Attachment_2_CR_SOW_6-18-14.doc

ATTACHMENT 2

Cultural Resources Statement of Work

1. Background

Cultural resources are evidence of past human activity. These may include pioneer homes, buildings or old roads, structures with unique architecture, prehistoric village sites, historic or prehistoric artifacts or objects, rock inscription, human burial sites, earthworks, such as battlefield entrenchments, prehistoric canals, or mounds. These nonrenewable resources often yield unique information about past societies and environments, and provide answers for modern day social and conservation problems. Although many have been discovered and protected, there are numerous forgotten, undiscovered, or unprotected cultural resources in rural America.

In accordance with the National Historic Preservation Act, and related statutes and regulations, the Natural Resources Conservation Service is responsible for the identification and evaluation of cultural resources and the protection of historic properties affected by NRCS undertakings.

2. Description of Work

The majority of the work is Phase I Archeological Field Evaluations, identification and evaluation, related to in-field archaeological investigations during the planning and design of conservation practices. Monitoring or Phase II Archeological Field Evaluations will occur as appropriate.

NRCS will use the results of all evaluations to satisfy compliance requirements.

Contractors shall:

1. conduct any necessary background research, inclusive of archival analysis and literature review, associated with each project before the on-site survey, including preliminary site reviews. If upon investigation and preliminary site review, the potential for cultural resources to be present on a particular site is determined to be highly unlikely, the Contractor will contact the Cultural Resources Coordinator to determine if a survey is necessary. Written documentation supporting this finding will be submitted to NRCS for State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) approval.

2. assume all responsibility for and take all precautions to prevent damage to property entered. Rights-of-entry shall be obtained by NRCS. Contractors will be advised as to arrangements previously made with the landowner(s).

3. contact the designated NRCS field office Project Manager prior to initiating fieldwork in order to develop an identification and evaluation strategy for each site and inform him/her of the Contractor’s proposed work schedule and operations. NRCS’ field office Project Manager may meet the Contractor on-site prior to commencing fieldwork for each project to identify ingress/egress routes and ensure that work areas are properly identified.

4. backfill and grade shovel test pits or excavations to match the surrounding land profile upon completion of field investigation.

5. contact the Cultural Resources Coordinator for projects where archaeological sites are determined to be present. Contractor shall document the nature and extent of the cultural resources and propose recommendation for avoidance where “adverse effects” would occur.

6. consult with the SHPO on behalf of NRCS, in instances where the SHPO requests additional information on a particular project. Contractor shall respond within 2 days to requests from the SHPO for additional information.

7. make appropriate arrangements for travel to and from sites and for overnight accommodations and meals as necessary.

8. have access to adequate facilities for analysis, treatment and storage of specimens and records likely to be obtained.

9. obtain permits required by the SHPO prior to completing archaeological field work.

10.provide training on an as needed basis to NRCS field staff.

3. Objectives

Evaluate each site to determine the presence or absence of cultural resources.

Perform all operations necessary to complete the responsibilities associated with conducting field evaluations.

Provide all labor, equipment, materials, transportation, space and related support facilities to complete the work.

Identify prehistoric and/or historic properties of archeological importance within or adjoining to sites where NRCS provides technical assistance for installation of conservation practices.

Conduct in-field investigations in accordance to professional archeological protocols for Phase I evaluations per the Agreement between NRCS, WI and the WI SHPO, see Attachment 3.

4. Deliverables Contractor shall provide NRCS with sufficient documentation to enable NRCS to make informed determinations of effect so that any reviewing parties can understand the basis. Documentation shall be in a report format and will include at a minimum the information described in 36 CFR 800.11(d) or (e), http://www.achp.gov/regs-rev04.pdf, depending on the finding.

Archeological Survey Report

The final Archeological Survey Report, that documents findings from in-field investigations, shall be submitted to the Cultural Resources Coordinator within the defined period of performance of the specific issued task order, which is typically 30 days.

