GSA, PBS Contracts,The Wanamaker Building,100 Penn Square East,Philadelphia,,PA 19107-3396

Z -- RESTORATION/CONSERVATION OF GEORGE SOL GS-03P-94-AZC-0105 DUE 081095 POC Contact,Gregory Wright,215/656-6118 The contractor shall provide all management, supervision, labor, materials, supplies, and equipment (except as otherwise provided), to accomplish the restoration and conservation and protective coating to the George Harding Murals at the U.S. Customs House, 2nd & Chestnut Streets, Philadelphia, PA. The murals were commissioned under the Department of the Treasury's Federal Art Project, Section of the Fine Arts, WPA, 1935-1937. The 31 murals depict scenes of the North Atlantic Ice Patrol, mail services, signal devices, communications, etc. Most murals are mounted on ceilings, with balance being wall-mounted. The medium used: medium to very rich, oil paint film with low impasto. Backing: Preprimed, medium grade, plain weave canvas adhered to ''Veosote'' composition board using an unidentified glue adhesive (Arabol Mfg., Co./ New York). The composition board is secured to the ceiling/wall using screws and grommets, nails, and wooden collar stripping around the circumference edge of the painted murals. Conservator shall clean painted surfaces using an aqueous detergent solution and small cotton swabs. If complete removal of dirt and grime will cause damage to the painted surface, reduce dirt and grime as much as is safely possible. No attempt should be made to clean paintings beyond the removal of the accumulated airborne soot and grime. Note that the painted design is executed in thin transparent glazes. Conservator shall also apply a protective isolation coat of varnish, evenly with no excessive build-up and shall infill areas of paint loss. Murals currently exhibit minor paint losses, some warping and buckling and overall buildup of dust and dirt. Conservator is required to make on-site examination of the artwork to determine the exact nature and extent of deterioration and treatment, verify dimensions, gain familiarity with existing conditions, and obtain full knowledge of any and all difficulties that may reasonably be expected to be encountered in the performance of the work. All work will be performed on-site; no artwork will be removed from the premises. Photographic documentation of the murals before and after restoration will be required. Also, upon completion of work, submission of a written log of work that was performed on each mural is required; logs must detail locations of specific repair/restoration work, and specific written instrutions for the appropriate maintenance and preservation of the artwork. Conservator will be responsible for providing the necessary professional services to ensure that the proposed conservation and treatment will not have an adverse impact upon the aesthetic, historic, and physical integrity of the artwork. Conservation treatments must be reversible to ensure that removal of materials and techniques will not endanger the physical welfare of the murals. The know character of the artwork should not be modified. As much as possible, decayed parts of an artwork will be conserved, not replaced. The treatment should follow the guidelines of the American Institute for the Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (AIC) Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. Proposed treatment and list of chemicals, etc., must be approved by GSA prior to award. Categories of evaluation Criteria to be applied in the Selection Process, in order of importance, are as follows: 1. Past performance and experience in related or similar projects. This will be demonstrated by providing separate documentation on a minimum of one such project on the same scale and complexity (breadth and depth, size and scope) of these murals. Specifically demonstrate working in a team of at least two or more individuals on a large project (8 or more murals or art works); 2. Specific familiarity and experience restoring, conserving, or cleaning Depression-era art works. To include styles of painting, mediums used, etc. Must show experience in terms of years and projects; 3. Personnel qualifications - evaluated on the basis of education, professional certification - demonstration of ability to perform work, supervise/oversee and work in team; 4. Professional affilia- tions. Consideration will be limited to those conservators within a 150 kilometer radius of the City of Philadelphia. Conservators meeting this geographical restriction and having the capabilities to perform the services described herein should request a copy of the solici- tation for this project, to be issued on or about July 11, 1995. Requests must be in writing, to the attention of Ms. Dyann Jacobs; FAX number is (215) 656-5836. (0173)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0151 19950623\Z-0001.SOL)