A04_SOW.docx

S C O P E O F W O R K

ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORY

BROWN V. BOARD OF EDUCATION NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE

KANSAS

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR – NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

PMIS PROJECT NUMBER # 71950

I. Introduction The National Park Service (NPS), through the Midwest Regional Office (MWRO), requires the performance of research and writing of an Administrative History for Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site in Topeka, Kansas. The history will help complete basic historical documentation of the park’s history and resources as developed and managed by the National Park Service. The information contained in the Administrative History is essential for present and future interpretation and resource management.

This Administrative History is a comprehensive synthesis of primary and secondary source material that conforms to professional standards regarding methodology of historical research and writing. Stylistic, bibliographical, and report production standards shall conform to the current edition of the Chicago Manual of Style. The study will include an oral history project whereby twenty (20) current and former NPS employees and others important to the history of this park unit will be interviewed in person, digitally recorded, and transcriptions prepared.

The Administrative History, including enumerated appendices, graphics, and index shall be completed within twenty-four months from the date of contract award.

II. DESCRIPTION OF THE RESOURCES

Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site (NHS) in Topeka, Kansas, covers two acres and includes the historic Monroe Elementary School, which served African American students during the segregation era. Brown v. Board NHS interprets the people, places, and events that contributed to the landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision that outlawed segregation in public education. Furthermore, the park interprets the integral role of the Brown case in the civil rights movement, preserves the former Monroe Elementary School and associated cultural landscape, and assists in the interpretation of related local, national, and international resources that further the understanding of the civil rights movement.

The park was established on October 26, 1992, and opened to the public in 2004 on the 50th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education. Monroe Elementary School had,with Sumner Elementary School, been designated a national historic landmark in 1987. The park works with many partners to explore—through exhibits, education programs, interpretation, and special events—the story of Brown v. Board of Education in the context of the ongoing civil rights struggle. Working with partners enriches the services provided by the park staff as well as allowing educators and NPS rangers to engage new untapped audiences.

The U.S. Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education (1954) is one of the most pivotal opinions ever rendered by that body. This landmark decision highlights the court’s role in affecting changes in national and social policy.

In 1948, members of the Topeka chapter of the NAACP volunteered to challenge the “separate but equal” doctrine governing public education. Following a strategy mapped out by Thurgood Marshall, head of the NAACP’s Legal Defense Fund, the Topeka chapter continued to petition the Board of Education to voluntarily desegregate the public schools while branch lawyers began putting a case together and signing up plaintiffs. A group of 13 parents agreed to participate on behalf of their 20 children. Education was the main target of the NAACP legal strategy against segregation because of the role public education plays in promoting an equal society.

In December 1952, the U.S. Supreme Court had on its docket cases from Kansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, South Carolina, and Virginia, all challenging the constitutionality of racial segregation in public schools. The court had consolidated these five cases under one name, Oliver Brown et al. v. the Board of Education of Topeka. This collection of cases was the culmination of years of legal groundwork laid by the NAACP in its work to end segregation. None of the cases would have been possible without the many individuals who were courageous enough to take a stand against the segregated public school system. On May 17, 1954, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a unanimous decision stating that it was unconstitutional—a violation of the 14th Amendment— to separate children in public schools for no other reason than their race.

Kansas wrestled with the question of incorporating African Americans into the legal and social fabric of the territory from the beginning. During a period known as “Bleeding Kansas” in the 1850s, men took to the ballot box and the battlefield with equal fury to decide whether Kansas would enter the Union a free or slave state. Even when it was determined that Kansas would be a free state, citizens argued bitterly over the presence and position of African Americans in the new state. Kansas had voluntary segregation of public elementary schools in larger cities, with an emphasis in Topeka on providing materially equal facilities for African American children. This policy stood firm from the 1920s until the time of the Brown decision.

Research Project – Develop and Complete the Administrative History for Brown v. Education National Historic Site

This project will provide for the first Administrative History of Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site. This history—of particular value to managers, planners, and interpreters—describes how the park was conceived and established and how it has been managed to the present day. The park's legislative history and important issues in planning, land acquisition, development, public relations, and other topics of ongoing management concern are emphasized.[footnoteRef:1] [1: For more detailed guidance see National Park Service Administrative History: A Guide (1991).]

The primary emphasis of this Administrative History (also referred to as “study”) will provide a description and analysis of the development and administration of Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site (NHS) as a unit of the National Park System. Contents of all NPS management reports and plans are to be summarized and management decisions explained.

