A04__NHL_SHS_AM_REV-Facilitation_Scope_202306.docx

SCOPE OF WORK

National Historic Landmarks Facilitation Services for the Interior Region 2 Special History Study: American Revolutionary War

SCOPE

In accordance with the terms and conditions of the Contract, the Contractor shall perform the work of this contract for the National Park Service (NPS) as described below.

CONFIDENTIALITY

The information developed under this award is the property of the U.S. government and shall be kept in strict confidence.

PERFORMANCE PERIOD

The work shall begin following the issuance of the award, proceed in accordance with the schedule for submittals, and be completed no later than 24 months after award.

INTRODUCTION

The National Park Service’s Interior Region 2 National Historic Landmarks (NHLs) Program seeks facilitation services to help advance a Special History Study on the American Revolutionary War. NPS requires assistance in identifying stakeholders, establishing a project website, facilitating virtual meetings, analyzing feedback, and developing a communication plan for distribution of the study.

DESCRIPTION OF STUDY FOR WHICH FACILITATION SERVICES ARE NEEDED

The National Park Service’s Interior Region 2 (IR 2) National Historic Landmarks (NHLs) Program commissioned a special history study (SHS), in advance of the 250th (or “Semiquincentennial”) anniversary of the United States of America, to better understand the connections between the region’s NHLs and the nation’s founding. The objective of the study is to blend current research about the Revolutionary Period (ca. 1776-1787) in the Southeast into a narrative history that focuses on underrepresented voices. When applicable, NHLs in the Southeast will be linked to their historic contexts. The study will also bring forth how the American ideals associated with the revolution relate to NHLs from later historical periods, i.e. civil rights sites are connected to themes of equality. The historic context is intended to be used as a reference for NHL site managers. NPS plans to use the research in the study to develop other tools/materials that can be used for educational purposes.

In 1776, the United States of America initiated a grand but imperfect experiment in democracy. The American Revolution and the signing of the Declaration of Independence were pivotal moments in the establishment and advancement of the United States of America’s highest ideals. These moments signified when a nation whose binding commitment to freedom—a commitment that was demonstrated through eight years of bloody war—became an international beacon for oppressed peoples. The Declaration of Independence was only a starting point for a principled framework for constitutional government of, for, and by the people. That impassioned spirit has endured and continues to reverberate throughout our country. However, we recognize and continue to grapple with the deliberate decisions made by the authors of the Declaration of Independence that resulted in racial inequality and patriarchy as well as continued redefinitions of who has “inalienable rights” and when, how, and to what extent those rights may be exercised.

Early revolutionaries engaged in extended debates about whose and how voices would be heard and what “liberty” would look like. The history of the American Revolution has to date left out countless untold accounts, including many stories from Indigenous peoples, Black people, Latinos, and women. This study therefore seeks to portray the broad trends in the region’s history that pay attention to all of the region’s diverse residents, especially those left out of well-worn narratives of the nation’s founding.

At the time of the Revolution, Cherokee, Creek, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Seminole, and other Indigenous groups controlled large segments of the Southeast. The only significant European settlements were along the coasts and along a few large waterways connected to the coasts—Charleston, Savannah, Augusta, St. Augustine, Mobile, Pensacola, and New Orleans. Smaller European-led communities dotted inland areas, as mostly White settlers and Black enslaved people encroached further into Indigenous lands. Since most of the region was not heavily populated by White settlers at the beginning of the Revolutionary War, the Southeast narrative differs significantly from that of the area that is now the mid-Atlantic or Northeastern United States. This study is about the era’s relationship between Indigenous communities; people of African descent (whether living freely or enslaved by others), and White colonists of varying economic levels, especially those seeking additional lands and moneymaking opportunities.

The American experiment is ongoing, and as noted above the study also seeks to connects these themes to NHL sites from later periods. Many NHL sites are connected to long unfulfilled promises of the nation’s founding, which long prevented women, Indigenous people, Black people, and those with limited resources from participating in the new democracy.

POINTS OF CONTACT:

Contractual: Contracting Officer (CO): Celinda Hicks, Celinda_hicks@nps.gov

Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) and Project Manager: Ellen Rankin, 470-587-7940, Ellen_Rankin@nps.gov

SPECIFIC TASKS

Orientation Meeting (Virtual) Meet with the appropriate NPS staff to discuss facilitation goals, schedule, and project deliverables.

Phase I – Identification of Stakeholders and development of public website: To be started in FY23

1. Assist the NPS in identifying stakeholders along with contact information which includes, but is not limited to Federally recognized tribes and other Indigenous communities, Black history/advocacy groups, Women’s history/advocacy groups, and stewards of the approximately 150 National Historic Landmarks within IR 2 that are included in the study. In consultation with NPS staff, it is expected that the contractor shall suggest other stakeholder groups.

2. Develop content for a project website using the National Park Service's Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) site, which would also include developing a title for the study and primary graphic.

Phase II – Facilitation (Virtual): Anticipated for FY24

1. Arrange/facilitate approximately six virtual meetings with stakeholders. The purpose of these meetings is to (1) seek input on draft Study on the American Revolution and (2) to solicit ideas for products/materials that would be helpful for stakeholders that can be developed using research in study

a. This includes public outreach and engagement with stakeholders and descendant communities along with hosting tribal consultation and identifying if Federally recognized tribal groups would like to have a smaller group meetings or one-on-one meetings

b. The virtual meeting notice must be given at least 30 days in advance.

2. Analyze the ideas and comments from the facilitation sessions for incorporation into the final report.

Phase III – Communications Rollout and Implementation: Anticipated for FY24

1. Assist the NPS in identifying products to be developed from research produced from study

2. Develop a communications plan for rollout of study

PROJECT SCHEDULE AND SUBMISSION OF DELIVERABLES

All work specified shall be completed in accordance with the following schedule of the project scope. The NPS will provide consolidated comments within 60 days of receipt.

STIPULATIONS

1. The Contractor shall coordinate with the COR as necessary to complete the work as and when required and determine the appropriate NHL point of contact. This coordination may include participating in conference calls and product review meetings.

2. All documentation produced by the contractor in connection with this project are to become the property of NPS (public domain). All documentation shall be delivered to the NPS upon completion of contract services. The completed documentation may be used and reproduced in any fashion that the NPS chooses, with appropriate credit given to the chosen facilitator

FEE AND PAYMENT

Progress payments to the Contractor shall be made on the basis of proper and acceptable invoices submitted consistent with the quality requirements described in Stipulation 6 above.

Estimated Schedule of Payments for Phase I

Estimated Schedule of Payments for Phase II

Estimated Schedule of Payments for Phase III