Lincoln County Archaeological Initiative – Round 15 Lincoln County Land Act of 2000 General Statement of Agency Need

The Lincoln County Land Act of 2000 directs that the BLM deposit 85 percent of proceeds from the sale of public land in Lincoln County into a special account with oversight by the Secretary of the Interior. One purpose of the account is to make funds available for inventory, evaluation, protection, and management of unique archaeological resources in Lincoln County. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has established the Lincoln County Archaeological Initiative (LCAI) to allocate monies from the account for archaeological projects to carry out the purposes of the Act. Proponents proposing projects for funding under this initiative will submit their proposals as outlined below:

I. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Each year the Archaeological Resources Team with oversight by the Partners Working Group and the Executive Committee establishes priorities for LCAI archaeological projects and solicits proposals from the public, universities and government agencies that address these priorities. Proposals must be on lands within Lincoln County, Nevada and meet all guidelines in the Lincoln County Implementation Agreement which can be found at https://www.blm.gov/LCAI. Projects that do not meet these criteria will not be considered.

Important Requirement: For proposals or projects on land not managed by the BLM, the proposal must be submitted by an entity that has jurisdiction over or authorization to perform the work on the land. If the project proposal is prepared by a contractor and submitted by the entity with jurisdiction over the land, then the entity must provide evidence of an existing IAA or other appropriate agreement with the BLM authorizing the BLM to directly award a contract or agreement on behalf of the entity. Without this verification the proposal will not be considered.

Funds used to finance these projects can only be used for the inventory, evaluation, protection, and management of “archaeological resources” as defined in the Archaeological Resources Protection Act (Public Law 96-95) (ARPA). An archaeological resource is any material remains of past human life or activity that is of archaeological interest and that is at least 100 years of age. Efforts will be made to recommend a mix of projects in each round that balance the needs for inventory, evaluation, protection, and management.

Projects which include a construction component are limited to federal agency submissions. The federal acquisition definition of Construction includes “construction, alteration, or repair (including dredging, excavating, and painting) of buildings, structures, or other real property.” Construction projects may include, but are not limited to, services such as fencing, kiosks, parking areas, painting, buildings, etc.

No projects that include Architect - Engineering (A&E) Service components will be considered. Architect – Engineer services, -“as defined in 40 U.S.C. 1102, means--

(1) Professional services of an architectural or engineering nature, as defined by State law, if applicable, that are required to be performed or approved by a person licensed, registered, or certified to provide those services;

(2) Professional services of an architectural or engineering nature performed by contract that are associated with research, planning, development, design, construction, alteration, or repair of real property; and

(3) Those other professional services of an architectural or engineering nature, or incidental services, that members of the architectural and engineering professions (and individuals in their employ) may logically or justifiably perform, including studies, investigations, surveying and mapping, tests, evaluations, consultations, comprehensive planning, program management, conceptual designs, plans and specifications, value engineering, construction phase services, soils engineering, drawing reviews, preparation of operating and maintenance manuals, and other related services.-“

If you are unsure if your proposed project would be considered construction or A&E, please contact the Contracting Officer to discuss, before submitting a proposal.

II. PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS

Proposals must address concerns for archaeological resources on land located in Lincoln County, Nevada. Proposals submitted for projects on other than BLM managed lands must meet the requirements as outlined above under “Important Requirement”.

All proposal packages for LCAI Round 15 shall be submitted in accordance with the instructions in the Funding Opportunity Announcement posted on www.grants.gov for cooperative agreements opportunities or the contract solicitation posted on www.sam.gov for contract opportunities. Late or incomplete submissions will not be considered.

The Lincoln County Land Act requires LCAI funded projects comply with the ARPA definition of an archaeological resource. Therefore, proposals related to resources less than 100 years old cannot be considered for funding.

A complete proposal will consist of stand-alone PDF Documents as outlined in the Funding Opportunity Announcement (Cooperative Agreement opportunities) or the contract solicitation (Contract opportunities). Do not merge individual documents into a single PDF file.

Please review each opportunity completely to determine what must be submitted as there are changes from previous LCAI Round requirements. All submissions shall contain the minimum requirements to be considered. The Government is not obligated to ask for additional information and in the absence of appropriate information; the proposal will be rated deficient/non-responsive and not considered for award.

III. SPECIFIC LCAI PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS

1. Compliance with LCAI priorities:

Each proposal must identify one of the following LCAI priorities it addresses. All Priorities are equal.

1) Developing Science-Based Methods: The Use of Innovative Technology and Techniques in the Preservation and Interpretation of Archaeological Resources Archaeology and historic preservation are fields that are constantly evolving with the development of new technology, techniques, and research opportunities. The application and testing of innovative technology and techniques within historic preservation allows for better preservation of historic properties, as well as the ability to address research questions in a less invasive manner and/or that might not have been previously possible to address. Environmental factors, such as humidity, material pH levels, and weather patterns can affect the results of such research. Therefore, it is important to establish baseline data, applicability, and best practices for research techniques and technology in the unique environment of Lincoln County, Nevada. This priority focuses on innovation in the application of technology and techniques for the preservation of and research on historic properties.

