Sactions A - H.doc

PART I – SECTION A – SOLICITATION/CONTRACT FORM

This Request for Proposals and contract resulting from this solicitation shall be a Firm Fixed Price contract for an archaeological survey, preliminary site evaluation, and site relocation on the Francis Marion National Forest located in Berkeley and Charleston Countie, South Carolina. The contractor shall:

· undertake background historical and archaeological review

· conduct a systematic, intensive archaeological survey within various timber stands

· relocate previously recorded sites in stands that were previously surveyed

· record findings on the South Carolina site form

· collect GPS data on all sites, structures, or features located within the project area

· differentially correct all GPS files

· submit both raw and corrected data and populate the Forest Service geodatabase

· make a preliminary National Register of Historic Places eligibility evaluation of all newly recorded and previously recorded archaeological sites, structures, or features within the inventory area

· mark with tree marking paint all sites, structures, and features considered eligible for listing in the National Register or possibly eligible for listing but unevaluated

· clean, analyze, and prepare for curation artifacts, records, photographs, and other materials collected or produced under this contract

· prepare a written report on the results of all of these activities The Quality Assurance program addressed in Section C requirements of this solicitation/contract shall provide the Best Value to the Government; price notwithstanding.

CONTRACTORS MUST SUMBIT THE FOLLOWING:

SF1449

Section B Bid Schedule

Section K

Technical Proposal

PART I - SECTION B - SCHEDULE OF ITEMS, SUPPLIES OR SERVICES

Bid Items No. 1 Supplies/Services

Price

Archaeological survey of Macedonia Analysis Area:

Survey 1,072 acres and relocate one site in a stand that has been previously surveyed

No. 2 Supplies/Services

Price

Archaeological survey of Macedonia Analysis Area:

Survey 1,090 acres and relocate one site in a stand that has been previously surveyed

CONTRACT TIME: The total contract time for the completion of this project shall be 300 calendar days with optional extensions as agreed to by the Contractor and the Forest Service.

Scheduling will be as follows:

· Pre-work and background reviews completed within 30 calendar days of the Notice to Proceed (NTP)

· Fieldwork completed within 120 calendar days of NTP

· Management summary with National Register recommendations due within 135 calendar days of NTP

· Site forms due at 150 calendar days of NTP

· Draft report due within 180 calendar days of NTP

· Forest Service and consulting parties review within 60 calendar days of receipt of draft report

· Revised final report acceptable to the Forest Service within 30 calendar days of receipt of comments on the draft report from the Forest Service and consulting parties

· All deliverables including marking of Class I, Class II, and cemeteries, printed Final Reports and PDF copy, GPS files, GIS geodatabase, ancillary records and artifacts delivered to the South Carolina Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology within 360 calendar days of NTP The draft and final reports shall be required as specified in Part I: Section C, Element V. Progress and Compliance. All collections and documentation shall be delivered for curation within 360 calendar days from the NTP.

PERFORMANCE: Performance of the contract shall begin within 30 calendar days after the effective date of the Notice to Proceed, prosecute the work diligently in accordance with this statement of work, and complete all contract requirements within the timeframe specified. The Notice to Proceed will be issued at the pre-work conference by the Contracting Officer or his/her designee.

PREOFFER INFORMATION: Offeror may contact:

Robert T. Morgan

Heritage Program Manager

Francis Marion & Sumter National Forest

2421 Witherbee Road

Cordesville, SC 29434

Telephone no. 843-336-3248

Electronic mail rtmorgan@fs.fed.us.

PART I - SECTION C – DESCRIPTION/SPECIFCATIONS/WORK STATEMENT

STATEMENT OF WORK: CULTURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT ON THE FRANCIS MARION NATIONAL FOREST

I. INTRODUCTION

A. Background The mission of the USDA Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. Under the President’s Healthy Forest Initiative and Healthy Forest Restoration Act, the Forest Service is directed to prevent disease, improve wildlife habitat, reduce hazardous fuels and prevent catastrophic wildfires by thinning, burning or removing wood products to improve a forest’s health.

Twenty-one years after impact of Hurricane Hugo on the Francis Marion National Forest, forest managers are still dealing with the storm’s effects. Dense stands of trees and underbrush sprouted naturally after the storm and post hurricane timber salvage operations creating an overstocked and unhealthy forest. These conditions leave the forest susceptible to disease, catastrophic wildfires, and unfavorable habitat for many plants and animals.

