Alamo.PWS.pdf

Ouachita National Forest Archaeological Survey Services Order Number: AG-447U-S-15-0046

OUACHITA NATIONAL FOREST

ACQUISITION ZONE WEST (AZW)

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

(PWS)

DATE: (August 11, 2015)

1.0 General: Cultural Resource Surveying Services

2.0 Points of Contact:

AZW Purchasing Agent, Ouachita NF

Name: Latricia Robbins

100 Reserve Street

Post Office Box 1270:

Hot Springs, Arkansas 71902

Phone: (501) 321-5209

Fax: (501) 321-5363

Email: lrobbins@fs.fed.us

Ouachita Technical Representative

Contact Name: Roger Coleman

Agency Name: Ouachita National Forest, Caddo/Womble Ranger District

1523 Hwy 270 East

Mt Ida, Arkansas 71957

Phone: (501) 867-2101

Email: recoleman@fs.fed.us

3.0 Overview

This is a performance based, indefinite delivery and indefinite quantity purchase order.

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

Acreages have been determined by global positioning system (GPS) or geographic information system (GIS). For purposes of this order, quantities listed are considered actual and not an estimate.

The primary tasks will be archeological survey (both tract surveys and linear projects) and site evaluation at the survey level of investigation. 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. This section provides background and descriptions of the Agency's organizational structure, where the services are to be provided, the importance of the software development effort, any previous efforts germane to this effort, and the hardware and software resources in use. This section could also include agency or organization specific information about government furnished items, working hours, federal holidays, and a glossary to define terms used within the body of the work statement.

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 Ouachita National Forest and the

Arkansas and Oklahoma State Historic Preservation Offices.

3.1 Contract Type. The resultant will be firm-fix.

3.2 Place of Performance. Place of performance: Caddo/Womble Ranger Districts Ouachita National

Forest.

3.3 Period of Performance. 200 days after Notice to Proceed.

3.4 Privacy Act. Work on this project may require that personnel have access to Privacy Information.

Personnel shall adhere to the Privacy Act, Title 5 of the U.S. Code, Section 552a and applicable agency rules and regulations.

3.5 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. This includes the use, or posting, of photographs encoded with GPS coordinates. 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.

3.6 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.

3.7 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.

3.7.1 The contract proposal must include full curriculum vitae for the Contract Manager, Principal

Investigator, Field Director and Consultants in support of their academic qualifications and experience.

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.

3.7.2 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:

3.7.3 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 seventy-two hours to meet on the National Forest with government personnel designated by the Contracting Officer to discuss problem areas, if necessary.

3.7.4 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

Arkansas or Oklahoma archeology; 4) supervisory field and analytical experience; 5) meet any current requirements of the Arkansas and Oklahoma State Historic Preservation Officers (SHPO) for a person functioning as a Principal Investigator;

3.7.5 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;

3.7.6 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;

3.8 Definitions & Acronyms. All terms that has meaning other than that contained in a dictionary and task-specific acronyms.

3.9 Government Furnished Items. The Government will provide the following:

District Administrative maps, quantity – one per contractor per calendar year. Map will be provided at pre-work or when provided notice to proceed.

Topographic Quad Sheets of project area (s), quantity – two copies. Sheets will be provided with awarded order.

3.10 Contractor Furnished Items. The contractor will provide the following:

Labor within regulation standards. As required to meet time constraints set forth in each individual task order.

3.10.1 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;

however, the field crew is not expected to work in the woods during the first two weeks of the modern gun season in Arkansas. While on 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 and COR each day and give their intended work location and number of personnel and shall provide the Forest Service with emergency telephone numbers.

3.10.2 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

3.11 Packaging/Packing/Shipping Instructions. See instructions under section 5.2.2.

4.0 Contract Administration Data

This Request for Proposals and a resultant award will provide this agency an Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Technical Based Service Award.

4.1 ORDER AWARD PROCESS

Project included with this solicitation will result in one award.

4.1.1 Authorized Ordering Officials: Only the Contracting Officer of the Ouachita National Forest is authorized to place an order under this solicitation.

4.1.2 Task order competition:

4.1.3. 1 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.

4.1.3.2 The CO will issue an order to the Contractor whose proposal represents the best value to the

Government. The low priced order may not always represent the best value.

4.1.3.3 Proposal preparation costs are at the expense of the offeror and will not be reimbursed.

4.2 Order Limitations - 52.216-19

4.2.1 (a) Minimum order. When the Government requires supplies or services covered by this contract in an amount of less than $4,000, the Government is not obligated to purchase, nor is the Contractor obligated to furnish, those supplies or services under the contract.

