AG-435H-S-13-0003_solicitation_package.pdf

Request for Proposals

Solicitation AG-435H-S-13-0001

IDIQ for Cultural Resource Services

Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest

SECTION A - SOLICITATION, OFFER, AND AWARD

SECTION B - Supplies or Services and Prices/Costs Schedule of Items

452.216-73 Minimum and Maximum Contract Amounts. (FEB 1988)

52.232-18 Availability of Funds. (APR 1984)

SECTION C - Description/Specifications/Statement of Work

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

I. Cultural Resources Survey

II. Report Requirements

III. Digital Photo Log

IV. Other Tasks

SECTION D - Packaging and Marking

SECTION E - Inspection and Acceptance

52.252-2 Clauses Incorporated by Reference. (FEB 1998)

SECTION F - Deliveries or Performance

452.211-75 Effective Period of the Contract. (FEB 1988)

SECTION G - Contract Administration Data

TASK ORDER AWARD PROCESS

SECTION H - Special Contract Requirements

SECTION I - Contract Clauses

52.216-18 Ordering. (OCT 1995)

52.216-19 Order Limitations. (OCT 1995)

52.216-22 Indefinite Quantity. (OCT 1995)

52.217-9 Option to Extend the Term of the Contract. (MAR 2000)

SECTION J - List of Documents, Exhibits, and Other Attachments

SECTION K - Representations, Certifications, and Other Statements of Offerors

52.204-8 Annual Representations and Certifications. (MAY 2012)

SECTION L - Instructions, Conditions, and Notices to Offerors or Respondents

Submission Requirements

52.215-1 Instructions to Offerors - Competitive Acquisition. (JAN 2004)

52.216-1 Type of Contract. (APR 1984)

52.233-2 Service of Protest. (SEP 2006)

52.252-1 Solicitation Provisions Incorporated by Reference. (FEB 1998)

452.204-70 Inquiries. (FEB 1988)

452.237-71 Pre-Bid/Pre-Proposal Conference. (FEB 1988)

SECTION M - Evaluation Factors for Award

SECTION A -

SOLICITATION, OFFER, AND AWARD

1. THIS CONTRACT IS A RATED ORDER

UNDER DPAS (15 CFR 350)

RATING

PAGE OF PAGES

3 | 32

2. CONTRACT NUMBER

3. SOLICITATION NUMBER

AG-435H-S-13-0001

4. TYPE OF SOLICITATION

SEALED BID (IFB)

NEGOTIATED (RFP)

NEGOTIATED (RFP)

5. DATE ISSUED

12/27/2012

6. REQUISITION/PURCHASE NO.

7. ISSUED BY CODE BH 8. ADDRESS OFFER TO (If other than Item 7)

USDA Forest Service

Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests

1755 Cleveland Hwy, Gainesville, GA 30501 same

NOTE: In sealed bid solicitations “offer” and “offeror” mean “bid” and “bidder”

SOLICITATION

Sealed offers in original and 1 copy for furnishing the supplies or services in the Schedule will be received at the place specified in Item 8, or if hand carried, at the depository located in until p.m., local time on . All offers are subject to the terms and conditions contained in this solicitation.

CAUTION — Late Submissions, Modifications, and Withdrawals: See Section L, Provision No. 52.214-7 or 52.215-1. All offers are subject to terms and conditions contained in this solicitation.

10. FOR A. NAME B. TELEPHONE (NO COLLECT CALLS) C. E-MAIL ADDRESS

INFORMATION CALL:

Marcia O’Connor 770-297-3055 moconnor@fs.fed.us

11. TABLE OF CONTENTS

(X) SEC. DESCRIPTION PAGE (X) SEC. DESCRIPTION PAGE(S)

PART I - THE SCHEDULE PART II - CONTRACT CLAUSES

X A SOLICITATION/CONTRACT FORM X I CONTRACT CLAUSES

X B SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICE/COST PART III - LIST OF DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS AND OTHER ATTACH.

X C DESCRIPTION/SPECS./WORK STATEMENT X J LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

D PACKAGING AND MARKING PART IV - REPRESENTATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS

X E INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE X K REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS

X F DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE AND OTHER STATEMENTS OF OFFERORS

X G CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA X L INSTRS., CONDS., AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS

H SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS X M EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD

OFFER (Must be fully completed by offeror) NOTE: Item 12 does not apply if the solicitation includes the provisions at 52.214-16, Minimum Bid Acceptance Period.

12. In compliance with the above, the undersigned agrees, if this offer is accepted within _____ calendar days (60 calendar days unless a different period is inserted by the offeror) from the date for receipt of offers specified above, to furnish any or all items upon which prices are offered at the price set opposite each item, delivered at the designated point(s), within the time specified in the schedule.