The origin and rationale for key management decisions shall be thoroughly discussed and reference made to planning documents, studies, and other historical, archeological, and scientific research reports that resulted in major management decisions. Other topics, in addition to those enumerated above, to examine (in no particular order) include:

· Elaborate on how Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site (NHS) was established and created.

· Brief summary of historical events leading up to the 1954 U.S. Supreme Court decision, Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas, and its aftermath.

· Brief description of land ownership, use, and management prior to acquisition by NPS. Describe early preservation efforts. Describe key individuals promoting the establishment, as well as legislative involvement. Document the positions taken.

· Describe the legislative process, as well as informal actions such as local advocacy (and opposition), that resulted in authorization of the park. This description will include the designation of the Sumner Elementary School (not federally owned), then the Monroe Elementary School as National Historic Landmarks (including the 1991 National Historic Landmark Nomination update). Explain the decisions and motivations that led to selection and acquisition of Monroe as the park.

· Describe the legislation passed by Congress, with explanation of authorities provided to the agency. Advisory Board on National Parks, Historic Sites, Buildings, and Monuments endorsement of park bill, intent as described in Congressional testimony. Include a timeline of park establishment, including notices in the Federal Register.

· Describe the development of management alternatives considered in the General Management Plan (1996) and the reasoning that influenced the selection of the preferred alternative. Describe any shifts in emphases in management direction as noted in implementation documents and/or the Foundation Document (2017).

· Describe and document the land acquisition process, noting considerations made in the selection of properties, and priorities for acquisition. Document any outstanding boundary issues, including the non-NPS railway and alley right of ways that lie within the existing boundaries. Describe contextual impacts of adjacent ownerships to park operations and management; this may include adjacent parkland, zoning, parking availability, and trail connectors.

· Describe actions taken prior to the dedication of the Monroe School (May 2006) to provide for staff offices and maintenance facilities. Document changes in leased facilities over the years, including leases maintained for the current garage and past storage facilities. This will include the rental of office space at the Federal Courthouse/Post Office in downtown Topeka. Describe commitments made that obligate managers into the future.

· Describe efforts to document the neighborhood context of the park, including the Cultural Landscape Guidelines (2000) and the current buffer zone assessment for potential World Heritage designation (current).

· Describe the Rehabilitation of the Monroe Elementary School property over time.

· Document the preservation process of the Monroe School property and lots designated as Brown v. Board of Education NHS. Describe the management decisions and alternative treatments considered, with the decision points and considerations that led to the preservation treatment selected: Rehabilitation (Management Alternatives Study, 1992)

· Document the construction process that led to rehabilitation (Monroe Elementary School Rehabilitation/Environmental Assessment, 1992).

· Describe management of the associated cultural landscape and provide a general description of changes to the surrounding neighborhood over time (Cultural Landscape Guidelines, 2000).

· Cultural resources management. List of Classified Structures (LCS) and Cultural Landscape Inventory (CLI) initiatives and enrolled properties. National Register listings. Park collections and curatorial plans. Projects of the park historian.

· Describe physical evolution of Brown v. Board of Education over time, describing implementation plans and actions.

· Describe the development of exhibits, documenting decisions made of the approach for the exhibit development and updates made, including recent updates for accessibility.

· Describe technological (Information Technology) improvements over time.

· Describe major research efforts over time, including collection of oral histories.

· Summarize archeological investigations.

· Management of Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site over time.

· Document policy development and changes in the management and operation of Brown v. Board of Education NHS. Describe staffing, reporting relationships.

· Elaborate on park maintenance/facility management operations.

· Elaborate on visitor protection/law enforcement programs.

· The study will examine the association with Nicodemus National Historic Site. The Site Manager/Superintendent of Nicodemus NHS reports to the Superintendent of Brown v. Board of Education NHS in a mentoring supervisory relationship. Additionally, Brown v. Board of Education NHS provided some supporting administrative functions and shared some positions with Nicodemus NHS at times. Explain how the relationship worked in terms of park operations and management authority. Discuss how the Nicodemus NHS manager was regarded as a training position for new superintendents.

· Describe the succession of park managers/superintendents and their accomplishments. Document changes in position management over time (FTE, strategy, etc.).

· Examine the goals and accomplishments of each park manager and focuses for division chief/leads. The current park Facility Manager was one of the first staff hired and present for the entire rehabilitation process.

· The study will document how and why the administrative operations changed over time. Attention will be paid to the annual budget and staff growth and all organization charts will be featured. Include results and summary of Operations Evaluation report conducted by MWRO (Fiscal Year 2008) and the 2013 Business Plan.