4.2.2 (b) Maximum order. The Contractor is not obligated to honor -

4.2.2.1 (1) Any order for a single item in excess of $500,000;

4.2.2.2 (2) Any order for a combination of items in excess of $500,000; or

4.2.2.3 (3) A series of orders from the same ordering office within 5 days that together call for quantities exceeding the limitation in subparagraph (b)(1) or (2) of this section.

4.2.3. (c) If this is a requirements contract (i.e., includes the Requirements clause at subsection 52.216-

21 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)), the Government is not required to order a part of any one requirement from the Contractor if that requirement exceeds the maximum-order limitations in paragraph (b) of this section.

4.2.4 (d) Notwithstanding paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, the Contractor shall honor any order exceeding the maximum order limitations in paragraph (b), unless that order (or orders) is returned to the ordering office within 5 days after issuance, with written notice stating the Contractor's intent not to ship the item (or items) called for and the reasons. Upon receiving this notice, the Government may acquire the supplies or services from another source.

4.2.5 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

4.3 Indefinite Quantity - 52.216-22

4.3.1 (a) This is an indefinite-quantity for the supplies or services specified, and effective for the period stated, in the Schedule. The quantities of supplies and services specified in the Schedule are estimates only and are not purchased by this award.

4.3.2 (b) Delivery or performance shall be made only as authorized by orders issued in accordance with the Ordering clause. The Contractor shall furnish to the Government, when and if ordered, the supplies or services specified in the Schedule up to and including the quantity designated in the Schedule as the

"maximum." The Government shall order at least the quantity of supplies or services designated in the

Schedule as the "minimum."

4.3.3 (c) Except for any limitations on quantities in the Order Limitations clause or in the Schedule, there is no limit on the number of orders that may be issued. The Government may issue orders requiring delivery to multiple destinations or performance at multiple locations.

4.3.4 (d) Any order issued during the effective period of this contract and not completed within that period shall be completed by the Contractor within the time specified in the order. The contract shall govern the Contractor's and Government's rights and obligations with respect to that order to the same extent as if the order were completed during the contract's effective period; provided that the

Contractor shall not be required to make any deliveries under this contract after the final delivery order is completed.

4.4 Pre-work Meeting and Notice to Proceed: After the award of the 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.

4.5 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.

4.6 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:

4.6.1.1 Forest cultural resources inventory information;

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

4.6.1.3 Arkansas Archeological Survey;

4.6.1.4 Arkansas SHPO

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

4.6.1.6 Other pertinent records, publications, informants, etc.

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

5.0 SPECIFICATIONS:

5.1 General. This is a performance based, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity award. The contractor shall furnish all labor, equipment, supervision, transportation, supplies (except government furnished) permits, licenses and incidentals necessary to perform cultural resource survey services on “as needed basis on the Ouachita National Forest in Arkansas. This statement of work consists of completing the tasks/subtask.

5.2 Technical:

5.2.1 Cultural Resources Survey

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

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

Resources) that could be affected by management activities on National Forest lands in Arkansas.

Tasks may 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

Arkansas.

In general, inventory shall be an intensive survey as defined in the Arkansas State Plan for the

Conservation of Archeological Resources in Arkansas, edited by Hester A. Davis (1982), Appendices B and

C revised 2010. Surveys will be performed on a 30 meter grid as described in the Programmatic

Agreement between the Arkansas SHPO, tribes of record, and Arkansas’ National Forests. Cultural resources in the project area are to be re-located, and sufficient data retrieved to define site limits/condition and evaluate sites for eligibility to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) at the survey level if at all possible. Shovel tests should be of sufficient depth (no less than 30cm or until sterile soil is encountered.). Surveys on slopes between 0 and 12% transects and shovel tests will be placed at no greater than 30 meter intervals. Surveys on slopes between 12 and 25% transects will be conducted at no greater than 100 meter intervals, and shovel tests will be only be excavated in microtopographic areas with less than 12% slope. Surveys on slopes greater than 25% will have transects spaced at no greater than 100 meter intervals, where feasible. Areas with over 60% slope are hazardous, and may be visually inspected at greater intervals when necessary. On these slopes shovel tests will not be required. If during the survey of areas over 12%, slopes are encountered which are less than 12%, then these flatter areas will be surveyed at the appropriate transect and shovel test spacing. All rock outcrops and rock faces (60-100+% slope) will be examined for rock shelters, rock art or other evidence of cultural utilization; if they can be safely explored. The entire survey area shall be examined with the exception of highly disturbed localities that constitute a safety hazard including very steep slopes, standing water, dense vegetation, or areas of wind-thrown trees. Exclusion of these areas must be discussed with the project inspector. The government reserves the right to withhold payment for acreage excluded from survey.

