A05_PWS_.pdf

SITKA NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK

Living History Demonstration – Wood Carving

I. PROJECT DESCRIPTION

This project is for the creation of a traditional Tlingit spruce dugout canoe and the re-carving of the Yaadaas Crest Corner Pole # 2. The work will be done in Sitka National

Historical Park’s (Sitka NHP) totem carving shed, as a demonstration of Alaska Native art and culture. The work requires one experienced carver and one apprentice. Tasks will include (1) carving/digging out and steaming the canoe from a spruce log, while sharing

Alaska Native culture and carving expertise with the public, (2) carving a replacement pole of the Yaadaas Crest Corner Pole # 2, using the existing pole as a guide, and preparing a support post and adhering the carved totem to the support post, while sharing Alaska Native culture and carving expertise with the public.

II. BACKGROUND

Sitka National Historical Park (Sitka NHP or the park) is the oldest unit of the National Park

System in Alaska. Sitka National Historical Park preserves historically and culturally significant sites, structures and artifacts related to a pre-contact Tlingit Village Site associated with the Kiks.ádi clan, the 1804 Battle of Sitka between the Kiks.ádi Tlingit and the Russians, the Russian-American period in Alaska, and the Alaska Native people of southeast Alaska. Sitka National Historical Park. Sitka’s interpretive themes include that

Sitka has long been a major center of Tlingit culture, and that the land and sea provided a rich natural environment, yielding spiritual, cultural, and physical sustenance for the Tlingit.

The creation of a traditional spruce log canoe to share with park visitors supports the interpretive theme of Tlingit culture and the Tlingit connection with the sea. Spruce log dugout canoes are traditional in the Sitka area, where red cedar is not present.

The Yaadaas Crest Corner Pole # 2 is a “twin” pole (there is another pole in the park which is Yaadaas Crest Corner Pole # 1) which was obtained from Old Kasaan in 1903. The pole was erected in the park along Totem Trail around 1906. The original pole was repaired in

1939, with the top two figures being recarved. A full replacement pole was carved in 1982 and 1983 by Nathan Jackson and Steve Brown. This replacement pole still stands on Totem

Trail in the same location of the original pole but is in a deteriorated state due to some latent cracks and wood defects, necessitating a replacement be carved. The pole is 21 feet tall, 2’5” wide and 2’1” thick. The pole is attached to a support post which is placed in the ground. A photo of the existing pole is located below.

III. SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED BY THE CONTRACTOR

The Contractor shall perform these services:

TASK 1 – Carve Canoe while Demonstrating Art to Visitors

The Contractor will carve/dig out the spruce log in the Park Carving Shed, located near the

Park Visitor Center, at 106 Metlakatla Street, Sitka, Alaska. The contractor will steam the canoe for proper shaping at a location selected by the contractor, subject to NPS approval.

Park will provide a spruce log for the canoe, as identified in the list of government furnished property below. Painting the canoe is at discretion of the Contractor but should follow traditional painting practice.

While creating the canoe, the Contractor will share traditional culture and canoe expertise with the public who visit the Park. At least 50% of carving time should be scheduled by contractor between the hours of 8AM – 5PM Monday- Saturday. Park staff will coordinate with contractor to document the carving project via photograph, video, and other methods, in order to share the project virtually with visitors. Park staff will support project by moving the log as needed between park locations.

TASK 2 – Carve replacement pole of Yaadaas Crest Corner Pole # 2

The Contractor will carve the replacement pole in the Park Carving Shed, located near the

Park Visitor Center, at 106 Metlakatla Street, Sitka, Alaska. The Contractor will use the existing replica pole, as well as historical photos of the original pole (to be provided by

Park) as a guide for carving the replacement pole. Carving of the pole should replicate the figures on the original pole in size and shape and the resultant pole should be about 21 feet in height, and around 2 feet in diameter. Park will provide a yellow or red cedar log for carving, as identified in the list of government furnished property below. Painting of the newly carved pole is at discretion of the Contractor but should follow traditional painting practice. In addition to re-carving the pole, the contractor shall also hollow out the back of the pole so it can be connected to the support post. Contractor shall also provide preservation treatment to the pole, which may include treating the pole with water repellant, wood preservative, placing lead caps on top exposed surfaces, and inserting borate rods in areas of voids in the wood to prevent further decay.

