09_REQUEST FOR QUOTE - Attachment - Performance Work Statement PWS - final.docx

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

Phase I Cultural Resources Survey Ozark-St. Francis National Forests 2023

Project Name: South Piney South Phase

Location: Pleasant Hill Ranger District, Johnson County

OSF Project Number: R2023081003002

Anticipated Award Date: April 24th, 2023

Anticipated Final Deliverables Date: October 24, 2023

C.1 GENERAL

C.1.1 Authority. The investigations to be conducted under this Performance Work Statement are initiated and influenced by a number of Federal requirements. These requirements include, but are not limited to, the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended; the National Environmental Policy Act; Executive Order 11593 (Protection and Enhancement of the Cultural Environment); the Archeological and Historic Preservation Act of 1974; the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act; and the Archeological Resources Protection Act of 1979. Potential vendors must evidence a working knowledge of these Acts and the Forest Service’s compliance program.

C.1.2. Purpose. This contract will provide the U.S. Forest Service with technical services related to the cultural resource survey of the North Phase of the South Piney project located on National Forest System lands. These technical services will assist the Ozark-St. Francis National Forests in its efforts to comply with the statutes referenced above.

C.1.3. General Requirements. The Contractor shall provide all labor, equipment, supplies, services, permits, and licenses necessary to perform Phase I cultural resources survey on the Ozark-St. Francis National Forests (OSF/Forest). The contract period will be from date of award through expiration of the Performance Period.

a. Confidential Nature of Information: The Contractor shall not divulge, and shall take all reasonable steps to ensure that no member of their staff or organization divulges, information on specific sites or their locations to any person other than as directed by the Contracting Officer (CO) or duly authorized representative of the CO (COR). This includes written, photographic, and digital information relating to site locations, artifacts, features, etc. All services, reports, documents and material required by this contract shall become the property of the Forest Service. The results of this research may be used for theses, dissertations, research projects and publication subject to prior written approval of the Forest Service – written approval to be provided by the CO or duly authorized representative of the CO.

b. Archaeological Resources Protection Act Violations: Should the contractor commit, observe or obtain knowledge of violations of the Archaeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA), these shall be reported no later than the close of the next business day to the Forest Archaeologist (COR) or a Forest Service Law Enforcement Officer. Areas in which violations are detected must be left alone because these are potential crime scenes. No contract work is to be conducted in these areas until the Forest Archaeologist and Forest Service Law Enforcement Officer are consulted.

c. Human Remains: In the event human remains are discovered, all work within a minimum of 100 meters of the find will cease. No human remains will be knowingly excavated, excessively handled, or intentionally removed. No photographs will be taken of the human remains. The Contractor will immediately notify the COR. All personnel shall leave the area, excepting key personnel (C.1.4.a). The find locus will be flagged, protected with a natural covering (such as leaves, etc.), and a UTM (NAD1983) coordinate will be recorded to assist USFS and authorized personnel in locating the find locus. Additional measures may be taken to further protect the location from looting and vandalism, including surveillance measures by Law Enforcement personnel. The COR will notify the county coroner and the appropriate federal Tribal Representative(s) and will work in accordance with the processes set forth in the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) and the Eastern and Southern Regions of the USDA Forest Service Policy for the Treatment of Human Remains.

Please note: In the event of the discovery of human remains in the laboratory, the contractor will immediately report the discovery to the CO and COR. The COR will notify the county coroner and the appropriate federal Tribal Representative(s) and will work in accordance with the processes set forth in the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) and the Eastern and Southern Regions of the USDA Forest Service Policy for the Treatment of Human Remains.

C.1.4. Personnel. The Contractor must ensure all personnel performing the work meet the following:

a. Contractor Key Personnel: Key personnel assigned to any project on the Forest must meet the minimum professional qualifications for prehistoric and historic archaeology, history, architectural history, or historic architecture as identified in 36 CFR 61, the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and Guidelines-Professional Qualifications Standards (http://www.nps.gov/history/local-law/arch_stnds_9.htm). Key personnel are defined as those who function in the Principal Investigator, Field Supervisor/Crew Chief, and Laboratory Director roles. (Individuals may serve in multiple roles under this requirement).

b. Field or Laboratory Crew: Field/laboratory crew members directly supervised by key personnel must demonstrate completion of (or satisfactory progress toward) a bachelor’s degree in anthropology, archaeology, history or a closely related field, or six months previous experience in archaeological field or laboratory work. Completion of an archaeological field school is considered satisfactory qualification for an initial position (first archaeological job) if that individual will be directly supervised by a higher qualified individual.