A report will be provided for each project on the task order. The report shall detail:

· description of the location of the field investigation

· boundaries of the field investigation

· research design, how and why the methods were chosen

· methods used, which methods were chosen and how were they carried out

· discussion of the results of the background research, field investigation and any laboratory data analysis

· interpretation of the results

· recommended actions to complete the Section 106 compliance process

Other report formats may be considered, based upon written approval of the Cultural Resources Coordinator.

In the event that adverse weather prevents the completion or initiation of fieldwork on any project, an extension may be granted by the Cultural Resources Coordinator at the request of the Contractor. The extension will be in effect until field conditions improve sufficiently to allow for appropriate field methods to be performed.

If NRCS is unable to meet with the Contractor concerning a project field visit within a reasonable time frame, NRCS will grant an extension that accounts for the non-availability of NRCS staff.

If the site is subject to tribal jurisdiction, the report shall meet requirements agreed to with the Tribal Historic Preservation Officer (THPO) in existing agreements with NRCS.

Submit three copies of each final Archeological Survey Report to the Cultural Resources Coordinator.

Contractors shall warrant that the archaeological services comply with all applicable Federal, State, Tribal and local laws and requirements and Department of Interior standards

5. Key Personnel Project Manager

Contractor shall designate a Project Manager who serves as the contact person, is responsible for the work and ensures timelines are met.

Registered Professional Archeologist Contractor shall designate a Registered Professional Archeologist who ensures that all archeological investigations and Archeological Survey Reports are completed according to professional standards and protocols and signs all archeological survey reports.

The Registered Professional Archeologist will be responsible for the validity of the material presented in all investigation reports. In the event of controversy or court challenge, the Registered Professional Archeologist may be called upon to testify on behalf of NRCS in support of his/her findings, at NRCS expense, at established federal travel rates.

During the first ninety (90) days of contract award, the Contractor shall make no substitutions of key personnel assigned to the contract unless the substitution is necessitated by illness, death or termination of employment. The Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer within 15 calendar days after the occurrence of any of these events and provide the information required by the below paragraph. After the initial 90-day period, the Contractor shall submit the information required by the below paragraph to the Contracting Officer at least 15 days prior to making any permanent key personnel substitutions.

The Contractor shall provide a detailed explanation of the circumstances necessitating the proposed key personnel substitutions, complete resumes for the proposed substitutes, and any additional information requested by the Contracting Officer. Proposed substitutes should have comparable qualifications to those of the persons being replaced. The Contracting Officer will notify the Contractor within 15 calendar days after receipt of all required information of the decision on substitutions.

6. Performance

· Strategy is developed with input from interested parties

· Strategy is prepared within two weeks of issued task order Draft strategies will be reviewed by the Cultural Resources Coordinator

Work is completed within the period of performance, which is typically 30 days, inclusive of final Archeological Survey Report Cultural Resources Coordinator will review results presented by the Contractor and will periodically observe work during field investigations

Final Archeological Survey Report is submitted within the period of performance, which is typically 30 days Cultural Resources Coordinator will review reports and monitor delivery dates.

Any performance issues with either the resources provided, or any of the work performed, shall be resolved prior to the next task order being issued to the same Contractor, and to the satisfaction of NRCS.

7. Compliance Requirement Resources NRCS General Manual 420, Part 401, http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/cultural.html

1. Choose NRCS General Manual Chapter: Cultural Resources (Archaeological and Historic Properties) (GM 420, Part 401) NRCS National Cultural Resources Procedures Handbook, http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/cultural.html

1. Choose NRCS National Cultural Resources Procedures Handbook

Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, http://www.achp.gov/regs.html Programmatic Agreement between NRCS, WI and the Wisconsin State Historic Preservation Office, see Attachment 3 Programmatic Agreement Among the USDA, NRCS, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation and the National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers, http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/cultural.html

1. Scroll down page until link is located for subject Agreement

Memorandum of Understanding Between the Sokaogon Chippewa Community and USDA, NRCS, see Attachment 4 Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualification Standards and Guidelines for Archaeology and Historic Preservation, http://www.nps.gov/history/local-law/arch_stnds_9.htm Solicitation #AG-5F48-S-14-0002 1 WI Cultural Resources SOW