It does sound like a thing but unfortunately not in SketchUp.
In the Import Options panel select Meters for the import units.
Doing that will result in the object being 12 meters instead of 12 inches across. This will reduce the number holes due to the tiny faces issue.
FWIW, when I model for 3D printing I always model with units set to Meters. When I import the exported .stl file into the slicer it goes in as millimeters. .stl files are unitless so 1 meter in SketchUp will be 1 millimeter in the slicer.
There’s so much fine detail in this thing that probably won’t show in your print (or you won’t want it to show.)
I wonder if you could get a simplified version from the person who made the file for you.