United States - Exhibit Design & Construction Senator Justin S. Morrill State Historic Site

Request for Proposals

February 8, 2017

Exhibit Design & Construction

Senator Justin S. Morrill State Historic Site

1.0 Invitation

The STATE OF VERMONT, Division for Historic Preservation (VDHP) is soliciting proposals from qualified individuals or firms to design and fabricate a temporary exhibition at the Senator Justin S. Morrill State Historic Site located at 214 Justin Morrill Highway in Strafford, Vermont.

Bids will be received until Monday, February 27, 2017 at 3:00 p.m. at the VDHP office,

1 National Life Drive, Davis Building, Floor 6, Montpelier, Vermont 05620-0501.

The VDHP project manager is Tracy Martin, Historic Sites Section Chief, who may be contacted at 802-828-3051 or via email at MTlraVhacCVkWGlrYGU3bVxpZGZlayVeZm0=

2.0 Background; Management Structure; Context for the Work

VDHP is a division of the Department of Housing & Community Affairs in the Agency of Commerce and Community Development. The 1975 Vermont Historic Preservation Act provides for the administration of the State-Owned Historic Sites and further instructs that VDHP is specifically responsible for their operation, maintenance, development, and interpretation (22 V.S.A. Section 723(a)(9)).

The Sen. Justin S. Morrill State Historic Site is located in the village of Strafford, Vermont. A complex of nine structures including a house, barns and smaller outbuildings, the site was the Vermont home of Sen. Morrill from his acquisition of the property in 1851, until his death in 1898. The site is owned by the State of Vermont and is managed by the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation. The site is open to the public from late May through mid-October.

The house at the Morrill site is an extraordinary example of Gothic Revival architecture. It was designed by Morrill, who was an avid reader and self-taught scholar in many fields including architecture, horticulture, agriculture and fine art.

The temporary exhibit planned for the 2017 season will examine the origins of Gothic Revival architecture, Justin Morrill’s interest in the style, and the various influences evident in the design of his Strafford home. Additionally, the exhibit will help to put the Morrill house in a wider context by looking at other Vermont examples of the Gothic Revival style, and at the popularity of the style in other areas of the country.

3.0 Scope of Services and Other Conditions

The temporary exhibit on Gothic Revival architecture planned for the 2017 season has the working title A Cultivated Mind in the County: The Gothic Revival Vision of Justin Smith Morrill. The exhibit will be installed on the first floor of the woodshed and servants’ quarters on the southwest side of the house. The budget for this project may not exceed $3,500.00.

The exhibit will be comprised of five PVC panels, three measuring 3’x4’, one measuring 2’ x 3 ½’, and one measuring 3 ½’ x 7’. The largest panel must be fabricated to be freestanding. All text, photographs, and other images for the exhibit will be provided by State staff. There may be as many as a half-dozen architectural artifacts that will need to be mounted on the panels.

Work Plan. The individual, team, or firm will:

3.1 Develop a design concept for the exhibit. Prepare labels, photographs, and material for the exhibit, for review and approval by the Project Manager.

3.2 Exhibit will be designed and fully installed on or before May 19, 2017.

3.3 Report directly to the Project Manager on a weekly basis, or more often as needed.

3.4 Install the exhibit using current museum standards and ensuring that the original fabric of the woodshed interior is preserved.

3.5 Provide a safe and secure job site at all times.

4.0 VDHP Obligations

4.1 Provide all label text and photographic images in digital format.

4.2 Provide any objects or artifacts intended for inclusion in the exhibit.

4.3 Provide the contractor with reasonable access to the exhibition area during the course of the project.

5.0 Project Schedule

Request for Proposals sent .....................................................February 8, 2017

Proposals due .........................................................................Feburary 27, 2017 by 3:00 p.m.

Letter of Intent sent to selected contractor .............................March 3, 2017

Contractor begins work (estimated time)................................March 13, 2017

Project Completed, exhibit fully installed on or before May 19, 2017

6.0 Qualifications

6.1 The individual, team or firm shall have a minimum of five (5) years experience in

museum exhibit design and construction.

6.2 The individual, team or firm shall have the necessary personnel and equipment to

undertake the project.

6.3 The individual, team or firm shall have the ability to complete the job on or before

May 19, 2017.

7.0 Submittal Information & Evaluation Criteria

Considerations in Preparing Proposal:

The Vermont Division of Historic Preservation wants firms interested in submitting proposals to understand that the selection of the firm awarded the contract will not be based on fee alone, but that the selection is "qualification" based.