13. DISCOUNT FOR PROMPT PAYMENT

(See Section I, Clause No. 52.232-8)

10 CALENDAR DAYS

20 CALENDAR DAYS

30 CALENDAR DAYS

CALENDAR DAYS

14. ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF AMENDMENTS AMENDMENT NO. DATE AMENDMENT NO. DATE

(The offeror acknowledges receipt of amendments to the SOLICITATION for offerors and related documents numbered and dated):

15A. NAME CODE FACILITY 16. NAME AND TITLE OF PERSON AUTHORIZED TO SIGN

AND OFFER (Type or print)

ADDRESS

OF

OFFEROR

15B. TELEPHONE NUMBER 15C. CHECK IF REMITTANCE 17. SIGNATURE 18. OFFER DATE

AREA CODE

NUMBER

EXT.

ADDRESS IS DIFFERENT FROM ABOVE

- ENTER SUCH ADDRESS IN

SCHEDULE.

AWARD (To be completed by Government)

19. ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS NUMBERED

20. AMOUNT

21. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION

22. AUTHORITY FOR USING OTHER THAN FULL

AND OPEN COMPETITION:

10 U.S.C. 2304(c) (1) 41 U.S.C. 253(c)( )

23. SUBMIT INVOICES TO ADDRESS

SHOWN IN (4 copies unless otherwise specified)

ITEM

Clause G.3

24. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than Item 7) CODE 25. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY CODE

26. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)

27. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

(Signature of Contracting Officer)

28. AWARD DATE

IMPORTANT -- Award will be made on this Form, or on Standard Form 26, or by other authorized official written notice.

STANDARD FORM 33 (REV. 9-97)

mailto:moconnor@fs.fed.us

SECTION B - Supplies or Services and Prices/Costs Schedule of Items

Project 1 Quantity Units Price per Unit Total

Hidden Creek Timber Sale Cultural

Resources Survey and Evaluation

568 AC $________ $___________

Project 2 Quantity Units Price per Unit Total

Locust Stake Timber Sale Cultural

Resources Survey and Evaluation

390 AC $________ $___________

Locate and update three sites:

9ST36, 9ST37, 9ST244

1 JOB $___________

Project 3 Quantity Units Price per Unit Total

National Register of Historic Places

Documentation / Nomination Forms for Civil War Sites on the Conasauga

Ranger District

1 JOB $___________

For each price proposal, provide a detail worksheet that shows the elements of the proposed price.

See section L (page 25) for Submission Requirements

See section M (page 31) for Technical Proposal content requirements.

452.216-73 Minimum and Maximum Contract Amounts. (FEB 1988)

During the period specified in FAR clause 52.216-18, ORDERING, the Government shall place orders totaling a minimum of $4,000 for each awarded contract, but not in excess of $1,000,000 (combined total for all orders placed over the life of the contract with all contractors).

52.232-18 Availability of Funds. (APR 1984)

Funds are not presently available for this contract [for task order awards]. The Government’s obligation under this contract is contingent upon the availability of appropriated funds from which payment for contract purposes can be made. No legal liability on the part of the Government for any payment may arise until funds are made available to the Contracting Officer for this contract and until the Contractor receives notice of such availability, to be confirmed in writing by the Contracting Officer.

SECTION C - Description/Specifications/Statement of Work

Cultural Resources Services

Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests 2013 - 2018

This Request for Quotations is a solicitation and a resultant contract for an Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite

Quantity (IDIQ) Performance Based Service Contract for all aspects of professional cultural resources services for a wide variety of activities on National Forest lands in Georgia. This includes the

Chattahoochee National Forest and the Oconee National Forest. The primary tasks will be archeological survey and site evaluation. However, tasks may not be limited to archeological survey and evaluation.

Additional tasks may include historic buildings inventory and evaluation, artifact analysis, collections management, cultural resource recording, site monitoring, archeological site relocation and marking, preparation of National Register of Historic Places nominations, prehistoric and historic synthesis, cultural resources overviews, cultural resource management plans, historic preservation plans, archaeological and historical interpretation, or other cultural resource planning documents, report preparation, and documents written for the lay audience. The Contractor shall demonstrate knowledge and use of global positioning systems (GPS) and geographical information systems (GIS) mapping, digital image processing, scanning, digitizing, and other technical competencies.

Authority. The services performed under this Scope of Work are initiated and influenced by a number of

Federal requirements. These requirements include, but are not limited to National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (NHPA); the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA); Executive Order 11593

(Protection and Enhancement of the Cultural Environment); the Archeological and Historic Preservation Act of 1974; the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA); the Archaeological

Resources Protection Act Of 1979, as amended (ARPA); and the Programmatic Agreement between the

Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests and the Georgia State Historic Preservation Office.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

General Requirements. The Contractor shall provide all personnel, supervision, equipment, tools, supplies, materials, transportation, facilities, and incidentals necessary to perform the work specified by individual

Task Orders.

Personnel. For all projects the following will be identified:

Contract Manager. The Contractor shall provide a contract manager who shall be responsible for the performance of the work. The name of this person and an alternate(s) who shall act for the Contractor when the manager is absent shall be designated in writing to the Contracting Officer. The contract manager or alternate shall have full authority to act for the Contractor on all contract matters relating to daily operations of this contract. The Contract Manager or alternate shall be available during normal duty hours within three hours to meet on the National Forest with government personnel designated by the Contracting Officer to discuss problems areas.

