Attachment 1 SOO POW Interpretive Signs.pdf

Prince of Wales (POW) Interpretive Signs Statement of Objectives (SOO) Page 1 of 7

1.0 Purpose

The Tongass National Forest, Thorne Bay Ranger District in Thorne Bay, Alaska is seeking to procure professional interpretive services for the design (including the research and writing of interpretive text), fabrication, and shipping of up to 13 – 24” x 36” exterior interpretive panels for five sites on Prince of Wales Island in Southeast Alaska.

2.0 Scope or Mission

2.1 All interpretive panels should be designed with a cohesive look and feel and abide by current

Forest Service branding guidelines, the interpretive design standards that are outlined in Chapter 10 of the Forest Service EM 7100-15 Signs and Posters Guidelines for Visitor Information Signage and comply with accessibility standards. The panels must be fabricated out of material that is appropriate for the wet Southeast Alaska environment and come with a minimum 10-year warranty.

2.2 The interpretive panels should provide opportunities for visitors to build connections to place, inspire feelings of stewardship and strengthen awareness of the fisheries resources on Prince of Wales Island. The writing should follow the key principles of interpretive writing by provoking the reader’s attention, relating to their everyday lives and revealing the main point of the text.

2.3 Current interpretive panel will be replaced in kind. Some sites will require new interpretive panels. Some sites may need more than one (1) interpretive panel. Exact number of panels to be determined through the design process.

2.4 The primary themes identified that relate to this project include:

2.4.1 Ecosystems: The Tongass National Forest is a dynamic ecosystem, shaped by nature, woven by culture.

Salmon are a keystone species in the temperate rainforest ecosystem of Southeast Alaska. Salmon have complex lifecycles that brings large quantities of marine nutrients to the rainforest, increasing forest productivity.

2.4.2 World-Class Resources: People can discover a unique combination of resources in the Tongass National Forest. These world-class resources are important globally, nationally, and locally.

Salmon are a world class resource in Southeast Alaska. Threats to salmon including hydropower, hatcheries, habitat degradation, and harvest. In the lower 48 states, these threats have led to the listing of many salmon runs as threatened and endangered. In Southeast Alaska, salmon continue to thrive and are an important resource that supports the region through subsistence, commercial, and recreational fisheries.

2.4.3 People and the Land: Alaska’s coastal lands and waterways have met peoples’ social, physical, and spiritual needs for thousands of years. The Tongass National Forest will continue to nurture the region’s natural and cultural diversity for future generations.

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Salmon play a key role in indigenous cultures in Southeast Alaska. “Tlingit traditional knowledge and spiritual beliefs led to stewardship practices that sustained salmon runs throughout human history. Indigenous management practices using traditional knowledge informed a system that included allocation and utilization linked to clan groups, cultural values of avoiding waste, and respect for salmon.

2.4.4 Management and Stewardship: We, and our partners, care for your Tongass National Forest using the best information to sustain the use and protection of resources for today and tomorrow.

Sixty-four fish habitat enhancements (fishways, falls improvements) across 42 systems improve fish access to 574 stream miles (+4%) and 5,531 acres of lakes (+3%), opening fish habitat to boost salmon production on the Tongass.

Approximately 93% of 900+ watersheds on the are in near-natural condition, per a 2015 Tongass-wide watershed condition assessment, with the remaining 68 in need of aquatic habitat restoration.

3.0 Period and Place of Performance

Period of performance: Award - May 15, 2024.

Delivery and acceptance: 1312 Federal Way, Thorne Bay, AK 99919

4.0 Background

Prince of Wales Island is one of southernmost island in the Alexander Archipelago of southeast Alaska. Located in the temperate rainforest and measuring 140 miles long, the island is the 4th largest island in the United States. Seventy-five percent of the island is managed by the US Forest Service with district offices located in the communities of Craig and Thorne Bay.

The Forest Service will be installing new interpretive panels at five sites on Prince of Wales Island. Four of these sites are fish passes which were installed by the Forest Service to allow migratory salmon to access productive fish habitat above natural barriers (waterfalls), boosting production of salmon. The other site slated for new interpretive signage is a small interpretive trail located on a salmon stream.

Salmon are the lifeblood of Southeast Alaska and have fed the indigenous people of the area for over 9000 years. Over fifty animal species depend on salmon spawning in freshwater. The return of spawning salmon to freshwater rivers and lakes fertilizes the forest. Marine nutrients stored in salmon have been found over 500 yards away from streams.

5.0 Performance Objectives

Specific objectives of this project consistent with the scope include:

• Design exterior interpretive panels that appeal to a wide range of visitors.

