Cultural Resource Surveys IDIQ

STATEMENT OF WORK

DIVISION 100 - GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS

110 - Scope of Services. The Contractor shall provide all services, equipment, facilities, materials, and supplies required for the performance and completion of the function outlined herein.

111 - Project. The project is a Cultural Resource Survey on the Monongahela National Forest. The project may be located in any of the following ten county area in West Virginia: Barbour, Grant, Greenbrier, Nicholas, Pendleton, Pocahontas, Preston, Randolph, Tucker, and Webster.

The objectives of the project shall be:

(1) to locate and identify all cultural resources judged to be at least 50 years old

(2) to provide a complete cultural resource inventory of the area, and

(3) to make a preliminary evaluation of the significance of identified historic properties according to the National Register of Historic Places eligibility criteria

(https://home.nps.gov/subjects/nationalregister/upload/NRB-15_web508.pdf).

To accomplish these objectives, the Contractor shall review existing sources of information on cultural and natural resources in the project area, conduct a complete coverage field reconnaissance, analyze the results of this investigation, and prepare a cultural resource report documenting this information.

120 - Location. Areas to be inventoried will be identified on 7.5’ topographic maps. All National

Forest System (NFS) lands designated within the Monongahela National Forest are included in this contract.

130 - Government-Furnished Property. The Government shall deliver to the Contractor the following listed materials, supplies, property or services (hereinafter referred to as "Government-furnished property") at the places and time specified below. The Contractor shall be liable for all loss or damage of such delivered Government-furnished property until completion and final acceptance of work required under this contract. If the Government fails to make timely delivery of such Government-furnished property suitable for its intended use, and upon written request from the Contractor, the

Contracting Officer shall make an equitable adjustment of contract delivery or performance dates or contract price, or both, pursuant to the "Changes" clause of the General Provisions of this contract.

131 - Property, Data and Services. The Forest Service shall allow the Contractor to review such information in its possession as the Forest Service deems pertinent to the project, including archaeological and historical inventory data, environmental data and reports, early aerial photos, maps, land records, and other relevant information. This shall include the availability of Forest Service personnel and resource specialists for technical consultation as needed for the orderly and efficient development of the project.

132 - The Forest Service shall provide the Contractor with one (1) set of Forest Service topographic maps of the area of undertaking, showing ownership and major features after the award of each task order.

133 - Profestional Qualifications. The following requirements are those used by the National Park

Service, and have been previously published in the Code of Federal Regulations, 36 CFR Part 61. The https://home.nps.gov/subjects/nationalregister/upload/NRB-15_web508.pdf qualifications define minimum education and experience required to perform identification, evaluation, registration, and treatment activities. In some cases, additional areas or levels of expertise may be needed, depending on the complexity of the task and the nature of the historic properties involved. The minimum professional qualifications in archeology are a graduate degree in archeology, anthropology, or closely related field plus:

1. At least one year of full-time professional experience or equivalent specialized training in archeological research, administration, or management;

2. At least four months of supervised field and analytic experience in general North American archeology, and

3. Demonstrated ability to carry research to completion.

In addition to these minimum qualifications, a professional in prehistoric archeology shall have at least one year of full-time professional experience at a supervisory level in the study of archeological resources of the prehistoric period. A professional in historic archeology shall have at least one year of full-time professional experience at a supervisory level in the study of archeological resources of the historic period.

DIVISION 200 - TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

210 - Cultural Resource Survey Requirements.

This contract is intended to provide the U.S. Forest Service with technical services related to cultural resource inventory on NFS lands. These technical services will assist in compliance by the

Monongahela National Forest with the National Historic Preservation Act, as amended (54 U.S.C.

300101) https://www.achp.gov/sites/default/files/2018-06/nhpa.pdf and the Archaeological Resources Protection Act, as amended (16 U.S.C. 470aa-mm) and its uniform regulations at Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 296 – Protection of Archaeological Resources.

https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/granule/CFR-2011-title36-vol2/CFR-2011-title36-vol2-part296 Potential vendors must evidence familiarity with these Acts and the Forest Service's compliance program.