The Francis Marion National Forest is proposing silvicultural treatments consisting of selective harvesting on approximately 2,162 acres in the Macedonia Analysis Area. These treatments are proposed primarily in loblolly and longleaf pine stands. The Macedonia Analysis Area is located in the northern third of the forest south of the town of St. Stephens, South Carolina. This analysis area consists of 37 timber stands spread across 15 management compartments in Berkeley County, South Carolina.

Several silvicultural treatments are proposed including:

1) Removal of small biomass stems through selective harvesting of timber stands generally less than 25 years old

2) Intermediate thinning through selective harvesting of timber generally older than 25 years old (pulpwood thinning)

3) Loblolly pine removal through selective harvest (for conversion to long leaf pine)

4) Regeneration harvest through the removal of most of the timber within the stand

B. Scope of Work

The Francis Marion & Sumter National Forests is in need of professional archaeological services for an inventory of cultural resources in support of the Macedonia Analysis Area. Tasks include, but are not limited to, archaeological survey, site mapping, site evaluation, artifact analysis, collections management, cultural resource recording, prehistoric and historic synthesis, cultural resource management plans, report preparation, documents written for the lay audience, global positioning system (GPS) data gathering, geographical information systems (GIS) mapping, digital image processing, scanning, digitizing, locating and marking cultural resources located on national forest lands.

1. Authority. The investigations to be conducted 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; the National Environmental Policy Act; the Archeological Resources Protection Act; the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act; the USDA Forest Service Memorandum of Understanding between the Francis Marion and Sumter National Forest, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, and the South Carolina State Historic Preservation Office.

2. Purpose. A cultural resources survey or inventory is needed to determine the presence of archaeological and other cultural resources within Macedonia Analysis Area timber stands to be harvested and make recommendations on their eligibility for listing in National Register of Historic Places.

3. General Requirements. The Contractor shall provide all personnel, supervision, equipment, tools, supplies, materials, transportation, facilities, and incidentals necessary to performance the cultural resource inventory and evaluation on the Francis Marion National Forest in Berkeley and Charleston counties, South Carolina. This statement of work consists of completing the tasks/subtasks in sections II, IV, and V of this solicitation.

II REQUIREMENTS

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT TASKS AND CRITICAL SUBTASKS

A. Project Objective and Plan of Action. The Contractor shall meet with the Contracting Officer and the Contracting Officer’s Representative prior to initiating background and historical research or field work for the purpose of:

(1) Reviewing the scope of the project and discussing the project objectives, proposing a Plan of Action, and coordination with Forest Service personnel, including the district ranger and his/her representatives;

(2) Reviewing heritage resources information held by the Forest Service;

(3) Examining pertinent natural resource data, reports, maps, historical data, etc;

(4) Becoming acquainted with the natural and cultural features of the project area.

B. Records Search. At a minimum literature and records review shall be conducted in accordance with the South Carolina Standards and Guidelines for Archaeological Investigations (Chapter II Fieldwork Standards for Archaeological Survey, Evaluative Testing, and Data Recover, subsection B Documentary Research).

C. Inventory

1. Survey Intensity Level. The Contractor shall locate, identify, and describe/document all cultural resources, including archaeological sites, structures, features and isolated occurrences, which can reasonably be detected from an inspection of the ground surface and through the use of systematic subsurface shovel test excavations. The inventory shall be an intensive field survey as defined in the South Carolina Standards and Guidelines for Archaeological Investigations (Chapter II Fieldwork Standards for Archaeological Survey, Evaluative Testing, and Data Recover, subsection D Field Methods for Intensive Survey). The Contractor shall record sufficient data to determine temporal/cultural components present, type/function, size, and preliminary National Register of Historic Places eligibility of each cultural resource, so far as the data available will allow.