c. Changes in Contractor Key Personnel: Changes must be approved by the Contracting Officer (CO). The CO reserves the right to reject any proposed personnel that do not meet the requirements as stated herein. The Contractor shall submit a written request accompanied by a description of the duties of proposed personnel and the vitae of any new personnel to the CO. Written approval from the CO must be received by the Contactor prior to new personnel beginning work under this contract.

d. Changes in Field or Laboratory Crew: The Contractor shall submit the vitae of new crew personnel to the COR prior to the initiation of fieldwork or when new crew personnel are hired.

e. Tribal Orientation: Contractor Key Personnel shall review Tribal cultural history narratives provided by the Forest and/or Tribal partners prior to initiation of fieldwork, the intent of which is to help frame an interpretive context for cultural materials that may be encountered during fieldwork. Additionally, Key Personnel as well as field crewmembers will review a digital copy of the Osage Nation Burial Cairn ID Presentation, to be provided during the prework meeting, in order to help distinguish such features from historical rock piles or natural features of the landscape and to acknowledge same per Item C.5.1.1.j.

Please Note: Curricula Vitae for Key Personnel and abbreviated vitae or qualification statements for field crewmembers clearly demonstrating the above requirements are acceptable documentation in fulfilling the terms of Section C.5.2 (below).

C.1.5. This Performance Work Statement consists of completing the tasks/subtasks in C.5 to the Quality Assurance Plan/Requirements in C.7.

C.2 DEFINITIONS

C.2.1 Standard Definitions.

a. Acceptable Quality Level (AQL): The maximum allowable deviation from perfect performance that may occur before the Government will invoke payment deduction. An AQL does not allow a contractor to knowingly offer defective service but limits reduced payment to circumstances in which defective performance results in a measurable reduction in the value of services rendered.

b. Defective Service: A unit of service which contains one or more defects or nonconformance with specified requirements.

c. Digital media: Any Media that are encoded in machine-readable formats. Digital media can be created, viewed, distributed, modified and preserved on digital electronics devices to include, but not limited to CDs, DVDs, USB, and USFS-approved cloud storage.

d. Performance Standards: Identifies the key service outputs of the contract that will be evaluated by the Government to assure contract performance standards are met by the contractor.

e. Quality Assurance (QA): Those actions taken by the Government to assure services meet the requirements of the Performance Work Statement (PWS). QA performed by the Government does not relieve the Contractor of their responsibility to practice internal QA.

f. Contracting Officer: The Contracting Officer (CO) has overall responsibility for the administration of the contract and for overseeing the overall performance of the contractor.

g. Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR): A Government employee appointed by the CO to help the CO with contract administration. This person may also be responsible for surveillance of contractor performance.

h. Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP): An organized written document used for quality assurance surveillance. The document contains specific methods to perform surveillance of the contractor.

i. Quality Control Plan: Those actions that will be taken by a contractor to control the performance of services so that they meet the requirements of the PWS.

j. Business Day: Business days include Monday through Friday, excluding Federal Holidays. Submissions received after 12:00 PM local time will be accepted the following business day.

C.2.2 Technical Definitions Peculiar to this Performance Work Statement

a. Archaeological Survey. For the purposes of this contract a Phase I cultural resource survey is defined as the intensive, systematic inspection of the land surface and associated subsurface inspection techniques sufficient to identify and record any historic properties, as defined under 36 CFR 800.16(l) that may be present within the surveyed area. Subsurface inspection is typically defined by shovel-testing and is to be performed in accordance with the Ozark-St. Francis National Forests’s survey methodology (Exhibit A).

The expectations and intent of Phase I survey on the Forest are consistent with the Secretary of the Interior’s standards and expectations for “Intensive Survey” (https://www.nps.gov/history/local-law/arch_stnds_2.htm), which should document:

1. The kinds of properties looked for;

2. The boundaries of the area surveyed;

3. The method of survey, including an estimate of the extent of survey coverage;

4. A record of the precise location of all properties identified; and

5. Information on the appearance, significance, integrity and boundaries of each property sufficient to permit an evaluation of its significance.

