erika.katayama
07-31-2017, 01:49 PM
Request for Proposal Collections Curator/Registrar
issued by: Kentucky Science Center
727 West Main Street
Louisville, KY 40202
Background:
Kentucky Science Center (“KSC”) began over 100 years ago as a collections-based museum and over the years acquired thousands of historical, anthropological and natural history objects and collections. In the late 1980’s the museum stopped acquiring and accessioning objects and materials when it changed its name to the Louisville Science Center and directed its focus towards interactive science education. It is thus no longer a collections-based institution and many of the objects within its collection no longer relate to the mission of the Science Center.
The ability of the Science Center to adequately preserve and protect many of these objects, and the unlikeliness that these objects will be publicly displayed in the foreseeable future due to lack of relevance or usefulness, has caused the Science Center to actively pursue deaccession and disposition to other institutions with more relevant mission and purpose and with the adequate preservation and protection mechanisms.
Proposal:
KSC is looking for an individual (“Contractor”) to draft a formal implementation plan containing processes and procedures for the deaccessioning and disposition of objects within its historical/ archeological /anthropological collection. KSC desires a contractor with 3-5 years-work experience with diverse collections (natural history, Native American, manmade, etc.) in the areas of acquisitions, accessions, old loans, deaccessions, records management, and provenance research.
As part of this plan, the Contractor will verify object authenticity, provenance and object quality; research museums and / or other collections-based institutions that would present likely sites for object transfer, and prepare some type of secure inventory or catalog featuring objects for disposition for use by prospective sites. Work leading to the preparation of the proposition document will be performed primarily at the KSC.
The approximate number of objects that KSC expects to deaccession is nearly 16,000, and includes items meeting these general descriptors:
Approximately 8500 items falling into the ‘Natural History’ category, such as:
*rocks and minerals
*taxidermy (birds, mammals, reptiles); eggs, nests
*fossils, primarily invertebrate; fossil plants
*shells; modern
*manmade artifacts
Approximately 7400 items falling into the “Historical”category, consisting mostly of textiles such as apparel, household items, wood, leathers and fabrics.
Many, if not most of these individual objects have been donated as part of a larger collection e.g., one rock and mineral collection of hundreds of pieces or one clothing collection consisting of dozens of clothing items.
Scope of Work: Contractor
KSC is looking for a Contractor to complete the following work and deliverables integral to the plan:
Work with KSC team to confirm that the objects’ provenance is secure and free from donor restrictions
Confirm the objects’ authenticity, condition, significance and quality using all known available resources on file at KSC
Recommend ethical and viable methods to contact original donor or donor(s) heirs for the primary purpose of clearing any restrictions preventing disposition.
Define an assigned insurance value
Create an object catalog, with photographs, listing all objects deemed viable for disposition.
Determine preferred disposition for objects, including but not limited to:
o Deaccession into KSC teaching collection
o Deaccession and transfer to other viable institutions
o Disposal (object is damaged to the point that their historic or scientific value is compromised, if cost of damage repair exceeds value of the object, or if no other institution can be found willing to acquire it)
List all viable institutions as possible disposition sites; make the initial contact to determine if such sites are open and able to receive and care for objects. KSC is not interested in selling any objects or collections, will not give away objects to KSC employees, affiliates, volunteers, etc., nor will it donate objects or collections to private collectors or to for-profit institutions.
Create a database for KSC to input data on details of all deaccessioned objects.
Scope: KSC
To aid the Contractor in expediting the deaccessioning process, the KSC will have completed on or about the date the Contractor begins work the following tasks:
Inventory-confirming accuracy of existing records to ensure clear title and provenance
recording the location of each item or each collection of items in the museum
Identifying all objects in collections for deaccession and preparing files containing all paperwork/records for objects.
Will submit list of all objects to be deaccessioned with a value greater than $5000 to the Collections Committee of the KSC Board of Directors.
Input data into contractor’s deaccession database
Assist contractor in the creation of object catalog for items to be deaccessioned.