The Contractor shall record sufficient data to determine time period, type/function, size, and National

Register of Historic Places eligibility of each resource, so far as the data available will allow.

To accomplish these objectives, the Contractor shall review existing sources of information on the environment, prehistory and history of the general project area including, but not limited to Forest

Service land status files. The Contractor shall conduct an intensive field survey of the areas defined on the maps, and/or GIS Shape files provided with the task order; flag boundaries of all sites in the field;

complete Arkansas site forms for each site discovered, and analyze the results of this investigation. The

Contractor shall make 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 nine (9) copies and one (1) electronic copy describing the methods and results of the study.

Following the completion of the fieldwork, the Contractor shall visit each newly documented site with the Zone Archeologist. The Zone Archeologist may elect not to visit specific sites (i.e., isolated finds).

The contractor shall evaluate each cultural resource 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 State Plan for the Conservation of Archeological Resources in

Arkansas, and Tomorrow’s Legacy. The Contractor shall provide all appropriate site, feature, and artifact documentation needed to support determinations 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, justification is necessary.

These recommendations shall be framed as a series of research questions, which data from a particular site can address. 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 shovel testing, which can provide information about depth, site boundaries, and deposit integrity is required.

The entire survey area identified will be examined. Based on previous experience and prior surveys operational site locational strategies have determined that sites are not randomly distributed.

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 quarries can be on steeper slopes of over 60% slope. Slope and proximity to water emerge as the two primary variables in site probability models. Within the Ouachita National Forest the site probability is:

1. High: slopes of 0-12%, and/or close to permanent water sources (floodplains and stream terraces).

2. Moderate: slopes of 13-20%, farther from permanent water sources.

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

4. Moderate to High: steep slopes, rock outcrops and ridge crests in those areas where Johns Valley

Shale, Jackfork Group, or Novaculite formations are exposed at the surface.

All of the high and moderate areas will receive 100% coverage with sufficient shovel testing to determine if sites are present and the extent and depth of cultural remains.

Visual examination will be conducted of all slopes of greater than 20%, (including item #4 in the above list) as occasional stone quarries, and rock shelters may occur in much steeper areas, even on sheer cliff faces. Although petroglyphs (or pictographs) have never been found in the Ouachita National Forest, their presence remains a possibility.

The entire survey area shall be examined by parallel pedestrian transects spaced at intervals not to exceed the State Plan in the high and moderate areas. A landform guided or direct gradient approach shall be used where initial discovery transects are placed through the center of high site probability areas. Transects will generally follow landform orientation and a strict grid and baseline system is not always necessary. 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 parallel with ridge crests.

Shovel tests shall be placed along transects at intervals not to exceed the State Plan 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 (76-100%), 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 reasonably locatable sites. All landforms expected to contain sites will be subsurface tested following the State Plan.

Additional tests may be necessary to define site limits and larger tests may be needed to assess and/or evaluate sites. The normal shovel test depths in much of the Ouachita Mountains vary from between less than 5 cm to over 30 cm depending on the area. Occasional terrace and lower hill-slope deposits may have as much as a meter depth

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

Site definition to be used during survey should follow those utilized by the Ouachita National Forest. An archaeological site must be at least 50 years old, and is characterized by any of the following criteria: 1)

A single prehistoric artifact whether on the surface or recovered from a shovel test, 2) An area yielding three or more artifacts from the same broad cultural period on the surface within a 30-m radius for historic sites; 3) An area with visible or historically-recorded cultural features (e.g., cemetery, rock shelter, chimney fall, rock walls, rock alignments, fields, stone piers, stone cairn, earthwork, rock pile, historic road alignments (i.e., GLO, mining, railroad trams, etc.). All sites are to be recorded on state site forms and plotted on 7.5’ USGS topographic maps.

Within the Ouachita Mountains, historic agricultural sites commonly include fields partially or fully enclosed by stone walls or stone alignments and contain field-clearing stone piles within the interior. In these cases, the site is the field and the walls, alignments and field clearing piles are features within the site. The individual stone features, in this case, should not be recorded as separate sites. Exceptions to the shovel testing requirements are the interior of rock shelters, cemeteries, where graves are suspected, and within 30 meters of dipping vats.