b. A shovel test is one of the primary methods of site detection for Phase I investigations and is defined as the columnar excavation of soils using a shovel and subsequent sorting of the excavated material (including the root mat) by passing it through an archaeological screen or sieve fitted with 0.25-inch hardware cloth. Shovel tests are generally at least 30 centimeters in diameter. Shovel tests shall be excavated downward until impenetrable substrata/obstacles (such as bedrock, clay, hardpan, etc) are encountered, or until it is no longer reasonable to continue excavation by hand and shovel. (Under ideal conditions, hand excavation can reasonably be expected to achieve depths of 70-80 centimeters below surface if no obstructions [such as heavy gravel deposits] are met; soils on the Ozark-St. Francis National Forests rarely attain such depths however, so such efforts are unlikely to be a common occurrence). Shovel tests need not be excavated on slopes exceeding 25% or where surface visibility exceeds 75% at the test location, however pedestrian transects implemented in accordance with the landform-based intervals presented in Exhibit A shall be required. Shovel tests need not be excavated in levels, either arbitrary or natural. For artifact recovery purposes a shovel test may thus be treated as a single unit of analysis and may therefore be recorded as either positive (artifact-bearing) or negative (non-artifact bearing). For positive shovel tests, the approximate depth(s) of any artifact(s) recovered shall be noted on the shovel test form or within the appropriate field notes. All natural and cultural strata revealed in positive shovel test profiles shall be recorded using metric depth measurements, and described in terms of textural class and color (using the Munsellâ Soil Color Chart). Additional strata descriptions should be provided as needed, such as moisture, natural rock content, and estimated ratio number and size of rocks/roots etc. The results of all shovel tests (positive and negative) should be recorded in field notes. Upon completion of recordation, all shovel tests must be backfilled as closely as possible to their original condition.

c. Shovel Scrape/Rake Test: Where soils are too rocky to perform a shovel test (as defined above) and surface visibility is lacking (less than 75%), shovel scrapes/rake tests shall be performed in lieu of subsurface probes at the appropriate landform-based testing interval. Such tests involve manual removal of surface litter from an area of approximately 1 square meter and subsequent examination of the ground surface for cultural material. The test must penetrate the leaf mold layer to actually determine if soil is in fact too rocky to dig a test or if it is so eroded/degraded that no cultural soils (horizons) remain intact. Shovel scrapes/rake tests shall be included in the field notes and flagged at the same intervals as specified in the Performance Work Statement for shovel tests.

d. A Site: is operationally defined as a locus of purposeful human activity characterized by a deposit of at least three (3) artifacts (i.e., three pieces of the same window glass or three pieces of the same wire strand would not be considered unique), or the construction of one or more features greater than 50 years of age (45 years of age for standing structures, buildings, or other above-ground resources). The Forest records all suspected isolated graves as sites.

e. Deviations in Site Definition. These criteria may be modified, where appropriate, based on a professional archaeologist's judgment, and with the prior approval of the COR. Any deviation from the standard definition should be discussed in the resulting cultural resource report.

A State site form is attached as Exhibit B.

C.2.3 The following types of cultural artifacts or features should be fully delineated and recorded as follows:

a. Isolated Find (IF) An IF is defined as fewer than three (3) artifacts of human origin which occur in such a way that no useful scientific information can be obtained by additional investigation beyond that initially obtained in recording the location and component of the deposit. Artifacts identified through shovel testing may occur in single or multiple tests; see also C.5.5.1.i, Site Delineation, below. By definition, all IFs are considered not eligible for NRHP consideration, and are not assigned State trinomials. IFs should still be fully delineated as described in C.5.5.1.i. and recorded in a state site form, IFs will be assigned a Forest Service site number only. Note: If a cultural deposit has not met the minimum site definition threshold of 3 artifacts but the Contractor feels the deposit merits consideration beyond that typically accorded an IF, a sound argument for doing so should be presented in the report. OSF will take such arguments under full consideration prior to assigning a Forest Service site number and approving the request for a trinomial from the state registrar.

b. Historic Feature (HF) Spatially isolated features of human origin that cannot provide useful scientific information beyond that obtained by accurate documentation. Historic features include but are not limited to the following:

1) Isolated historic stacked rock or rock alignments resulting from ground clearing or erosion control activities. Note: if spatially isolated historic rock piles or rock alignments can be placed in context (i.e., associated with a core farmstead or defined field area, such as through review of aerial photography or LiDAR imagery), then they are recorded as sites or site components which may or may not be NRHP contributing;

2) Isolated dug pits of unknown affiliation and function, if not suspected of being unmarked graves;

3) Trash dumps with the majority of items more than 50 years of age;

4) Mine pits/prospecting pits (n ≤2) which are spatially isolated and likely affiliated with mining exploration but not associated with a developed or known mine site. Geographic clusters of such isolated pits may warrant recordation as a site, if appropriate.