2. Identification efforts. The entire project area shall be examined by systematic, pedestrian transects. All shovel test excavations shall comply with the South Carolina Standards and Guidelines for Archaeological Investigations. Survey methods and strategy are based on generalized models of site location for the Francis Marion National Forest. Classification of the project area into high and low potential for site occurrence shall be determined by examining aerial photographs, USGS topographic 7.5 minute quadrangle maps, soil maps and other information obtain during the archaeological and historical background and literature review. The Francis Marion National Forest color infrared aerial photographs and compartment and stand maps provided by the Forest Service shall guide the Contractor in determining site potential for the purpose of work planning and cost estimation. However, final determination of the site potential for any survey area shall be determined by the Contractor in the field based on the actual ground conditions within the stand at the time of the survey subject to agreement by the Forest Service. The Forest Service shall be the final authority on site potential within any given area and the Contractor shall comply with the Forest Service’s assignment of site potential.

3. Site Potential Model. The contractor shall review the model of site location for prehistoric and historic sites. All project areas will be divided into high or low site potential areas prior to fieldwork in a manner that can be justified and relates to the results of previous research in the South Carolina lower coastal plain. The proposed division of site potential areas will be reviewed and approved by the COR prior to beginning of fieldwork. The model will be explained in the report methods section. High and low potential areas require differing survey strategies. At a minimum, summary statistics will be included in the report which document the total acres determined to be high or low site potential areas in each compartment and the number of shovel test pits excavated in each area. Other methods such as graphic figures or tables may be used in addition to illustrate the model.

4. Transects. All stands shall be examined by parallel pedestrian transects spaced at an interval not to exceed 30 m (100 feet). Shovel test excavations will be placed along transects at intervals not to exceed 30 m across all high probability areas. Low site probability areas shall be surveyed with parallel transects not to exceed 30 m with shovel tests at judgmentally determined intervals. Shovel test excavations shall be employed when areas with greater site potential are encountered in the field. Judgmental shovel test shall be used when crossing areas of better drained soils, points of greater relief or areas near historic roads, railroads, or springs. All shovel tests shall comply with the South Carolina Standards and Guidelines for Archaeological Investigations (Chapter II Fieldwork Standards for Archaeological Survey, Evaluative Testing, and Data Recover, subsection D Field Methods for Intensive Survey). Questions about the appropriate systematic shovel testing procedures shall 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.

5. Performance Standards – Intensive Survey. The contractor shall conduct a pedestrian survey of the project area in the manner consistent with this statement of work and the South Carolina Standards and Guidelines for Archaeological Investigations.

6. Acceptable quality level: Full compliance with the standards and guidelines listed in section III.

7. Means of measurement: An arbitrary random field inspection of the survey area by the Government and the review of the contractor’s Quality Control records.

D. Site Recording

1. The contractor shall record all cultural resource sites located in the project area in accordance with the South Carolina Standards and Guidelines for Archaeological Investigations and South Carolina Institute of Archaeology guidelines.

2. Archaeological Site Definition. The definition of an archaeological site shall generally follow that included in the South Carolina Standards and Guidelines for Archaeological Investigations. However, under certain situations a different site definition may be appropriate. If a different site definition is used, then the investigator shall justify their reasons for doing so. As a general rule sites with multiple components should be recorded as a single site and not divided into separate sites if they are within 30 meters of each other. There may even be cases where various components of the site are more than 30 meters apart. This is a judgment call and the Contractor shall consult with the COR on how best to delineate the site boundary. However, the Forest Service shall make all final determinations of site size and extent, and final National Register of Historic Places eligibility.

3. Site Mapping. When a new site is located or a previously recorded site is relocated in the field it shall be recorded on a State of South Carolina Site Inventory Record (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 pedestrian transects, shovel test units, surface remains, topographic features, and site boundaries. 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. These natural and cultural features shall be included on site maps.

4. New Site Delineation. The contractor shall, at a minimum, comply with Archaeological Site Definition found in the South Carolina Standards and Guidelines for Archaeological Investigation.

