B08_Sol_-_Att_1_-_SOW.docx

Statement of Work The National Park Service’s Midwest Archeological Center (MWAC) seeks to enter into an arrangement with a contractor providing professional services in physical anthropology and zooarchaeology for identification and NAGPRA evaluation of approximately 60 cubic feet of unidentified bone in archeological collections from multiple National Park Service (NPS) units. Work will take place on-site at the Midwest Archeological Center in Lincoln, NE. Any Native American human remains identified through this project will be subject to the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), 25 U.S.C. 3001 et seq., and reported by the National Park Service through the appropriate process as set forth by law.

Tasks to be Accomplished Contractor will travel to the Midwest Archeological Center in Lincoln, Nebraska (located in the Denney Federal Building) to conduct an evaluation and identification of approximately 60 cubic feet of unidentified bone included in archeological collections from multiple NPS units assembled over the past 50 years. Unidentified bone in the collections may include a variety of animal species and potentially human remains. MWAC staff will separate the material to be evaluated from the larger collections prior to the evaluation to make the on-site identification process as efficient as possible. When available, MWAC staff will provide related field documentation to the contractor to assist in identification.

During examination of the 60 cubic feet of unidentified bone, contractor will evaluate each element or container of related elements to the species level. During the evaluation, contractor will bag any uniquely identifiable elements separately by species within the current larger provenience bag with an acid-free identifying label (to be provided by MWAC staff). If human remains are present, contractor will determine, when possible, if the remains are American Indian and identify the minimum number of individuals (MNI) present. Any elements positively identified as human will be separated by MNI into individual bags within each larger provenience bag and include unique identification information. MWAC will provide any packaging supplies needed during the analysis.

A spreadsheet will be provided by MWAC staff for contractor to record pertinent information during the evaluation and identification. MWAC staff will complete the following fields in the spreadsheet with known information prior to the evaluation: Park, ICMS Catalog Number, Box Number, State Site Number, Site Description, Provenience Within Site, Date Range of Site, Collector, and Collection Date.

Contractor will be responsible for completing the following spreadsheet fields during analysis: Count of Elements or Fragments, Species, Human (Y/N/Undetermined), American Indian (Y/N/Undetermined), Minimum Number of Individuals (MNI), and Comments. The Comments field should be used to record any observed writing or marking on the bone as well as for recording any past gluing/mending of elements. Contractor may include additional fields on the spreadsheet if they are determined to be needed during the project.

No photographs, images, or drawings shall be taken during the project.

Products Final products will include the completed spreadsheet for all elements or group of elements contained in the approximately 60 cubic feet of material, as well as a brief written report detailing methods used in completing the work, personnel involved, identifications, and recommendations. Any elements positively identified as human will be separated into individual bags within each larger provenience bag with unique identification information. The spreadsheet and report should contain sufficient information to assist the National Park Service in completing a NAGPRA inventory for publication.

Period of Performance Work will commence during fiscal year 2023 at a time convenient for both parties. It is anticipated that onsite evaluation of the material will take approximately 410 hours. Completed spreadsheet and report are due by COB August 30, 2024.

The hours of access for project performance are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Monday through Friday. The building will be closed on the following days: September 4, October 9, November 10, November 23, and December 25, 2023; January 1, January 15, February 19, May 27, June 19, and July 4, 2024.

Security The vendor must follow all Denney Federal Building safety and security policies outlined by the General Services Administration, including any current COVID-19 guidelines. The Midwest Archeological Center shall provide any information needed for the vendor.

Contractor must follow Center and NPS guidance for working with museum collections. The contractor shall be responsible for following all safety and security guidelines within the area in which work is being performed, to include securing any contractor owned tools or equipment, and any on-site storage being utilized.

Personnel to Complete Work Project personnel should have background(s) in physical anthropology, NAGPRA evaluations, zooarchaeology, and be comfortable with the needs of the project.

Date of Completion Work should begin prior to September 30, 2023.