Vendor_QA_140P5225Q0039_0003.docx

140P5225Q0039 – Vendor Questions & Government Responses

1. PWS Part 2 – Historic Research – Which specific non-Park archival repositories (e.g., National Archives, state archives, pension centers) are required as minimum research sites?

There is no required set of research sites. However, the goal is to identify likely direct-line descendants for each known USCT veteran. The Government expects contractors to pursue strong, well-justified research pathways and be able to demonstrate that a thorough effort was made to either establish lineage or determine that no direct descendants are identifiable.

2. PWS Part 2 – Historic Research – Will the Government facilitate access to restricted or fee-based collections?

No. The contractor is responsible for budgeting and arranging access to all research repositories, including digitization fees and on-site record pulls.

3. PWS Introduction – Coordination with Genealogist – What level and frequency of coordination is expected between the historian team and genealogists?

The Park prefers regularly scheduled joint updates involving both historian and genealogist teams. Frequency and structure are left to the contractor to propose based on what best supports their workflow.

4. PWS Part 1 – Review Existing Documentation – Will the Park provide existing research files or must the contractor compile everything from scratch?

The Park will provide a list of all known interments, including names, service branches, and unit affiliations. This includes digitized grave cards for some veterans and low-resolution JPGs of burial ledger books. Contractors should still plan for independent verification and additional research.

5. PWS Part 2 – Historic Research – Should the historical narrative include pre-war and post-war information, or just military service?

The Park recommends that contractors focus on wartime service as the core narrative. Pre-war history is often limited due to the nature of records, and post-war civic life will only apply to veterans who survived the war. A brief contextual summary of each veteran’s broader life may be included if records support it.

6. PWS Part 2 – Historic Research – Does the Government require research at specific locations (e.g., NARA, MDAH)?

No specific locations are mandated. However, valuable resources are likely to be available at NARA (DC), MDAH, and county-level repositories in and around Vicksburg. Contractors should budget accordingly based on their proposed research plan.

7. PWS Part 3 – Report Writing & Documentation – Should the final report include full biographies or short summaries? How many pages per veteran?

The Park anticipates a range in available information. The report should include:

1. Wartime service summaries for each veteran

2. A summary of direct-line descendant findings

3. Where appropriate, biographical context for veterans with more complete records Contractors should not aim for chapter-length profiles for each veteran, but rather standardized summaries based on available documentation.

8. PWS Part 3 – Report Writing & Documentation – Is a citation reference section required for each sourced document?

Yes. A reference/citation section is required so that Park staff, scholars, and descendants can trace the origin of all information used to construct each veteran’s profile.

9. PWS Part 3 – Report Writing & Documentation – Are GIS maps or thematic figures required?

No. GIS layers, maps, and related visualizations are not required under this contract.

10. PWS Part 2 – Historic Research – Are oral-history interviews within scope? If so, how many and how should they be handled?

Yes. The Park would like the results of oral-history interviews to be integrated with the historian’s findings. Contractors must:

- Identify interview participants willing to release their interviews

- Provide the Park with transcripts, audio, or video files

- Use the material to enhance interpretive products, such as webpages, videos, and brochures.