How to bid on Professional Painting & Paper Conservation Services for the National Museum of the Marine Corps

What the agency is buying and why a vendor would care

The Department of Defense, through the National Museum of the Marine Corps, is seeking professional conservation services for 14 paintings, 23 works on paper, and selected frames. This work involves assessments, cleaning, repairs, stabilization, and detailed documentation, all to be performed at the museum support facility in Dumfries, Virginia.

This is a valuable opportunity for small businesses specializing in art conservation. The contract has a 12-month performance period, starting no later than September 24, 2026. It is a total small-business set-aside, meaning only small businesses will be considered for this award.

Key dates and what happens at the deadline

The solicitation was published on August 24, 2026. An optional site visit is scheduled for September 1, 2026, at 10:00 AM ET. If you plan to attend, you must RSVP by August 31, 2026, at 11:00 AM ET. Questions regarding the solicitation are due by September 3, 2026, at 9:00 AM ET.

The final deadline for submitting your quote is September 14, 2026, at 11:00 AM ET. Late quotes will not be accepted or considered for award. It is the vendor's responsibility to ensure their quote is received by the specified date and time.

Who this opportunity suits

This opportunity is specifically for small businesses with expertise in professional art conservation, including painting and paper conservation, as well as frame repair. Firms with experience in assessments, cleaning, in-painting, varnishing, stabilization, relining, crease relaxing, mold spore removal, tear repair, and tape residue removal are well-suited.

Given the nature of the collection, experience working with historical or museum-quality artifacts would be beneficial. The work will be performed at the National Museum of the Marine Corps Museum Support Facility in Dumfries, VA.

How to respond

To access the full opportunity details, click “View original source” on the portal. If the first click takes you to the portal’s homepage, click it again to go directly to the bid. You may need a free account to view some documents.

Quotes must be submitted electronically via email to both David Laster and Michael Bogatyr at [email protected] and [email protected]. Your quote, including all pricing and technical information, must be attached to your email submission. Remember to submit your quote by the September 14, 2026, 11:00 AM ET deadline.

Practical tips for preparing a competitive response

Carefully review all solicitation documents to understand the full scope of work for each of the 14 paintings, 23 works on paper, and frames. Pay close attention to the specific conservation treatments required, such as relining, mold removal, and tear repair.

Consider attending the optional site visit on September 1, 2026. This is a valuable chance to assess the conditions and the specific items requiring conservation, which can help you formulate a more accurate and competitive quote. Ensure you RSVP by the August 31 deadline.

Submit any questions you have by the September 3, 2026, deadline. Clear up any ambiguities early to avoid issues in your proposal. Since this is an all-or-none award, ensure your quote comprehensively addresses all aspects of the required services for all items.