SOLICITATION NOTICE
R -- Conservator
- Notice Date
- 7/3/2013
- Notice Type
- Combined Synopsis/Solicitation
- NAICS
- 519120
— Libraries and Archives
- Contracting Office
- Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, 6707 Democracy Blvd., Suite 105, Bethesda, Maryland, 20894, United States
- ZIP Code
- 20894
- Solicitation Number
- NIHLM2013743
- Archive Date
- 8/2/2013
- Point of Contact
- Kimberly Pringle, Phone: 301-496-6546
- E-Mail Address
-
kp271m@nih.gov
(kp271m@nih.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- Total Small Business
- Description
- This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for a commercial service prepared in accordance with FAR Part 13.5 - Simplified Acquisition Procedures, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotations are being requested and a separate written solicitation will not be issued. This solicitation is being issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ) NIHLM2013743. This solicitation document incorporates provisions and clauses that are in effect through FAC 2005-66 FAR Revision effective April 1, 2013, including all FAR Circulars issued as of the date of this synopsis. This acquisition is a Total Small Business Set-Aside and the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 519120, Libraries and Archives. This is a labor hour contract and it is anticipated that an award will be made for a base year and two option years. BACKGROUND The History of Medicine Division (HMD) of the National Library of Medicine (NLM) located on the National Institutes of Health (NIH) campus in Bethesda, MD maintains a pre-eminent collection of the world's published medical literature, including books, journal volumes, pamphlets, and theses, printed from the 15th through the early 20th century; manuscripts ranging in date from the 11th century to the present; fine prints, and other graphic materials from the 15th century to the present; and historical audiovisuals up through 1970. The collection consists of more than 600,000 printed works, 4,000 linear feet of modern manuscripts, 3,000 historical audiovisuals, and 60,000 historical prints and photographs. Certain items in its collection are in a deteriorated condition and require conservation treatment or rehousing. PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVE OF THE PROCUREMENT This contract shall provide the services of a professional book conservator, working on-site at the National Library of Medicine, who will perform repairs to bound and flat paper collection items, design and construct housings and exhibit mounts, prepare books for scanning, write condition and treatments reports, and provide collection maintenance to the book and manuscript collections. The contractor may also provide technical guidance to NLM staff engaged in book and paper repair and participate in training sessions on book preservation for NLM staff. PROJECT REQUIREMENTS Most of the work will be performed in the NLM's Conservation Lab, which is equipped with a well-lighted work bench, conservation lab equipment, and general office supplies. The contractor will be supplied with an NIH ID card and parking permit. Additional conservation supplies and small equipment, as needed, shall be supplied by the Government. The Government estimates that during each month of the contract a minimum of 40 hours of work to a maximum of 150hours shall be required. It is anticipated that a base year award will be made for up to 1834 hours with an option to add 222 hours. The first option year is expected to be awarded for 638 hours with an option to increase the number of hours to 1170. The second option year is expected to be awarded for 612 hours with an option to increase the number of hours to 1122. These estimates are subject to change based on funding constraints and the hourly rates of the quotations received. Normally work will be performed during at least two weeks of every month. The hours will be on a regular schedule to be arranged with the project officer with some room for flexibility. All work shall be performed in accordance with accepted principles of rare book conservation and in adherence to the American Institute for Conservation (AIC) "Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Practice" (available at http://palimpsest.stanford.edu/aic/pubs/ethics.html). The work shall be performed by a single individual conservator working at the NLM. The tasks the conservator may be asked to complete include, but are not limited to, the following: A. Maintenance of historic collection of books and manuscripts, including: 1.Performing repairs to bound volumes and manuscripts, using appropriate conservation materials and techniques. 2.Writing condition reports including digital photo documentation for bound and flat paper items using an online database. 3.Constructing custom-fitted protective housings for all repaired items and other individual collections as needed using appropriate materials and structures. 4.Performing preservation assessments of collections including surveys. 5.Carrying out regular maintenance of the collection, such as cleaning shelved books. 6.Identifying the need for ordering supplies required for treatments. 7.Applying NLM property stamp and bookplate to volumes. 8.Writing accurate condition and treatment reports including photo documentation and compiling American Research Libraries statistics for all treatments using an online database. Contractor must know how to search computer database for bibliographic information. 9.Participating in research with conservation librarian. 10.Participating in disaster recovery of collections as needed. B.Preparation of volumes for reformatting including scanning, filming, or photography such as: 1.Writing a condition report using an online database with digital photo documentation for all items to be reformatted after repair is completed. 2.Surveying collections before scanning or photography to determine need for disbinding or minor repairs or other factors which may necessitate special handling in scanning or photography. 3.Disbinding or loosening sewing of tightly-bound volumes, performing minor paper repairs, repairing or detaching foldout plates. 4.Handling and setting up books for scanning and photography. 5.Packing items for shipment and inspecting items returned after reformatting complete. C.Providing input in the design and set-up of exhibits, including: 1.Inspecting conditions for exhibition including light levels, temperature, and humidity, etc. 2.Designing and constructing exhibit mounts. 3.Creating facsimiles for exhibit using scanner and software. 4.Affixing collections items or facsimiles to mounts. D.Advising and training of NLM staff including: 1.Providing technical guidance to NLM staff and contractors engaged in book and flat paper repair. 2.Holding training sessions for NLM staff on handling, housing, identifying problems, etc. 3.Holding demonstration sessions or tours for visitors. