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The National Portrait Gallery (NPG) and Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM) collectively hold an internationally renowned collection of approximately 230,000 artifacts spanning twenty‐four centuries. The museums share a leased collections storage facility that contains thousands of these works, including paintings, sculptures, works on paper, and time‐based media. The collection facility had a new ultrasonic humidification system installed in February 2023. In July 2023, due to issues related to the system installation, fine, abrasive, particulate dust was found throughout the storage spaces. On some surfaces, such as plastics and wood, the dust is particularly hard to remove and will require careful treatment. The collection is in place at the location and will remain on site throughout the upcoming facility and collections clean-up process.

Preliminary analysis indicates that the dust is a monohydrocalcite. It was evaluated by a Smithsonian Institution Industrial Hygienist and found within acceptable safe health ranges. The concentrations detected during monitoring were significantly below the OSHA limits and would not be expected to produce adverse health effects to occupants of the space. However, individuals who may have sensitivities to low concentrations of nuisance dust or who may wish to voluntarily use personal protective equipment for individual comfort purposes are authorized to wear disposable N95 or P100 filtering masks. Frequent cleaning of work surfaces using damp cloths is also recommended to aid in minimizing any accumulated dusts.

The work will require appropriate documentation including photography and the recording of conservation treatment information in TMS or Conservation Studio. Due to the widespread dust coverage, SAAM and NPG are unable to determine the precise number of works that will require treatment.

Price quotes may be submitted by email, preferably in PDF format, to [email protected] with the subject line “PC Storage RFQ.” Quotes are due by 11:59pm on Sunday, March 16, 2025. Significant questions pertaining to this RFQ must be submitted in writing. Written questions will be received through 11:59pm on March 9, 2025. All questions having an impact on the RFQ will be responded to and issues to all prospective Contractors on or by March 12, 2025. Please submit all questions to the RFQ to [email protected] with the subject line “PC Storage RFI.”