A04_SOW_BRCR_TUPE_Confederate_Graves_Geophys.docx

Statement of Work

Non-invasive Archeological Geophysical Survey of Brices Cross Roads National Battlefield, Tupelo National Battlefield, and the Confederate Graves Site, Lee County, Mississippi

National Park Service Natchez Trace Parkway

Project Description The National Park Service (NPS) is seeking proposals from Cultural Resource Management (CRM) firms for a cultural resource assessment survey. The successful CRM will design and conduct a non-invasive archeological geophysical survey of approximately 2.7 acres across three separate sites located in Lee County, Mississippi. The contractor shall furnish all materials, labor, equipment, and other services necessary. Tupelo National Battlefield (TUPE) located in the town of Tupelo is the largest site at 1.3 acres, followed by Brices Cross Roads National Battlefield (BRCR) in Baldwyn, MS covering 1.16 acres. North of the Natchez Trace Parkway (Parkway) headquarters at milepost 269.4 is the Confederate Graves site (NATR00311), the smallest of the project areas at approximately 0.24 acres. Two of these sites, TUPE and Confederate Graves, have been designated cemeteries with grave markers present. BRCR, TUPE, and the Confederate Graves have been subjected to limited archeological investigations. Additional testing is needed to provide base archeological documentation to improve the Parkway’s management practices for these sites. The results of survey will be used to update data within the NPS’s Cultural Resource Inventory System (CRIS) for future management. This initial non-invasive survey will provide a baseline understanding of potentially unknown subsurface features in need of documentation and record the locations of burials. The proposed project aligns with the NPS mission to preserve the natural and cultural resources for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. This project will improve the visitor use, experience, and preservation of sites related to a national conflict.

Background Brices Cross Roads and Tupelo National Battlefields were established as memorials for two Civil War conflicts that occurred in June and July of 1864. The movement of Federal forces in the Tupelo area were part of a larger strategy to keep Confederate forces in north Mississippi, to support Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman’s plan to bisect the South from Chattanooga, Tennessee to the Atlantic coast at Savanah, Georgia. These national battlefields are two separate NPS sites that are jointly managed by the Parkway. These sites were established by Congress in 1929 and were originally administered by the War Department. Legislation authorized a “suitable marker” at each site, which included a dedication monument flanked by two mounted cannons. In 1933 these sites were transferred to the Department of the Interior. TUPE contains one subsite within its boundaries, Tupelo Battlefield Cemetery (TUPE00001.001), which was once associated with a Methodist Church located adjacent to the site. Seven flat granite markers with roman numbers are visible, the earliest grave dates to 1852 and the last one to 1880. CRIS records indicate the Tupelo Battlefield Cemetery site was subjected to a pedestrian survey by Southeast Archeological Center (SEAC) archeologists in 1999. No previous archeological surveys have been conducted at BRCR. Both TUPE and BRCR were listed in the National Register of Historic Places, respectfully, in March of 1976 and May of 1977.

Located off the Parkway at milepost 269.4, the Confederate Graves site is accessible by a short paved and dirt natural trail loosely following the route of the Old Trace. Minimal information is about the site. Thirteen modern granite grave markers engraved with ‘Unknown Confederate Solider’ are aligned at a slight curve. No previous archeological surveys have been conducted at the Confederate Graves site.

Project Locations The project areas are all located in Lee County, Mississippi within a 15-mile radius of the Parkway headquarters. BRCR and TUPE are located in Baldwyn and Tupelo, MS, respectfully, both outside of the Parkway’s boundary. The Confederate Graves site is accessible off the Parkway’s motor road via a pull off and parking lot at milepost 269.4. The total acreage for these three locations is approximately 2.7 acres.

Scope of Work Proposal Development The contractor will design and present a research design and budget estimation to the Parkway for review and approval prior to work. The Parkway will provide access to background documentation related to the project upon contractor request. This includes but is not limited to archival and accession records, CRIS, and GIS information. Proposals must include detailed field survey methods, data collection, artifact analysis methods and a curation plan in keeping with NPS and Mississippi Department of Archives and History (MDAH) standards.

Project Deliverables The contractor is responsible for providing the final project report and all associated project documentation. This includes but is not limited to field forms, field notes, photographs, GPS data with metadata, GIS shapefiles, and generated reports. The project documentation is to be submitted to SEAC as part of the curation plan. Both SEAC and the Parkway will receive one bound and two unbound copies, as well as digital copies, of the final report. The final report and any new or updated site forms will be submitted to MDAH by the contractor.

If the project generates more than one box of artifacts, the artifacts must be cataloged into the NPS designated cataloging system ICMS (or its successor). These artifacts will need to be assigned NPS catalog numbers and labeled in accordance with the NPS Museum Handbook.

Schedule and Period of Performance The Period of Performance has been set at 12 months. Field work will occur when weather and soil conditions are conducive for archeological geophysical equipment. The Contractor shall provide a draft Initial Schedule to the NPS one week in advance of the kick- off meeting and finalized one week after the meeting based on NPS comments. The schedule shall propose 12 months from Notice to Proceed to final PS&E delivery. For all schedules, Thanksgiving week, Christmas week, and New Year’s week shall be considered inactive.

Invoicing

· All submittals under this contract must be approved by the COR prior to any interim or final payment. Invoices will be submitted first to the COR and may be submitted monthly.

· Invoices shall include an itemized cost summary of staff work and direct expenses in a level of detail that matches the task agreement proposal, with invoicing based on percent complete for each task and subtask line.

· Following COR acceptance of the invoice, submittal to the Invoice Processing Platform (www.IPP.gov) is required.

· When an invoice is not associated with a required submittal based on the schedule, the invoice shall be accompanied by a brief (one paragraph) narrative of the work represented by the invoice.

Contractor Requirements and Responsibilities

· The archeological geophysical survey must be conducted by qualified archeological professionals who meet the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualification Standards.

· The Principal Investigator and Field Director shall both meet these requirements in compliance with MDAH standards.

· The contactor and/or their representatives will have responsibility for all research and work required to initiate and complete the research design, fieldwork, and reporting as specified in this scope of work.

· The contactor shall demonstrate prior experience and good past performance conducting archeological geophysical surveys at historic sites and cemeteries.

NPS Responsibilities

· Parkway staff shall provide the contractor with all requested documentation and spatial data associated with BRCR, TUPE, and the Confederate Graves site.

· Parkway will be responsible for reviewing and approving all products in a timely manner.

Points of Contact Contractual:

Contracting Officer (TBD) Technical:

Heather R. Young, COR Archeologist Natchez Trace Parkway National Park Service (662)255-8238 image1.png