Z--INDE West Wing

The National Park Service proposes to rehabilitate the Great Essentials exhibit in the West Wing of Independence Hall. Originally constructed in 1736, the current West Wing is a reconstructed building that dates to 1898. The exhibit contains original printed copies of the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the U.S. Constitution, as well as the Syng inkstand that was used to sign the documents. The current exhibit was installed in 1997 and displays the documents and the inkstand in two large cases served by dedicated HVAC and fire suppression systems. Those systems are at the end of their service life and need to be replaced. Interior finishes are worn, and exhibit lighting is inadequate. The scope of work is to fabricate and install a new exhibit with temperature-controlled display cases, interactive touch screens, interpretive panels, and other exhibit components. The interior of the space will be renovated to include new flooring, wall and ceiling finishes, accessible ramp and railing, lighting, physical security and life safety devices, window treatments, partition wall, closet, and interior doors. The scope includes demolition of existing exhibit, including blast-proof exhibit case with dedicated HVAC and fire detection/suppression systems. Work takes place in a secure area; contractor's key personnel will be required to submit to federal background checks, and all workers and material/equipment deliveries will be subjected to daily security screenings.