Key Personnel. The Contractor shall assign to this contract the following key personnel: Contract

Manager, Principal Investigator, and Field Director. Key personnel shall meet the minimum criteria established in the Department of Interior’s Guidelines for Professional Qualifications and/or

Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 (as amended) and/or Office of Personnel

Managements X-118 Qualifications. The contract proposal must include full curriculum vitae for the

Contract Manager, Principal Investigator, and the Field Director in support of their academic qualifications and experience. If consultants have not been identified at the time of contract proposal, vitae on these positions may be omitted until such time as they are identified. Employment under the terms of this contract for key personnel not identified at the time of the contract proposal is subject to approval of the Contracting Officer's Representative.

During the performance of the contract, the Contractor shall make no substitutions of key personnel without prior approval of the CO. The Contractor shall provide a detailed explanation of the circumstances necessitating the proposed substitutions, complete resumes for the proposed substitutes, and any additional information requested by the Contracting Officer or COR. Proposed substitutes should have comparable qualifications to those of the persons being replaced. The Contracting Officer will notify the Contractor after receipt of all required information of the decision on substitutions.

The contract will be modified to reflect any approved changes of key personnel.

For all projects, the Contractor must insure all personnel performing the work meet the following:

Principal Investigator: The minimum professional qualifications for the Principal Investigator are: 1) a graduate degree in anthropology with an archaeology emphasis; 2) demonstrated ability to carry out research to completion as evidenced by timely completion of previous contracts undertaken within the past three years and no current contracts which are past their completion dates; 3) one year of full-time professional experience in archaeological administration, research or management relevant to Georgia archeology; 4) supervisory field and analytical experience; 5) meet any current requirements of the Georgia State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) for a person functioning as a Principal Investigator;

Field Director: A minimum of a bachelor's degree in anthropology, archaeology, history, or a closely related field with a minimum of six months general archaeological field experience including a field school and one year of previous field archeological supervisory experience conducting similar work;

Field or Laboratory Crew: Completion of or satisfactory progress toward a bachelor’s degree in anthropology, archeology, history or a closely related field, or six months previous experience in archeological field or laboratory work. Completion of an archeological field school is considered satisfactory qualification for an initial position (first archeological job) if that individual will be constantly supervised by a higher qualified individual;

Employees and Vehicles. Contractor personnel shall wear protective clothing while working on the National

Forest lands including orange safety vest or similar clothing during hunting seasons. While on the National

Forest lands Contractor vehicles shall be clearly marked with distinctive signs or plaques identifying the name of the company. During fieldwork Contractor personnel shall check in with the district office or COR each day and give their intended work location and number of personnel and shall provide the Forest Service with emergency telephone numbers.

Equipment and Facilities. The Contractor must provide or demonstrate access to field and laboratory equipment necessary to conduct whatever operations are defined in this Statement of Work and the Task order. The Contractor must have adequate facilities necessary for proper treatment, analysis, and storage of specimens and records likely to be obtained from a given project awarded under this contract. This does not necessarily include such specialized facilities as pollen, geochemical, or radiological laboratories, but it does include facilities sufficient to properly preserve or stabilize specimens for any subsequent specialized analysis.

Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act Notification. The Contractor shall provide strict compliance with all Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) regulations as they apply to the inadvertent discovery of Native American human remains or cultural items.

Inadvertent Discovery. Upon the inadvertent discovery, the Contractor shall provide immediate telephone notification of the discovery to the Contracting Officer’s Representative. The Contractor shall provide written confirmation of the inadvertent discovery to the Forest Archeologist within three days of the discovery.

Tribal Consultation. The Forest Service will conduct all government-to-government tribal consultation.

The Contractor shall not be responsible for the identification and evaluation of traditional cultural properties or other areas of traditional cultural or religious importance to Federally Recognized Indian Tribes.

Quality Control Plan. The Contractor shall establish and maintain a complete Quality Control Plan to ensure the requirements of the contract are provided as specified. One copy of the Contractor’s Quality control Plan shall be provided to the Contracting Officer not later than 5 days after the pre-performance or pre-work conference unless the solicitation stipulates otherwise in which case the solicitation stipulation shall take precedence. An updated copy of the QCP shall be provided the Contracting Officer as changes occur.

Content. The plan shall include the following:

Inspection System. An inspection system covering all the services specified in this PWS. It must specify the areas to be inspected on either a scheduled or unscheduled basis, how often inspections shall be accomplished, or the title of the individual(s) who will perform the inspections.

Identification and Prevention. The methods for identifying and preventing defectives in the quality of service performed before performance becomes unacceptable.

Records. Documentation shall consist of on-site records of all inspections conducted by the

Contractor and necessary corrective action taken. This documentation shall be made available to the Government during the term of the contract.