Information about the Forest Service Heritage Program can be found in the Forest Service Manual (FSM

2360) and the Forest Service Handbook (FSH 2309.12).

Specifically, the Pedestrian Survey Option is meant to assist the Forest Service with identifying and analyzing potential effects to above ground cultural resources for planning of low to moderate controlled prescribed fire with no ground disturbing activities. Pedestrian survey transects shall be spaced at 10-

15m intervals to ensure proper ground surveillance. As survey is conducted, photographs of the survey area should be taken, and any above ground resources will be mapped and documented using the appropriate forms described below.

The Contractor shall:

211 - Meet with Forest Service personnel prior to initiating fieldwork for the purpose of:

(1) reviewing the undertaking and discussing the project objectives,

(2) reviewing Forest Service cultural resource inventory information,

(3) examining pertinent natural resource data, reports, maps, etc.,

(4) becoming acquainted with the natural and cultural features of the project area, and

(5) discussing field plans and coordination with Forest Service personnel.

212 - Conduct a records and interview search sufficient to identify previously known or recorded cultural resources within the areas of undertaking. Sources shall include:

https://www.achp.gov/sites/default/files/2018-06/nhpa.pdf https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/granule/CFR-2011-title36-vol2/CFR-2011-title36-vol2-part296

(1) Forest Service cultural resource files;

(2) West Virginia Division of Culture and History; and

(3) other pertinent records, publications, or informants.

213 - Conduct a complete coverage reconnaissance sufficient to identify all existing cultural resources within the project boundaries. The reconnaissance will focus on:

(1) areas that have less than 20% slope;

(2) stream terraces, floodplains, and confluences;

(3) ridge tops, ridge spurs, saddles, benches, and watershed divides; and

(4) cave and rockshelter areas.

Conduct pedestrian survey over the entirety of the project area in order to determine the locations of above-ground cultural resources (i.e. cemeteries, rockshelters, petroglyphs, pictographs, lithic source areas, earthworks, and foundation remnants) and to determine the nature of physical and environmental aspects of the project area.

Complete field coverage will adhere to the West Virginia Guidelines for Phase I, II, and III

Archaeological Investigations and Technical Report Preparation (https://wvculture.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Guidelines-for-Phase-I-II-and-III-Archaeological-Investigations-and-

Technical-Report-Preparation.pdf). The coverage should consist of a series of on-the-ground transects via systematic subsurface testing to determine the presence or absence of cultural remains in areas where the ground surface is obscured. Intensity of complete field coverage may vary in accordance with known or suspected cultural resource sensitivity and geographic features or obstacles encountered.

Transects and subsurface testing intervals shall not exceed 50 feet (15 meters). Subsurface test units shall be a minimum size of 19 in. in diameter (50 cm) and excavated to just below sterile soil. Upon discovery of cultural materials, the testing interval shall be maintained at 15 meters across the site until two negatives are discovered in a transect. To fine tune the site boundary, additional shovel testing will be conducted at a 5 meter interval beyond the last positive and cease with two consecutive negative probes. For example, in each transect, the last positive probe along the northern edge of a site will receive additional 5 meter tests to the north. Similarly, in each transect the last positive probe along the eastern edge of the site will receive additional 5 meter tests to the east, and so on. The purpose of the additional probes is to define the site boundary. In an inventory level survey it is not appropriate to

“swiss cheese” shovel test an entire site at a 5 meter interval. Soil removed from all subsurface test units shall be screened through 1/4" mesh hardware cloth and backfilled. Shovel testing is not appropriate, and will not be conducted in cemetery areas.

Should extensive alluviation (over 2-3 ft/60-100 cm) be detected during investigation along stream floodplains, the Contractor will recommend mechanical deep testing to identify deeply buried cultural resources. No deep or backhoe testing will be conducted as a part of this contract.

