[Nhcoll-l] Smithsonian (NMNH), Division of Fishes seeks curation contractor

Thu Aug 27 12:12:23 EDT 2020

National Museum of Natural History
Division of Fishes
Smithsonian Institution
Request for Quote
Curation and Digitization Services for Division of Fishes Larval Fish Collection

The National Museum of Natural History Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Division of Fishes is seeking a contractor to curate, digitize and install 10,000 non-inventoried larval fish lots into the National Fish Collection.

The National Fish Collection currently has a comprehensive larval fish collection acquired from NOAA in vial storage in the Museum Support Center, Suitland, MD. Each individual vial represents a lot, which can include a single or multiple specimens of the same taxonomic identification that were collected on specific date at a given locality. Lots are stored in variety of small non-archival glass vials with failing closures that are susceptible to cracks, leading to fluid evaporation and specimen dehydration. Most of these vials are organized in cardboard boxes, and while a sizable percentage of the collection is identified to the family and or genus level, the collection is not inventoried, databased, or taxonomically organized. To make this collection accessible and known to the research community, the Division of Fishes is seeking a contractor to perform the following tasks (see statement of work (SOW) for details):

1) Verify physical condition and data quality of non-inventoried lots
2) Digitize all relevant data for each lot into the Division of Fishes database, EMu
3) Physically curate each fluid lot to archival storage standards
4) Install each lot into the National Fish Larval Collection storage area

Desirable skills:

  *   Experience with zoological museum collections
  *   Experience handling fluid specimens
  *   Familiarity with biological nomenclature or taxonomy
  *   Experience with relational databases and/or museum databases
  *   Ability to use Excel
  *   Strong organizational and communication skills

The contractor will be responsible for providing the labor to complete all these tasks. The Smithsonian will provide access to Smithsonian-owned computers for digital capture tasks, but should telework be required it is expected that the contractor will provide his/her own computer running the MS-Windows operating system and Microsoft Excel, must meet OCIO computer security standards if connecting remotely to NMNH network and will have an external or cloud storage to backup work . Training of contractors and quality control will be provided by the Division of Fishes collection management staff. All curation supplies, including archival label stock, vials, jars, ethanol, printers and network access will be provided by the Smithsonian. Smithsonian supplies and computers will be used for generating all labels.

Due to COVID-19, the start date will be based upon the re-opening of the museum. Tentatively, the period of performance for this contract is scheduled to begin January 4, 2021. Work to be completed at the Museum Support Center, Suitland, MD (MSC) during standard Division of Fishes business hours (Monday - Friday, excluding federal holidays or emergency closures, between the hours of 8:30 AM and 6:00 PM). Telework will be considered on a case by case basis. The contractor will not receive paid holidays, vacations, sick days, travel time or other SI leave benefits.

Proposals will be accepted until 5:00 PM EDT, Wednesday, September 30, 2020. Proposals will be reviewed on the basis of best value for the money. Send proposals to Diane Pitassy via e-mail at pitassyd at si.edu<mailto:pitassyd at si.edu>.  Follow the format set forth in section 4 of the attached Request for Quote (RFQ) below "Information to be submitted with quotes."

There are no benefits, tax or social security withholding associated with this contract.

The contractor must pass a background investigation before work can begin.

Diane Pitassy
Museum Specialist
Division of Fishes
Museum Support Center
4210 Silver Hill Rd
Suitland MD 20746
w 301.238.1732 |  pitassyd at si.edu<mailto:pitassyd at si.edu>

SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
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The National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) complies with all U.S. export and sanctions laws, as well as fish, wildlife and other regulations applicable to the importation and exportation of specimens and research materials. Please consider the country of origin and nature of any specimen, sample, object or material shipped to NMNH, and if applicable, ensure that it is properly licensed and otherwise compliant with U.S. law prior to shipment.

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