Government Review. The Government will review the Contractor Quality Control Plan to determine if it is adequate. If the plan is adequate, the Government will accept the plan. If the plan is not adequate as submitted, the deficiencies will be identified to the Contractor in writing. The Contractor shall correct all identified deficiencies and submit a corrected

Contractor Quality Control Plan within ten working days or within a timeframe approved by the CO or COR. The Government will also periodically review the manner in which the

Contractor is conducting the quality control program by either reviewing the Contractor’s records, observing actual performance or both.

Government Evaluation. The Government will evaluate the Contractor’s performance under this contract using the method of inspection deemed appropriate. If Government Quality Assurance reveals that any contract provision has not been met, a Contract Discrepancy Report (CDR) shall be prepared. The

Contractor shall respond to CDRs by explaining: (1) why performance was unacceptable, (2) how performance will be returned to acceptable levels and (3) how recurrence of the problem will be prevented in the future.

Field Inspections. Formal field inspections shall be conducted by the COR or designated Contract

Inspectors (CI) in order to allow the COR to determine that all fieldwork is proceeding on schedule and has been completed. Informal field inspections may be conducted at the discretion of the CO, the COR and/or

CI at any time without the Contractor's knowledge of, or attendance at, these informal inspections

Performance Evaluation Meetings. The contract manager may be required to meet periodically with the

COR and/or the Contracting Officer during the contract. Meetings shall be as often as necessary as determined by the Contracting Officer. However, if the Contractor requests, a meeting shall be held whenever a Contract Discrepancy Report is issued. The meetings shall focus on performance and actual or potential problems. A mutual good faith effort shall be made by all parties to resolve all issues. The written minutes of these meetings shall be signed by the contract manager, Contracting Officer, and COR. If the

Contractor does not concur with the minutes, then a notice of non-concurrence shall be provided to the

Contracting Officer. This notice shall be in writing and provided within seven work days of receipt of the minutes.

Documentation and Records. All documentation, records and schedules as described in this SOW that is the responsibility of the Contractor, are the property of the Government and shall be turned over to the

Government upon completion or termination of the contract. All records are subject to the Freedom of

Information and Privacy Acts and any requests for release of any records shall be handled accordingly. The

Contractor shall be prepared to submit field notes, maps and all other data pertinent to this effort to the Forest

Service Archeologist for inspection of adherence to acceptable archaeological standards within 24 hours of request. All notes will be legible and in English.

Confidential Nature of Information. The Contractor shall not divulge, and shall take all reasonable steps to ensure that no member of its staff or organization divulges, information on specific sites or their locations to any person other than a duly authorized representative of the Forest Service unless otherwise authorized in writing by the Forest Supervisor. The results of this research may be used for theses, dissertations, research projects, and papers and publications subject to the prior, written, approval of the Forest Supervisor. Copies of reports may not be made accessible over the internet without first receiving written approval of the Forest

Supervisor to ensure that sensitive site locational information is not revealed.

Copyright. The Contractor agrees to indemnify the U.S. Government against any claim of copyright infringement which may result by reason of publication, by the U.S. Government, of material in any report pertaining to the contract work submitted by the Contractor wherein any such previously printed material is not identified in the reports as copyrighted. The Contractor agrees that no rights at common law or inequity shall be asserted, and no claims to copyright by statute shall be established by the Contractor in any materials produced in the performance of this contract, and that all materials and deliverables become the property of the U.S. Government. The results of this project may be used for research and other reasonable and lawful purposes by U.S. Government and non-government agencies and individuals subject to prior written approval of the Forest Service.

Collections Treatment. All artifacts recovered from work performed under this contract shall be treated in accordance with 36 CFR 79.4. The Contractor shall provide for and bear all costs associated with the preparation of artifacts and records for permanent curation of all materials, including any curation fees. The contractor is responsible for delivering the artifacts to the curation facility for permanent storage. The curatorial facility, which the contractor shall use for this contract, is the University of Georgia.

Ancillary Documents Disposition. All ancillary documents expressly associated with work performed under this contract, such as, but not limited to, field notes, maps, drawings, and photographs with negatives, shall become the property of the Forest Service along with the artifact collections. In accordance with 36 CFR

79.4, the Contractor shall provide temporary storage and maintenance for all records and artifacts collected during the course of the field research. Upon completion of the project, all ancillary documents will be curated with the collections.

Pre-work Meeting and Notice to Proceed. After the award of the task order, and prior to commencing work, the Contractor shall be required to attend a pre-work meeting with the Contracting Officer's

Representative (COR). During the pre-work meeting numerous subjects will be discussed including, but not limited to:

a. Review of the undertaking and project objectives;

b. Review of project and maps to become familiar with the location of the project;

c. Inventory strategy and methods, presentation of data, levels of analysis and evaluation, and deliverables;

d. Coordination and access to the project area with District personnel;

e. Provide a copy of the planned fieldwork schedule and a communication plan (e.g. key contacts, phone numbers) to the Forest;

f. Performance time defined in the task order;

g. Establish a start work date on the contract, and issue the Notice to Proceed. No work shall be done on the contract prior to the issuance of the Notice to Proceed.

