EDIS - Conserve West Bedroom Rug

Quick Summary

The National Park Service (NPS), Department of the Interior, is seeking proposals for conservation services for an oversized historic Oushak rug (EDIS 102381) located in the West Bedroom of the Edison family home at Thomas Edison National Historical Park (EDIS) in West Orange, NJ. This is a Total Small Business Set-Aside opportunity. The conservation work involves both on-site and off-site tasks to preserve this historically significant artifact. Quotes are due by March 4, 2026, at 2:00 PM ET.

Scope of Work

The project requires comprehensive conservation of the historic rug. Key tasks include:

• On-site: De-installation, careful packing for transport, and re-installation of the rug. Protection of adjacent artifacts, historic finishes, architectural features, and floors during all on-site activities.
• Off-site: Museum-grade cleaning, stabilization, and addressing various damages such as stains, wrinkles, rips, tears, and failing repairs.
• Reporting: Production of a detailed condition and treatment report with before and after photographs, daily reports, a mid-project condition report, and a final treatment report.
• Materials: Use of museum-grade archival textile rolls and acid-free tissue paper/Tyvek for packing.
• Standards: Adherence to NPS, Secretary of the Interior, and American Institute for Conservation (AIC) standards for preservation and conservation is mandatory.

Contract & Timeline

• Contract Type: Firm-fixed price purchase order.
• Period of Performance: Anticipated April 1, 2026, through November 30, 2026, or within an eight-month timeframe from the date of award.
• Set-Aside: Total Small Business Set-Aside (FAR 19.5).
• NAICS Code: 541990 - All Other Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (Size Standard: $19.5 million).
• Service Contract Act: Applicable, with DOL Wage Determination 2015-4211 for Essex County, NJ.
• Insurance: $500,000 coverage required for installation, de-installation, on-site work, transport, and conservation.

Submission & Evaluation

• Quote Due Date: March 4, 2026, 2:00 PM ET.
• Questions Due Date: February 24, 2026, 12:00 PM ET.
• Submission Method: Quotes must be emailed to Roselyn Sessoms at roselyn_sessoms@nps.gov.
• Required Documents: Offerors must complete and submit a Past Performance Questionnaire and a Technical Questionnaire.
• Evaluation Factors: Award will be made to the responsible offeror whose quote is most advantageous to the Government, considering:
  • Technical Capability: Project completion plan, adherence to SOW, experience, knowledge, equipment, and quality assurance.
  • Past Performance: Minimum of five years' experience conserving historic rugs/tapestries (1880-1947), including museum-grade cleaning and addressing tears/losses. Experience in AAM accredited museums or on National Register properties is required. Lead conservator must have a minimum of three years of textile conservation training and experience.
  • Price: Evaluated for reasonableness.

Important Notes

• SAM Registration: Offerors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) prior to contract award.
• Site Visit: A site visit is strongly encouraged and scheduled for Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. Contact Beth Miller at (973) 809-4360 or beth_miller@nps.gov to confirm attendance.
• Contractor Monitoring: Bidders should review the Contractor Monitoring SOP for Thomas Edison NHP, which outlines security protocols, workplace conduct, safety requirements (e.g., no on-site hot work), and emergency procedures. Contractors will be escorted by NPS staff while on-site.
• Post-Award Deadlines: Key deadlines include Certificate of Insurance (10 days), Health & Safety and Protect-In-Place plans (30 days), Condition report (120 days), On-site work completion (210 days), Treatment report (220 days), and Final approval (240 days) from award date.