C04b - ATTACHMENT 2 - PWS - HeritageSurvey - Peerless20260206.pdf

Phase I Cultural Resources Survey

PERFORMANCE BASED SERVICE CONTRACT

Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest

Peerless Heritage Survey 2025

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

C.1 GENERAL

C.1.1 Authority The investigations to be conducted under this Performance Work Statement (PWS) are initiated and influenced by a number of Federal requirements. These requirements include, but are not limited to, the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended; the National

Environmental Policy Act; Executive Order 11593 (Protection and Enhancement of the

Cultural Environment); the Archeological and Historic Preservation Act of 1974; the Native

American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act; and the Archeological Resources

Protection Act of 1979.

C.1.3 Need This contract will provide the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest (Forest) with technical services related to cultural resource management in support of a specifically defined undertakings or “Project’ as further defined below. The services related to the project may not cover the entire project, only what is contracted. This listing of the Project is how defined survey areas will be discussed within the deliverables identified in this contract. These technical services will assist the Forest in its efforts to comply with the statutes referenced above.

a. Peerless Vegetation Management: A large, landscape scale vegetation management/restoration project on the Washburn Ranger District of the Forest. For the purposes of this contract there are seven units ranging from between ~ 199 -403 acres, totaling ~ 2184 acres, identified as needing cultural resource survey. These units may be awarded in total or by unit depending on funding.

Survey Unit Approximate Acreage

Area 1 199

Area 2 403

Area 3 200

Area 4 307

Area 5 328

Area 6 393

Area 7 354

C.1.4 General Requirements The Contractor shall provide all labor, equipment, supplies, services, permits, and licenses necessary to conduct field inventories, identify, record, and evaluate for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), all cultural resources (post-contact or pre-contact cultural manifestations 50 years or more of age) within the project areas defined, located on the

Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. This performance work statement consists of completing the tasks/subtasks in C.5 to the Quality Assurance Plan/Requirements in C.7.

a. Confidential Nature of Information: The Contractor shall not divulge, and shall take all reasonable steps to ensure that no member of their staff or organization divulges, information on specific sites or their locations to any person other than as directed by the

CO or duly authorized representative of the CO. This includes written, photographic, and digital information relating to site locations, artifacts, features, etc. The results of this research may be used for theses, dissertations, research projects and publication subject to prior written approval of the Forest Service.

b. Archaeological Resources Protection Act: Should the contractor observe or obtain knowledge of violations of the Archaeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA), these shall be reported no later than the close of the next business day to the Contract Officer’s

Representative (COR) 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.

c. Human Remains: In the event human remains are discovered, all work within a minimum of 50 meters of the find will cease. The Contractor will immediately notify the

COR. Possible remains and/or associated artifacts shall be left in place and covered to afford some protection. All personnel shall leave the area, excepting key personnel. The

COR will notify the Forest Heritage Program Manager (HPM). The Forest Service will notify the county coroner, SHPO, and the appropriate federal Tribal Representative and will work in accordance with the processes set forth in the Native American Graves

Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), 43CFR10; as well as the Wisconsin Status

157.70 for historic burials not associated with Tribes. The COR, in consultation with appropriate persons, will advise the Contractor when, and if, work can resume in the vicinity of the point of discovery.

C.1.5 Personnel The following personnel are considered to be Key Personnel in the performance of this contract. The contractor shall provide personnel, meeting the following qualifications throughout the life of the contract.

a. Principal Investigator: The Principal Investigator (PI) is responsible for each aspect of the project: the preparation of the proposal including objectives and delineation of research methods; background research; field investigations; data analyses; documentation of these investigations; and preparation of the report including recommendations for site significance and further study. The principal investigator is responsible for integrating all aspects of research, analyses, and the contents of the report.

i. Qualifications: The PI must meet the professional qualifications standards in archaeology as found in 36 CFR 61, the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and

Guidelines-Professional Qualifications Standards https://www.nps.gov/articles/sec-standards-prof-quals.htm) https://www.nps.gov/articles/sec-standards-prof-quals.htm https://www.nps.gov/articles/sec-standards-prof-quals.htm

b. The Field Director/Crew Chief: The Field Director/Crew Chief is the direct representative of the PI in regards to carrying out the methods and directions determined appropriate for a given project. Persons acting in this role are directly responsible for the actions and performance of the field crew and the determinations and assessments resulting from field investigation. Field Director/Crew Chief must have at minimum of one year of field supervisor/crew chief experience.

c. Field Crew: Field crew members are directly supervised by the Field Director or

Principal Investigator and must demonstrate completion of (or satisfactory progress toward) a bachelor’s degree in anthropology, archaeology, history or a closely related field, or six months previous experience in archaeological field or laboratory work.

Completion of an archaeological field school is considered satisfactory qualification for an initial position (first archaeological job) if that individual will be directly supervised by a higher qualified individual.

d. Changes in Contractor Personnel: Changes to key personnel must be approved by the

Contracting Officer (CO). The CO reserves the right to reject any proposed personnel that do not meet the requirements as stated herein. The Contractor shall submit a written request accompanied by a description of the duties of proposed personnel and the vitae of any new personnel to the CO. Written approval from the CO must be received by the

Contactor prior to new personnel beginning work under this contract.