Historic landscape features, including agricultural terraces, old roadbeds, trash scatters and trash piles less than 45 years old are generally not considered sites. Those between 45 and 50 are on the cusp of becoming historic and will be considered as sites on a case-by-case basis.

An isolated find is defined as a single artifact recovered from the surface or shovel test where no other cultural materials are found within a 30 meter diameter area. All prehistoric isolated finds are to be documented as a site. For historic items, an area yielding three or more artifacts on the surface within a

30-m radius shall be documented as a site. Isolated finds are, by definition, not considered eligible for listing on the NRHP. 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 and documented as redeposited isolates or sites so that future investigations will not misinterpret them as valid “sites.”

When a site is located it shall be recorded on an Arkansas archaeological site form. Visible surface remains and artifacts, local topographic features, and systematic shovel testing will assist in determining the site extent, stratigraphy, integrity, and content. Site descriptions shall include maps showing the locations of shovel tests, surface remains, topographic features such as large rocks, roads, water drains or gullies; and site boundaries to aid in relocating the site. All features, surface remains, and shovel tests will be clearly labeled on site maps.

Historic sites may be identified by structural or landscape 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 100 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. A modified shovel test grid may be used on sites greater than 100 meters in diameter. One base line of shovel tests shall be excavated at 10-meter intervals through the center of the site. Radial lines of shovel tests at 10-meter intervals shall be excavated perpendicular to the base line every 30 meters. All shovel tests excavated for site documentation shall be included on site sketch maps.

Metal detectors may be used on historic sites to supplement shovel testing. The purpose of this use is to assist in defining site boundaries and artifact distributions. The general distribution of detected artifacts at should be noted on maps and in the site descriptions.

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

If the site extends outside of the project boundary, but is still 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. 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 tests may not be required. A new

Arkansas site form shall be completed for each previously recorded site where previous documentation was not to current standard, otherwise completion of a revisit form will suffice. A list of the previously documented sites to be revisited will be included in the Task Order and adequacy of previous documentation will be noted. If a previously documented site cannot be relocated then the contractor shall seek guidance from the COR.

Site locations will be plotted with hand held Global Positioning System (GPS) units. For small sites of one acre or less, plotting the centroid will be sufficient. For sites larger than one acre, the site perimeter should be documented by GPS. Site locations are to be included in a GIS shape file submitted at the completion of the project.

All survey transect locations should be flagged with biodegradable flagging tape. This includes hanging flagging tape at each shovel test location. All site perimeters will be flagged with non-biodegradable flagging to identify their extent. In addition, all sites should have a to-scale site sketch map prepared to denote the extent and orientation of the site, which includes all features.

For newly recorded sites, temporary field numbers will be assigned by the Contractor. A copy of the site form for each site recorded or updated shall be delivered to the COR for review prior to being submitted for permanent site numbers. The Forest Service shall examine the Contractors site forms and will make the 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, the Contractor will then submit the final site form (two copies of each form) to the Arkansas Archeological Survey to obtain an official state site number.

5.2.2. Report Requirements

Information on data review methods, field and laboratory methods employed and findings must be presented. 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 the principal investigator and all other personnel used in field and laboratory must be given.

At a minimum, the report should include high quality color photographs of sites investigated.

Additional color photographs or measured drawings, as appropriate, shall be provided which show details of features, profiles, and artifacts. The report shall include color photographs of diagnostic artifacts.

Individual site maps shall include both positive and negative shovel tests. 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 should 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 COR if there are questions or issues concerning graphics.

All identified cultural resources and survey areas shall be shown on a project base map using USGS topographic quadrangle maps. Project maps are to be reproduced at a scale of 1:24,000. The scale shall be included on all maps and drawings. Maps showing the location of the archeological sites shall be bound as a separate appendix. No foldout maps or pages larger than 8.5 x 11 inches will be used in the report.

After fieldwork is complete, 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 typologies and artifact classifications used in the project vicinity.

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

Society of American Archaeology (SAA), and the Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979

(ARPA). It should adhere to the guidelines provided in the Guidelines for Cultural Resources Fieldwork and Report Writing in Arkansas (2010).

All GPS data points, lines and polygons shall be collected using NAD83 UTM coordinates; all archeological site forms must specify that UTM coordinates are in NAD83. All GIS data (shapefiles, etc.)

shall be compatible with ESRI ArcMap10.1.

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

A. 5.2.2.1 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 (Ouachita National Forest, P.O. Box 1270, Hot Springs, Arkansas 71901).