Contract Price: Fee for Services:
The KSC has allocated $8000 to cover the total scope of work outlined in this RFP. This fee is all-inclusive and must cover all costs incurred by one Contractor to complete the scope including but not limited to the Contractors’ fee, travel and per diem, and fees paid to subcontractor(s)
Work dates and hours:
The Contractor will begin work on or about September 5, 2017 and should be prepared to complete the work no later than November 17, 2017. The Contractor is free to choose what dates and times to work, but Contractor’s work hours must conform to KSC business hours: Sunday through Thursday 8am to 6pm, Friday and Saturday 8am to 9pm.
Responding to this RFP:
Contractor may propose to complete the work in its entirety or in part e.g “Natural History portion only” or “Historical portion only”. If responding in part, fee will be adjusted accordingly. Responses should include:
The Contractor’s resume or curriculum vitae and include verifiable details regarding the contractor’s expertise in meeting the scope of work within this RFP.
At least two letters of reference from individuals with the expertise to evaluate contractors work particularly in the area of deaccessioning procedures.
Name and credentials of subcontractor, partner or employee if Contractor will use such assistance with completing the scope of work.
An outline of how the contractor would approach the completion of the scope of work and a timeline for completion with a recommended start date.
Certifications/affiliations/potential conflicts of interest.
Contractor’s contact information.
HOLD HARMLESS CLAUSE
The Contractor shall indemnify, hold harmless, and defend the Kentucky Science Center, its officials, employees, agents and successors in interest from all claims, damages, losses and expenses including attorneys' fees, arising out of or resulting, directly or indirectly, from the Contractor’s (or Contractor’s Subcontractors, if any) performance or breach of the contract provided that such claim, damage, loss, or expense is: (1) attributable to personal injury, bodily injury, sickness, death, or to injury to or destruction of property, including the loss of use resulting therefrom, or breach of contract, and (2) not caused by the negligent act or omission or willful misconduct of the KSC or its elected and appointed officials and employees acting within the scope of their employment. This Hold Harmless and Indemnification Clause shall in no way be limited by any financial responsibility or insurance requirements and shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
Responses are due by 5pm August 14, 2017. Questions about this RFP and/or responses may be emailed to:
Kim Hunter, Chief Program Officer
Kentucky Science Center
kim.hunter@louisvilleky.gov
Notification:
KSC will notify the Contractor no later than Friday, August 18, 2017
issued by: Kentucky Science Center
727 West Main Street
Louisville, KY 40202
Background:
Kentucky Science Center (“KSC”) began over 100 years ago as a collections-based museum and over the years acquired thousands of historical, anthropological and natural history objects and collections. In the late 1980’s the museum stopped acquiring and accessioning objects and materials when it changed its name to the Louisville Science Center and directed its focus towards interactive science education. It is thus no longer a collections-based institution and many of the objects within its collection no longer relate to the mission of the Science Center.
The ability of the Science Center to adequately preserve and protect many of these objects, and the unlikeliness that these objects will be publicly displayed in the foreseeable future due to lack of relevance or usefulness, has caused the Science Center to actively pursue deaccession and disposition to other institutions with more relevant mission and purpose and with the adequate preservation and protection mechanisms.
Proposal:
KSC is looking for an individual (“Contractor”) to draft a formal implementation plan containing processes and procedures for the deaccessioning and disposition of objects within its historical/ archeological /anthropological collection. KSC desires a contractor with 3-5 years-work experience with diverse collections (natural history, Native American, manmade, etc.) in the areas of acquisitions, accessions, old loans, deaccessions, records management, and provenance research.
As part of this plan, the Contractor will verify object authenticity, provenance and object quality; research museums and / or other collections-based institutions that would present likely sites for object transfer, and prepare some type of secure inventory or catalog featuring objects for disposition for use by prospective sites. Work leading to the preparation of the proposition document will be performed primarily at the KSC.
The approximate number of objects that KSC expects to deaccession is nearly 16,000, and includes items meeting these general descriptors:
Approximately 8500 items falling into the ‘Natural History’ category, such as:
*rocks and minerals
*taxidermy (birds, mammals, reptiles); eggs, nests
*fossils, primarily invertebrate; fossil plants
*shells; modern
*manmade artifacts
Approximately 7400 items falling into the “Historical”category, consisting mostly of textiles such as apparel, household items, wood, leathers and fabrics.