Historic Features with no associated artifacts visible on the ground surface will require excavation of up to eight (8) shovel tests aligned in a cruciform pattern (based on the cardinal directions or in accordance with the landform) as well as metal detection to determine if artifacts are present below the ground surface (Note: excludes rock cairns or cairn remnants suspected of being Native American in origin per C.5.5.1.o). If three or more associated, unique artifacts are present (i.e., three pieces of the same window glass or three pieces of the same wire strand would not be considered unique), site delineation procedures as defined under C.5.5.1.i and C.5.5.l.m would be followed. No subsurface testing would be required for Historic Features which are themselves comprised of artifacts (e.g., Trash Dumps, as described above). Also, see above note for IFs (C.2.3.a). Isolated Historic Features should be noted in a table, but do not require documentation in a state site form. Neither a State Trinomial or a Forest Service site number will be assigned to these features.

C.2.4. For report preparation specifics the Contractor is referred to C.5.10 and be formatted to comply with requirements of 36 CFR § 800.11, FSH 2309.12, Chapter 30 Section 32.7 and Chapter 40 Section 42.12 and applicable state standards as published in Appendix B of the Arkansas State Plan Guidelines for Archeological Fieldwork and Report Writing in Arkansas, as amended. All reports will be in keeping with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and Guidelines for Archeological Documentation (available online at https://www.nps.gov/history/local-law/arch_stnds_7.htm). The Contractor will use the Arkansas Archeological Survey (ARAS) site forms (http://archeology.uark.edu/forms-records/) to document sites. Copies of the above documents will be provided at pre-work meeting, if necessary.

C.3 GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY (MAPS, DRAWINGS, SPECS, ETC.)

C.4 CONTRACTOR FURNISHED CRITICAL ITEMS/SERVICES

C.5 PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT TASKS/CRITICAL SUBTASKS

C.5.1 Pre-work Meeting

C.5.1.1 After the award of the task order, and prior to commencing work, the Contractor shall be required to attend a pre-work meeting with the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR). During the pre-work meeting numerous subjects will be addressed, including, (but not limited to):

a. Establishing a start work date on the contract;

b. Performance time defined in the task order;

c. Review of the undertaking and project objectives;

d. Review of project and maps to become familiar with the location of the project;

e. Inventory or investigation strategy and methods, presentation of data, levels of analysis and evaluation, and deliverables;

f. Coordination and access to the project area with District personnel;

g. Discussing planned fieldwork schedule and a communication plan (e.g. key contacts, phone numbers);

h. Review of Osage Nation digital presentation on identification of burial cairns;

i. Review OSF policies regarding treatment and documentation of burial cairns;

j. Signed confirmation that attending personnel have reviewed, read and understand OSF policies regarding treatment and documentation of suspected burial cairns; commitment to provide such information to all field-going personnel prior to the initiation of fieldwork.

k. Coordination with consulting parties on requested monitoring or site visitation by those parties. Such requests must be submitted to the Forest by the consulting party. The Forest will notify the contractor of the request, and the contractor will support the Forest (with maps, notes, site location, etc) in its effort to coordinate and arrange such visits, should any be requested.

C.5.2 Plan of Work

Prior to commencing fieldwork, the Contractor shall submit to the COR for review and approval vitae for Key Personnel and abbreviated vitae or qualification statements for field crewmembers pursuant to the requirements of Section C.1.4 as well as a proposed plan of work that describes the schedule for submission of deliverables (C.5.10), estimated number of person-days for fieldwork, and strategies for accomplishing the scope of work defined in the Task Order issued under this contract.

C.5.3 Pre-field Files Search

C.5.3.1 Prior to commencing fieldwork, the Contractor shall submit to the COR for review and approval a written narrative description with accompanying tables and figures, as appropriate, documenting that all pre-field file searches and historic records data searches are complete for the project area and within a half-mile radius of the project area. At a minimum, the pre-field file and historic records search shall include gathering data from the following sources:

a. Forest cultural resources survey information;

b. The current National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) listings;

c. State records: State records can be checked virtually, using the Automated Management of Archeological Site Data in Arkansas (AMASDA) website (http://archeology.uark.edu/amasdaonline/index.html); it is the Contractor’s responsibility to maintain access to the AMASDA application;

d. Historic maps, aerial photographs, and LiDAR imagery on file with the Forest;

e. Other records that may be consulted if available and appropriate to an undertaking include county histories, deeds, historic maps (e.g., USGS topographic quadrangles, NRCS soil survey maps, GLO plat maps, etc.), insurance maps, and any other pertinent documentation. When applicable, it may also be helpful to consult knowledgeable informants from the community or other pertinent resources.

C.5.3.2 Results of the pre-field review shall be documented by the Contractor and will include the following, as appropriate:

1) Previous cultural resource surveys within one-half mile of the current project area, listed in tabular form. At a minimum, tables shall include FS report numbers, survey year(s), acres surveyed, the level of effort expended (e.g., “intensive” or “reconnaissance”).

