Photograph and Flat Art on Paper Conservation

To facilitate market research, the Government is looking to identify qualified sources under the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) 541990, All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services from - all vendors are requested. This Notice seeks industry comments to assist the Government. If you have any comments or find any ambiguities, please advise the Government to develop the proper acquisition strategy. Responses from - all sources are requested. Other than Small Businesses, Small Businesses, 8(a) small businesses, HubZone small businesses, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses, Woman-Owned Small Businesses and Economically disadvantaged Women-owned Small Businesses are encouraged to respond. This notice is for market research purposes only and is not a Request for Quote (RFQ), nor does it restrict the Government as to the final acquisition strategy. The Government will not reimburse respondents for any costs incurred in preparation of a response to this notice. Contracting Office Address National Library of Medicine, Office of Acquisitions, 8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20894 Background The material in the History of Medicine Division (HMD) provides researchers with sources both rare in availability and exhaustive in scope. HMD produces exhibitions, public programs, symposia, and educational resources for students, teachers, and the public. The National Library of Medicine (NLM) is the world's largest research library in a single scientific and professional field. The NLM's History of Medicine Division 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. NLM has procured photograph conservation services since 2002 and has an ongoing need for these services to treat damaged and deteriorating materials in the P&P collection. NLM's resources for historical scholarship in medicine and related sciences are among the richest of any institution in the world. Definitions - Photograph refers to a variety of modern and historical color, hand-tinted, and black and white photographic prints including, but not limited to albumen, carbon, gelatin, instant, collodion, platinum, photomechanical, and ink. Mediums include paper, film (e.g. negatives, transparencies; all sizes), glass, and slides. - Flat art-on-paper refers to a variety of materials including, but not limited to photograph albums, scrapbooks, maps, posters, postcards, pamphlets, trade cards, advertisements, original fine art made with a variety of different mediums, photomechanical prints, woodcuts, engravings, etchings, mezzotints, and lithographs. Objective/Scope The objective of this notice is to obtain information to identify firms capable of performing the tasks as outlined in the Statement of Work. The support provided will treat a variety of valuable and unique photographic prints and negatives and selected flat paper materials. Treatments include, but are not limited to, cleaning, removal of adhesives and stains, mending tears and voids, flattening, and replacing acidic mounts. Specialized knowledge in the safe use and storage of hazardous chemicals is required. Firms submitting a response to this Notice should include a capabilities statement covering experience, staffing and technical capabilities for performance of the following questions. Responses for each question should include information to demonstrate how the firm's recent past performance (last 3 years) is relevant to the technical areas listed including the dollar value, period of performance, size and scope of the firm's prior contracts. Questions Question 1: Describe your firm's ability to examine photograph and flat art-on-paper and to identify, prioritize, and perform all necessary conservation treatments. Question 2: Describe your firm's ability to write reports including condition reports assessing detailed physical condition of items, preservation surveys, treatment recommendations, and after-treatment reports with photo documentation. Question 3: Describe your firm's ability to identify conservation supplies needed for treatment and housing purposes. Question 4: Describe your firm's ability to assist on-site conservation staff with the training of COOP response team in the preservation of various collection formats, care and handling of materials, re-housing, and disaster recovery. Place of Performance National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, 8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20894 Submission Requirements Interested firms should submit their response to include a capabilities statement covering experience, staffing and technical capabilities. The capabilities statement should address the questions identified above and for each question demonstrate how the firm's recent past performance (last 3 years) is relevant including the dollar value, period of performance, size and scope of the firm's prior contracts. The following information is also requested and should be included with your capability information: Please indicate whether your firm will submit a quotation if a Request for Quote (RFQ) is issued and whether your firm's interest is for prime contracting or as a subcontractor. Do not include proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information in your response to this Sources Sought Notice. The Government reserves the right to use any information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate, including using technical information provided by respondents in any resultant solicitation. Responses to this Notice will not be returned. Response Format To facilitate a timely and comprehensive review of all submitted responses, firms should respond using the format requested in this Notice. Any deviation from this format may lead to the rejection of the response. All interested firms having the experience, skills and capabilities necessary to perform the stated requirements are requested to provide capability statements between 3-5 pages - no more than 5 pages maximum- in - Times New Roman 12-inch font on 8.5 x 11 paper that include the following information: Company name, address, point of contact name, telephone, and email address. CAGE Code and DUNS Number. Business size status (business size/socio-economic category must be submitted to be used). Documentation that addresses each of the four (4) questions listed above. Any applicable GSA Federal Supply Schedule contracts and NAICS codes that your firm may hold. No hard copy or facsimile submissions will be accepted. Cover letters and extraneous materials (brochures, etc.) will not be considered. Capability Statements Vendors must demonstrate their ability to comply with the requirements in this Source Sought in order to be considered capable of satisfying the Government's requirement. Overall page will be limited to 5 single-sides pages. Submission of Responses Please submit your final documentation electronically no later than 9:00 a.m. on June 28, 2021 to the primary point of contact Cameron Earle Cameron.earle@nih.gov . The email subject line must be titled - SS-75N97021R00009 - Sources Sought - Photograph and Flat Art on Paper Conservation. Submissions to any person other than those listed above will not be considered. Submissions after this date will not be considered.