Plan of Work. Prior to commencing the fieldwork, the Contractor shall submit to the COR for review and approval a proposed plan of work that describes the schedule for submission of deliverables, estimated number of person-days for fieldwork, and strategies for accomplishing the scope of work defined in each task order issued under this contract.

Pre-field Files Search. Prior to commencing the fieldwork, the Contractor shall submit to the COR for review and approval a written narrative description documenting that all pre-field file searches and historic records data searches are complete. At a minimum, the pre-field file and historic records search shall include gathering data from the following:

a. Forest cultural resources inventory information;

b. The current National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) listings;

c. GNAHRGIS;

d. Historic maps, aerial photographs, and land status records on file with the Forest;

e. Other pertinent records, publications, informants, etc.

The Contractor, in writing, shall document negative findings from any of the above sources.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

I. Cultural Resources Survey

Compliance with Section 106 requires that the heritage resource sites in the project area be located, and sufficient data retrieved to evaluate sites for eligibility to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) to make a determination of effect. The project area will be subjected to pedestrian survey. Since management decisions and directions for future work are based on initial survey results, it is essential that enough information be obtained to make informed decisions or determinations. Consequently, subsurface testing, which can provide information about artifact depth, site boundaries, and deposit integrity is required.

The Contractor shall locate, identify, record and evaluate historic, ethnohistoric and prehistoric properties

(Cultural Resources) that could be affected by proposed managment activities on National Forest lands in

Georgia. Tasks include, but are not limited to, archeological survey, evaluation, artifact analysis, collections management, cultural resource recording, prehistoric and historic synthesis, report preparation, global positioning system (GPS) and geographical information systems (GIS) mapping, digital image processing, scanning, digitizing, locating, and marking archeological sites located on national forest lands in Georgia.

In general, inventory shall be an intensive survey as defined in the Georgia Archaeological Assessment

Report Guidelines and Components (2004). The Contractor shall record sufficient data to determine time period, type/function, size, and preliminary National Register of Historic Places eligibility of each resource, so far as the data available will allow. Work shall also adhere to the standards outlined in the Heritage

Preservation Plan for the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests, Georgia (Wettstaed 2011).

To accomplish these objectives, the Contractor shall review existing sources of information on the environment, prehistory and history of the general project area, including Forest Service Land Status Files;

conduct an intensive field survey of the areas defined on the attached maps, flag National Register eligible and unevaluated sites in the field; complete Georgia state site inventory records for each site discovered;

analyze the results of this investigation, including, but not limited to, recommendations regarding site significance in terms of National Register of Historic Places criteria; and prepare, furnish, and deliver to the

Forest Service an original hard copy draft report and three (3) copies along with one (1) electronic copies describing the methods and results of the study.

Evaluate each cultural resources site and make a recommendation regarding its eligibility to the National

Register of Historic Places using all criteria listed in 36 CFR 60.6, USDI-National Register Bulletin 15, and guidance in the Heritage Preservation Plan for the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests, Georgia

(Wettstaed 2011), and provide all appropriate site, feature, and artifact documentation needed to support a determination of eligibility. An eligibility recommendation of “Undetermined” may be made, with justification, when eligibility is inconclusive based on field observations. Where no further work is recommended the contractor shall give reasons for arriving at this conclusion. Similarly, where further work is recommended, it will not be adequate to write simply that the work is necessary. Recommendations should include statements about what information is to be expected to result from further research and why this information would be significant to the area's history or prehistory. These recommendations shall be framed as a series of research questions, which the data contained in the particular site, can possibly answer. In other words, National Register recommendations should be justified.

Since management decisions and directions for future work are based on initial survey results, it is essential that enough information be obtained to make informed decisions. Consequently subsurface testing, which can provide information about depth, site boundaries, and deposit integrity is required. Shovel tests will be

30 × 30 cm or larger and placed at intervals no greater than 30 meters. All fill should be screened through ¼

-inch hardware cloth. Tests are to be excavated to at least 80 cmbs (depth), or until impenetrable substrate

(i.e., bedrock or clay), a known sterile subsoil, or the water table is reached.

All of the survey area will be examined. Based on previous experience and prior surveys operational site locational strategies have determined that sites are not randomly distributed across the landscape. Rather, prehistoric and historic sites concentrate on flat ridges, saddles and gaps, upland flats and knolls, stream river bottoms, terraces and benches, coves, along old trails and roads, and near stream confluences. Rock shelters and caves can be on steeper slopes of over 60% slope. Slope and proximity to water emerge as the two primary variables in site probability models. Therefore our site probability model breaks the forest landscape into three probability areas:

1. High: slopes of 0-10%, and or close to permanent water sources (floodplains and stream terraces).

2. Moderate: slopes of 11-20%, farther from permanent water sources.

3. Low: 21-59% slopes, and far from permanent water sources.

All of the high and moderate areas will receive 100% coverage, shovel testing enough to determine if sites are present or absent, and the extent and depth of the sites. Visual examination will be conducted of all slopes of greater than 20%, as occasional stone quarries, rock shelters, or petroglyphs may occur in much steeper areas, even on sheer cliff faces.

