Arts Gallery for the Swann and Herblock Collections

C.1: Background The Interpretive Programs Office (IPO) of the Library of Congress seeks a fabricator for a new, permanent Prints and Photographs Division exhibition gallery, to be referred to as the "Arts Gallery," to be created within an existing space of the historic Thomas Jefferson Building. The gallery will display objects primarily from the Library's Prints and Photographs Division, and specifically from the Swann Collection of Caricature and Cartoon and the Herbert L. Block (Herblock) Collection of editorial cartoons. The Arts Gallery will be divided into three distinct spaces: 1) The Swann Gallery will feature a permanent display of 10-15 facsimiles, that will demonstrate the strength and range of the Swann Collection; 2) The Herblock Gallery will be a rotating exhibition space dedicated to displaying 10 original Herblock drawings at all times, with the display to include original artifacts, introductory text and labels changing every 6 months, and 3) a temporary exhibition space, which will focus on a theme featuring items drawn primarily from the Swann and/or Herblock collections augmented with other items from the extensive Prints and Photographs collections. The first exhibition will feature recent cartoon acquisitions. As mandated by agreements with both the Swann and Herblock Foundations, the Swann and Herblock galleries will be opened permanently to visitors, except during installation periods. The temporary space will be blocked off from the permanent part of the gallery if no exhibition is scheduled. The project will be divided into two distinct phases: Phase I includes the installation of the two opening exhibitions for the Swann and Herblock gallery spaces to be completed and opened to the public on March 17, 2011. Phase II encompasses the installation of the first exhibition in the temporary exhibition space, and is currently scheduled to open September 15, 2011. C.2: Scope of Work Attached are drawings from the past installation of the original Jefferson Building Swann Gallery. The Gallery was closed down and turned into the elevator for the CVC tunnel. We are being provided a new space which is approximately three times as big. Attached, please find the construction drawings for the space itself. We require the services of a fabricator to detail, fabricate and install all the wall panels and two (2) pylons. Any suggestions on value engineering will be most welcome. We require construction drawings for approval. Fabricator will be responsible for taking detailed measurements of the finished exhibit galleries. A designer has been hired for the exhibitions and will be providing input on the final sizing of the panels in the Swann and Herblock Galleries and making the fabric and paint color selections.. There are 3 distinct rooms-1. Swann Gallery; 2. Herblock Gallery; and 3. Temporary Exhibit Space-for this project. The project will be done in two phases with rooms 1 and 2 opening to the public first. The wall construction is to be done by the AOC (Architect of the Capitol) and is scheduled to begin late fall and be finished up in January. PHASE 1 - 1. Swann Gallery (see drawings 1-2) This room will have framed digital prints (direct print on aluminum sign blank) mounted to the walls with cleats. I have included the old drawings (1-2) to provide an idea of what the face frames and the cleated framework for the sign blank panels could be like. The print panels sizes and quantities could be: 4 @ 46? h x 24? w; 4 @ 46? h x 66? w. 2. Herblock Gallery (see drawings 3-6 and 7) This room will have fabric covered panels similar to those in the drawings 3, 4, 5, and 6. The approximate linear feet and quantities could be 2 @ 60? h x 11? w; 2 @ 60?h x 4? w; and 1 @ 60?h x 8? w. For cost estimating purposes use $50 per yard for the fabric and pellon underlayment. The panels should be 1 /2? fire-rated plywood (A/B) and the other materials should be sealed with fire-retardant paint. All wood will be finish painted with Benjamin Moore eggshell finish and each room may have a different color--TBD. In order to close off the space we need two (2) freestanding pylons similar to those on drawing 7. The pylons must be wide enough to cover the doorway openings into the temporary gallery. All materials and finishes should be fire rated. PHASE II - 3. Temporary Exhibit Space (See drawings A-H) The concept drawings specify hinged panels on a framework mounted to the walls so that all available wall surfaces are fabric covered panels. We will be mounting framed artifacts which will be changing out every 6 months. Since alarms may be required for some of these pieces we need access behind the walls to run wiring. Discussions with the Security Office, FD&C and the AOC will need to take place to determine the location of the feeds for the security wiring. There are also mechanical closets which must be accessible. The fabric panels stop 4-6? from the corners. There will be approximately 86 (eighty-six) linear feet of wall panels (divided evenly in the space) x 7?-8?h. Please note that the panels hang on the wall above the existing base molding in the room. Where the panel framework is mounted to the original building walls, a drill with a hepafilter will be required. Unlike the concept drawings the piano hinges show are be visible. The panels need to be assembled together with no gap. These details are to be worked out by the fabricator and approved by IPO. The panels should be Fire-rated plywood (A/B) and the other materials should be sealed with fire-retardant paint. All wood will be finish painted with Benjamin Moore eggshell finish--: #2137-60 gray owl. The fabric for the panels in this space will be covered in: Guilford of Maine Panel Fabric, Style-Regatta 2400, Color: 2400-133 (5344) Because of the open weave, an underlining of Pellon fleece will be needed. Special Notes concerning the concept drawings: The concept drawings are just to give the fabricator a rough idea of the panels system. The drawings, AOC is mentioned as doing the installation of the blocking when applied to the original building walls. For pricing please include that in your cost. Depending on the mounting method, the AOC will determine whether they need to do that work or not based on the drawings the fabricator will be providing. C.3.1 Deliverables for Phase I Construction drawings for approval by IPO Delivery and installation of all the panels in the space Delivery and installation of the 2 freestanding pylons C.3.2 Deliverables for Phase II Construction drawings for approval by IPO Delivery and installation of all the panels in the Temporary Exhibition space C.4: Schedule Phase I: Swann and Herblock Galleries Installation of the wall panels in the Swann and Herblock Galleries shall be done no later than March 9, 2011. A detailed schedule of milestones and required meetings will be developed by LC and the fabricator at the initial meeting after contract is awarded. Phase II: Temporary Exhibition space Installation of the framework attaching to the walls for all panels should be completed by March 15, 2011. The installation of the hinged fabric covered panels themselves can be done later but must be done by June 15, 2011 A detailed schedule of milestones and required meetings will be developed by LC and the fabricator at the initial meeting after contract is awarded.