Submittal Information:

The following information must be included in submitted proposals to be considered:

A proposal that describes your approach to meeting the project’s work plan, and preliminary concepts and ideas for this project.

A detailed schedule for the work plan and for ensuring project completion.

A brief description of the individual, team or firm, which includes their history, size, and

approach to exhibit design.

A list of relevant exhibit projects performed by the individual, team or firm in the last

two years, including representative photographs of the exhibit.

References, including name, address, telephone number, and email from three (3)

individuals on prior contracts.

A list of project team members, their areas of expertise, and skills they bring to this

project.

The total estimated cost for undertaking the project, broken down by materials and labor.

Evaluation Criteria:

Proposals will be judged by a Review Team and scored on their relative strengths. The selection will be based on the highest total score achieved by one of the competing firms.

The evaluation criteria for this project are:

Maximum Points

a. Work plan & approach to project 30

b. Experience 30

c. Ability to meet schedule 30

d. Budget and cost 10

Total: 100

As these are the evaluation criteria upon which the selection will be based, your proposals should

respond to each criterion in a well-organized manner and in the order in which they are listed.

Respond to each criterion, but restrict information to that requested.

8. Communications:

8.1 All questions concerning the Request for Proposals must be sent by email to the Project Manager MTFzcWBieC1sYHFzaG0/dWRxbG5tcy1mbnUlbWFybzpgbWMlbWFybzprYHRxYA==MjE0IGZkW1dlVVpfU2BgMmhXZF9hYGYgWWFo. Answers will be communicated in writing to all bidders in a timely fashion.

8.2 Submittal of Proposals:

Proposals prepared in response to this Request for Proposals must be emailed, mailed or hand delivered in a sealed envelope marked: “Justin Morrill Exhibit” and received by VDHP no later than 3:00 PM, February 27, 2017 and must be addressed to:

Tracy Martin, Historic Sites Section Chief

Vermont Division for Historic Preservation

National Life Building, Floor 6

Montpelier, Vermont 05620-0501

For emailed proposals, please send to MTJycF9hdyxrX3ByZ2w+dGNwa21scixlbXQkbGBxbjlfbGIkbGBxbjlqX3NwXw==MTgmbGphXWtbYGVZZmY4bl1qZWdmbCZfZ24eZlpraDNvYWxg the subject line, “Justin Morrill Exhibit”. All proposal materials should be submitted as a single PDF document.

Proposals received later than February 27, 2017 at 3:00 p.m. will be returned to the vendor unopened if an adequate address appears on the package, and will not be considered by VDHP.

9.0 Miscellaneous

9.1 Selection of the contractor shall be on a non-discriminatory basis without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or age.

9.2 VDHP reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals, or request further

information as needed.

9.3 The selected contractor will be expected to execute a Standard State Contract (Short Form), which will include the Standard State Provisions which are included in this document. By placing a bid on this project, vendor agrees to comply with all Standard State Provisions, and will provide the State with the required insurance certificates prior to starting work.

9.4 Payment Provisions:

An invoice shall be submitted upon completion of the project and paid by the State of Vermont within four weeks of invoice receipt, upon acceptance of the job as satisfactory by the Project Manager.

9.5 Performance measures: Bidder(s) awarded a contract will be evaluated during and at the end of the contract term on work performance under this contract.

STANDARD STATE PROVISIONS - FOR ELIGIBLE CONTRACTS UNDER $25,000

July 1, 2016

1. Governing Law, Jurisdiction and Venue: This Agreement will be governed by the laws of the State of Vermont. Any action or proceeding brought by the State or the Contractor in connection with this Agreement shall be brought in the Superior Court, Civil Division, Washington Unit.

2. Independence: The Contractor will act in an independent capacity and not as officers or employees of the State.

3. Sovereign Immunity: The State reserves all immunities, defenses, rights or actions arising out of the State’s sovereign status or under the Eleventh Amendment to the United States Constitution. No waiver of the State’s immunities, defenses, rights or actions shall be implied or otherwise deemed to exist by reason of the State’s entry into this Agreement.

4. Insurance: Before commencing work on this Agreement the Contractor must provide certificates of insurance to show that the following minimum coverages are in effect. No warranty is made that the coverages and limits listed herein are adequate to cover and protect the interests of the Contractor for the Contractor’s operations.