The entire survey area shall be examined by parallel pedestrian transects spaced at an interval not to exceed

30 m (100 feet) in the high and moderate areas. A landform guided approach shall be used where initial discovery transects are placed through the center of high site probability areas. Transects will generally follow the land forms within the stand and a strict, grid and baseline system shall not be used. Transects do not have to be straight lines, but should conform to local topography in order to best examine high site probability areas. Transects shall not run across ridge crests at right angles, but shall be oriented to follow the ridge crests. Shovel tests shall be placed along transects at intervals not to exceed 30 m across all high probability areas. Subsurface testing will be conducted in all areas except those that are justified not to require subsurface testing (excellent visibility, disturbance, or slope greater than 20 percent). Cleared areas, such as trails, roads, tree throws and tree bases will be examined when available.

The entire project area must be investigated to an extent to ensure location of all sites. All landforms expected to contain sites will be subsurface tested (minimum of 30 cm diameter tests screened through ¼ inch mesh). Additional tests may be necessary to define site limits and larger tests may be needed to assess and/or evaluate sites. The test depths vary between less than 5 cm to over 30 cm depending on the area. An auger may also employed in some areas because of soil depth associated with flood plain deposits. All high probability landforms expected to contain sites must have a minimum of three (3) subsurface tests excavated each, regardless of landform size.

A State of Georgia Archaeological Site Form (site form) will be completed for all new sites and a revisit form for all previously recorded sites in the project area.

Site definition to be used during survey should follow those defined in the Georgia Standards and Guidelines for Archaeological Surveys. An archaeological site must be at least 50 years old, and is characterized by any of the following criteria: 1) An area yielding three or more artifacts from the same broad cultural period (i.e., historic or prehistoric) on the surface within a 30-m radius; 2) A shovel test that produces two or more artifacts from the same broad cultural period, as long as the artifacts cannot be fitted together (i.e., they are not two pieces of the same artifact); 3) A shovel test that produces one artifact and at least one surface artifact from the same broad cultural period within a 20-m radius from that shovel test; or 4) An area with visible or historically-recorded cultural features (e.g., shell midden, cemetery, rockshelter, chimney fall, brick walls, piers, earthwork, rock pile, etc.). All sites are recorded on state site forms and located on 7.5’ USGS topographic maps.

Historic landscape features, including agricultural terraces, old road beds, and trash piles less than 50 years old are generally not considered sites.

An isolated find is defined using the guidelines provided in the Georgia Standards and Guidelines for

Archaeological Surveys, and consists of no more than two historic or prehistoric artifacts found within a

30-meter radius. Isolated finds are, by definition, not considered eligible for listing on the NRHP. For cases where an isolated find is unique, and potentially may be considered eligible for inclusion in the NRHP, it should be defined as a site. Deposits of cultural artifacts that have no integrity, such as road fill, stream gravels, or other situations where artifacts clearly are re-deposited, also should be considered isolated finds.

When a site is located in the field it shall be recorded on a Georgia Archaeological Site Form. Visible surface remains and artifacts, local topographic features, and systematic shovel testing shall assist in determining the site extent, stratigraphy, integrity, and content. Site descriptions shall include maps showing the locations of shovel test pits, surface remains, topographic features such as large rocks, dirt roads, water drains or gullies; and site boundaries such as to aid in locating the site on the ground from the map and surface features. All features, surface remains, and shovel tests will be clearly labeled on site maps.

Historic sites may be identified by structural or landscaping remains such as chimney bases, eroded building outlines, foundation piers, graves, prospecting pits, ornamental plants, dams, quarries, and wells. The dimensions of raised house outlines shall be measured and sketch mapped with the placement of chimneys and other above ground features noted. These natural and cultural features shall be included on site maps.

The presence of wood or other perishable materials will be noted in site descriptions.

All site boundaries shall be determined by shovel test units excavated in a cruciform pattern. This cruciform pattern may be laid out to follow the cardinal directions or in alignment with the natural landform. Intervals between shovel test units shall not exceed 10 m on sites 60 meters or less in diameter. The edge of a site will be defined when at least two negative shovel tests in a row are encountered or when a clearly recognizable and definable natural boundary occurs. Surface materials shall be treated as positive shovel tests and need not be excavated if subsoil clay is exposed. A modified shovel test grid may be used on sites greater than 60 meters in diameter. One base line of shovel test pits shall be excavated at 10 meter intervals through the center of the site along the highest elevation (ridge crest). Radial lines of shovel test pits at 10 meter intervals shall be excavated perpendicular to the base line every 30 meters. One of these radial lines shall cross the base line near the center of the site. All shovel test units, both site discovery and boundary definition units, shall be included on site maps.

