Request for Information for the restoration of the Celestial Sphere Woodrow Wilson Memorial (by Paul H. Manship) at the Palais des Nations Geneva

The United Nations Office at Geneva (“UN Geneva”) is undertaking a project to restore the “Celestial Sphere,” a large outdoor sculpture situated at the head of the Cour d’Honneur at the Palais des Nations, the UN Geneva headquarters. The Celestial Sphere Woodrow Wilson Memorial was donated to the League of Nations (the predecessor to the United Nations) and installed in 1939 to commemorate the
twentieth anniversary of the establishment of the League of Nations and to honor the leadership of Woodrow Wilson (1856-1924), who received the 1919 Nobel Peace Prize for his role in the establishment of the League. The Celestial Sphere is one of the most significant works of Paul H. Manship (1885-1966), an American artist associated with the Art Deco style. The sculpture is one of the most significant, most
popular and most photographed works in the collection of art donated to the United Nations. The Celestial Sphere Restoration Project includes (1) conservation of the sculpture itself, (2) repair or replacement of the mechanism that rotates the sculpture, (3) lighting the sculpture, (4) reexamination and restoration of the reflecting pool surrounding the sculpture, and (5) landscaping immediately around the sculpture.

UN Geneva is undertaking a physical assessment of the Celestial Sphere in order to prepare the terms of reference (or scope of work) for the competitive bidding that will occur to award contracts to undertake the Celestial Sphere Restoration Project. In order to assist with the development of the Terms of Reference, UNOG is requesting for information from entities that have specific knowledge of restoring art works of that
period and style, in order to ensure that the final Terms of Reference will accurately reflect that work that needs to be undertaken. UNOG is also interested in receiving information from entities that have been involved in restoring the work of Paul H. Manship previously.

“Information” submitted by respondents to this Request for Information may be conveyed to UN Geneva on paper or by electronic written or graphic communication, including letters, reports, photographs, analyses, test results, specifications, drawings, summaries, observations, advice, or other information of any sort and shall be directed to the address indicated in the form.

The period for submission under this Request for Information, so that the work on the Celestial Sphere Restoration Project can proceed on schedule, is midnight (Geneva Time) on Sunday, 1 October, 2017. UN Geneva will not confirm whether or not any particular submission of information is actually used or applied, directly or indirectly, in connection with the Celestial Sphere Restoration Project. Any future announcements relating to this Request for Information will be made by notice published on the UN Global Marketplace.

If any entity or individual desires to inspect the Celestial Sphere in order to provide a basis for a submission of information under this Request for Information, that person must make a formal, written request to do so directed to the address set forth in the form, and that request must be received by midnight (Geneva time) on Sunday, 17 September 2017 (unless UN Geneva grants special accommodation for valid reasons explained).

It should be noted that respondents who provide information under this Request for Information shall not be disqualified from participating in the foreseen competitive bidding process for the Celestial Sphere Restoration Project. Equally respondents who provide information under this Request for Information shall not be favoured in the competitive bidding process for the Celestial Sphere Restoration Project or for any
other project of the United Nations.