While carving the replacement pole, the Contractor will share traditional culture and carving expertise with the public who visit the Park. At least 50% of carving time should be scheduled by contractor between the hours of 8AM – 5PM Monday- Saturday. Part staff will coordinate with contractor to document the carving project via photograph, video, and other methods, in order to share the project virtually with visitors.

Park will provide an appropriate size and shape log for which Contractor is to create a support post for the carved pole, as indicated in the list of Government furnished property below. Contractor is to shape support post to fit snugly to the carved pole, and attach the post to the pole. The support post should function and appear similar to other standing totems within the park, including the existing Yaadaas Crest Totem Pole # 2.

IV. PROJECT DELIVERABLES

Contractor is responsible to deliver the following:

(a) A complete traditional Tlingit dug out canoe.

(b) A complete replica pole of the Yaadaas Crest Corner Pole # 2 with an attached support post.

(c) No fewer than 150 days of demonstration of traditional carving expertise in the Park (60 days for the canoe and 90 days for the pole).

(d) A summary report (provided orally or in writing) of the project noting successes, concerns and lessons learned.

V. GOVERNMENT FURNISHED MATERIALS:

Government will furnish the following materials and equipment, subject to acceptance by contractor:

(a) Totem Carving Shed for performance of carving, and storage of tools for project.

(b) One parking space located in the upper parking lot of the Visitor Center for the contractor to park their vehicle while working in the park.

(c) A spruce log (31 feet long and 3 feet in diameter).

(d) A yellow cedar log to carve the Yaadaas Crest Corner Pole # 2 (24’ long and 28 ½ -36” in diameter), and a yellow cedar log (20’ long and 18”-20” dimaeter) to use for the support post.

(e) Photos and/or access to the existing and former carvings of the Yaadaas Crest Corner

Pole # 2.

VI. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The work of this contract shall be provided from date of contract award (estimated July 30, 2020) through July 30, 2022.

VII. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

The work of this contract shall take place at Sitka National Historical Park, 106 Metlakatla

Street, Sitka, AK 99835. Specifically, the carving work shall take place at the Totem

Carving Shed, which is an outside shelter located adjacent to the Visitor Center. The steaming may occur at the park in a safe and suitable location, or outside the park, at the recommendation of the contractor, and subject to the approval of the COR.

VIII. SCHEDULE

Carve Canoe July – September 2021

Carve Yaadaas Crest Pole and post

September 2021-July 2022

IX. PAYMENT

Request for progress payment shall be made on the basis of periodic and itemized invoices submitted for completed work. Invoices shall include a description of the work, personnel involved, the dates and hours worked, and estimate percent completion of the project.

Itemized receipts shall support all expenses.

X. POINTS OF CONTACT

a. Contracting Officer for Contractual Support:

Amanda Jordan, Contracting Officer

Alaska Regional Office

240 West 5th Avenue

Anchorage, AK 99501

907-644-3311

XI. CONTRACTING OFFICER’S AUTHORITY

The Contracting Officer is the only person with the authority to act as agent of the

Government under this contract. Only the Contracting Officer has authority to:

(1) direct or negotiate any changes in the Scope of Work or specifications;

(2) modify or extend the period of performance;

(3) change the delivery schedule; or

(4) otherwise change any terms and conditions of this contract.

The Contracting Officer is the only person authorized to make or approve any changes in any of the requirements of this contract and not withstanding any provisions contained elsewhere in this contract, the said authority remains solely in the Contracting Officer. In the event the Contractor makes any changes at the direction of any person other than the

Contracting Officer, the change will be considered to have been made without authority and no adjustment will be made in the contract price to cover any increase in costs incurred as a result thereof.

XII. SITE SAFETY PLAN AND PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)

Contractor shall write and deliver with the NPS a Site-specific Safety Plan, meeting all

OSHA requirements. The NPS will review and approve the plan prior to Contractor commencing work. Contractor is responsible to implement the Safety Plan, and use all PPE proposed in the approved plan.

XIII. WORKING CONDITIONS

A. Work will be performed in an outdoor environment in a covered space. The covered building is unsecured, and contractor is responsible to provide a locking toolbox, if leaving tools on-site during the project. Contractor is responsible to maintain a neat working space absent of tripping or other hazards.

B. Contractor is responsible to comply with all applicable federal, state, and local health mandates and restrictions related to COVID-19 pandemic situation in effect during the period of performance of this contract. Park-specific COVID-19 pandemic guidance will be provided to contractor prior to commencement of work.

Existing pole