A) Technology, Techniques, and/or Research with the Field of Archaeology A proposal under this priority can include established technology, techniques, and/or research opportunities within the field of archaeology and historic preservation that are new to a specific historic property in Lincoln County, a type of historic property, and/or have not been previously tested in Lincoln County, Nevada B) Technology, Techniques, and/or Research new to the Field of Archaeology Proposals submitted under this priority can include technology, techniques, and/or research opportunities that are new to the field of archaeology and historic preservation. This could consist of the application of research established in non-archaeological fields of study to archaeological resources and/or historic preservation, including, but not limited to, biology, chemistry, and mechanical engineering.

A proposal submitted under this priority would identify a specific technology or technique that will be used or developed. The proposal would clearly state how the identification, evaluation, and/or preservation of historic properties will be advanced by this project; otherwise, the proposal would clearly establish how the technology or technique will be advanced while improving its application in archaeological research. All projects would deliver scientifically sound information and stress a conservation ethic focusing on awareness, protection, and preservation of the archaeological resources. Non-destructive methods of research would be the focus. All projects should demonstrate that the technology, technique or research opportunity has the potential to yield results which could lead to better identification, evaluation, treatment or management of archaeological resources. All projects should show coordination with the Land Manager regarding the regulations related to the technology or techniques being used.

2) The Development and Implementation of Public Outreach and Educational Projects for Archaeological Resources within Lincoln County, Nevada In 1966, the National Historic Preservation Act was passed by the Congress of the United States of America. The act declared that the spirit and direction of the nation are found upon and reflected in its historic heritage. It also directed that the historical and cultural foundations of America should be preserved as a living part of our communities to give a sense of orientation to the American people. However, significant historic properties are being lost or substantially altered with increasing frequency due to the ever-increasing pressures on public lands. The Land Managers who bear the responsibility of preserving these fragile and irreplaceable portions of American Heritage are faced with unique challenges and opportunities as they try to balance progress with preservation.

This priority aims to engage and educate the community, involving them in assisting Federal Land Managers to preserve unique resources. Citizens are encouraged to appreciate these resources as a vital part of their community. Proposed projects should focus on preserving cultural heritage, emphasizing awareness, protection, and the conservation of archaeological resources. The proposal ensures that accurate information is conveyed to the public in easily understandable language. Proponents are expected to collaborate with the relevant management agency during document development.

This priority aims to create educational materials that can be used by the agency to educate the public about archaeological resources located in Lincoln County. These materials may focus on a single site or on a specific archaeological theme and may include but are not limited to posters, pamphlets, brochures, booklets, coloring pages, educational lesson plans, videos, or webpages. All materials developed will comply with appropriate design standards of the agency and should be written in a language that is appropriate to the target audience.

A) Develop Interpretive Materials This priority aims to create educational materials that can be used by the agency to educate the public about archaeological resources located in Lincoln County. These materials may focus on a single site or on a specific archaeological theme and may include but are not limited to posters, pamphlets, brochures, booklets, coloring pages, educational lesson plans, videos, or webpages. Inclusivity is a key consideration, ensuring access for all residents and visitors, including those with physical and mental disabilities. All materials developed will comply with appropriate design standards of the agency and should be written in a language that is appropriate to the target audience.

The proponent would work closely with agency staff to ensure compatibility with agency plans and systems. The appropriate agency would coordinate for printing of any materials in accordance with the agency printing procedures. The proponent would submit an electronic copy for publication on the agency webpage. To facilitate web posting, all final materials submitted would need to comply with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (as amended). Home | Section508.gov B) Distribution of Interpretive or Scientific Information regarding Lincoln County Archaeological Resources This priority task involves the proponent identifying scientific or interpretive materials that should be disseminated to the Public and Scientific Communities. After identifying these materials, they would be prepared for distribution via agency webpages and printed materials, adhering to the design standards of the respective agency.

Interpretive materials should be written in plain language, offering opportunities for the Public to gain knowledge about Lincoln County’s unique cultural resources. These materials would undergo a review by the agency before being approved for distribution.

Scientific Reports must comply with Section 9 of the Archaeological Resources Protection Act, which requires redaction of any information about the nature and location of archaeological resources before distribution. This includes, but is not limited to, site forms and maps showing the location of individual sites. The agency would review the redacted report and approve it for distribution.

The agency in charge would handle the printing of materials as per their printing procedures. The proponent would provide an electronic copy for publication on the agency’s webpage. To facilitate web posting, all final materials must comply with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (as amended). For more details on Section 508 mandates, please visit the following webpage: Home | Section508.gov C) Archaeological Resource Protection Through Public Engagement This priority task focuses on public engagement initiatives aimed at preserving Lincoln County’s archaeological resources through community education and interaction. The goal is to develop programs and events that educate various groups, including school groups, children’s groups, Native American groups, underrepresented groups, and community organizations about the importance of cultural resource preservation. Inclusivity is a key consideration, ensuring access for all residents and visitors, including those with physical and mental disabilities. These activities could include workshops, site visits, professional talks, and site clean-ups, with an emphasis on educating participants and facilitating interactions with professional archaeologists. Deliverables may include unique training materials, interpretive information, and metrics tracking the number of events and participants.

