Eastern New Mexico University Museum Curation Contract

NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD SOLE SOURCE PROCUREMENT: Under the authority of FAR 6.302-1, it is the Government's intent to award a sole source service contract to Eastern New Mexico University (ENMU) for the curation of 378 cubic feet of existing Corps archaeological collection(s) that include archaeological materials and associated archival records, photographs, slides, maps, etc., recovered as a result of past Corps projects, in their existing condition. THIS IS NOT A FORMAL SOLICITATION.

This synopsis is not considered a Request for Quotation or Proposal. No solicitation document is available, and telephone requests for a copy of the solicitation will not be honored. Any response to this notice must show clear and convincing evidence that competition would be advantageous to the Government. All responses received by 17 Oct 2024 will be considered. If no affirmative written response is received, the service contract will be awarded without further notice.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Albuquerque District (SPA) intends to award a contract to Eastern New Mexico University to provide curatorial services. The contractor will provide curatorial services to manage and curate approximately 378 cubic feet of existing Corps archaeological collection(s) that include archaeological materials and associated archival records, photographs, slides, maps, etc., recovered as a result of past Corps projects, in their existing condition.

From time to time, new materials may be added to the collection(s) or existing portions of the collection may be removed; a contract modification shall be necessary to document the addition of new materials to or removal of materials from the collection(s) and account for the curatorial services rendered that may include accession or deaccession fees.

As required by 36 CFR 79.1, Federal agencies must preserve collections and associated records of prehistoric and historic material remains recovered during archaeological investigations. As noted in 36 CFR 79.2, the collections must be deposited in an institution with adequate long-term curatorial capabilities.

When possible, the collection should be deposited in a repository that: Is in a within the State of origin; Stores and maintains other collections from the same site or project area; Houses collections from a similar geographic region or cultural area; e.g., Location relative to original source; Accessibility relative to major transportation; and Accessibility for research.

The collection should not be subdivided and stored at more than a single repository unless such subdivision is necessary to meet special storage, conservation or research needs. The repository selected should maintain the integrity and research value of the collection.

A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed requirement is based upon the fact that ENMU meets the requirement as dictated by 36 CFR 79.2, in that this location is relative to the original source and in the state of origin, regarding the archaeological collections. Detailed capabilities of interested vendors must be submitted to the following email addresses no later than 5:00 PM (Mountain Time) 17 Oct 2024, karen.k.irving@usace.army.mil.