Conduct walk-over field coverage of the remaining area (slopes over 20 percent). Walk-over field coverage consists of systematic transects to identify surface features such as burial mounds, foundations, rock shelters, lithic source areas, etc. Transect intervals shall not exceed 100 feet (30 meters).

Upon discovery of above ground remains, walk-over or visual examination intervals shall be reduced in order to adequately observe and record the remains.

When eroded or severely eroded soils are encountered, the liklihood of identifying significant sites is greatly diminished. In this instance, a reduction in the shovel testing interval may be made with approval from the Contracting Officer’s Representative. Upon field verification of substantial erosion, a walk-over survey is generally adequate. Shovel tests must be periodically attempted in an effort to define intact soils. If/when an historic or prehistoric site is located, shovel testing must resume as described above to determine the nature and extent of the site.

https://wvculture.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Guidelines-for-Phase-I-II-and-III-Archaeological-Investigations-and-Technical-Report-Preparation.pdf https://wvculture.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Guidelines-for-Phase-I-II-and-III-Archaeological-Investigations-and-Technical-Report-Preparation.pdf https://wvculture.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Guidelines-for-Phase-I-II-and-III-Archaeological-Investigations-and-Technical-Report-Preparation.pdf

Rockshelters shall be investigated for cultural occupation as follows: a) if cultural materials over 50 years of age can be identified and collected from the surface of the shelter floor, then no subsurface investigation is to be conducted b) if such materials are not evident on the surface, then at least one subsurface shovel test is to be excavated inside the shelter c) an additional shovel test will be necessary in the drip line or on the talus slope if the initial shovel test does not produce cultural materials. Upon identification of the first positive test, no further units will be excavated d) subsurface shovel test units shall measure 19 in. in diameter (50cm), and the contents of each shall be screened through 1/4" mesh hardware cloth e) if the rockshelter is defined as a cultural resource site, then shovel test units must be accurately mapped so they can be relocated. Subsurface testing of rockshelters may be conducted using a 1/2" soil core upon approval from the Contracting Officer's Representative. If no artifacts are recovered in an overhang, then the description of the shelter should be documented on a rockshelter form and its location logged using Global Positioning System (GPS) technology with a 2-5 meter accuracy and presented in a separate Geographic Information System (GIS) “overhang” shapefile.

Unevaluated and potentially eligible previously recorded sites located in the project area will be monitored and the condition assessed. Updated site forms will be completed to document the field investigation (https://wvculture.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Guidelines-for-Phase-I-II-and-III-

Archaeological-Investigations-and-Technical-Report-Preparation.pdf).

The Contractor shall keep standard field and laboratory records including field notes, field maps, photographs, laboratory analysis records, along with coverage maps showing the location of areas actually examined and the intensity of survey coverage (location, number, and interval between shovel tests). The Contractor shall obtain Forest Service site numbers from the Monongahela NF Heritage

Program Manager and state site numbers from the West Virginia Division of Culture and History for all sites. Each site must be recorded on a state site form: "West Virginia Archaeological Site Form".

Structures and objects identified as part of the built environment shall be recorded on a “West Virginia

Historic Property Inventory Form”. Cemeteries shall be documented on a “West Virginia Cemetery

Survey Form”. All West Virginia state forms are provided by the West Virginia Division of Culture and

History -https://wvculture.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Guidelines-for-Phase-I-II-and-III-

Archaeological-Investigations-and-Technical-Report-Preparation.pdf.

The use of GPS technology with at least 2-5 meter accuracy using NAD83 datum is required for obtaining UTM locations of all sites investigated. Submeter accuracy is preferred. This data should be presented in a GIS (i.e. ArcMap) shapefile.