Metal detectors will be used on historic sites to supplement shovel testing. The purpose of this use is to assist in defining site boundaries and artifact distributions. Not all finds must be investigated, but the general distribution of artifacts at the site should be noted on maps and in the site descriptions. Further guidance can be found in the Heritage Preservation Plan for the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests, Georgia (Wettstaed 2011).

The midpoint between the last positive shovel test and the first of the two negative tests shall constitute a boundary. For historic sites, positive metal detector finds will be treated the same as positive shovel tests for determining boundaries. Most sites will have roughly ovoid boundaries. Questions about appropriate systematic shovel testing and metal detecting procedures must be directed to the COR before completion of fieldwork, and any changes from the above described procedures must be approved in writing by the COR.

If the site extends outside of the project boundary, but on national forest lands, the Contractor shall continue surface and subsurface investigations to determine the overall site limits.

If an archaeological site extends onto private land, the Contractor shall make observations of surface remains and exposed surfaces, but the Contractor shall not excavate on or collect artifacts from private land unless prior permission is obtained by the Forest Service. The Contractor shall make an estimate of the site dimensions on private land from surface indications and topography.

There may be previously recorded cultural resources within the project area. The Contractor shall attempt to relocate all previously recorded sites using the same field methods as noted above for general field survey.

However, if a previously recorded site has been adequately defined in previous surveys, i.e., sufficient shovel tests were excavated to ensure overall site dimensions, components present, integrity, and potential for features, then additional shovel test excavations may not be required. The Contractor shall check with the

COR to determine if the current site recording is adequate or if additional close order shovel testing or metal detecting will be needed. A new Georgia Archaeological Site Form (revisit form) shall be completed for each previously recorded site.

Site locations will be plotted with hand held Global Positioning System (GPS) units. Isolated finds may be denoted by one reading, while larger sites will need multiple readings to verify both location and extent.

For newly recorded sites, temporary field numbers will be assigned using a system developed by the

Contractor. A copy of the site form for each site recorded or updated shall be delivered to the COR for review. The Forest Service shall examine the Contractors site forms and recommendations and make final determinations of National Register of Historic Places eligibility. If the COR finds the site forms unacceptable, then the COR will return the forms to the Contractor for correction. If the COR finds the form acceptable, a Forest Service site number will be assigned to the site and provided to the Contractor. The

Contractor will then submit the final site form to the Georgia Archaeological Site Files to obtain an official state site number.

II. Report Requirements

Overall, information on data review methods, field methods, and laboratory methods employed and the results thereof, must be given. A specifically constructed model is not required, but a statement of the theoretical orientation pertinent to the project area and project subject must be addressed. Names of

Principal Investigator and all other personnel used in field and lab work must be given.

At a minimum, the report should include one high quality color photograph of each site investigated as a result of this project. Additional color photographs or reproductions, or measured drawings, as appropriate, shall be provided which show details of features, profiles, artifacts, or other evidence of human occupation to aid in the understanding of the site and to assist in assessing National Register eligibility. The report shall include color photographs of a representative sample of diagnostic or other interesting artifacts as appropriate.

All identified cultural resources shall be shown on a project base map using USGS topographic quad maps.

Project maps shall be reproduced at a scale of 1:24,000. The scale shall be included on all maps and drawings.

No foldout maps or pages larger than 8.5 x 11 inches shall be used in the report.

After fieldwork is completed, all recovered artifacts shall be cleaned and sorted. At a minimum, artifacts shall be analyzed by provenience unit and classified into raw material, technological, and functional categories based on accepted southeastern typologies and artifact classifications used in the project vicinity.

Individual site maps shall include both positive and negative shovel test pits. Site maps may be either color or black and white line drawings. GIS may be used to produce project maps; however, these maps shall be reproduced in color. Maps generated in GIS should include USGS topographic features such as contour lines.

However, the green color overlay of the map shall be turned off to allow better view of the other map features. National forest lands should be white while private property should be shaded in transparent gray.

Contact the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Heritage Program Manager if there are questions or issues concerning GIS or other graphics.

Evaluate each cultural resources site and make a recommendation regarding its eligibility to the National

Register of Historic Places using all criteria listed in 36 CFR 60.6, USDI-National Register Bulletin 15, and guidance in the Heritage Preservation Plan for the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests, Georgia

(Wettstaed 2011), and provide all appropriate site, feature, and artifact documentation needed to support a determination of eligibility. An eligibility recommendation of “Undetermined” may be made, with justification, when eligibility is inconclusive based on field observations. Where no further work is recommended the contractor shall give reasons for arriving at this conclusion. Similarly, where further work is recommended, it will not be adequate to write simply that the work is necessary. Recommendations should include statements about what information is to be expected to result from further research and why this information would be significant to the area's history or prehistory. These recommendations shall be framed as a series of research questions, which the data contained in the particular site, can possibly answer. In other words, National Register recommendations should be justified.