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

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

G. Contractor’s Report Number (if any), and a Forest Service Report Number (provided by Forest

Service)

5.2.3.2 Table of Contents:

Body of Report: The body of the report shall include the following items as a minimum and should adhere to guidelines provided in the Guidelines for Cultural Resources Fieldwork and Report Writing in

Arkansas (2010).

A. Management summary or abstract.

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

C. Background sections, 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 (use American Antiquity format).

H. Appendices (as necessary).

6.0 Performance Requirements/Tasks and Critical Subtasks

6.0.1 For project areas ordered to be surveyed under this contact the Contractor shall:

6.0.1.1 Conduct a records search to locate extant archeological and historical sites in the project areas prior to initiating the fieldwork. This background work must include Forest Service records.

6.0.1.2 Conduct a sufficiently thorough and sound systematic pedestrian survey of each of the tracts comprising the project area to locate all potential National Register eligible sites.

6.0.1.3 Document all archaeological and historical sites discovered during field survey or through literature search and record each on the appropriate Arkansas state site form. A “to-scale” site sketch map is to be attached to each site form. The appropriated state historic structure architectural form will be completed for all standing structures discovered as well. Specific site locations will be provided using

Global Positioning System (GPS) equipment (Trimble or Garmin preferred). GPS coordinates shall be at site center; for sites greater than one acre in size, the site perimeter will be recorded. Please provide the UTM coordinates in NAD 83.

6.0.1.4 Collect and analyze all appropriate site data for management recommendations.

6.0.1.5 Collect, analyze, describe and prepare for curation all artifacts collected during field survey.

Complete artifact inventory forms (provided by the (Ouachita National Forest) for each provenience on each site.

6.0.1.6 Fieldwork for each project is to begin within 20 days of issuance of each task order.

6.0.1.7 Prepare and submit nine copies of a draft report for review for each project delivery order. The format and contents shall conform to recognized professional standards, using the American Antiquity format as a guide for graphics and bibliographic format. The report shall also meet the criteria established by A State Plan for the Conservation of Archeological Resources in Arkansas.

6.0.1.8 Prepare and submit an original camera-ready unbound copy, one electronic copy on CD, and 15 bound copies of the final narrative report incorporating all changes and additions resulting from review of the draft report. Draft reports will be reviewed by the Forest Service, SHPO, and THPO’s. The bound final reports will be printed two-sided. The final report shall provide the Forest Service with (1) inventory and management data, (2) an archeological statement of significance for each documented site, (3) a means for maintaining control on the location/curation of materials, artifacts, research notes, and photographs, (4) a systemic body of data for future use, and (5) recommendations for further work.

State site forms (two copies of each form) are to be submitted with the final report.

6.0.2 The project area ordered to be surveyed is located on the Caddo/Womble Ranger District within the boundaries of the Ouachita National Forest. The boundary of each specific area will be marked on an appropriate set of maps for each project area ordered. The boundaries of survey areas will normally follow natural or fabricated features (stream channel, bluff lines, ridge crests, roads, property lines, pipelines, etc.).

6.1 Records/Data. Field notes, photographs, line drawings, and other field records together with recovered artifacts are the property of USDA – Forest Service. These data, upon completion of final report, will be submitted to the COR.

6.2 Deliverables/Applicable Documents/Report Review and Acceptance:

6.2.1 Nine copies of a draft final report shall be submitted for review prior to the due date of the final report. The Forest Service shall review and return comments to the Contractor within 65 days of receipt of the draft final report. The Forest Service reserves the right to submit the draft report for peer review.

A copy of the draft report shall also be submitted to the State and Tribal Historic Preservation Officers for review by the Forest Service. The SHPO and THPO review time is included within the 65-day review period.

6.2.2 During the course of this order, the Contractor shall provide the following documents to the U.S.

Forest Service:

6.2.2.1 Submitted monthly for task orders that exceed 75 days duration.

Monthly letter-type progress reports.

6.2.2.2 One copy of a state site form for each site recorded - for review prior to submitting for state site numbers

6.2.2.2.1 Submitted at time of draft final report:

Nine (9) bound copies of draft report.

One copy of all field notes generated.

One GIS shape file with the site locations clearly and accurately plotted.

6.2.2.2.2 Submitted with final report

One unbound camera-ready report.

Electronic copy of report on CD.

Fifteen (15) copies of bound reports.

Fifteen (15) copies of separately bound site location maps.

Final state site forms (two copies of each form).

Digital photographs and photograph log.