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS Within five (5) working days after the end of each month, the contractor shall prepare and submit the following: 1.Invoice in the format provided by the Government 2.Written report which shall include, at a minimum: - number of hours worked - type of work performed - number of volumes and/or leaves repaired - number of housings constructed QUOTATION REQUIREMENTS Offerors shall submit: •A detailed résumé identifying the names of educational institutions or other academic background and prior relevant work experience, as well as dates of attendance/employment and descriptions of the courses or job responsibilities; Resume should also demonstrate the length and variety of other relevant experience in similar tasks and relevant training. •The names and current telephone numbers for three references who (i) are experienced conservators, and (ii) with recent knowledge of the proposed individual's work. •A narrative describing the techniques, materials, principles, practices, and ethics that the offeror would employ to accomplish the goals of this contract, addressing the offeror's commitment to customer satisfaction and timely delivery of high quality products and services, and description of past experience with similar activities. The narrative should also describe (i) the availability (i.e., number of hours and days the individual is available to work) of the proposed individual, and (ii) 1-2 paragraphs describing the portfolio of the individual and location of the portfolio for the site visit. EVALUATION CRITERIA Technical factors are of paramount consideration; however, cost is also important to the overall award decision. All evaluation factors other than cost, when combined, are significantly more important than cost. The Government can make tradeoffs among cost and technical factors in determining which offeror provides the best value by awarding to other than the lowest cost offeror or other than the highest technically rated offeror. Award will be made to that offeror whose quote provides the best overall value to the Government. The Government shall evaluate quotes using the following technical evaluation criteria, which are listed in the order of relative importance: Criteria A: Personnel Resume demonstrates that staff is competent and experienced in the skills outlined in this solicitation. Offerors should clearly demonstrate: •A Master's or Bachelor's degree •At least five years of combined training and experience •Training from a qualified conservator, apprenticeship, or formal library conservation training program as verified by examples of various book treatments and housings as seen in the portfolio •Knowledge and experience in the ethics, principles, practices, and techniques employed in the conservation of printed and manuscript materials, both bound and manuscript materials, using conservation materials and techniques, and in the construction of protective housings and exhibit supports, using conservation materials and structures •Proven ability to work independently •Experience making sound decisions concerning conservation treatments and techniques •Continued interest in new conservation techniques, materials, and theory, as evidenced by professional activities, publications, and continuing education •Strong written and oral communication skills and the ability to work well with others in a collegial atmosphere •Knowledge of how to search computer database(s) for bibliographic information Criteria B: Past Performance Past performance will be evaluated based upon: •References •A site visit to review a portfolio of the proposed individual's current work. During the site visit, the individual will be asked to explain the treatments and show written and photo documentation of all treatments, mounts, and housing in the portfolio. The portfolio should include multiple examples of various repairs to manuscripts and bound books, exhibit mounts, and protective housings. •Narrative demonstration that the offeror has consistently demonstrated a commitment to customer satisfaction and timely delivery of high quality products and services. •Narrative description of past experience with similar activities. Criteria C: Narrative That Demonstrates an Understanding of the Requirements The narrative demonstrates in a detailed manner the approach and ability to perform all tasks and deliverables in the statement of work. The narrative details the manner in which the project will be carried out and conveys an understanding of the information to be compiled and delivered. The percentage of time the proposed individual will contribute to the on-site only project is adequately identified. QUOTATION SUBMISSION The quotation shall not exceed 10 pages. The page limitation includes the cover letter, table of contents (if any), resume, and narrative. Quotations shall be submitted in an electronic mail format no later than 12 p.m., local prevailing time, on Thursday, July 18, 2013 to the Contract Specialist at: pringlek@mail.nih.gov. In addition to the electronic copy, one original and three (3) hard copies shall be provided to the address below: Attn: Kimberly Pringle Office of Acquisitions NIH/National Library of Medicine 6707 Democracy Boulevard, Suite 105 Bethesda MD 20817 Hard copies must be received within one business day from the time designed for receipt of the electronic copy. QUOTATIONS SUBMITTED BY WAY OF FACSIMILE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. Offerors responding to this notice must be able to provide the services as requested by NLM. Offerors shall include all information which documents and/or supports the quotation requirements and evaluation criteria in clearly marked section(s) of the quotation. All responses from responsible sources will be considered. Inquiries regarding this procurement must be made in writing no later than, Wednesday, July 10, 2013 to Kimberly D. Pringle, Contract Specialist at pringlek@mail.nih.gov. Vendor shall comply with all applicable Federal, State and Local laws, executive orders, rules and regulations applicable to its performance under this order. Full text of clauses and provisions are available at htm://www.amet.gov/far/. The following clauses and provisions shall apply to this acquisition and maybe obtained from the web sites: FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors - Commercial Items (February 2012); FAR 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications - Commercial Items (December 2012) - with DUNS Number Addendum [52.204-6 (December 2012)]; FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions - Commercial Items) (June 2013); FAR 52.212-4, Addendum to Clause for Year 2000 Compliance (July 1997); and FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders - Commercial Items (January 2013).
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/HHS/NIH/OAM/NIHLM2013743/listing.html)
- Place of Performance
- Address: 8600 Rockvile Pike, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
- Record
- SN03107211-W 20130705/130703235150-81e9887c746dd844bcb00ecc3fe7503c (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
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