All site boundaries shall be determined by subsurface excavation units excavated in a grid oriented along cardinal or transect grid directions. Intervals between shovel test units shall not to exceed 15m for sites less than 50m in length on any give side. Intervals between shovel test units shall not to exceed 20m for sites greater than 50m in length on any give side. The tests will be dispersed between transect (site discovery) tests in such a way as to create a uniform grid. Every positive test shall have shovel test units excavated around it along cardinal directions (i.e., N/S and E/W) or grid directions, until at least two negative shovel tests are reached. When new positive tests are found as a result of this work, testing shall proceed in cardinal directions (i.e., N/S and E/W) or grid directions around these tests until at least two negative tests are reached. Surface materials will be treated as positive shovel tests and will be tested as such. All shovel tests, both site discovery and boundary definition shovel test units, shall be included on site and isolated find maps. The shovel tests shall continue to be excavated until two consecutive negative tests are encountered around each positive test in the grid. The midpoint between the last positive shovel test and the first of the two negative tests shall constitute a boundary. Questions about appropriate systematic shovel testing 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.

5. Previously Recorded Sites. There are previously recorded archaeological and 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 has been adequately defined in previous surveys, i.e., sufficient shovel test 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 consult with the COR to determine if the current site recording is adequate or if close order shovel testing will be needed. The COR will make the final determination on the need for additional shovel test excavations. A new South Carolina state site inventory record shall be completed for each revisited previously recorded site.

6. Private Land. 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 the Forest Service obtains prior permission from the land owner. The Contractor shall make an estimate of the site dimensions on private land from surface indications and topography. However, 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.

7. Temporary Field Numbers. Temporary field numbers will be assigned according to the Forest Service designations: County abbreviation - Compartment number - Site number. For example, 10 - 22 – 1 – 2011 is the first site recorded in Compartment 83, Stand 22 in the year 2011. Site forms shall be delivered to the COR for review and acceptance. If the COR finds the site forms unacceptable, then the COR will return the forms to the Contractor for correction. Once accepted by the COR the Forest Service shall submit site forms to the state site files. The Contractor shall not submit forms directly to the South Carolina Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology (SCIAA).

8. Performance Standards – Site Recording. The contractor has recorded all sites in accordance with the South Carolina Standards and Guidelines for Archaeological Investigations, the SC Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology site form guidelines, and passes Forest Service review.

9. Acceptable quality level. 100% compliance with the South Carolina Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology guidelines and standards for site recording.

10. Means of measurement. A field inspection of the newly recorded sites and/or previously recorded sites and the review and verification of the contractor’s Quality Control records.

11. Exceptions to the SC Standards and Guidelines for Archaeological Investigations. For inventory level fieldwork a written representative description of soil characteristics and stratigraphy for the site is required. However, the Contractor is not required to use Munsell soil color charts on shovel test units. The Contractor is not required to draw or photograph individual shovel test pit profiles. Drawing and photographing of excavation units may be required on units 50x50 cm or larger.

12. Isolated Finds. Single artifacts identified during the surface or subsurface inspection of the project area shall be considered an isolated find or occurrence unless two additional artifacts of the same temporal component are identified within a 30 meter radius of the initial find, either on the ground surface or in subsurface test unit. Isolated finds shall not be considered a site and will not be given a state site number. When an isolated find is encountered, it shall be accurately plotted on the report compartment and stand map and GIS map in the same manner as described for site locations.

13. Performance Standards – Recording Non-Site Cultural Remains. All isolated occurrences that were encountered during the survey have been documented, diagnostic artifacts, lithic and ceramic, have been drawn and the Isolated Occurrence location has been plotted on the compartment and stand map.

14. Acceptable quality level. 100% documentation of encountered isolated occurrences.

15. Means of measurement. An arbitrary random field inspection by the COR or inspector, the verification of the contractor’s Quality Control records, and the data documented in the contractor’s report.

E. Site Marking The Forest Service shall review all National Register of Historic Places eligibility recommendations and make the final determination on site eligibility. Once the final site eligibility determinations have been made the Contractor shall return to the project areas and mark with painted rings all newly recorded and previously recorded National Register eligible sites; sites considered possibly eligible, but unevaluated; and historic cemeteries. The Contractor shall flag the perimeter of the National Register eligible and unevaluated sites and cemeteries with survey flagging and mark each site using white tree-marking paint provided by the Forest Service.

The Contractor shall provide the tree marking gun. The marking gun may be a pump action type or it may have a built-in, hand-operated air pump type tree marking gun. To delineate the site boundary the site shall be marked with a single band, not less than 6-inches wide each, ¾ of the way around the trunk of the tree. The band shall be not less than 5 feet above the ground. Marking shall be in such a manner that a person who has not previously seen the site can easily identify it.

