Artifact Conservation Project Coordinator
NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION.NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION.NARA CONTRACTING OFFICE · Response deadline: Thu, 12 Nov 2026
What the government is buying
The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) is soliciting for an Artifact Conservation Project Coordinator to support preservation activities for valuable historical records and artifacts held by the federal government. NAICS code 541990 covers "All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services," a broad category that includes specialized conservation and preservation work not classified elsewhere.
Artifact conservation coordinators typically manage the assessment, treatment planning, documentation, and monitoring of museum collections, archival materials, or historically significant objects. Work of this nature at NARA often involves coordinating with professional conservators, collection managers, and subject-matter experts to ensure appropriate care for paper documents, photographic materials, audiovisual media, and three-dimensional artifacts in the national holdings. The College Park, Maryland location aligns with NARA's primary research and preservation facilities, including the National Archives at College Park—commonly known as Archives II—which houses extensive archival collections and conservation laboratories.
Key facts
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Agency | National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) |
| Notice type | Solicitation |
| Solicitation number | 88310327Q00012 |
| NAICS | 541990 — All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services |
| Set-aside | Small Business Set Aside — Total |
| Response deadline | November 12, 2026 at 2:00 PM ET |
| Place of performance | College Park, MD |
Who can bid
This opportunity is set aside exclusively for small businesses under the Small Business Set Aside — Total program. To compete, your business must:
- Qualify as small under the NAICS 541990 size standard (see the solicitation for the specific employee or revenue threshold)
- Be properly registered in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) with active registration
- Hold any required NAICS codes in your SAM profile
Given the specialized nature of conservation coordination work, firms with demonstrated experience in cultural heritage preservation, museum collections management, or archival processing will be best positioned. No specific certifications are indicated in the metadata; see the solicitation for any specialized qualifications, security clearances, or professional credentials NARA may require.
How to put together a competitive bid
Demonstrate relevant conservation coordination experience. NARA will likely prioritize vendors who have successfully managed artifact preservation projects of comparable scope and complexity. Prepare detailed case studies showing your work with historical collections, conservation treatment workflows, or project management in cultural institutions.
Highlight technical qualifications of proposed staff. Conservation coordination typically requires staff with backgrounds in conservation science, museum studies, library science, or related fields. Identify key personnel with relevant degrees, professional affiliations (such as the American Institute for Conservation), and hands-on experience.
Address local presence and facility access. With performance in College Park, Maryland, clarify your team's ability to work on-site at NARA facilities. Proximity to the National Capital Region and familiarity with federal archival environments may strengthen your proposal.
Emphasize compliance with federal handling requirements. Historical federal records come with stringent security, access, and handling protocols. Articulate your understanding of Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) procedures, NARA-specific regulations, and proper chain-of-custody practices.
Review past NARA contracts if available. Understanding NARA's organizational structure, priorities (such as electronic records preservation alongside physical conservation), and evaluation patterns can inform a more responsive technical approach.
Next steps
Read the full solicitation on SAM.gov using solicitation number 88310327Q00012 to obtain the statement of work, evaluation criteria, proposal instructions, and any amendments. Note the firm response deadline of November 12, 2026 at 2:00 PM Eastern Time—late submissions are typically not accepted under federal acquisition regulations. Register or update your SAM.gov profile promptly if needed, and allow adequate time for proposal preparation given the specialized technical requirements this work likely entails.
View the official notice on SAM.gov →