Request for Proposals

To clean and complete a conservation/restoration assessment report for

The Panorama of North American flora and fauna

Issued by:                    KU Biodiversity Institute

Submission due:         01.28.11

Submit to:                    Bruce Scherting, Director of Exhibits and Design

                                    Biodiversity Institute, Dyche Hall

                                    1345 Jayhawk Blvd.

                                    Lawrence, KS 66045

                                    [log in to unmask]

                                    785.864.2300

The University of Kansas Biodiversity Institute requests proposals from an individual or firm to clean and provide a conservation/restoration assessment report on the current state of the exhibit and a future restoration implementation plan for The Panorama of North American flora and fauna.
The selected individual or firm will work closely with the Director of Exhibits and other appointed Museum and University representatives.

Originally exhibited at the 1893 Columbian Exhibition in Chicago, The Panorama was put on permanent exhibit in a museum specifically built for this purpose at the University of Kansas in 1903. The Panorama has educational, scientific, and historic value. It remains one of the largest biodiversity exhibitions in the world. In one room it displays and documents the biodiversity of the western hemisphere - from the equatorial rainforest to the polar icecap, from the soils and plants to the insects to the largest land mammals. In addition to their value as scientific objects, the specimens also document an important period in history during which biodiversity research in this part of the world emerged as a serious field of inquiry, and the university and museum emerged as modern educational enterprises. Given this rich context, we want to explore the possibility of performing a full restoration of the exhibition with improved interpretive media.

Cleaning

·         Complete a thorough surface cleaning of all mounted specimens in the Panorama.

·         Complete a general cleaning of exhibit landscape elements, primarily all rock formations.

·         Provide a condition assessment of fabricated plants in the exhibit.

·         Provide a general assessment of the architectural condition of the exhibit, walls and landform structures (elevated landform and rock formations).

·         Provide general assessment of the condition of the mural artwork and substrate.

·         Produce a detailed conservation/restoration assessment Condition Report of the exhibit.

Condition Report

The final report is to include a prioritized implementation plan with recommendations and cost/time estimates for the full restoration of the exhibit.

This report is to include detailed written assessments of the condition of each mount keyed to
photo documentation as necessary with recommendations and cost estimates for restoration.
The documentation should note evidence of damage caused by insects, light, temperature/humidity
or micro-organisms such as fungi or mold.

2,200 Sq.ft. — public circulation area

8,289 Sq.ft. — exhibit area behind the glass

Number of specimens:

·         166 Mammals

·           32 Birds

·           10 Reptiles

Please submit a detailed pre-proposal noting your/your firm’s interest in the project and qualifications including history of experience with taxidermy restoration. Please provide a statement of your conservation/restoration philosophy and a brief description of how you would approach this project. A portfolio and three professional references (including names and contact information) are also required.

After review of the pre-proposals, the Biodiversity Institute will provide the opportunity for selected individuals/firms to meet with staff to explore the scope of work. You will then be asked to submit a final proposal including an outline of the cost structure and estimated cost for this program of work.

Final proposals will be evaluated for adherence to the following criteria:

·         Thoroughness of proposal in addressing the needs detailed here (cleaning, assessing, reporting)

·         Thoroughness in describing you/your firm’s experience and expertise

·         Clarity of statement of philosophy and consistency with professional standards of museum conservation and historic preservation, and with the BI programming aims

·         Rationality of timeline, including start and end dates for work

·         Clarity of cost estimation for cleaning, assessment and reporting

Notice to proceed will be issued through the BI within a month of closing date.

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 Andy Bentley
 Ichthyology Collection Manager
 University of Kansas
 Natural History Museum & Biodiversity Research Center
 Dyche Hall
 1345 Jayhawk Boulevard
 Lawrence, KS, 66045-7561
 USA

 Tel: (785) 864-3863
 Fax: (785) 864-5335
 Email: [log in to unmask]        :
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