The loose, outer layer of bark on pine trees shall be scraped away to ensure that the paint will adhere to the tree. Pine tree bark should be scraped away using a light, sharp hatchet or other sharp cutting tool. Chipping should remove no more than ¼ to ½-inch of bark. The Contractor shall not chip or scrape hardwood trees.

Paint on trees on the perimeter of the site should be visible and liberally applied. Intervals between painted trees shall not exceed 5 meters (15 feet) unless there are no suitable trees to mark. Site boundaries marked on the ground should buffer the corresponding boundaries as mapped, not to exceed 15 m (45 ft). Any deviation from this system shall be approved in advance by the COR and documented in the report. The Contractor shall return to the field and remark any sites that the COR determines were not adequately marked. Except for historic cemeteries, sites not eligible for the National Register will not be marked with paint.

Tree marking paint provided by the Forest Service is specially formulated and contains a tracer. For this reason there are strict procedures for checking out, using, storing, and returning paint cans. The Contactor shall contact the forest timber management assistant at the Forest Service office in McClellanville, SC to make arrangements to check out paint. The Contractor shall be responsible for all paint and shall secure all paint until it is returned to the Forest Service. The Contractor shall contact the forest timber management assistant at the McClellanville office to make arrangements to check in all paint, including all empty cans, partially used cans, and full cans. The Contractor is responsible for any lost or misplaced cans and will be subject to a fine for lost or misplaced paint cans.

F. Global Positioning System (GPS) The Contractor shall record all sites using a differentially corrected global positioning system (GPS) receiver capable of at least ±3-meter accuracy. For sites less than 225 m squared (15 m x 15 m) they shall be recorded as point data. For sites greater than 225 m squared (15 m by 15 m) they shall be recorded as polygons. The Contractor shall collect a series of points to make a smooth polygon and not just a few points at the corners of the site. Site boundaries are to be accurately located on project maps, report maps, and GIS coverage provided by the Contractor. Several base stations are located within the state that can be used to produce differential corrections for exact locations in either real time or as part of post field processing. The Contractor shall state in the report the type of equipment used and whether the data was corrected using real time correction or post field processing.

The Forest Service shall provide the Contractor with a geodatabase to populate. The Contractor shall provide the Forest Service with a set of raw files and a set of differentially corrected GPS files. The files shall be cleaned with stray points and lines removed.

Deliverables: The Contractor shall deliver the following products:

· The original GPS receiver files

· The corrected, post processed GPS files

· Metadata for the GOS files including PDOP (precision dilution of precision), SNR (signal-to-noise ratio) values, and RMS values Digital data shall be collected in a manner that meets or exceeds USDA Forest Service GPS accuracy standards and delivered in a compatible format suitable for incorporation into the USDA Forest Service’s GIS. The data shall include attributes identified in the Forest Service’s GIS feature class data dictionary provided by the Forest Service.

Data shall be collected in WGS84 projection, NAD83 Datum. The digital data shall be exported as ESRI ArcGIS shape files with the same attributes as in the GPS files (i.e., polygons, lines and point shape files). All GIS data shall be delivered in UTM Zone 17 N, NAD83 datum with units in meters. Files are to be named in the following format:

Contractorname_Year_Compartment#_Stand#_Site#_polly (or point or line)

The Forest Service will provide sample ddf files. If requested the Forest Service will provide the Contractor with instructions on how to download and save GPS files for importing the data files into ESRI ArcGIS. Files shall be delivered to the Forest Service on either CD or DVD. CDs and/or DVD shall be labeled with printed text and include the project name, Forest Service report number, Contractors name, and date. Hand written labels will not be accepted. All GPS data collected shall be submitted as printed text and as digital data.

H. Analysis

1. Artifacts. After fieldwork is completed, all recovered artifacts shall be cleaned and sorted. At 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. For additional guidance see the South Carolina Standards and Guidelines for Archaeological Investigations, and the South Carolina Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology guidelines for collection management.

2. Site Assessment. As with fieldwork, the analysis shall, at a minimum, be sufficient to document National Register eligibility and should address research questions developed as part of the project research design. For archaeological sites, analysis shall typically include an assessment of cultural periods represented, general site function, site boundaries, and stratigraphic condition. Historic sites may require architectural analysis, including periods represented, and documentation of ownership and function.