· Describe major park events, including commemoration of 60th and 65th anniversaries of the Brown v. Board case.

· Document interpretation and education programs and how they evolved over time (Long-Range Interpretive Plan, 2012).

· Describe approach to inclusion of museum exhibits and collections over time (Scope of Collections Statement, 2012).

· Describe other interpretive efforts, including wayside exhibits, web site introduction and development, park interpretive films.

· Document the park store and relationship with Western National Parks Association.

· Describe efforts to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act within Brown v. Board of Education NHS.

· Document park visitation over time.

· Development and Collaboration Through Partnerships

· Describe formal and informal partnerships and how they have assisted in accomplishing the park mission (confidential Partner Profile, 2016 and draft Building Use Guidelines, 2016, Foundation Document, 2017).

· Document the Brown Foundation partnership, support received through ONPS base funding, evolution and dissolution of partnership over time. Identify issues that led to the OIG investigation and partner and NPS perspectives.

· Formal partnerships include/have included: City of Topeka (emergency, police/fire response), Brown Foundation for Educational Equity, Western National Parks Association, Shawnee County Election Commission, Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area, U.S. District Court of Kansas, Topeka Chapter Alpha Phi Alpha, University of Kansas, International Coalition Sites of Conscience, and True Foundation World Outreach Ministries.

· Informal partnerships include/have included: Living the Dream Foundation, Topeka Chapter NAACP, Monroe Neighborhood Improvement Association, iNCLUDED, Topeka ArtsConnect, American Solar Challenge (2016, 2020), Brown v. Board Sumner Legacy Trust, Kanas African American Heritage Trail, Constitutional Hall, Girl Scouts, Topeka Metro-Remember Rosa, Kansas School District 501 (Topeka), Outward Bound/Omaha North Star, Shawnee County Historical Society, Summerton [SC] Historical Society, Topeka Downtown Rotary (Unity March, Pocket Park), U.S. Civil Rights Trail, and Georgia State University (World Heritage designation effort).

The Administrative History must place Brown v. Board of Education NHS in context with the evolution of management policies, procedures, and practices of NPS over time. This would include discussion of relationships and services provided by but not limited to inter-agency offices such as the Washington Office, Midwest Regional Office, Denver Service Center, Midwest Archeological Center, and Harpers Ferry Center. Contractor will utilize the files, library, and archives of the Brown v. Board of Education NHS, and digitized documents available from other NPS sources.

A. The contractor will provide within six months of contract award a detailed outline of the Administrative History for NPS review and approval. It will contain or consider all of the topics listed above. Contractor will supply five (5) hard copies as well as an electronic WORD document for the review. Draft material will have page numbering and line-numbering in the left margin (started over on each page). NPS will provide comments within 30 days. The outline will serve as the basis of the Table of Contents.

B. Nine months after contract award, the contractor will supply two draft chapters (Introduction and Legislative History) for NPS for review and approval. It will contain or consider all pertinent topics listed above. Contractor will supply five (5) hard copies as well as an electronic WORD document for the review. Draft material will have page numbering and line-numbering in the left margin (started over on each page). NPS will provide comments within 30 days.

C. Within one year of contract award, contractor will provide transcriptions of all oral history interviews for NPS inspection and approval.

Oral history interviews will be conducted with key decision-making personnel. Because NPS documentation is not complete, oral history interviews will be especially useful in the Administrative History. Contractor shall also utilize existing oral history transcripts pertaining to Brown v. Board of Education NHS.

Twenty (20) formal oral history interviews will be conducted in person according to professional standards with current and/or retired NPS employees pertinent to the park’s history and others as follows (grouped geographically, names and contact information to be provided following contract award):

Topeka, Kansas Area:

S.W. – park superintendent – Topeka, KS D.D. – partner rep., GMP team – Lawrence, KS R.S. – former city community development director – Topeka, KS K.H. – Sumner Legacy Trust – Topeka, KS

Washington, D.C. Area:

Central Florida:

C.B.H. – founding foundation president – The Villages, FL R.H. – former park superintendent – Tampa, FL

Omaha, Nebraska Area:

US Southwest:

S.V. – former interpretive planner – Denver, CO

Little Rock, AR:

R.W. – former chief of interpretation during GMP

Gatlinburg, TN:

W.B. – MWRO GMP team leader

Bayfield, WI:

T.P. – former administrative officer

Harkers Island, NC:

K.C. – former administrative officer

Woodstock, VT:

J.S. – former park ranger/management assistant

A list of alternate interviewees will be provided in case any of the above candidates are unwilling or unable for whatever reason to participate. The alternates may be interviewed via telephone and not in-person.

Oral history interviews will be conducted in person, digitally recorded, transcripts produced, a digital photograph of each interviewee taken, and assignment of interview rights forms signed. All interviewees will be given an opportunity to review and edit his/her interview transcript over a one-month period.

D. Bibliography of source materials, including all previous research, surveys, and reports dealing with Brown v. Board of Education NHS.

E. Appendices: Information including, but not limited to, all pertinent legislation, maps and/or drawings, listing of annual budgets, annual visitation, organization charts, and a comprehensive listing of past and present NPS personnel, will be included in the Administrative History's appendix. The study shall include appropriate maps and other figures within the narrative, including historic and contemporary photographs. The photographs shall have captions and identify their source.

F. Contractor shall also prepare two short articles (1 to 2 pages) on any topic related to this Administrative History to be uploaded to the park’s website or other internet site. The articles will be submitted for NPS review and comment at the same time as the draft Administrative History is submitted (20 months after contract award).

G. A draft of the completed Administrative History with all above specified elements will be prepared and provided to NPS for review and comment according to a planning schedule and matrix outlined between NPS and contractor at the start of the project. Contractor will then incorporate all comments and resubmit a final draft. Following approval of the Administrative History by NPS, an index (generated by the latest version of Microsoft Word; all left margin line-numbering removed) will be prepared which incorporates all significant names, places, objects, activities, and programs referenced in the document. Used in conjunction with the Table of Contents, the Index will assist readers find particular topics of interest with ease. The final draft will then be reviewed by the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) to ensure all NPS comments have been incorporated, and then submitted for approval signatures.

III. General Proposal Outlines

The prospective contractor must formulate a study proposal and itemized cost proposal in response to this Scope of Work. The proposal must describe in detail the investigator's research strategy and qualifications of personnel responsible for completion of the study. Minimally, the study must individually address each topic (A-G) outlined in Section II, above.

The proposal will consist of:

A. Research strategy

1. A description of the methods, techniques, and procedures of research, including a summary of repositories and other sources of information to be used.

2. A planning schedule and matrix identifying key project milestones and associated products pertaining to the project.

3. A preliminary draft for NPS review, a final review draft, and, following the recommendation of the Superintendent and approval by the Regional Director, 100 printed and perfect bound copies.

B. Personnel qualifications

1. The Principal Investigator The Principal Investigator (PI) is responsible for all aspects of managing the proposed study. The PI must have a Ph.D. or equivalent in United States History (no exceptions). A level of experience equivalent to a Ph.D. is acceptable and may be evidenced by a publication record demonstrating a professional level of research, analysis, and report preparation. It is expected that the publication record will reflect an understanding and ability to apply research methodology, and education and experience beyond that of a project historian.

2. Project Historian(s) Although the overall research design, guidance, and responsibility for the completed study lies with the Principal Investigator, the PI may utilize the assistance of project historians (PH) and other project staff at their discretion to accomplish the research. The minimum requirements for a PH are a Bachelor's and Master’s degrees in United States History from an accredited college or university followed by two years of graduate study with a concentration in the field. A Master's thesis in history or its equivalent in research and publication are highly recommended.

3. Standards for consultants Personnel hired or subcontracted for their special knowledge and expertise must carry academic and experiential qualifications in their particular area of expertise. Such qualifications are to be documented by means of vitae attachments when the proposal is prepared and submitted.

C. Price Proposal

The prospective contractor must submit a line-item cost proposal for the project, including the following items:

1. Personnel services

a. Principal Investigator

b. Other personnel

c. Miscellaneous personal expenses

2. Supplies and equipment

3. Travel

4. Cost of analysis and report preparation

5. Overhead, Indirect, and In-kind costs as applicable

6. Other expenses

7. Total project cost

The proposal must include a work schedule diagramming the duration of field and archival work outlined in the research strategy section of the proposal.

IV. Additional Contract Requirements

A. General provisions

1. Prospective contractors should note that the research design submitted by the contractor becomes a binding element of the contract and is expected to be carried out. The research performed and reported must meet the minimum requirements.

2. Within 30 days of award of contract, the contractor shall attend a post-award scoping meeting at Brown v. Board of Education NHS in Topeka, Kansas, to discuss technical aspects of the contract and to confirm the planning schedule for the submission of the deliverables.

