CONG_-_Administrative_History_Q_A_0002.docx

CONG - Administrative History Q&A

1. Prioritization of Project Components Which elements of the proposed scope (e.g., oral histories, GIS integration, legislative context) are considered highest priority by the National Park Service?

Each element is central to the Administrative History, and each will inform ongoing park planning, administration, operations, partnerships, and co-stewardship obligations. A creative approach to the use of each element to inform and illustrate the Administrative History of the park is a goal of the study.

2. Access to Internal Documentation Are there any internal planning documents, historical overviews, or partial drafts that we can reference or build upon?

Yes, the park and region will provide both final and draft planning documents and historic overviews for use by the contractor. Existing planning documents and historic overviews to inform the proposal are available on public-facing NPS databases, including the Electronic Technical Information Center (ETIC2) and the Integrated Resource Management Applications portal (IRMA).

3. Desired Narrative Tone Would you prefer a more scholarly/academic approach, a more general-public style, Or a blend of both for the final report?

The goal is to produce a resonant, accessible, and usable product that presents the results of rigorous scholarly/academic research in clear, concise, and direct language, avoiding jargon and using the active voice wherever possible. Use plain language where possible—especially for administrative concepts, legal changes, and bureaucratic structures.

4. Identification of Interviewees Will the NPS provide a list of up to 16 individuals to be interviewed, or should our team identify and contact potential participants?

The park will actively work with the contractor to identify and contract potential participants. The contractor would need to conduct sufficient preliminary research on the history of the events to develop a preliminary list of possible interviews. This includes assessing what oral history interviews in existing collections to determine which interviews/interviewees to prioritize

5. Logistical Constraints for In-Person Interviews Are there any known health, accessibility, or geographic restrictions we should keep in mind when scheduling interviews?

The park will coordinate with the contractor on any access issues. The contractor is expected to interview all knowledgeable individuals, no matter where they are located, as part of a thorough investigation. How those interviews are conducted is up to the contractor. Interview locations should be accessible to people with mobility impairments, including wheelchair users.

6. Assistance in Scheduling Interviews Can Park staff assist in coordinating interviews with former employees or key community members?

Yes, the park will coordinate and assist the contractor in coordinating interviews with former employees or key community members.

7. Climate Change Impacts Are there specific studies, guidelines, or directives about climate change at Congaree (e.g., rising water levels or temperatures) that we should incorporate into the administrative history?

The park will provide the contractor with relevant information from the park files. An NPS Administrative History of Congaree National Park should provide a factual account of how the park addressed climate change throughout different administrative periods, including the current Trump Administration. The contractor is responsible for identifying specific studies and making use of them relative to the executive and secretarial orders issued by the current administration.

8. Access to Physical and Digital Archives What level of access will we have to Congaree’s archives, and are there special permissions or procedures (IDs, confidentiality agreements, etc.) we need to complete?

The contractor will have full access to Congaree’s on-site records and NPS public facing records, but access to any off-site depositories, such as the Federal Records Centers (FRCs) – Operated by NARA – and NARA permanent records that require pre-planning and coordination with the NPS Records Officer. This will be facilitated by the park and regional staff.

9. Relevant External Collections Are there significant archival collections outside the park (e.g., at regional archives, universities, or state institutions) that we should consult to ensure a comprehensive historical record?

Yes, there are regional, state, and local collections that would inform the administrative history, including files at that Federal Records Center and the regional NARA facility in Atlanta, University of South Carolina – South Caroliniana Library and Archives (i.e. Harry Hampton Papers) and South Carolina Department of Archives and History in Columbia and the Richland County Public Library – Local History Room, also in Columbia, among others.

10. Known Gaps in Historical Documentation Are there any periods or topics in Congaree’s history that the NPS is especially hoping we can cover or clarify?

An account of the movement to bring the area under NPS management that culminated in its establishment, including the legislative process, is a focus of the project.

11. Biodiversity and Ecosystem Data Does the archival material include information on how the park’s biodiversity has changed over the years, or any scientific records of ecological shifts?

Yes, archival collections related to Congaree National Park include scientific records documenting biodiversity and ecological change over time. These records are found across multiple sources, including: NPS archives containing natural resource inventories, long-term monitoring data, and planning documents; University of South Carolina collections; research reports from permitted scientific studies, some of which are housed in park records or available through institutional archives; and NARA and regional office records with environmental assessments and project files referencing habitat conditions and species presence.

12. Additional Check-Ins Beyond Monthly Calls Besides the monthly progress calls, does the NPS anticipate scheduling additional review sessions at major milestones (e.g., after we submit the outline or the first draft)?

Monthly calls will be the standard way of communicating, but the contractor is encouraged to maintain routine communication with the park staff and Contracting Officers Representative. Additional meetings may occur should the work diverge from the SOW.

13. Turnaround Time for Draft Feedback What is the estimated time the NPS generally requires to review and provide comments on drafts and deliverables?

Between 15-30 days: 15 days for the outline, draft chapter, and list of oral history subjects; 30 days for first and second drafts; 15 days for the final draft.

14. Previous Administrative History Examples Congaree is a unique National Park, and we anticipate the contractor will develop a correspondingly novel approach that will reflect its character.

15. Will the Congaree National Park (CONG) provide a list of essential personnel, NPS officials, community leaders, and other outside parties associated with the park? Other than the 16 as mentioned, what will be the total number?

Yes, the park will provide a list of essential personnel. We ask for up to 16 current and former NPS employees and others important to the history of this park.

16. Will the vendor be able to record the oral histories? We would also like to keep for the duration of the contract, to refer to as often as needed during the 2-year process. Will this be permitted?

All formal oral history interviews conducted will be digitally recorded and transcriptions prepared by the contractor, and recordings must be delivered in the stipulated format within the stated period of performance.

17. With the primary audience, current and future park personnel, we assume the Scope of Work will remain an internal resource only. Is this accurate? Will the finished product need to be displayed in the museum? Is there a specific network or platform on which the audio needs to be played?

Administrative histories are crucial to the transfer of knowledge to park service staff and the public, and all work completed under the terms of the SOW will be published via NPS platforms, except sensitive data, or used for a public purpose at the discretion of the Superintendent or other official with jurisdiction/

18. Will the vendor be given access to the superintendent’s reports and correspondence located at the museum storage, e.g., paper or digital records?

The park and region will facilitate access to NPS records, but the contractor will be responsible for examining/using any NPS records that are not in the park or digitally accessible.

19. Park personnel currently use GIS data. Will Park personnel duplicate or modify spatial or parcel data, boundary expansions, or wilderness designations, or is this the vendor’s responsibility?

The expectation is that the contractor will duplicate or modify existing GIS Data to create new spatial data, including parcel data, boundary expansions, and wilderness designations.

20. Will the partner organizations, state agencies, et al, be responsible for providing any pertinent information as determined vital to the administrative histories to include in the vendor’s SOW?

The contractor, working with the park and the region, would work to collaboratively identify and acquire pertinent to the Administrative History.

21. What is the anticipated number of trips to CONG?

The contractor would scope the number of trips to the park relative to its approach and research design.

22. How does the NPS want to make the MP3 files available to the end users? Will the image of the person speaking be part of the experience?

The NPS will make use of the final deliverables at its discretion, but will archive all relevant files according to policy. MP3 files are considered a “listening file.”