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[[underlined]]Museum Support Center[[/underlined]]

Mr. Ripley introduced the following report which reflects present estimates but emphasized that he is working very hard with the staff to ascertain that all useable storage equipment will be deployed in such a manner as to keep to a minimum purchases for new equipment, estimates for which are now far in excess of earlier anticipated costs.  This is among the Secretary's highest priorities.

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[[underlined]]Design Status[[/underlined]].  The architectural/engineering consortium's (Metcalf/KCF) submission of tentative drawings and specifications has been approved by the General Services Administration and the Institution.  Working drawings are to be completed by May 1, and construction is expected to begin in September 1980 and completed in the late fall of 1982.

[[underlined]]Construction Costs[[/underlined]].  Total planning and construction costs will be $21.5 million plus equipment costs.  In an effort to retain as much space as originally planned for collections, conservation, and study, all non-essential construction elements have been eliminated to reduce costs and remain within budget.  At this time construction is estimated to cost $19.3 million.  The balance of funds is reserved for General Services Administration's supervision ($1.1 million), and architectural and engineering design costs of $1.1 million.

[[underlined]]Equipment for storage of collections[[/underlined]].  Shortly after the MSC design contract was signed by Metcalf/KCF and the General Services Administration on February 6, 1979, the architect began negotiations with the FMC Corporation, a highly qualified systems engineering firm, to evaluate alternative storage equipment and design.  The development of architectural