No surface artifact samples will be collected from historic sites unless identification is not possible in the field, items possess a high degree of scientific value or are of museum quality, are at risk due to theft or vandalism, or were recovered from shovel tests. Historic material observed, but not recovered, will be described, recorded, and mapped, or photographed. All prehistoric materials, with the exception of fire-cracked rock, will be collected and bagged separately by site location and site number. Recovered materials will be identified and analyzed. Collections will be curated at the Monongahela National

Forest, Supervisor’s Office in Elkins, West Virginia. Curation arrangements, including cost of shipping, are the responsibility of the Contractor. Actual curation fees will be paid by the Forest Service.

214 - Archaeological Resources Protection Act Violations. Should the contractor observe or obtain knowledge of violations of the Archaeological Resources Protection Act, these shall be reported as soon as possible to the Contracting Officer's Representative or a Forest Service Law Enforcement Officer.

Areas in which violations are detected must be left alone because these are potential crime scenes.

No contract work is to be conducted in these areas until the Forest Archaeologist and Forest

Service Law Enforcement Officer are consulted.

https://wvculture.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Guidelines-for-Phase-I-II-and-III-Archaeological-Investigations-and-Technical-Report-Preparation.pdf https://wvculture.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Guidelines-for-Phase-I-II-and-III-Archaeological-Investigations-and-Technical-Report-Preparation.pdf https://wvculture.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Guidelines-for-Phase-I-II-and-III-Archaeological-Investigations-and-Technical-Report-Preparation.pdf https://wvculture.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Guidelines-for-Phase-I-II-and-III-Archaeological-Investigations-and-Technical-Report-Preparation.pdf

215 – Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation (NAGPRA). In accordance with 25 U.S.C.

3002 (d) and 43 CFR 10.4, if the holder inadvertently discovers human remains, funerary objects, sacred objects, or objects of cultural patrimony on National Forest System lands, the holder shall immediately cease work in the area of the discovery and shall make a reasonable effort to protect and secure the items. The holder shall immediately notify the authorized officer by telephone of the discovery and shall follow up with written confirmation of the discovery. The activity that resulted in the inadvertent discovery may not resume until 30 days after the authorized officer certifies receipt of the written confirmation, if resumption of the activity is otherwise lawful, or at any time if a binding written agreement has been executed between the Forest Service and the affiliated Indian tribes that adopts a recovery plan for the human remains and objects.

220 - Reports – Reports will be prepared and submitted in accordance with the items listed below.

221 - Review Draft - The Contractor shall provide one (1) copy of the review draft of the final report to the Contracting Officer's Representative before the final report is required. One copy will be forwarded by the Contracting Officer's Representative to the West Virginina State Historic Preservation Office for review. The Government will compile and submit all review comments. The necessary corrections and changes shall be made by the Contractor in the final report. The draft reports will not be returned.

222 - Exhibits - At the same time the review draft is submitted, the Contractor shall deliver to the

Contracting Officer's Representative the following Exhibits:

(1) one digital set of GIS shapefiles with site locations marked and identified with state site numbers; and

(2) one set of all documented forms for each site discovered or resurveyed. All forms must include site location maps and sketch maps.

223 - Final Survey Report - The Contractor shall prepare, furnish, and deliver to the Contracting

Officer's Representative one (1) copy of a Final Survey Report describing the survey methods, findings, conclusions, and recommendations. The report shall conform to recognized professional standards applicable to archaeological and anthropological reports. The report shall be typewritten, double-sided and bound in a durable cover with an identifying label on the face thereof. The paper shall be a good grade bond of size 8-1/2 x 11 inches. All pages shall be numbered. The report format and contents shall include the following:

1. Title Page - Include:

a. name and location of project area;

b. name and address of the Forest Service unit to which the report is sent;

c. Forest Service Cultural Resource Reconnaissance Report Number, as assigned by the

Forest Archaeologist;

d. contract number and date;

e. name and address of Contractor(s);

f. name of Principal Investigator(s);

g. date of report;

h. author's signature and title;

i. heading that reads – “CONTAINS PRIVILEGED INFORMATION – DO NOT

RELEASE.”

