination by the Government not to compete based on the responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement or to proceed with a sole source contract. The Government will not pay for information submitted.

Respondents are responsible for appropriately marking any proprietary information. An electronic acknowledgment of receipt will be provided. If a response is not acknowledged within one business day, please contact the Contracting Office to confirm receipt.

Responses are due Monday, April 6, 2026 at 10am ET.