3. Research Design. As stated in the South Carolina Standards and Guidelines for Archaeological Investigations research designs should be problem oriented and should include explicit statements of theoretical approaches and methods. It should address issues such as:

1. Issues relevant to the significance of the site

2. New or previous research questions and existing knowledge

3. Interpretive potential

4. Historic context

4. National Register Eligibility. 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 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.

5. National Register Eligibility Recommendations. The Contractor shall make recommendations to the Forest Service on the National Register of Historic Places eligibility of each cultural resource located within the project area. Sites will be assigned a Forest Service National Register Eligibility rating:

Class 1 - Listed in or determined eligible for the NRHP.

Class 2 - Possibly eligible for the NRHP but, unevaluated, additional information required.

Class 3 - Not eligible for listing in the NRHP.

6. National Register Eligibility Justification. 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 shall 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.

J. Documentation

1. Report. Most activities performed under the terms of this contract shall require the contractor to submit a report that describes the activity and any finding. The report shall be used to document all tasks performed.

2. Documents. The final report must be accompanied by all artifact recording forms, with diagnostic artifact drawings, isolated find information, and all other recording forms. All site forms, photograph logs, prints, negatives or digital files shall be delivered to the state site files at the South Carolina Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology in Columbia, SC.

3. Information Disclosure. Under no circumstances shall the contractor reveal to anyone outside of the Forest Service information concerning National Register eligibility of a site or building without prior approval of the COR.

K. Government Furnished Property.

· Geodatabase for GPS data and metadata for importing into the Forest Service GIS.

· Map templates for compartment maps, stand maps, and site maps

· Tree marking paint L. Contractor Furnished Items

· Tree marking guns

· South Carolina site forms with maps

· GPS Units capable of post processing differential correction less than or equal 3 m

· GPS points and polygons for all sites on CD or DVD

· Geodatabase with data from the GPS

· Printed final report

· PDF copy of the final report and all supporting documents on CD or DVD

III REFERENCES

A. Personnel

1. Contract Manager. The contractor shall provide a contract manager (principal investigator, project archaeologist, or field director) 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 COR.

2. Authority. 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.

3. Availability. The contractor manager or alternate shall be available to meet on the national forest with government personnel designated by the contracting officer to discuss problems areas.

4. Personnel. The Contractor shall assign to this contract key personnel who meet the minimum criteria established in the South Carolina Standards and Guidelines for Archaeological Investigations. A contract proposal must include curriculum vitae for the Principal Investigator, Project Archaeologist, Field Director, and Lab 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 all individuals not identified at the time of the contract proposal is subject to approval of the COR. The COR shall approve in advance all changes in Principal Investigator, Project Archaeologist, or Field Director during the period of contract services.

The Principal Investigator or Project Archaeologist must be in the field with the crew not less than 50% of the time.

5. Substitutions. During the performance of the contract, the Contractor shall make no substitutions of key personnel unless the substitution is necessitated by illness, death, or termination of employment. The Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer’s Representative and shall submit the name and qualifications to the Contracting Officer’s Representative for approval at prior to making any permanent substitutions.

6. Proposed Substitutions. 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’s Representative. Proposed substitutes should have comparable qualifications to those of the persons being replaced. The Contracting Officer’s Representative will notify the Contractor within 15 calendar days after receipt of all required information of the decision on substitutions. The contract will be modified to reflect any approved changes of key personnel.

7. Employees and Vehicles. Contractor personnel shall wear protective clothing while working on national forest lands including bright orange safety vest or similar clothing during hunting season. 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 the COR each day and give their intended work location and number of personnel and shall provide the Forest Service with emergency telephone numbers.

8 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 COR at the pre-work meeting. An updated copy shall be provided the COR as changes occur. The final Quality Control Plan shall be submitted along with final report.

Content. The plan shall include the following:

a. Inspection System. An inspection system covering all the services specified in this scope of work. 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 shall perform the inspections.

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

c. 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.

d. 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 contract start date, whichever is sooner. 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.

9. Quality Assurance (QA)

a. Contracting Officer’s representative (COR), Project Inspector (PI).