2. Abstract - In one page summarize the project objectives, methods, findings, and recommendations.

3. Table of Contents - Arrange topical headings in sequence in accordance with corresponding page numbers. Include specific project areas and/or site numbers, for ease of use. Include a list of figures, tables, and appendices.

4. Introduction - Include:

a. description of project objectives;

b. location and general description of project area keyed to a vicinity map;

c. general discussion of the methods and techniques utilized; and

d. a statement that the materials will be curated at the Monongahela National Forest, Supervisor’s Office in Elkins, West Virginia.

5. Prefield Research - Discuss prefield investigations conducted by the Contractor. Include:

a. dates of prefield research;

b. Forest Service cultural resource information;

c. early aerial photos;

d. archive and record information;

e. pertinent publications; and

f. informant information. Relevant data derived from these sources shall be discussed.

6. Field Research - Discuss the field investigation, and include:

a. date(s) the area was surveyed and description of survey conditions;

b. description of the physical features of the survey area, including topography, soils, water features, vegetation cover, ground surface visibility, and evidence of past land use or disturbance;

c. status of cultural resources identified in prefield research;

d. description and rationale for field methods used in the survey area, including placement of transects, areas shovel tested, transect and shovel test intervals, and description of any areas not examined.

e. coverage maps that show actual areas surveyed by shovel testing and walkover methods.

f. description of each cultural resource identified or reinvestigated, including:

i. type of site

ii. physiographic location

iii. surface and subsurface features

iv. size, and methods utilized to define site limits

v. site depth (and method of or reason for depth estimate)

vi. density and distribution of cultural materials

vii. types and quantities of cultural materials

viii. cultural affiliations, if discernible

ix. photographs/drawings of diagnostic artifacts

7. Preliminary Evaluation - Include a discussion of the potential significance of each identified cultural resource and provide a preliminary opinion on the eligibility of each site for the National

Register of Historic Places, e.g. sites which clearly meet National Register criteria, sites which do not appear to meet eligibility criteria, and sites where further testing is warranted to determine significance.

Opinions on significance of each site shall be explained and justified on the basis of National Register criteria.

8. Recommendations - Include for each site a recommendation of either further work or no further work required. Recommend avoidance of sites requiring further work to determine significance.

9. References - List the sources of non-field data incorporated in the report, including published and unpublished documents, records, and individuals interviewed or consulted.

230 - Confidential Nature of Information. All artifacts, samples, and collections and original or clear copies of all records, data, photographs, and other documents resulting from activities authorized by this contract remain property of the United States. The contractor shall keep the specific location of sensitive resources confidential. Sensitive resources include but are not limited to threatened, endangered, and rare species; archaeological sites; caves; fossil sites; minerals; commercially valuable resources; and traditional cultural properties. Without the Forest Supervisor’s prior written approval, the holder shall not publish any locational or other information identifying archaeological sites that could compromise their protection and management by the federal government. Any published article, paper, or book containing results of work conducted under this contract shall specify that the work was performed in the Monongahela National Forest under contract. The contractor shall submit a copy of any published or unpublished report, article, paper, or book resulting from the authorized activities to the Forest

Supervisor.

240 - Curatorial Responsibilities. All collections resulting from activities authorized by this contract shall be deposited at the MNF Supervisor’s Office for permanent curation. The MNF catalogue and labeling system follows the same minimal standards for preparing collections provided in the Guidelines for Submitting a Collection to the Archaeological Collections Facility of West Virginia. The permit holder must contact the MNF Heritage Program Manager to obtain catalogue numbers. Curation costs are the responsibility of the Governement.

DIVISION 300 - PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE, INSPECTION, AND ACCEPTANCE

310 - Performance Schedule. – Report schedule and other milestone will be established on each task order.

DIVISION 400 - MEASUREMENT AND PAYMENT

410 - The payment schedule will be established on each task order.