Request for proposals--Textiles

Request for Proposal (RFP): Solicitation Information
New Bedford Whaling Museum

Textile stabilization services and exhibition preparation for
America's longest painting: New Bedford Whaling Museum's 19th
century moving "Grand Panorama of a Whaling Voyage Around the World"

Objective:  To strengthen and stabilize a 1,275 foot long distemper
on cotton sheeting painting, currently rolled and divided among six
separate drums for temporary or long-term vertical display in a
serpentine or spiral layout.

Timeline: Textile stabilization must be completed by September 2017,
with additional preparation / attachments made as necessary to
enable exhibition in June 2018.

Submission deadline: July 25, 2016

Pre-bid / Proposal teleconference to be held Friday July 15, 2016,
10 AM (Participation optional).

For inclusion and call-in instructions contact

    D. Jordan Berson
    Collections Manager of the New Bedford Whaling Museum
    508-717-6845
    Jberson<-at->whalingmuseum<.>org

Questions concerning this solicitation may be addressed to same.
Supporting examination documentation and photographs are available
upon request.

Introduction:

    The New Bedford Whaling Museum hereby solicits proposals and
    bids from a qualified Textile Conservation Firm (sometimes
    referred to in this RFP as a Vendor, Offeror, or Bidder) to
    provide textile stabilization services for the purpose of long
    term preservation and safe handling / hanging / display of the
    artifact during temporary exhibition(s).

    Responses shall be evaluated on the basis of the relative merits
    of the proposal as they relate to the care and end-use of the
    object, the qualifications of the offeror and price.  The
    selected offeror must comply with standards of the American
    Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (AIC).

Background:

    The New Bedford Whaling Museum owns a rare example of a 19th
    century distemper-on-cotton moving panorama painted by local
    banker turned whaleman and artist Benjamin Russell, in
    collaboration with Fairhaven, Massachusetts sign painter Caleb
    Pierce Purrington.  It was received into the museum collection
    in 1918 after years of travelling exhibition and local storage.
    The Panorama which is thought to have originally been sectioned
    in thirds is now housed on separate rolls / drums.  The total
    length of the painting is now approximately 1,275 feet long.
    Its exact original length is unknown as the final scene of the
    panorama was missing upon receipt by the museum in 1918 and
    remains absent today.  At least two of the six rolls have been
    lined for exhibition during an early treatment, and several
    conservation campaigns have been recorded to have occurred over
    time (full documentation files available for reference).  An
    original feature of the Panorama is a rope bead along the top
    edge originally used for even support and tensioning during
    suspension while on display.  Proposals must include a plan for
    mimicking this weight-bearing function while eliminating use of
    the original, weakened bead.  All condition issues are
    documented in detailed notes and photographs, and will be
    available for reference throughout the project.

    The distemper paint used by the artists were deteriorated and
    powdery, at risk of loss during handling by falling off the
    cotton sheeting substrate during rolling, and offsetting from
    the surface to the recto of the substrate while rolled.
    Consolidation of the media has been ongoing, misting a mild
    gelatin solution over the surface of the panorama, using proven
    methods employed during another high-profile panorama
    conservation initiative.  The stabilized media will be secure
    during the commencing textile work.

    A mechanical table has recently been custom fabricated for the
    purpose of providing a conveyance for the panorama during media
    consolidation.  Said table may be used as-is, modified, or
    eliminated in favor of another means of conveyance / support
    during textile conservation.  Additionally, textile work may be
    performed in house or transported off site as per bidder's
    requirements.

    The current intent of the New Bedford Whaling Museum is to
    complete this project and have the object readied for exhibition
    by June 2018.

Requirements

The Textile Conservation Services firm will be responsible for

    Stabilization and strengthening of the substrate to enable safe
    handling and vertical display.  This may entail guarding at the
    head and / or lining the entire cotton substrate, or employ
    another method to achieve the objectives using the existing
    custom conveyance table.  In lieu of using the existing table
    and drum system, another support apparatus may be fabricated by
    bidder.

    Working with museum staff support, transportation and handling
    of the six rolls during treatment as needed.  Housing / storage
    in secure climate controlled environment during treatment if
    bidder elects to perform treatment offsite.

    Using existing condition documentation reports and performing
    in-person examination as needed for making ethical, informed and
    effective treatment decisions

    Determining and specifying materials and supplies to be used
    during treatment.  Material and supply procurement will be
    responsibility of the New Bedford Whaling Museum, unless another
    agreement is made between bidder and the New Bedford Whaling
    Museum

    Before, during and after treatment high-definition photographs
    of individual mends performed.  Overall before and after
    treatment / digitization will be undertaken by the New Bedford
    Whaling Museum

    Providing proof of being fully bonded and insured, with the
    following general requirements

        Provide Certificate of Insurance for the insurance that, if
        selected, will need to be in force at all times during the
        contract period.  Insurance company coverage must be with a
        current AM Best's rating of no less than A and include the
        following coverages:

        Commercial General Liability $1,000,000 each occurrence

        Excess/Umbrella Liability $1,000,000

            Indemnification endorsement covering the additional
            insured's and owner.

            Insurance to be primary and non-contributory.

            Contain no exclusions for means, methods, techniques,
            sequences or procedures.

            General Aggregate to apply on a per project basis.

            Contain a deductible of no more the $ 25,000.

Responses: Because of the rarity and historic importance of this
artifact the successful bidder must have a high degree of experience
performing conservation on oversize historic textiles.
Qualifications will be assessed using the following required
documentation:

    Resume / Curriculum Vitae for principals including, but not
    limited to the project manager and key personnel who will be
    involved with this project including a list of relevant
    conservation projects of oversized textiles with which they were
    directly involved.

    History of conservation experience including list of
    representative projects with final cost and description of work
    (e.g. treatment reports as possible).

    Detailed list of any claims, litigation or cancellation of
    contracts against the individuals or projects listed.

    A list of three references including current contact
    information.

Bidder must furnish a fee proposal, either in the form of a total
lump sum or hourly rate with estimated number of hours to complete
the project.  This fee proposal should account for travelling time
and associated expenses if applicable.

Responses will be evaluated by New Bedford Whaling Museum staff and
third-party conservation professionals.

Bids must be received by the New Bedford Whaling Museum by 5 PM,
Monday July 25, 2016 by email to: jberson<-at->whalingmuseum<.>org or via
mail to:

    D. Jordan Berson, Collections Manager
    New Bedford Whaling Museum
    18 Johnny Cake Hill
    New Bedford MA 02740

All proposals received are to be considered property of the New
Bedford Whaling Museum.


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 30:6
                  Distributed: Saturday, June 25, 2016
                        Message Id: cdl-30-6-021
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