Government personnel, with titles such as shown above shall be appointed to monitor contractor performance and to inspect and accept or reject the services as required by the contract. The name and telephone number of each such person under the contract shall be furnished to the contractor in writing by the contracting officer.

b. Government Evaluation. The Government will evaluate the contractor’s performance under this contract using the method of surveillance deemed appropriate. If Government QA reveals that any contract provision has not been met, a Contract Discrepancy Report (CDR) shall be prepared. The contractor shall respond to CDRs by completing Blocks 9 and 10 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.

c. 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.

e. 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 may be subject to the Freedom of Information and Privacy Acts and any requests for release of any records shall be handled accordingly.

B. Standard Definitions.

1. Acceptable Quality Level (AQL). The maximum allowable deviation from perfect performance that may occur before the Government will invoke payment deduction. An AQL does not allow a contractor knowingly to offer defective service, but limits reduced payment to circumstances in which defective performance results in a measurable reduction in the value of services rendered.

2. Defective Service: A unit of service which contains one or more defects, or nonconformance with specified requirements.

3. Performance Standards: Identifies the key service outputs of the contract that will be evaluated by the Government to assure contract performance standards are met by the contractor.

4. Quality Assurance. Those actions taken by the Government to assure services meet the requirements of the Performance work Statement (PWS)

5. Contracting Officer: The Contracting Officer (CO) has overall responsibility for the administration of the contract and for overseeing the overall performance of the contractor.

6. Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR). A Government employee appointed by the contracting officer to help the contracting officer with contract administration. This person may also be responsible for surveillance of contractor performance.

7. Government Inspector. A Government employee responsible for surveillance of contractor performance.

8. Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP). An organized written document used for quality assurance surveillance. The document contains specific methods to perform surveillance of the contractor.

9. Quality Control Plan: Those actions that will be taken by a contractor to control the performance of services so that they meet the requirements of the Statement of Work.

10. Random Sampling. A sampling method in which each service output in a lot has an equal chance of being selected.

11. Sample. A sample consists of one or more service outputs drawn from a lot. The number of outputs in the sample is the sample size.

12. Sampling Guide. The part of the surveillance plan which contains all the information needed to perform a random sample.

13. Business Day: For the purpose of this solicitation/contract, a business day is defined as a day which falls between Monday through Friday.

C. Technical Definitions Peculiar to this Performance Work Statement

1. Archaeological Inventory/Survey. For the purposes of this contract an archaeological pedestrian survey is defined as the systematic, intensive inspection of the land surface and subsurface using a variety of inspection techniques.

2. Site Potential Model. Previous archaeological surveys on the Francis Marion National Forest have indicated that a patterned relationship exists between archaeological site location, relative topography, soil drainage characteristics, and available water sources. The project areas shall be divided into two site potential zones: High Site Potential and Low Site Potential. Recent evaluations of archaeological site potential zones in the Francis Marion National Forest indicate that efficient and effective intensive survey can be conducted using the following site potential definitions to structure survey coverage intensity.

Survey methods and strategy are based on a generalized model of site location for the South Carolina coastal plain. Classification of the project area into high and low potential for site location will be determined by examining USGS topographic quadrangle maps, soil maps and other information obtain during the background and literature review. The Francis Marion National Forest compartment and stand maps derived from the forest GIS shall guide the Contractor in determining site potential for the purpose of work planning and cost estimation. However, final determination of the site potential for any survey area shall be made by the Contractor in the field based on the actual ground conditions within the stand at the time of the survey.

Soil survey maps may have as 5-acre or more margin of error in determining soil boundaries. This error can potentially lead to a false perception of the archaeological site potential within any given timber stand or administrative compartment. On the ground observation will aid in making the final determination of archaeological site potential within the stand.

High Site Potential Zones Prehistoric sites. Most prehistoric archaeological sites in the Forest are located near the interface between standing water sources and moderately well to well-drained soils. Standing water sources include marsh, swamps, creek bottoms, large bays and ponds that are identified on the Soil Conservation Service (SCS) county soil survey maps as very poorly drained soil types. Studies indicate that a High Site Potential Polygon can be constructed at a distance of 0 to 110 m from the estimated boundary of the interface of wet or very poorly drained soils and moderately well, well, and excessively drained soil types.