The report must meet acceptable standards of scholarship and professionalism as prescribed by the Society of

American Archaeology (SAA), the 1906 Antiquities Act, and the Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 (ARPA). It should adhere to the guidelines provided in the Georgia Archaeological Assessment

Report Guidelines and Components (2004).

Title Page. The final report shall include on the title page the following items:

A. Report Title, include the following: scope of investigation (e.g. archaeological, archaeological & historical), type of investigation (e.g., background research, reconnaissance or intensive survey, mitigation), location of investigation (e.g. county & state)

B. Principal Investigator's name and signature

C. Name and address of company or institution of PI

D. Name and address of federal agency (Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests, 1755 Cleveland

Road, Gainesville, GA 30501)

E. Name of author(s) if not the PI

F. Date of report (day, month & year)

G. Forest Service Report Number (provided by Forest Service)

Management Summary. Give a summary of report's contents, including: location, research orientation, who conducted the work, level of survey and methods, any problems or constraints, findings, conclusions, recommendations, and any new information. A summary table listing all sites recorded or revisited by this survey should be provided. This table should include the following information: state site number, Forest

Service site number, type of site, National Register eligibility, compartment location.

Body of Report. The body of the report shall include the following items as a minimum and should adhere to guidelines provided in the Georgia Archaeological Assessment Report Guidelines and Components

(2004):

A. Table of contents

B. Introduction, including a definition of the area of potential effect.

C. Background, including a summary of the local environment, culture history, literature review and existing sources of information, and the research design.

D. Methods, including a summary of both field methods and laboratory methods and analysis.

E. Results and Site Descriptions

F. Recommendations

G. References

H. Appendices (as necessary)

III. Digital Photo Log

Each report should also be accompanied by a digital file containing digital photographs of each site recorded by the project as well as a written log (date, description, photographer, view) of the photos enclosed. For prehistoric sites and historic sites with no above-ground features, include at least one one high quality color photograph of each site. In the case of historic sites with above-ground features, there should also be at least one one high quality color photograph of each major feature (for example house platform, cellar pit, well).

For sites with multiple features, clarify with the COR to determine needs/requirements.

IV. Other Tasks

Additional tasks to be performed under task order may include historic buildings inventory and evaluation, artifact analysis, collections management, cultural resource recording, site monitoring, archeological site relocation and marking, preparation of National Register of Historic Places nominations, prehistoric and historic synthesis, cultural resources overviews, cultural resource management plans, historic preservation plans, archaeological and historical interpretation, or other cultural resource planning documents, report preparation, and documents written for the lay audience. Detailed specifications for these tasks will be identified in individual task orders.

SECTION D - Packaging and Marking No clauses included in this section

SECTION E - Inspection and Acceptance

52.246-4 Inspection of Services - Fixed-Price. (AUG 1996)

52.252-2 Clauses Incorporated by Reference. (FEB 1998)

This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es):

https://www.acquisition.gov/far/current/html/FARTOCP52.html#wp372482

SECTION F - Deliveries or Performance

52.242-15 Stop-Work Order. (AUG 1989)

452.211-75 Effective Period of the Contract. (FEB 1988)

The effective period of this contract is one year from the date of contract award with option for four additional years.

SECTION G - Contract Administration Data

TASK ORDER AWARD PROCESS

Seed projects included with this solicitation will be awarded as task orders when the initial contracts are awarded. For future task orders the following information applies.

Authorized Ordering Officials: All warranted Contracting Officers of the USDA Forest Service are authorized to place orders under this contract. All task orders will be for work on the Chattahoochee National

Forest. The amount of any order shall not exceed the maximum order limitation shown elsewhere in this contract.

Task order competition: Following contract award, task orders will be competed among awarded contractors. Task order quotations received from contractors will be evaluated on price, contractor’s availability for performance, and past performance on earlier task order awards. If necessary, the

Government reserves the right to make awards outside of this solicitation in order to meet procurement preference goals.

Each awardee will be given a fair opportunity to be considered for a task order exceeding $3,000 unless one of the following exceptions applies:

The need for the service is so urgent that providing a fair opportunity would result in unacceptable delay.

The order must be issued on a sole-source basis in the interest of economy and efficiency because it is a logical follow-on to an order already under the contract; provided that all awardees were given a fair opportunity to be considered for the original order.

It is necessary for the Government to place an order to satisfy a minimum guarantee.

Task Order Announcement: When a task is identified for award under this contract, the sequence of events will generally be as follows:

1. The Contracting Officer will notify contractors of the requirement.

2. When offered an order, contractors must respond to the Contracting Officer with their price and ability to accept and complete the order. Proposals will generally be due within 14 calendar days from date of the request, or other period as stated in the request. Applicable Davis-Bacon wage rates and goals for minority and female participation will be included with each order.

Contractors shall submit a proposal with pricing and statement of availability to perform the ordered work to the CO in response to the order. The Contractor’s price breakdown shall address all items listed in the task order, or be presented as a lump sum price if that is requested. Firm fixed price task orders will be awarded under this contract.

3. The CO will issue an order to the Contractor whose…