13. DRAFT_Attachment 8_Heritage Survey Protocol.pdf

Project Archaeological Survey for Sunflower G-Z, Williams Ranger District, Kaibab National Forest

1. General Information

1.0 Scope of Work

The Kaibab National Forest (KNF) requires professional services from a qualified archaeological consultant for completing archaeological inventory within the Sunflower G-Z project area on the Williams Ranger District (WRD) of the Kaibab National Forest (KNF). The Forest will use results produced under this contract to comply with the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), as amended, the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP): 36 CFR Part 800 – Protection of Historic Properties, and protocols established in USFS Region 3 Programmatic Agreement (PA).

Because this project is funded by the USDA, it is considered an undertaking that is subject to review for potential impact to historic properties under Section 106 of the NHPA. Identification of cultural resources within the area of potential effects (APE) is therefore necessary before the project can begin. The contractor shall develop a cultural resources inventory report that accurately describes the heritage resources identified during the field survey, recommends an NRHP eligibility determination for each site, and summarizes the effects of the project on the NRHP eligibility of those sites.

The project includes:

• Archival research/records reviews

• Pedestrian archaeological survey

• Newly recorded site documentation

• Site recordings including updates to site boundaries, artifact and feature descriptions, and condition assessments.

• National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) site eligibility recommendations

• Fire sensitivity.

• Field visit to the project area that includes Tribal representatives and Forest staff

• Development of one report based on survey findings

• National Resource Management (NRM) database data entry

Archaeological Survey required for this project will consists of pedestrian transects spaced no more than 20 meters apart over the selected survey blocks.

The Williams Ranger District has a broad range and variety of cultural site types including Cohonina artifact scatters and masonry room blocks. It is possible that rock art sites may be located in the project area. There is a wide variety of early European settlement activity areas such as historic cattle developments, sheepherder camps, and historic cabin foundations.

2. Contractor Requirements

2.0 Technical Requirements / Tasks

The contractor shall provide for the proposed Kaibab National Forest action the following deliverables during the period of performance:

A. Quality Control Plan

a. The contractor shall prepare a Quality Control Plan pursuant to the requirements of the Statement of Work (SOW) as specified. This plan sets forth the procedures and guidelines that the contractor will use to assure that the work performed under the contract is complete, accurate, and meets the requirements for this contract, including, but not limited to, fieldwork, data collection, and reporting. The Quality Control Plan shall include the submittal of progress prior to the submittal of invoices. Reports shall identifying areas surveyed and cultural resources identified to date.

B. Archival Research, including archival review of KNF site files and records, previous survey maps and reports, historical maps, aerial imagery, oral histories, and other studies (KNF Staff will assist in this data query).

a. Identify any conflicting or null information from this record search and resolve in consultation with KNF heritage staff.

b. Review historic maps (Government Land Office Maps, historic Forest Service maps, etc.) and AZSITE for historic properties.

C. Pedestrian Archaeological Survey for identifying and rerecording historic properties, evaluating NRHP eligibility, and assessing site fire sensitivity.

a. 100% Pedestrian survey of acres not previously surveyed and identified for proposed harvest, intensive survey transects will be no more than 20 meters apart.

b. Completed site forms for each newly discovered and rerecorded archaeological site will be exported from NRM, therefore, collected data should fulfill data requirements of the FS NRM database and the standards outlined in the Region 3 Forest Service Manual.

c. GIS generated site maps will be required for each archaeological site using standardized symbology.

d. Isolated Features/Artifacts not meeting site definitions shall be recorded using professional judgement based on the Region 3 Forest Service Manual.

e. All site boundaries, site datums, survey coverage and isolated finds must have their spatial locations recorded using GPS devices that have sub-meter accuracy.

f. Digital photos will be taken of every recorded site providing at least two site overviews from different directions with the datum tree visible or pointed out, as well as individual photos of site features and/or diagnostic artifacts.

D. Tribal Field Visit

a. Upon the conclusion of fieldwork the contractor will coordinate, host, and fund a series of 1-day field trips for tribal consultants/representatives from the seven Tribes with which the KNF actively consults & FS staff to visit the study area and participate in interviews. The purpose of these visits will be to assist the FS in documenting historic occupancy and contemporary use of lands and resources within the project area. Field visit participants will receive a $300 honorarium (honorarium is limited to participants not employed by their respective tribe), per diem (including meal allowance and lodging) and mileage (for participants who travel in their personal vehicles). per diem rates will be consistent with federal government rates as published by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

b. Hosting field visits may include: extending invitations to tribal offices, providing materials (agendas, project reports, maps, etc.), arranging transportation, lodging, and meals. The contractor shall be directly responsible for honorariums & per diem for participants. Tribes who are located a great distance from the project area may be allotted extra lodging day(s) for travel

c. The contractor shall notify the KNF five days prior to when field visit dates are arranged. KNF anticipates that up to seven Tribes may choose to participate in field visits, with no more than two (2) representatives per Tribe. KNF shall provide a list of contacts upon award.

d. The contractor shall incorporate any applicable information into site descriptions and provide meeting notes as an appendix to the final report. Work will be used to support the evaluation of cultural resources under the National Historic Preservation Act.