6.2.2.3 Digital Photographs and Photograph Log. A digital file containing photographs of each site recorded as well as a photograph log (site number, date, description, photographer, view) shall be submitted. Additionally, copies of black and white prints and color slides are required if this technology is utilized.

6.2.2.3.1 For prehistoric sites and historic sites with no above-ground features, include at least 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 high quality photograph of each major feature (for example: house platform, cellar pit, well, etc.). For sites with multiple features, clarify with the COR to determine needs/requirements.

7.0 Performance Standards.

See Section 5 – Specification and Performance Requirements Summary Matrix.

Work will begin within 5 days after receipt of task order.

Inspection and testing will conform to Government approved Contractor Quality Control Plan.

Demobilize within 24 hours after completion of task order.

Documentation will be clear and concise and will contain all data required by the Government on all tasks and subtasks.

Acceptable Quality Level (AQL): Minimum AQL is 90%

Monitoring Method: Verify contract records and reports, periodically witness contractor inspection, conduct independent Government inspections.

8.0 Quality Assurance Plan.

This Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) has been developed pursuant to the requirements of the Performance Work Statement (PWS). This plan sets forth procedures and guidelines that will be used in evaluating the technical performance of the contractor.

A. PURPOSE OF THE QASP

The QASP is intended to accomplish the following:

Define the roles and responsibilities of participating government officials and the contractor;

Identify the types of work to be performed and the inspections to be performed to validate adequacy;

Describe the evaluation methods that will be employed by the government in assessing the contractor’s inspection program and performance to the quality/performance standards required for each task

Provide copies of the contractor’s inspection records and Government quality assurance monitoring forms that will be used by the government in documenting and evaluating the contractor’s performance;

Describe the process of performance documentation

The contractor is responsible for performing inspection services pursuant to the inspection clause and for providing and maintaining the inspection forms, approved by the government, to perform the contractor’s inspection services. The contractor has represented themselves, to be responsible for meeting the prescribed quality/performance standards in the statement of work

B. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS

The following government officials will participate in assessing the quality of the contractor’s performance. Their roles and responsibilities are described as follows:

The Contracting Officer’s Representatives’ (COR’s) responsibilities will be listed on their designations and may include the following: monitoring, assessing, recording, and reporting on the technical performance of the contractor on the schedule of inspections submitted by the contractor and approved by the government; witnessing the contractor’s performance of the inspections performed by the contractor or evaluating the contractor’s inspection results as to documented findings relative to meeting the standards for each task/subtask within the statement of work; completing quality assurance monitoring forms which will be used to document the inspection and evaluation of the contractor’s work performance.

The Contracting Officer (CO) will have overall responsibility for overseeing the contractor’s performance and for the day-to-day monitoring of the contractor’s performance in the areas of contract compliance, contract administration, cost control, and property control; reviewing the COR’s assessment of the contractor’s performance; and resolving all differences between the COR’s version and the contractor’s version.

C. TYPES OF WORK TO BE PERFORMED/SCHEDULE OF INSPECTIONS

This contract calls for the contractor to perform the following tasks and subtasks and to perform inspections at the completion of the tasks/subtasks as a minimum and for intermediate inspections as determined at contract award by the COR/CO. The contractor’s quality control plan/schedule will be evaluated and will be one of the factors used to determine award of the contract.

Table/sub task

Title When to be Inspected

What to be Inspected

Documentation Inspection Type

001 Conduct Cultural Resource Survey

During performance and at completion

Compliance with Technical Specifications

Contractor Records/Data/Reports

Periodic 100%

D. METHODS OF SURVEILLANCE

The government, through its COR, will monitor the contractor’s performance on a continuous basis. The method the government will use is identified in C above.

The COR/Inspector will first verify the results of the contractor’s inspection, completeness and adequacy of the documentation of the contractor’s inspection results. The government COR will perform periodic independent inspections after the contractor has performed their inspection if questions develop regarding the results of the contractor’s inspections. Results of the independent inspections that differ from the results noted by the contractor on their inspections the costs thereof for the re-inspection costs will be assessed against the contractor. The contractor shall be required to rework/repair or replace the effort until the quality/ performance standard is achieved.

Inspections will be performed according to the schedule submitted by the contractor and approved by the government. Variances from the schedule must be pre-approved by the CO.

E. QUALITY ASSURANCE (QA) FORMS AND REPORT

The COR will use a quality assurance monitoring form to document and evaluate the contractor’s performance under the contract. This can consist of a Form, a Memo for record or an entry in a daily/weekly diary.