Question NMNH Department of Entomology Contracting Opportunity: Casey Coleoptera Type Dig

=12.0pt**Please distribute to any potential contractors that may be interested in submitting bids for these contracts.**=12.0pt=12.0pt =12.0ptThe National Museum of Natural History Department of Entomology is seeking two (2) contractors to image primary types housed in the Casey Collection of Coleoptera. These updated and curator vetted images will be added to the NMNH EMu database and subsequent ingestion into Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) and other downstream data aggregators. The estimated duration of each contract will be 52 weeks (2080 hours). It is anticipated that these two contracts would be concurrent not consecutive (i.e., two contractors working separately at the same time doing similar work but on different taxa). This work must be conducted onsite at the NMNH in Washington, DC. Please refer to the attached PDF containing the Request for Quote (RFQ), Statement of Work (SOW), and relevant attachments for more details and instructions on how to generate and submit a bid for this contract. =12.0pt =12.0ptProject Overview:=12.0pt =12.0ptOne of the most significant events in the history of the NMNH Coleoptera collection was the acquisition of Thomas L. Casey's private collection in the late 19th century, which added nearly 117,000 specimens of some 20,000 species, including about 9,600 types. Because of the importance of this collection and because of stipulations in Casey’s bequest, it has been kept separate from the main collection, but it remains available for study.=12.0pt During Year 1 of this project, 6,096 of the 9,600+ primary types housed in the Casey Collection of Coleoptera will be imaged, creating roughly 42,000 new images. Some groups of Casey Collection types have been imaged on an ad-hoc basis. These images, however, are either lacking comprehensive views (e.g., the longhorn beetles only have images of the specimens’ dorsal habitus and label), and/or have been photographed using lower resolution camera systems (e.g., flower weevils). Previously taken photos will be reviewed and if the quality is significantly poorer than images generated by newer systems, they will be reshot. As a part of the workflow, as specimens are removed for photography they will be rehoused into new trays and drawers if needed to ensure their long-term preservation.=12.0pt =12.0ptProject oversight by NMNH staff will include the Entomology Collections Manager Floyd Shockley to serve as the COTR for the contracts and day-to-day activities will be supervised by USDA scientist and Curator of Coleoptera Lourdes Chamorro. =12.0pt =12.0ptAll bids must be submitted by 5 p.m. ET on Tuesday, June 4th, 2024. Follow the format set forth in section 4 of the attached Requests for Quote (RFQ) below “Information to be submitted with quotes.”  Make sure that you address each item fully in your bid submission. It's important to note that interested parties must be registered federal contractors in the System for Award Management (SAM) to respond to this RFQ. There are no benefits, tax or social security withholding associated with this contract. The contractor must pass a background investigation before work can begin. If you have questions, contact Floyd Shockley (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).  Of note, I will be out of the country next week, but will be watching email for questions from interested parties.=12.0pt =12.0ptBest,=12.0pt =12.0ptFloyd=12.0pt 

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Floyd W. Shockley, Ph.D., F.R.E.S. [He/Him/His]
Collections Manager/Dept. Co-Lead, Entomology
Tel: 202-633-0982
Cell: 703-789-4924
Email:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  Mailing Address (USPS):Department of EntomologyNational Museum of Natural History
Smithsonian InstitutionP.O. Box 37012, MRC 165
Washington, DC 20013-7012 Shipping Address (UPS, FedEx, DHL and other couriers):Department of EntomologyNational Museum of Natural History
Smithsonian Institution1000 Constitution Ave., NWWashington, DC 20560-0165 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.
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY    

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Floyd W. Shockley, Ph.D., F.R.E.S. [He/Him/His]
Collections Manager/Dept. Co-Lead, Entomology
Tel: 202-633-0982
Cell: 703-789-4924
Email:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  Mailing Address (USPS):Department of EntomologyNational Museum of Natural History
Smithsonian InstitutionP.O. Box 37012, MRC 165
Washington, DC 20013-7012 Shipping Address (UPS, FedEx, DHL and other couriers):Department of EntomologyNational Museum of Natural History
Smithsonian Institution1000 Constitution Ave., NWWashington, DC 20560-0165 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.
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY