B08_Solicitation_(Attachment_1_-_Scope_of_Work).pdf

Scope of Work: Long Range Interpretive Plan Mississippi National River and Recreation Area

Introduction:

The Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (MISS) seeks to develop a Long Range Interpretive Plan to enhance visitor experiences and understanding of the natural, cultural, and historic resources within the park. MISS is a partnership National Park Unit that encompasses 72 Miles of the Mississippi River and four miles of the Minnesota River in the Minneapolis-St. Paul Metropolitan Area.

MISS operates a robust public interpretation program with a cadre of park rangers offering programs to members of the public. Broad audiences include tourists from outside the 7-county metropolitan area, local adults, and local families with school-aged children. MISS also has a formal education program that works directly with schools and serves 15 – 20,000 students per year through their river-based field trips and classroom visits. MISS also has dozens of interpretive waysides placed in partner parks within the MISS boundary. These waysides are generally in poor physical condition and with stale content.

MISS does not currently have a LRIP, but does have two historic interpretive planning documents;

Comprehensive Management Plan (1996), and Foundation Document (2014).

MISS operates most of its interpretive program at partnership sites within its boundaries, meaning that the physical location is owned or managed by third party. This partnership interpretation model is key to the way MISS operates. MISS does actively manage one site, Mni Owe Sni (Coldwater Spring) in coordination with tribal governments. Close coordination and partnership with the 22 tribes that the NPS consults with is critical to any LRIP.

Within the next ten years the NPS is anticipated to be the primary educational and interpretive operator at the Mississippi River Learning Center in St. Paul, MN. This large learning center will radically change educational and interpretive operations at the park.

Project Overview:

The Long Range Interpretive Plan aims to provide a comprehensive strategy for interpreting the significance of MISS’ resources, including the Mississippi River, its landscapes, ecosystems, cultural heritage, and recreational opportunities. The plan will encompass a vision for interpretation, audience analysis, thematic interpretation, interpretive techniques, media and technology integration, evaluation methods, and implementation strategies. The plan will cover a timeframe of 10 years with an implementation strategy for the first five years. While the goal is to create a plan for the entire park corridor, special focus is to be set on the Mni Owe Sni (Coldwater Spring) as the only current NPS managed site, and the “Bdote” area in general in anticipation of the proposed River Learning Center.

https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/Reference/Profile/2182344 http://npshistory.com/publications/foundation-documents/miss-fd-2014.pdf

Scope of Work:

Research:

• Conduct an inventory and assessment of MISS’ existing conditions. Highlighting current interpretive strategies and facilities. Outline current natural, cultural, and historic resources based on existing plans and data.

• Review existing interpretive materials, programs, audience trends and facilities within the park.

• Conduct interviews and focus groups with key internal stakeholders to determine status of interpretive program and future goals.

• Identify overlapping programs, identify opportunities for collaboration/partnership, and identify gaps (program offerings and program locations) in programming.

• Research audience and visitor groups and identify trends, challenges, and opportunities for each audience segment.

• Identify visitor experience goals that align with visitor use patterns at MISS.

• Identify challenges and issues affecting the facilitation and implementation of interpretation and education programs.

• Identify any resource issues that may need to be addressed using interpretive strategies.

• Inventory current MISS formal education programs and identify content areas and themes to be developed in anticipation of River Learning Center.

• Evaluate existing staffing levels and structure and identify additional staffing requirements needed to fully implement the recommendations of the long-range interpretive plan.

Vision and Goals:

• Facilitate stakeholder engagement workshops with tribal government partners, nonprofit partners, and agency partners to develop a shared vision for interpretation.

• Define clear 5-10 year goals and objectives for interpretation aligned with the mission of MISS and the National Park Service.

• Establish brand recognition strategy and reinforce the NPS presence for long-time area residents.

Thematic Interpretation:

• Develop interpretive themes and sub-themes that highlight the unique stories, resources, and values of MISS’ resources across the park.

• Outline the tangible resources and intangible concepts related to the themes.

• Create interpretive frameworks to guide the development of educational programs, exhibits, and media.

Interpretive Techniques:

• Identify and recommend appropriate interpretive techniques for each theme and audience, including personal interpretive programs, exhibits, signage, visitor centers, and new strategic partnerships.

• Provide strategies for interpretation that promote diversity, inclusivity, accessibility, and engagement with underserved audiences.

• Outline interpretive strategies specifically for the Bdote area including future River Learning Site and Mni Owe Sni (Coldwater Spring) site including personal and non-personal interpretation.

• Develop a look book of basic example interpretive waysides for at least three of the identified themes.

• Identify funding opportunities to enact interpretive techniques and reach goals.

Media and Technology Integration:

• Develop strategies for integrating digital media, augmented reality, virtual reality, and other technologies into interpretive experiences.

Evaluation and Monitoring:

• Establish metrics and methods for evaluating the effectiveness of interpretive programs and materials.

Implementation Strategy:

• Outline a phased approach for implementing the Long-Range Interpretive Plan, including timelines, resource requirements, and responsibilities for the first five years.

• Develop a plan for the creation, maintenance, and dissemination of digital and physical interpretive resources.

Deliverables:

Interim Plan: A summary of research, vision and goals, and themes for MISS staff to review and comment.

Draft Plan: A draft of the complete plan with all deliverables except the look book of waysides that will be commented on by MISS staff.

Final Plan: Deliver a comprehensive Long Range Interpretive Plan in both digital and printed formats including all notes and data collected during the process.

Waysides Look book: a portfolio of example waysides and their locations for at least three of the interpretive themes.

Presentation: Present the final plan to key stakeholders and the MISS leadership team.

Timeline

1. Project Preparation (2 months)

• Begin research and consultation with MISS staff, formalize scope and timeline.

2. Interpretive Concept Plan Development (4 months)

• Work on creating deliverables and consulting with stakeholders.

3. Document Preparation (2 months)

• Share Interim Plan with MISS staff for review, make modifications as needed. Develop draft plan.

4. LRIP Review and Finalization (2 months)

• Share and present draft LRIP to MISS staff and stakeholders, make modifications as needed. Produce final LRIP and look book.

Project Management:

• A Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) will be appointed at the time of contract award.