E. NRM/Geospatial Data Entry

a. Complete data entry of site records into the FS NRM database using NRM Mobile (KNF Staff will provide a data package and training materials). Please consult with KNF Staff if contractor elects to conduct site recording using NRM Mobile in the field. Otherwise, a data package will not be provided until requested after the draft report has been reviewed.

b. Complete production of digital site records (printed from NRM) with digital site maps, photos and any artifact illustrations in PDF format. Please place site specific documents (digital or sketch map(s), photos, and artifact illustrations) within a site-specific PDF by site number, for example, 03070209999.pdf Digital photos from site recordings in jpg format with a file name equivalent to the site number, ex. 03070200292.01.jpg. Digital photo files organized by site will be submitted with final deliverables.

c. Newly recorded and revisited site boundaries and survey coverage will be inputted into the FS NRM database for final submittal. A shapefile of site boundaries and survey coverage will be submitted with the draft report.

F. Investigation/Survey Reporting, including survey results meeting KNF reporting requirements for format and content.

a. The report will be used for National Historic Preservation Act, Section 106 consultation between the USDA- Forest Service and consulting parties, including the Arizona State Historic Preservation Office, as such, shall conform to the most up-to-date Arizona SHPO, USFS, and KNF standards and shall provide sufficient information with which to conduct these consultations.

b. The report shall include as appendices: survey maps, completed site forms, complete isolate information, and a site management summary table.

c. This project will require the production of 1 report covering all project areas

2.1 Additional Requirements

a. Burial Sites, Human Remains, and Funerary Objects If burial sites, human remains, and funerary objects are discovered during the investigation, the contractor must stop and contact the COR and KNF Forest Archaeologist immediately. The contractor will abide by all applicable federal, tribal, state, or local laws and ordinances and the ACHP’s policy for the treatment of burial sites, human remains, and funerary objects. The contractor will also follow USDA and Kaibab National Forest policy on treatment of human remains and consultation. The area of potential effects (APE) must be secured and protected from disturbance and harm.

b. Curation No collections are permitted during this project.

3. Government Furnished

1) Services – GIS Shapefiles, previously recorded site records, and previous inventory records. White site marking paint will be provided by the KNF if necessary. NO datums will be placed at sites.

2) Fieldwork Coordination – The Contractor shall coordinate field activities with KNF Archaeologists at the KNF Supervisors Office.

4. Deliverables / Schedule An initial kick-off meeting will be conducted online through Teams video conference.

(A) The COR, or a designated KNF Archaeologist, will conduct routine inspections while work is in progress, to assure that work is proceeding satisfactorily. Routine inspections will be accomplished through field inspections, virtual meetings/email check-ins, review of project deliverables.

The following work schedule shall apply:

(1) Fieldwork – Progress reports shall be delivered to Contracting Officer Representative (COR) prior to the submittal of invoices or as identified during the initial kick off meeting. The Contractor shall notify the COR and KNF Forest Archaeologist once the fieldwork has been completed.

(2) Tribal field visit to the project area that includes Tribal representatives and Forest staff. The contractor shall incorporate any applicable information into site descriptions and provide meeting notes as an appendix to the final report. Work will be used to support the evaluation of cultural resources under the National Historic Preservation Act.

(3) Draft report – An electronic draft report will be submitted to the COR and KNF Forest Archaeologist for review and commenting no later than 90 days after completion of fieldwork. The draft report should include all site documentation, photographs, digital images, and maps.

(4) Contracting Officer’s Representative Review – Will be completed with comments and suggested changes (if necessary) delivered to the contractor, no later than 45 business days after the receipt of the draft report per phase.

(5) NRM Data Entry: The Contractor will enter the tabular & spatial survey, site, and feature data into the USFS Heritage NRM Mobile Application according to KNF standard operating procedures (SOPs) that will be provided to the contractor. Site data includes site boundaries, features, datums, and artifact concentrations. The Mobile Application can be utilized at the contractor’s office and doesn’t require a USFS workstation.

(6) Final Report – Two bound paper copies and two digital copies (pdf and word .doc) of the final report, all forms, photographs, electronic data/files, digital images, maps, along with geospatial data and tablets must be completed and delivered to the COR, no later than 10 business days after the receipt of the COR Draft Report Review. The final report and all associated project deliverables be submitted to the COR and KNF Forest Archaeologist at least 30 calendar days prior to the contract’s end of period of performance.

(7) Upon approval of the final report, the KNF Forest Archaeologist may submit the final report to AZ SHPO and KNF affiliated Tribal nations for review and concurrence.

(8) Exceptions for delays due to weather or wildfire will be allowed, though work must be accomplished as soon as possible.

5. Travel, Location and Hours of Work Restrictions Once the procurement is issued, the contractor may commence work by scheduling an appointment to conduct a records search at the KNF Supervisors Office. The file search can begin immediately upon receipt of a Notice to Proceed (acceptance of quote and award of procurement).