3. The production of the Administrative History shall be completed within 24 months of contract award.

B. Report standards/format and submission schedule The final report will be in the latest version of Microsoft Word and include the information required in the specifications listed in Section II, above. It must be typed on 8-1/2 by 11-inch white paper. All pages must be numbered. Copies of photographs (screened for reproduction clarity), maps, drawings, and text must be clean, clear, and legible. The format must comply with the latest edition of the Chicago Manual of Style. The document must be Section 508 compliant.

In addition, all reports must contain the following:

1. Title/Cover page listing the name of the Principal Investigator. If the report is also authored by Project Historians, the title page must identify the author(s) and bear the inscription, "Prepared under the supervision of (name), Principal Investigator." The title/cover page shall also include signature and date lines for three approving officials in the following order: "Recommended/Associate Regional Director, Cultural Resources, Midwest Region/Date; Concurred Superintendent, Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site/Date; and Approved/Regional Director, Midwest Region/Date."

2. Five (5) hard copies of the chapter outline will be submitted six months following contract award for NPS review and approval. The outline shall include descriptions of each chapter containing sufficient detail to demonstrate the complete range of topics and themes to be discussed as well as chronological periods. NPS will provide review comments on the chapter outline to the PI within 30 days of receipt of the document. The PI shall make necessary revisions and submit the final chapter outline to NPS within 15 days of receipt by the contractor. The outline will provide the basis for the “Table of Contents” for the Administrative History.

3. Five (5) hard copies of the draft report and two articles will be submitted twenty months following contract award to NPS for review. The draft will be typed, double-spaced, with numbered reference lines in the left margins on each page of text (numbering to start from “1” on each page) and will include all maps, graphics, footnotes, and appendices to be included in the final report. The draft will be reviewed by NPS for contract sufficiency and professional quality. Within 45 days of receipt by NPS, the draft will be reviewed and the contractor will be notified when review comments will be transmitted. During the period of revision of the draft, the contractor will consult with NPS to ensure the satisfactory resolution of review comments and submission of a final draft in a timely manner.

4. A final draft report—and two articles (separate from the report)--addressing review comments transmitted to the contractor by NPS will be submitted to NPS prior to printing of the final document. The contractor will design appropriate cover art/graphics including the NPS Arrowhead for the camera-ready final document. Printing on the document's spine will include title, author, National Park Service, and year of publication. Within 60 days of NPS acceptance of the final draft (indicated by the three required signatures specified above) and before expiration of the twenty-four month contract period of performance, the contractor will furnish one (1) camera-ready unbound final document printed on archival paper, 100 dry ink digital printed and separately perfect-bound copies of the report, and a compact computer disk or disks containing the final document in the latest version of Microsoft Word.

5. All formal oral history interviews conducted will be digitally recorded and transcriptions prepared. All interview candidates must sign an interview rights release form (format to be supplied by NPS). Any additional interviews which take place on an informal basis (i.e., telephonically) must be comprehensively documented in a memorandum of telephone call. All recordings, transcripts, interview rights release forms, photographs, and memoranda of telephone calls will be transmitted to NPS with the final document.

C. Disposition of data

At the conclusion of research and within 60 days of written acceptance of the final camera-ready report, all notes, records, maps, drawings, photographs, negatives, slides, digital images, tapes, digital recordings transcripts, and other data acquired during the course of this study will be professionally organized for archival purposes and submitted to the Contracting Officers Representative, to be deposited in the archives of Brown v. Board of Education NHS.

D. Progress reports

Quarterly progress reports during the performance of the research and writing phases of this contract are required. The initial due date will be 90 days after contract award. All quarterly reports will be submitted to Ron Cockrell, Contracting Officer Representative, National Park Service, Midwest Regional Office, 601 Riverfront Drive, Omaha, Nebraska 68102-4226. Alternatively, reports may be delivered via email to ron_cockrell@nps.gov.

V. Payment

Partial payments may be made up to 80% of the contract award amount. Payments must be based on deliverables accepted by the government (see FAR 52.212-4(a), Contract Terms and Conditions – Commercial Items, Inspection/Acceptance & FAR 52.211-1, Time of Delivery). Payment requests must be in accordance with the clause titled, Electronic Invoicing and Payment Requirements - Invoice Processing Platform (IPP).

VI. Endorsement Proposals submitted for consideration must be accompanied by a signed cover letter. If the proposal is submitted by an organization it must bear the endorsement of both the Principal Investigator and a representative of the organization who is empowered to commit the organization to such an undertaking.