Many, if not most of these individual objects have been donated as part of a larger collection e.g., one rock and mineral collection of hundreds of pieces or one clothing collection consisting of dozens of clothing items.
Scope of Work: Contractor
KSC is looking for a Contractor to complete the following work and deliverables integral to the plan:
Work with KSC team to confirm that the objects’ provenance is secure and free from donor restrictions
Confirm the objects’ authenticity, condition, significance and quality using all known available resources on file at KSC
Recommend ethical and viable methods to contact original donor or donor(s) heirs for the primary purpose of clearing any restrictions preventing disposition.
Define an assigned insurance value
Create an object catalog, with photographs, listing all objects deemed viable for disposition.
Determine preferred disposition for objects, including but not limited to:
o Deaccession into KSC teaching collection
o Deaccession and transfer to other viable institutions
o Disposal (object is damaged to the point that their historic or scientific value is compromised, if cost of damage repair exceeds value of the object, or if no other institution can be found willing to acquire it)
List all viable institutions as possible disposition sites; make the initial contact to determine if such sites are open and able to receive and care for objects. KSC is not interested in selling any objects or collections, will not give away objects to KSC employees, affiliates, volunteers, etc., nor will it donate objects or collections to private collectors or to for-profit institutions.
Create a database for KSC to input data on details of all deaccessioned objects.
Scope: KSC
To aid the Contractor in expediting the deaccessioning process, the KSC will have completed on or about the date the Contractor begins work the following tasks:
Inventory-confirming accuracy of existing records to ensure clear title and provenance
recording the location of each item or each collection of items in the museum
Identifying all objects in collections for deaccession and preparing files containing all paperwork/records for objects.
Will submit list of all objects to be deaccessioned with a value greater than $5000 to the Collections Committee of the KSC Board of Directors.
Input data into contractor’s deaccession database
Assist contractor in the creation of object catalog for items to be deaccessioned.
Contract Price: Fee for Services:
The KSC has allocated $8000 to cover the total scope of work outlined in this RFP. This fee is all-inclusive and must cover all costs incurred by one Contractor to complete the scope including but not limited to the Contractors’ fee, travel and per diem, and fees paid to subcontractor(s)
Work dates and hours:
The Contractor will begin work on or about September 5, 2017 and should be prepared to complete the work no later than November 17, 2017. The Contractor is free to choose what dates and times to work, but Contractor’s work hours must conform to KSC business hours: Sunday through Thursday 8am to 6pm, Friday and Saturday 8am to 9pm.
Responding to this RFP:
Contractor may propose to complete the work in its entirety or in part e.g “Natural History portion only” or “Historical portion only”. If responding in part, fee will be adjusted accordingly. Responses should include:
The Contractor’s resume or curriculum vitae and include verifiable details regarding the contractor’s expertise in meeting the scope of work within this RFP.
At least two letters of reference from individuals with the expertise to evaluate contractors work particularly in the area of deaccessioning procedures.
Name and credentials of subcontractor, partner or employee if Contractor will use such assistance with completing the scope of work.
An outline of how the contractor would approach the completion of the scope of work and a timeline for completion with a recommended start date.
Certifications/affiliations/potential conflicts of interest.
Contractor’s contact information.
HOLD HARMLESS CLAUSE
The Contractor shall indemnify, hold harmless, and defend the Kentucky Science Center, its officials, employees, agents and successors in interest from all claims, damages, losses and expenses including attorneys' fees, arising out of or resulting, directly or indirectly, from the Contractor’s (or Contractor’s Subcontractors, if any) performance or breach of the contract provided that such claim, damage, loss, or expense is: (1) attributable to personal injury, bodily injury, sickness, death, or to injury to or destruction of property, including the loss of use resulting therefrom, or breach of contract, and (2) not caused by the negligent act or omission or willful misconduct of the KSC or its elected and appointed officials and employees acting within the scope of their employment. This Hold Harmless and Indemnification Clause shall in no way be limited by any financial responsibility or insurance requirements and shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
Responses are due by 5pm August 14, 2017. Questions about this RFP and/or responses may be emailed to:
Kim Hunter, Chief Program Officer
Kentucky Science Center
kim.hunter@louisvilleky.gov
Notification:
KSC will notify the Contractor no later than Friday, August 18, 2017