2) An additional table describing previously recorded sites within one-half mile but outside the current project area, as well as previously recorded sites and HFs/IFs within the current project area. At a minimum, FS site numbers and trinomials (if assigned) will be listed for sites outside the Project Area. For sites within the Project Area, FS site numbers, trinomials (if assigned), NRHP status, HF/IF identifiers, the gross temporal component of sites and/or HFs/IFs (e.g., “Historic” or “Precontact”), as well as the specific temporal component, if known (e.g., “19th Century”, “Late Archaic”), and/or the type of sites/HFs/IFs (“trash scatter,” “open campsite”) will be described. Please distinguish between sites located inside/immediately adjacent to the current survey area and those outside, but within one-half mile of it.

3) An additional table describing sites or areas of concern and restrictions provided by Tribes, should any such information have been shared.

4) Where site leads are present within or immediately adjacent to the current survey area, tables shall be prepared that (at a minimum) include unique site lead identifiers, the legal description of each site lead, the type of site lead observed (e.g., structure, road, field clearing), and the source of each site lead.

5) Cartographic sources reviewed (e.g., LiDAR, GLO, archival USGS, and other archival maps) should be cited in the prefield review. If the sources are found to reveal site leads, they should also be reproduced as figures within the body of the prefield and final report, with the current survey area and labeled site leads superimposed upon them.

Please note that the above are to be reproduced and presented in the final report or as an appendix, as described below in C.5.10.2(e). Contractor shall ensure that sufficient Contractor staff are present on-site and sufficient time allowed to complete the Pre-field Files Search (C.5.3). Forest personnel will be on hand to assist in completion of this task but shall be limited to a supporting role.

C.5.3.3 The COR will have 21 calendar days from receipt to review and approve delivery item C.5.3. The Contractor shall be required to correct and revise any errors noted by the COR, and resubmit the document(s) for additional review and approval. The Contractor shall accomplish the correction, revision and re-submittals of documents within 15 calendar days of notification by the COR of the rejection of the submittals.

C.5.4 The objectives of the project are to select a 561-acre high site-probability sample (recommended survey area map provided in Appendix G) from the 1494 acres with proposed actions in the project area without previous survey coverage, survey 525 acres and revisit, record and evaluate historic, ethnohistoric and prehistoric properties (cultural resources) within the 1600-acre project area. Reports and other data derived from this project will be used for National Environmental Policy Act analysis and for compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, as amended. For the purposes of this project, the Area of Potential Effect (APE) coincides with the 1494-acre project area. The survey-sample area shall be designed to identify most archeological sites in the previously unsurveyed 1494 acres of the APE with proposed actions. In this area, sample selection should be based on gradient, available lower slope, and proximity to potable water among other criteria. The sample survey selection must be approved by the COR prior to survey implementation. The 525 acres of survey will account for 35% survey cover of the area with proposed actions.

C.5.4.1 The project area selected for study is dispersed across the Big Piney Ranger District. It consists of 1494 acres within compartments 237, 239, 712, and 713 located on the Big Piney Ranger District, Johnson County, Arkansas. These tracts are located on the Hagarville and Treat topographic quadrangles, Township 11 North, Range 21-22 West and Township 10 North, Range 21 West, various sections. Areas to be surveyed (525 acres) on the enclosed pdf maps.

C.5.5 Fieldwork

The Contractor will adhere to the methodologies found in the attachments for the identified survey type (Exhibit A) and commonly accepted landform definitions (Exhibit C), some of which are further discussed at the following Internet address:

http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/nrcs142p2_052234.doc

C.5.5.1 At a minimum, the Contractor shall abide by the following fieldwork guidelines:

a. The Contractor will notify the COR via email prior to entering the Forest to conduct fieldwork.

b. Field employees and vehicles: Contractor personnel shall wear protective clothing while working on National Forest lands, including a bright orange safety vest or similar clothing during hunting season. While on National Forest lands, contractor vehicles shall be clearly marked with distinctive signs or plaques identifying the name of the company.

c. The Contractor will send weekly email updates to the COR describing number of acres inventoried and sites identified/visited. Updates are to be submitted every seven calendar days, beginning on the first Monday after a full week into the fieldwork. The weekly email updates need not occur during periods out of the field.

d. With the exception of structures, loci recorded in the field should be at least 50 years old and must meet one or more of the criteria outlined in C.2.2.d and C.2.3;

e. Isolated finds and historic features shall be recorded as described above in C.2.3.