D) Develop and/or Implement an Interpretive Site Plan In accordance with the analysis procedures of the National Environmental Policy Act, the proponent would develop a Management Plan for one or more notable, publicly accessible archaeological sites or districts. This plan will be crafted in collaboration with Federal, Tribal, State, and Local Government agencies, as well as the Public. An Environmental Document, in line with agency policy, will analyze the environmental impacts of the proposed plan.

The plan will pinpoint the need for interpretation at a specific site, propose alternative development plans for the site, and outline an implementation strategy for the construction of the identified infrastructure. Special attention should be paid to ensuring that the design caters to visitor safety, resource protection, and long-term sustainability at minimal costs.

The site plans will aim to offer opportunities for education, interpretation, and recreation, utilizing the unique resources of the selected site. Those who wish to submit proposals under this priority are advised to reach out to the relevant agency before developing their proposal to ensure alignment with agency plans.

The interpretive concepts will convey archaeological and environmental information and promote a conservation ethic centered on the protection and preservation of archaeological resources. The proposed Improvements must consider a broad range of cultural, scientific, and conservation perspectives including those expressed by culturally affiliated Native American tribes, the local community, archaeological and historical information, and other stakeholders. All interpretive materials developed for these areas will be made available to the public in both print and electronic means.

Using an established Interpretive Site Plan the proponent would build, produce, and implement the plan, or portions of the plan, in accordance with agency guidelines and standards. All construction projects on federal land need to be submitted by the federal land management agency.

3) Development and Application of Historic Contexts of Archaeological Resources This priority aims to structure and comprehend Lincoln County’s archaeological record by identifying its known prehistory and history, pinpointing knowledge gaps, and formulating strategies to gather the necessary information. By developing and applying a historical context, researchers can start to comprehend and construct the archaeological record. A historical context consists of three fundamental elements: Research Themes, Research Questions, and Data Requirements. Historical contexts for prehistoric and historic resources are crucial for evaluating sites for the National Register of Historic Places and for comprehending and structuring the archaeological record. All historical contexts developed under this priority must adhere to the National Park Service (NPS) standards and guidelines for historical contexts, which can be found on the NPS website. Historic Preservation Standards and Guidelines - Historic Preservation (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov) Proposals under this priority should aim to clarify or enhance the understanding of the archaeological record by identifying a theme, themes, or region to be studied and developing a research design to steer the rest of the project. The research design should include background research, historical context development, fieldwork, and artifact analysis (if required). The project’s results will be presented in a report that is reviewed and approved by the agency. Projects proposed under this priority will adhere to the agency’s current guidelines for archaeological inventory.

Themes could encompass periods, site types, artifact usage, resources at risk, settlement patterns, or any other theme of interest. The Nevada Comprehensive Preservation Plan, 2020-2028 Historic Preservation Plan for Nevada | SHPO (nv.gov) , offers several historical themes that could be addressed. Geographical areas could include watersheds, wilderness areas, archaeological districts, mining districts (must be 100 years or older and on public lands, not privately owned), or any other geographical boundary (real or arbitrary). Proposals must provide a rationale for the chosen context and a statement on its significance to understanding Lincoln County’s archaeological record. All Historic Contexts need SHPO concurrence so time should be allotted for that consultation.

4) Archaeological Identification and Evaluation Research To unlock the full potential of Lincoln County’s archaeological record and revolutionize our comprehension of the county’s societal evolution, it’s crucial to tackle key research challenges. This priority aims to undertake an archaeological resource research project that tackles significant and pertinent issues in prehistoric or historic archaeology on lands within Lincoln County. This priority foresees the execution of archaeological fieldwork using conventional methods or a blend of these with more innovative techniques as outlined under Priority 1. The priority can also be met through the utilization of existing data and collections housed in museums or other repositories. The research project should focus on a specific and relevant issue or need, and devise a logical plan for the collection, analysis, use, and curation of archaeological samples, as well as the dissemination of the knowledge acquired.

A proposal submitted under this priority should encompass the following:

1. A clear delineation of a research problem or need, referencing an existing historical context and analyzing current archaeological literature.

2. Identification of the archaeological data required to address the problem or need, along with the volume of data needed.

3. A research design detailing the objective of the proposed research, the methods to be used for data acquisition, and how the acquired information will be analyzed and presented.

4. Evaluation and addressing of the archaeological problem in a professional technical report.

5. Provision of implications and recommendations based on the results of the analysis.

6. Detailed plan for disseminating the information to peers and/or the public, specifying the method of dissemination.