• Through the combination of high-quality interpretive writing and compelling visuals and design, the interpretive panels will engage the audience and “tell a story”, using the identified themes (Section 2.3) for this project.

• Design, fabricate, and ship interpretive panels which meet Forest Service design standards.

Statement of Objectives (SOO) Page 3 of 7

• Design, fabricate, and ship interpretive panels that are built for long term ease of maintenance, vandalism resistant, are sturdy and built to last and withstand Southeast Alaska weather extremes.

• Replacement panels will be mounted in the same manner as the current panels.

• Mounting methods for the new panels will be determined in this process.

File Transfer Protocol (FTP) The Government will secure an FTP location for placement of files.

Partner Review The Government review team may work collaboratively with the identified partners below. The Government will solicit input from the identified partners below throughout the design phase and take all partner comments into consideration; however, the Government will make the final determination regarding which changes the contractor should incorporate during each review period. Each partner will sign a non-disclosure agreement.

• Prince of Wales Tribal Conservation District

• Alaska Department of Fish and Game

Deliverable 3: Draft Designs

30% Submittal At this stage in the project, the contractor will provide:

• Draft text and initial concepts/ideas for graphics for each interpretive panel. The draft text should address the interpretive themes that have been identified for the project. Please note that the contractor may elect to provide the draft text (in a Word document) to the Forest Service for review prior to submitting the 30% draft.

• A rough layout of each panel - these layouts may include rough sketches or line drawings, placeholder images, etc. and may be in black and white.

• Ideas for the graphic style (i.e., look and feel) are introduced including type of artwork (photos, illustrations, etc.) font types, colors, and orientation.

Government reviews at this stage, typically include:

Substantial text, graphics, and layout changes Preferred overall graphic style selected.

Government Review time needed – 15 business days

60% Submittal

At this stage in the project, the contractor will provide:

• A draft layout for each panel. Each layout should be in color reflecting the chosen graphic style from the 30% review.

• Graphics should be more refined but not yet final. Illustrations (if used) are still in draft form and photos may be low resolution or similar placeholders may be used.

• The draft text will be much more refined and clearly demonstrate interpretive style and technique. The text should provoke curiosity/interest in the reader, relate the message to the audience and reveal why the message is important.

Statement of Objectives (SOO) Page 4 of 7

• This submittal should reflect the changes provided in the 30% review.

• Moderate text changes – these changes should address any grammatical or factual errors. Some changes may address style as well and the amount of text may be changed to help improve clarity and the layout of panel.

• Refinements to graphics – may include changes to illustrations to ensure themes/messages are clearly conveyed and/or changes necessary for accuracy.

Photos may be adjusted or swapped out for images that better support the text.

Different photo treatments may be suggested (i.e., cropping, frames, color treatments, etc.)

• Minimal changes to the overall graphic style or layout of the panel - this may include slight color changes, adjustments in font sizes, spacing, etc.

Government Review time needed – 15 business days

90% submittal At this stage in the project, the contractor will provide:

• A near final layout for each panel that reflects the graphic style. Each layout should incorporate all of the comments/changes from the 60% review.

• Illustrations should be almost final, and any photos used should be final. There should be no placeholder graphics on any of the layouts.

• Any copyrights and photo permissions should be acquired by the contractor at this phase.

• All text – including captions – should be near final and reflect the changes provided in the 60% review.

• Check to ensure that all comments provided during the 60% review were incorporated.

• Only fatal errors– misspellings, grammar, errors in illustrations, etc. – there should be no content changes at this point.

• May have very minor adjustments to layout due to the incorporation of comments from the 60% review (i.e., spacing issues) but comments should not impact the overall layout of the panel.

Review time needed – 6 business days

Statement of Objectives (SOO) Page 5 of 7

Final Draft

At this stage in the project, the contractor will provide:

• The final layouts for each interpretive panel – all text, graphics and layouts should incorporate any comments from the 90% review.

• There should be no spelling or grammatical errors in the text. All images should be final and properly credited.

• These layouts should be ready to move into the production stage.

• Check to ensure that all comments provided during the 90% review were incorporated and that all copyrights and photo permissions are acquired.

Government Review time needed – 6 business days

Final Proof

At this stage in the project, the contractor will provide:

• After the final draft is approved, the Contractor will provide the Government with a physical proof or sample, at scale, of the final product in hard copy (either paper or actual material) to ensure final colors, fonts, and graphics are correct.

• The Government will verify that fabrication is what was approved in the Final Draft.

Government Review time needed – 6 business days

6.0 Deliverables / Schedule

Key Deliverables Deliverable 1: Project Plan Contractor will provide a detailed project plan that includes the roles and responsibilities of each team member, along with the tasks proposed which will lead to project accomplishment, identified milestones for the entire project and a timeline.