The inventory area can be accessed by vehicle and then by foot. Field personnel will be required to keep all motorized vehicles on existing roads. The limits of the inventory area are not marked in the field. Overall, inventory area will require accurate location and orientation prior to inventory.

Normal Forest Service agency workdays are Monday through Friday, except U.S. Federal Holidays. Agency employees typically work eight hours per day, 40 hours per week. Federal employee core hours of work are from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM daily. The Contractor shall be responsible for establishing their work hours under this contract, except when access to a Federal facility is required, in which case the Government may limit the Contractors access-based availability of agency employees.

Weather and security closures by their nature usually arise without advance notice. As such, the Government will notify the Contractor as soon as possible once any closures have been announced and coordinate access as needed.

Inclement weather conditions and irregularly maintained roads may result impassible conditions in passenger vehicles. It is advised that the contractor use high clearance, 4x4 vehicles for accessing the field survey area.

The following fieldwork restrictions for snow cover apply: the inventory area must be 80% snow-free and reasonably dry. Field survey dates may be adjusted depending on ground conditions and access within the KNF survey areas.

6. Contractor’s Key Personnel The general requirements for Contractors conducting archaeological survey on the Kaibab National Forest are as follows.

6.1 Archaeological Permit Requirements

• All individuals proposed to work as principal investigators, project directors, or in other supervisory capacities must be approved by the Forest Archaeologist before that person may direct archaeological work.

• The Contractor must have a KNF Archaeological Permit to conduct work on the Kaibab National Forest.

If the Contractor does not have one at the time of bid acceptance, they must acquire one prior to initiating project work.

o Individuals, institutions, groups, and agencies applying for an archaeological permit will submit the Vitae of all persons who may work under the permit to the Forest Archaeologist. If additional individuals are recruited to work under the permit after its issuance, Vitae of these additional individuals must also be submitted to the Forest Archaeologist. Information in the Vitae will be used to verify that individuals meet the requirements listed in sections 6.2.

6.2 Contractor Personnel Qualifications

• Contractors must meet the Secretary of Interior’s professional standards as specified in Section 112(a)(1)(A) of the NHPA and in the implementing regulations for Section 106 of the NHPA at 36 CFR 800.2(a)(1) and 36 CFR 800.2(a)(3) and the General Requirements for Conducting Archaeological Survey on the Kaibab National Forest. (See Appendix A)

• Contractors shall be used in accordance with 36 CFR 800.2(a)(3) (“Use of Contractors”). The Contractor shall furnish all labor, equipment, supervision, materials, and incidentals necessary to perform archaeological and historical surveying, recording, mapping, evaluations, and reporting.

• The Contractor shall furnish a qualified Principal Investigator in accordance with 36 CFR 61.5. The Contractor shall ensure that all approvals, authorities, rights, permits, and easements necessary for conducting the cultural resources survey on the KNF have been obtained prior to initiating fieldwork.

6.3 Key Personnel

A. PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

a. Responsibility. The contractor shall provide a principal investigator who will be responsible for the performance of the work and validity of the material presented in all investigation reports. In the event of a court challenge, the principal investigator may be called upon to testify on behalf of the Government in support of his/her findings at Government expense, at established Government rates.

b. Qualifications. The principal investigator will meet the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Archaeology as defined in 36 CFR 61. The name of this person and the alternate(s) who shall act for the contractor when the principal investigator is unavailable shall be designated in writing to the contract officer.

c. Authority. The principal investigator or alternate shall have the full authority to act for the contractor on all contract matters related to daily operation of this contract.

d. Availability. The principal investigator or an alternate shall be available by phone and email during normal business hours to discuss any issues relating to the work by the contract with the contract officer.

B. CREW CHIEFS

a. All crew chiefs and other supervisory personnel will meet the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards as referenced in the 54 United State Code (U.S.C Section 206131 of the NHPA.

b. At least 1 year of specialized experience as a professional archaeologist in the Southwest should be included with at least 3 months of that time spent in Arizona.

C. EMPLOYEES

a. All contractor personnel will carry identifying information that includes the company name and employee name.

7. Security Requirements The Contractor shall prohibit the use of keys, issued by the Government, by any persons other than the Contractor’s employees and the opening of locked areas by Contractor employees to permit entrance of persons other than Contractor employees engaged in performance of contract work requirements in those areas.

The Contractor shall safeguard all Government property and controlled forms provided for Contractor use and adhere to the Government property requirements contained in this contract. At the end of each workday, all Government facilities, equipment, and materials shall be secured.

The contractor and the contractor’s employees shall not post photographs or written descriptions of cultural resource sites, features, or artifacts to any social media accounts such as Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, etc.

without express written permission from the COR.

8. Data Rights All data, including field notes, pictures, drawings, not contained in the above report are the property of U.S.

Forest Service and will be turned over to Kaibab Forest Service Archaeological staff once report has been accepted by the COR and KNF Forest Archaeologist.

9. Section 508 – Electronic and Information Technology Standards Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act Requires federal agencies to ensure that their information and communication technology (ICT) is accessible to people with disabilities unless certain exceptions apply. All reports that are submitted must maintain 508 compliance in accordance with the Rehabilitation Act.