f. Should potential human remains and/or associated artifacts be encountered during any aspect of the project, all work within a radius of 100 m of the point of discovery will be stopped immediately and the Contractor will immediately notify the COR (within 24 hours). Possible remains and/or associated artifacts shall be left in place and covered with natural materials to afford some protection. The COR, in consultation with appropriate persons, will advise the Contractor when, and if, work can resume in the vicinity of the point of discovery;

g. The purpose of a Phase I survey is to identify within the Area of Potential Effects (APE) any cultural resource that is listed on, eligible for, or may be eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) pursuant to criteria set forth in 36 CFR 60.4. As such, appropriate recommendations of NRHP eligibility shall be developed and submitted for all sites recorded or revisited, based on data recovered during the course of Phase I investigation. No data recovery beyond the constraints of typical Phase I-level investigations is expected in the formulation of management recommendations. Management recommendations are required for each new site recorded or previously recorded site that is revisited, and shall be consistent with nomenclature published by the Arkansas SHPO. They will therefore consist of either: “the site is eligible” or “the site is not eligible” for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. In cases where Phase I data are insufficient to formulate an eligibility recommendation, the reasons for failure to develop a recommendation must be explained. In such cases a recommendation of “unevaluated eligibility” may be offered, along with recommendations for additional research, e.g., “Phase II or advanced testing will be required” or “additional historical investigations are suggested”. Recommendations of “unevaluated eligibility” should be the exception rather than the rule.

h. All sites will be recorded in their entirety, even if the boundaries go outside of the identified survey boundary. The exception to this is if the site goes onto private land. The Contractor is not to go onto private land to record site information unless private property is explicitly included in the task order. Contractor will highlight combustible features in site descriptions and note whether they are significant or non-significant (National Register contributing or non-contributing). All previously recorded sites identified within the survey area during the pre-field search will be revisited and site updates completed, provided there is not a previously existing adequate record (no more than 5 years old as of the date of the prefield search); an “adequate record” exists when: Contractor can relocate the site in the field, the site form meets professional standards (and includes a legible site sketch map), site boundaries were previously determined by appropriately implemented shovel testing and/or metal detecting, a datum was established, etc. At a minimum, all previously recorded sites must be revisited to relocate the datum tag and flag the site boundary. There is no need to revisit/re-record sites that have been previously determined not eligible for the NRHP absent additional information and/or observations that might bear on the site’s NRHP eligibility; a SHPO comment letter concurring with previous NRHP eligibility determinations must be on file. For revisited sites, an adequate site update includes

1. A legible site sketch map that distinguishes between old STs and new STs.

2. All information that is known about the site, including old and new information. The OSF will not review the original site form, so all info must be included. Statements such as “no change from previous”, and the like, are not acceptable.

3. Updated NRHP eligibility determinations, if appropriate.

i. Site delineation: The goals of site delineation are to determine the horizontal and vertical boundaries of a site, to recover an assemblage of artifacts that is sufficient for developing a defensible description of site formation processes (occupational intensity, function, etc), to assess potential for surface and/or subsurface features, and to determine the depositional integrity of the deposit, thereby providing a level of documentation sufficient to allow for a reasonable and defensible NRHP eligibility recommendation (“not eligible,” “eligible,” or “unevaluated”) to be offered for each site. Site delineation procedures may also be used to distinguish sites from Isolated Finds (see C.2.3.a, above).

Sites identified through observable structural features shall be further investigated through subsurface and visual examination. Excavation of up to eight (8) shovel tests aligned in a cruciform pattern around each structural feature/structural remnants (based on the cardinal directions, the landform, or in accordance with the orientation of each feature) as well as metal detection shall be required to determine if associated artifacts are present below the ground surface and to delineate their extent.

All artifact loci identified by shovel testing during the course of a survey shall be further investigated through additional subsurface and visual examination. Any cultural resource detected through shovel testing shall be systematically delineated on a full 10-meter interval grid, in either the cardinal or landform directions relative to all positive tests, including positive radials. Contractors may initially test at broader intervals in order to estimate the overall scale of the site; however, if the conditions described below are not met, site delineation testing shall be completed using 10-meter intervals. Any subsequent positive tests will cause the grid to expand in the same manner. Testing will continue in this manner until two consecutive negative tests are excavated in each direction, or until the edge of the landform is encountered, which may be defined as any change in the slope of the ground surface that exceeds 20% or as other overtly observable natural landform edges, such stream-courses, areas of severe disturbance, etc.