Deliverable 2: Status Reports The contractor will provide the Forest Service with bi-weekly updates regarding the current status of the project. These status reports can be in the form of an email to the COR identifying the current tasks, due dates and any issues that need to be resolved.

Deliverable 3: Draft Designs Electronic versions of the 30%, 60%, 90%, Final Draft, and Final Proof designs shall be delivered via the established FTP method. Any physical samples shall be mailed.

Deliverable 4: Final Design Digital Files Digital files including the final designs of all interpretive panels shall be delivered electronically via the established FTP method. File types shall be compatible with the Adobe Creative Suite. The

Statement of Objectives (SOO) Page 6 of 7

Government will receive final packaged files in the native format as well as pdf versions of the designed interpretive panels.

Deliverable 5: Panel Installation & Maintenance Instructions A detailed written guide on how to install the panels shall be included and delivered via the established FTP. Along with the installation guide, a written guide on the appropriate care and maintenance of the panels will be provided to the Forest Service.

Deliverable 6: Interpretive Panels Final fabricated panels for up to 13 interpretive signs shall be delivered to the Tongass National Forest, Thorne Bay Ranger District in Thorne Bay, AK. All associated mounting hardware for the panels will be provided. All mounting hardware should be vandal resistant and any specialized tools for installation should be identified or provided along with the mounting hardware.

Schedule Item No. Deliverable Objective Due Deliverable 1 Project Plan Identifying personnel (including contact information) and defining the responsibilities, tasks, timeline, and milestones of contract objectives.

No later than five (5) business days after the pre-work meeting.

Deliverable 2 Status Reports

Report documenting tasks & issues bi-weekly.

Bi-weekly, every Friday, by 3:00 PM until the contract expires

Deliverable 3 Draft Designs

At each Milestone 30%, 60%, 90%, Final Draft, & Final Proof.

Draft designs for all the interpretive panels that are proposed in the

SOO.

To be determined in the proposed Project Plan.

Deliverable 4 Final Design Digital Files

Deliver electronic versions of the final design of 13 interpretive panels in both the native file formats and pdf versions.

To be determined in the proposed Project Plan.

Deliverable 5 Panel Installation & Maintenance Instructions

Deliver electronic version of the installation and maintenance guide for the interpretive panels.

Delivered to Thorne Bay Ranger District no later than the period of performance end date.

Deliverable 6 Interpretive Panels

Fabrication and delivery of up to 13 interpretive panels plus the associated hardware for installation.

Delivered to Thorne Bay Ranger District no later than the period of performance end date.

7.0 Operating Constraints

The Forest Service will provide the contractor with all available photos, images, and reference materials that they currently have, however, it will be the contractor’s responsibility to seek any

Statement of Objectives (SOO) Page 7 of 7 additional reference material, secure the rights to all images used that are not the property of the Forest Service and/or develop any original graphics needed to convey the interpretive themes of the panels. Any graphics and/or artwork created under this contract will become the property of the Forest Service and may be used in future projects.

All interpretive panels must follow the guidelines set forth in Chapter 10 of the Forest Service EM 7100-15 Signs and Posters Guidelines for Visitor Information Signage, follow the current Forest Service branding guidelines and comply with accessibility standards.

8.0 Attachments

Appendix 1 POW Interpretive Signs Brief Appendix 5 Cable Creek Photos Appendix 2 Tongass Salmon Fact Sheet Appendix 6 Dog Salmon Photos Appendix 3 Balls Lake Photos Appendix 7 Hatchery Creek Photos Appendix 4 Big Lake Photos Appendix 8 Old Sign Styles Appendix 9 FS EM 7100-15 Signs and Poster Guidelines https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprd3810021.pdf https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fs.usda.gov%2FInternet%2FFSE_DOCUMENTS%2Fstelprd3810021.pdf&data=05%7C01%7C%7C3513d07775a4480d34be08db8240968e%7Ced5b36e701ee4ebc867ee03cfa0d4697%7C0%7C0%7C638246986132749039%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=J0XJCsgddJLJOGK6HdHqtYgzZI2QOFwpOGzmUhM902E%3D&reserved=0 https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fs.usda.gov%2FInternet%2FFSE_DOCUMENTS%2Fstelprd3810021.pdf&data=05%7C01%7C%7C3513d07775a4480d34be08db8240968e%7Ced5b36e701ee4ebc867ee03cfa0d4697%7C0%7C0%7C638246986132749039%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=J0XJCsgddJLJOGK6HdHqtYgzZI2QOFwpOGzmUhM902E%3D&reserved=0 https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprd3810021.pdf