High Site Potential Zones include:

· Areas at a distance of 0 to 110 m from the interface of the poorly/very poorly drained soil types, on the one hand, and moderately to excessively well drained soil types on the other hand.

· An area 70 m around the perimeter of small ponds, bays, and sinks holes, many of which may not be mapped by the soil surveys. Most of these features are identifiable on the Forest Service infra-red aerial photographs, but some will only be seen during the pedestrian survey.

Historic sites. Many historic sites, particularly nineteenth and early twentieth century sites, have a strong association with current and abandoned roads. Moderate to well drained soils within 100 m of such roads shall be considered zones of high site potential. These polygons shall be covered by transects no greater than 30 m apart with shovel test intervals not to exceed 30 m.

Low Site Potential Zones

These zones are defined as any areas falling outside of the definitions of High Site Potential. This would include better-drained landforms at distances greater than 150 m from standing water sources or more than 100 m from existing or abandoned roads, or soil interfaces of the type described for High Site Potential Zones, or poorly to somewhat poorly drained locations. These polygons shall be covered by transects no greater than 30 interval. Shovel test excavation unit shall be determined by field conditions such micro-topographic or other natural or cultural features visible that suggest a greater site potential within Low Site Potential Zones.

4. Site Definition

For the purposes of this contract, a site is defined as a locus of purposeful prehistoric or historic human activity. An activity is considered to have been purposeful if it resulted in a deposit of cultural material beyond the level of one or a few accidentally lost artifacts. Loci of human activity not classifiable as sites by this definition should be considered and recorded as isolated occurrences. Historic landscape features, including agricultural terraces, rock piles, and old road beds, are generally not considered sites.

5. Alternative Site Definitions. The definition of an archaeological site shall generally follow that included in the South Carolina Standards and Guidelines for Archaeological Investigations. However, under certain situations a different site definition may be appropriate. If a different site definition is used, then the investigator shall justify their reasons for doing so. The Forest Service shall make all final determinations of site size and extent, and final National Register of Places eligibility.

6. Deviations in Site Definition. These criteria may be modified, where appropriate, based on a professional archaeologist's judgment, and with the prior approval of the COR. Any deviation from the standard definition should be discussed in the resulting cultural resource report. As a general rule, site designations are reserved in the case of historic remains for those at least 50 years old.

D. Government Publications/Industry Standards/State Standards/Government Standards/Technical Exhibits

1. 36 CFR Part 60 National Register of Historic Places (particularly 60.4 Criteria for Evaluation), 36 CFR Part 296 Protection of Archaeological Resources: Uniform Regulations, 36 CFR Part 800 Protection of Historic and Cultural Properties, 43 CFR Part 10 Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation.

2. USDI Archeology and Historic Preservation: Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and Guidelines (particularly the development of historic contexts).

3. USDI, National Register Bulletin 15, How to Apply the National Register Criteria for Evaluation, USDI, National Register Bulletin 36, Guidelines for Evaluating and Registering Historical Archeological Sites and Districts.

4. Forest Service Manual 2360 Cultural Resources

5. Memorandum of Understanding between the Advisory Council, the South Carolina SHPO and the Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests

6. 2005 South Carolina Standards and Guidelines for Archaeological Investigations

7. South Carolina Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology Curation Standards

8. Other useful information:

Little, Barbara J., Jan Townsend, Erika Martin Seibert, John Sprinkle, and John Knoerl

2000 Guidelines for Evaluating and Registering Archeological Properties. National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service, Washington, D.C.

IV. DELIVERY

The contractor shall be required to meet the following schedule:

A. Documents – The contractor shall deliver to the Contracting Officer’s Representative site forms, site sketch maps, site locations maps, GPS location data for each site, and any other documentation specified in this Statement of Work.

B. Progress reports - Shall be submitted as weekly or at a progress meeting as determined in consultation with the COR.

C. Draft Report – Shall be completed and delivered to the Contracting Officer’s Representative after the completion of the inventory and analysis as specified in Section I - Part B Contract Time.

D. Contracting Officer’s Representative Review – After the receipt of any draft report or other documentation the COR will review and comment on the documents. Other consulting parties such as the South Carolina State Historic Preservation Office and interested federally recognized Indian tribes may review the documents.