Absent extenuating circumstances to be discussed with the COR on a case-by-case basis, intervals between shovel tests shall not exceed 10 m for sites less than 50 m in length on any given side. Intervals between shovel tests shall not exceed 20 m for sites greater than 50 m in length on any given side. For sites exceeding 100 m along any axis, testing intervals may be expanded beyond 20 m with the approval of the COR. Two consecutive negative tests off of all positive tests (including positive radials) secure a site boundary, or in the case of obvious landforms (steep slopes, etc), standing water, or areas of extreme disturbance, such features may be considered boundaries.

Site delineation shovel tests shall be assigned Cartesian provenience designations based on both relative direction (N-north, E-east, S-south, W-west) and metric (m) distance from an arbitrary grid datum (not to be confused with the site datum). All tests excavated during the course of delineation shall be marked with biodegradable flagging tape, regardless of status. Positive tests should be assigned a unique color to distinguish from negative. All tests excavated during the course of delineation shall be mapped and labeled therein, regardless of status. Upon completion, all delineation shovel tests will be backfilled.

Any find locus situated on a survey transect or within an opportunistically examined locale, having been delineated at 10-meter intervals, that has failed to yield additional artifacts shall be subjected to additional delineation tests at 5 meter intervals from the initial find locus. This is intended to avoid assignation of “Isolated Find” to sites that may simply be smaller in area. This additional delineation need not exceed four tests, and may be based at the grid origin, or elsewhere at the field director’s discretion. This is to ensure that sites which may be smaller than 20 meters in maximum dimension are given adequate treatment and are appropriately recorded and managed.

If an archaeological site is identified by artifacts visible on the ground surface (as distinguished from Historic Features, e.g., per C.2.3.b.3), its boundaries are to be defined by measurement of the extent of the artifact scatter, preferably in cardinal or grid cardinal directions. A sample of opportunistic shovel tests must be placed within a surface scatter site to determine the depth, if any, of the cultural deposit, and backfilled when recordation is complete. Site boundaries should also reflect the positive results of shovel testing that extends beyond a surface scatter of artifacts. (see also C.5.5.1.j.)

See also C.5.5.1.m regarding use of metal detectors.

j. The Forest follows a limited collection policy for Phase I work.

1. On historic sites, no artifact samples will be collected from the surface unless: (1) identification is not possible in the field; (2) items possess a high degree of scientific value or are of museum quality; (3) it is reasoned to be necessary by the Principal Investigator or Crew Chief for analytical purposes or to prevent probable loss or destruction from the proposed undertaking; (4) are at risk due to theft or vandalism. All diagnostic historic materials from shovel tests will be collected with the exception of redundant historic diagnostics. Field analysis of non-diagnostic artifacts left in the field will include at a minimum: description, material type, provenience, and count.

2. On precontact components, all artifacts will be collected and bagged separately by provenience, then returned to the lab to be cleaned, analyzed, and catalogued. This includes surface scatters (*see Note, below). For collection and analysis of artifacts recovered from subsurface context, a shovel test may be viewed as a single unit of provenience/analysis. Collection does not apply to redundant materials such as fire-cracked rock, for which count and provenience shall be noted, and the materials returned to their original location/shovel test. (Exceptions shall be made when deemed necessary by the Principal Investigator or Crew Chief, for analytical purposes). Laboratory analysis of collections and samples must follow standard and professionally acceptable procedures for maintaining artifact provenience, integrity, stability, and security. In particular, artifact analysis, if intrusive or damaging to artifact integrity and stability, must be agreed upon by the COR and the Contractor. Please also note that for sites with a large surface component that includes copious amounts of surface artifacts, a representative sample may be collected in lieu of full collection, along with tools and diagnostics. The COR should be contacted if questions arise.

Artifacts left in the field should not be placed into plastic bags prior to being put back into their original shovel tests but shall simply be placed back into the holes and covered with soil.

k. Any artifact collected will be done with reference to its provenience in relation to the grid datum or site datum, as appropriate. All materials collected during performance of this contract are, and shall be, the sole property of the U.S. Government. All materials must be returned to the Forest. The Contractor will complete the curation agreement showing the Forest as the owner. The Forest will receive and accept all materials prior to final payment (see also clause C.5.12.1.d.2). The Forest will submit the collection to ARAS.

l. The Forest Service will assign Forest Service site numbers to sites recorded in the field following review of preliminary site descriptions to confirm their status as sites. These site numbers will be provided to the Contractor.

