Art Handling, Installation, Transport and Storage Services

Tender description

The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB) requires a supplier to provide a range of art installation, handling, removal/ transportation and storage services. Lot 1: Art Handling and Installation The Scottish Parliament Art Collection includes large oil paintings, photography, textiles, sculpture, works on paper and architect-designed furniture, which will require specialist skills/equipment to install/demount, handle, package/crate or transport. The SPCB will from time to time require the safe and secure installation of new or loaned artworks using display and fixing methods appropriate to the Parliament building and the artworks. This will include works acquired for or loaned to the permanent Collection and the display of works for an average 3 to 4 temporary exhibitions per year, on occasion involving partnership working with external organisations and artists. The SPCB requires the Contractor to provide a service of art handling and relocation of artworks within the Parliament building and grounds. The method of handling and relocation will depend on the materials, size and weight of the artwork(s) to be relocated. The Contractor’s staff will be appropriately trained and have proven expertise in the handling of high-value artworks and use of specialist equipment to a best practice industry standards Art handling services will be required during weekends and weekdays before or after normal office hours. The SPCB will provide the Contractor with as much notice as possible prior to these requirements. The Contractor must be capable of providing the service at any time or day of the week if requested. Transportation On occasion, the SPCB will require the safe and secure transportation of artworks to and from the Parliament building, for example, for temporary loans of displays to the Scottish Parliament or from the Scottish Parliament to another institution. Transportation to and from specialist services, such as a conservator’s studio, or picture framers, may also be required. The Scottish Parliament hosts 3-4 temporary public exhibitions per year, some or all of which require art handling services. The Contractor will adequately and safely transport artworks in a vehicle appropriately equipped and ensure that artworks will be safely packaged and secured prior to transportation. During transportation, it is a requirement that works are transported securely and not left unattended. On occasion, it may be necessary, particularly for longer domestic or international journeys, that works are transported in a vehicle with controlled environmental conditions and additional security. International Transportation On occasion, the SPCB may require the Contractor to arrange and provide for the secure and safe transport of artworks or artefacts to and from locations overseas. Although the SPCB is not eligible for the Government Indemnity Scheme, it requires the Contractor to meet the General Transport Conditions which apply under the Government Indemnity Scheme Guidelines when sending or receiving objects from abroad. Expertise in international transportation, customs regulations and packing for air and sea freight is required. Temporary Storage Temporary storage of artworks may on occasion be required. The Contractor must be able to provide museum quality, environmentally controlled storage facilities. Additionally the Contractor must have in place appropriate security systems in their storage facilities, including use of controlled vehicle access, CCTV surveillance, as well as appropriate fire safety measures. Emergency Salvage In the case of an emergency or salvage situation and once the building is safe to enter, the SPCB may require assistance from the Contractor with some or all of the following: Remove identified works and support salvage teams to maximise the conservation and condition of artworks affected by fire, flood, theft, vandalism or other physical hazards Short-term covering and packaging of artworks that cannot be easily or quickly removed from the building The removal and transportation of artworks to a temporary, secure holding location Occasional storage of artworks.