Workers Compensation: With respect to all operations performed, the Contractor shall carry workers’ compensation insurance in accordance with the laws of the State of Vermont. Vermont will accept an out-of-state employer's workers’ compensation coverage while operating in Vermont provided that the insurance carrier is licensed to write insurance in Vermont and an amendatory endorsement is added to the policy adding Vermont for coverage purposes. Otherwise, the party shall secure a Vermont workers’ compensation policy, if necessary, to comply with Vermont law.

General Liability and Property Damage: With respect to all operations performed under this Agreement, the Contractor shall carry general liability insurance. The policy shall be on an occurrence form and limits shall not be less than: $1,000,000 Per Occurrence $1,000,000 General Aggregate $1,000,000 Products/Completed Operations Aggregate.

Contractor shall name the State of Vermont and its officers and employees as additional insureds for liability arising out of this Agreement. Coverage shall be primary and non-contributory with any other insurance and self-insurance.

Automotive Liability: The Contractor shall carry automotive liability insurance Limits of coverage shall not be less than: $500,000 combined single limit.

5. Fair Employment Practices and Americans with Disabilities Act: Contractor agrees to comply with the requirement of Title 21V.S.A. Chapter 5, Subchapter 6, relating to fair employment practices, to the full extent applicable. Contractor shall also ensure, to the full extent required by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, that qualified individuals with disabilities receive equitable access to the services, programs, and activities provided by the Contractor under this Agreement. Contractor further agrees to include this provision in all subcontracts.

6. Taxes Due to the State:

a. Contractor understands and acknowledges responsibility, if applicable, for compliance with State tax laws, including income tax withholding for employees performing services within the State, payment of use tax on property used within the State, corporate and/or personal income tax on income earned within the State.

b. Contractor certifies under the pains and penalties of perjury that, as of the date the Agreement is signed, the Contractor is in good standing with respect to, or in full compliance with, a plan to pay any and all taxes due the State of Vermont.

c. Contractor understands that final payment under this Agreement may be withheld if the Commissioner of Taxes determines that the Contractor is not in good standing with respect to or in full compliance with a plan to pay any and all taxes due to the State of Vermont.

d. Contractor also understands the State may set off taxes (and related penalties, interest and fees) due to the State of Vermont, but only if the Contractor has failed to make an appeal within the time allowed by law, or an appeal has been taken and finally determined and the Contractor has no further legal recourse to contest the amounts due.

7. Child Support: (Applicable if the Contractor is a natural person, not a corporation or partnership.) Contractor states that, as of the date the Agreement is signed, he/she: (a) is not under any obligation to pay child support; or (b) is under such an obligation and is in good standing with respect to that obligation; or (c) has agreed to a payment plan with the Vermont Office of Child Support Services and is in full compliance with that plan. Contractor makes this statement with regard to support owed to any and all children residing in Vermont. In addition, if the Contractor is a resident of Vermont, Contractor makes this statement with regard to support owed to any and all children residing in any other state or territory of the United States.

(End of Standard Provisions)

I hereby acknowledge that I have read and understand the Standard State Provisions above, have had the opportunity to consult with legal counsel, and hereby state that my business and I agree to all of the same.

___________________________________________ ___________________

Duly Authorized Representative of bidding entity Date

Appendix I

Description of Exhibit Space

The exhibit space measures 14’5” x 15’7”, but the walls are broken in many places by stairs, doorways, an indoor privy, and built-in cupboards [see highlighted area - Appendix II]. The exhibit will be comprised of five PVC panels, three measuring 3’x4’, one measuring 2’ x 3 ½’, and one measuring 3 ½’ x 7’. The largest panel must be fabricated to be freestanding.

There may be as many as a half-dozen objects that require mounting. These could include architectural artifacts such as: examples of wood molding, a metal roof shingle, or decorative hardware.

Working Title and Content Outline

A Cultivated Mind in the County: The Gothic Revival Vision of Justin Smith Morrill

Panel 1

Introduction to the Gothic Revival

When did the style develop, and why?

What were the precepts of the style?

Who were its proponents?

Architectural features of the style

High style (larger public buildings)

Domestic (smaller rural buildings)

Panel 2

Gothic Revival Architecture in the United State

Specific examples with photos and basic information for each

Panel 3

Gothic Revival Architecture in Vermont

Specific examples with photos and basic information for each

Panel 4 (largest panel)

Justin Morrill’s Gothic Revival Vision

Who/what were his influences?

Books, friends, other buildings, etc.

What do we know about Morrill’s design process?

Drawings, notes, correspondence

Panel 5

Large early image of house (from tintype)