· USFS Site Numbers are 11 characters long (0810ddSSSSS)

· 0810 = Ozark-St. Francis NF code

· d = District code (2 digits)

· S = Site number (5 digits) The Forest Service site number shall be the primary referent in all documentation; where space is an issue (e.g., on site location maps), abbreviated forms of the FS number may be used following approval by the COR.

m. The use of metal detectors is required on all historic-era sites, suspected historic isolated finds, and historic features along with shovel testing to assist in the determination of boundaries. Metal detecting does not replace shovel test data; it merely supports traditional delineation shovel testing. Metal detectors alone are generally incapable of identifying the precontact occupation of a multiple occupation site. A meaningful sample, based on professional judgement, of metal detector hits should be shovel tested. (This does not require radial testing). Show numbered metal detector hits and shovel test locations on sketch maps and key artifact descriptions to numbered tests on map;

n. Historic rock piles recorded as Historic Features or as components of sites: a minimum of two scaled digital photos of each rock pile and surrounding area taken from different angles shall be made for each individual rock pile encountered, and a corresponding UTM coordinate recorded as per C.5.5.1.q; the direction of each photo, the date, and site association (if applicable) shall be entered into a Photo Log. Where clustered rock piles or linear alignments of closely associated rock piles are encountered, digital photographs depicting several rock piles are permissible; a central UTM coordinate shall be recorded for each rock pile cluster, while a UTM point at the beginning and end of each rock pile alignment shall be recorded. The associated photographic metadata shall be recorded as described above. Where narrative descriptions of such features are presented, a brief statement (including reference to relevant aerial photo, etc.) defining the characteristics and/or criteria used in determining their historic period origin will be included.

Note: if historic stacked rock or rock alignments can be placed in context (i.e., associated with a core farmstead or defined field area, such as through review of aerial photography), then they are recorded in aggregate as sites or site components which may or may not be NRHP contributing (per C.2.3.b.1);

o. Rock cairns: All rock cairns or cairn remnants suspected of being Native American in origin shall be recorded as sites, irrespective of the number present. Where narrative descriptions of such features are presented, a brief statement defining the characteristics used in determining their precontact period origin or suspected origin will be included. At a minimum, a scaled digital photograph of each known or suspected cairn and the surrounding area taken from each of the cardinal directions shall be made for each individual cairn encountered, and a corresponding UTM coordinate recorded, along with direction of photo, and date. No objects, including trowels, shovels, photo scales, or directional arrows, shall be placed on or in rock cairns, cairn remnants, earthen mounds, or earthen mound remnants. Where grouped cairns or alignments of closely associated cairns are encountered, digital photographs depicting several cairns are permissible; a central UTM coordinate shall be recorded for each cairn grouping, while a UTM point at the beginning and end of each cairn alignment shall be recorded. The associated photographic metadata shall be recorded as described above.

1. Photographs of suspected Native American rock cairns will be excluded from the Draft and Final reports but shall be included with the Archaeological Site Recordation Form.

2. Superficial metal detection of suspected Native American rock cairns is permissible in order to assist in determining cultural affiliation; however, cairns shall not be excavated, or their components disturbed in any manner. Note: positive metal detection does not definitively rule out Native American origins.

3. No subsurface testing is to be intentionally performed within a 30-meter radius of known or suspected Native American rock cairns, including shovel testing and rake testing; however, superficial, manual removal of organic debris from suspected cairns is permitted to assist with identification and recordation.

4. Artifacts observed in direct association with suspected Native American rock cairns shall be recorded and described; however, they shall not be photographed, physically handled, or be collected. Rather than photography, recordation shall include a field sketch of artifact in situ.

5. Observation of potential human remains in association with suspected Native American rock cairns shall trigger the provisions delineated under C.1.3.c.

6. Previously existing disturbance to suspected Native American rock cairns shall be recorded, and should include a general estimate of the relative age of such disturbance; where such disturbance appears to be actionable (recent or ongoing), the ARPA provisions defined under C.1.3.b shall be observed.

7. Earthen mounds/mound remnants suspected of being Native American in origin shall be treated as above.

8. Known or suspected cairns, cairn remnants, earthen mounds, mound remnants, and associated artifacts shall not be marked or tagged in any way.

p. In the field, the Contractor shall mark [with the exception of rock cairns, earth mounds, remnants, or associated artifacts (C.5.5.1.o.8)] the boundaries of all contributing components/areas of NRHP-listed, eligible or unevaluated sites using vinyl flagging tape and shall double flag the site datum and mark it with the site field number using datum tags supplied by the Contractor. The Contractor shall mark in this fashion all sites recorded as part of the survey whether it is a newly recorded site or a site that is being revisited as part of the project. If available, trees/branches on which flagging is secured shall be no less than 1” in diameter. A previously recorded site does NOT need to be tagged and flagged if the previous flagging and site datum tag can be located. The fact that the site has been tagged will be noted on the site form for the site and in the report under site-specific information. The site form must also include the field number as it appears on the site datum tag.

q. At a minimum, the…