C.2 DEFINITIONS

C.2.1 Standard Definitions

a. Acceptable Quality Level (AQL): The maximum allowable deviation from perfect performance that may occur before the Government will invoke penalties or require rework at no cost to fix any errors found.

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

c. 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.

d. Quality Assurance (QA): Those actions taken by the Government to assure services meet the requirements of the Performance Work Statement (PWS). QA performed by the

Government does not relieve the Contractor of their responsibility to practice internal QA.

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

f. Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR): A Government employee appointed by the

CO to help the CO with contract administration. This person may also be responsible for surveillance of contractor performance.

g. 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.

h. 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 PWS.

i. Undertaking: May also be referred to as “the Project”. Technically, an undertaking is defined as any project, activity, or program funded in whole or in part under the direct or indirect jurisdiction of a Federal agency, as further defined in Section 301(7) of NHPA.

For the purposes of this contract, this refers to the activities proposed by the Forest that may have an effect on Historic Properties.

j. Area of Potential Effect (APE): The geographic area or areas within which an undertaking may directly or indirectly cause alterations in the character or use of historic properties, if any such properties exist. [36CFR800.16(b)]

k. Survey Area: May also be referred to as “the project area”. This refers specifically to the defined geographical area that is to be investigated by the Contractor following the specifics as outlined below. It is inherently related to, but not does necessarily directly reflect, the geographical area defined specifically for the undertaking or “Project”.

l. Archaeological Survey: May be referred to as a “Phase 1” survey. For the purposes of this contract an archaeological survey is defined as the systematic, intensive inspection of the land surface and associated subsurface inspection techniques sufficient to identify and record any historic properties, as defined under 36 CFR 800.6(l)(1) and 800.6(l)(2), that may be present within the survey area. Further details are to be found in the CNNF Survey

Methodology (Exhibit A).

m. Shovel test: One of the primary methods of site detection for Phase I investigations

Defined as the columnar excavation of soils using a shovel and subsequent sorting of the excavated material (including the root mat) by passing it through an archaeological screen or sieve fitted with 0.25-inch hardware cloth. Additional details are found in the CNNF

Survey Methodology (Exhibit A).

n. Site Lead: A suggestion, resulting from conducting pre-field research, that a site may be present in a certain location, or that there may be reason to focus investigative efforts on a certain area to identify previously unidentified sites.

o. Site/Cultural Resource: A post contact or pre-contact resource that is a locus of human activity characterized by a deposit of cultural materials or the construction of one or more features or structures greater than 50 years of age.

i. Full definition is found in the CNNF Survey Methodology (Exhibit A).

ii. A Forest Cultural Resource Record (CRR), or site form, is attached in Exhibit B

p. Isolate: A post contact or pre-contact resource that does not meet the definition of a site.

i. Full definition is found in the CNNF Survey Methodology (Exhibit A).

ii. A Forest Isolated Resource Record, is attached in Exhibit C.

q. Non-Site: A post contact or modern property type that is considered ubiquitous is a post-contact or modern property type that is considered ubiquitous, does not exhibit significant architectural or engineering features, and does not have the potential to provide information that meet any National Register criteria. Full definition is found in the CNNF

Survey Methodology (Exhibit A).

C.3 GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY (MAPS, DRAWINGS, SPECS, ETC.)

Government Furnished

Property/Services, Data, Etc.

Quantity

Where, When, How to be

Furnished to Contractor

1:24,000 scale maps of the project areas 1 copy

Via electronic mail when the task order is issued

Electronic copy of a geodatabase containing the project area, previous surveys intersecting with the project area, and previously recorded sites intersecting within the project area.

1 copy

Via electronic mail or shared cloud folder at or shortly after the pre-work meeting.

Electronic copy of scanned previous survey reports and site records.

1 copy

Via electronic mail or shared cloud folder at or shortly after the pre-work meeting as requested.

Forest Service site numbers to be assigned by the Contractor to each newly recorded site

As needed

After submission of interim reports, or as agreed upon at the pre-work meeting

CNNF collections management forms and guidelines

As needed Electronically after approval of artifact collection

Forest law enforcement contact information 1 copy At the pre-work meeting

C.4 CONTRACTOR FURNISHED CRITICAL ITEMS/SERVICES

Item Quantity Description

Resource grade

GPS unit At least one

GPS units that are capable of providing location information that is accurate to +/-3 meters or less and are compatible with current

Forest Service Geographical Information

System (GIS) (ArcPro)

Item Quantity Description

GIS program At least one

GIS program that is capable of producing hard-copy maps for use in reporting and utilizes and allows for editing of geospatial data

(shapefiles) that are compatible with current

Forest Service Geographical Information

System (ArcPro)

Camera At least one Digital camera that is compatible with computer utilization

Metal detector At least one Capable of detecting metal at least 1 ft below ground surface

All testing and excavation equipment and supplies

As needed

C.5 PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT TASKS/CRITICAL SUBTASKS

C.5.1 Pre-work Meeting After the award of the task order, and prior to commencing work, the Contractor shall be required to attend a pre-work meeting with the Contracting Officer (CO) and Contracting

Officer's Representative (COR). During the pre-work meeting subjects discussed will include but are not limited to:

• Performance time defined in the task order.

• Review of the undertaking(s) and project objectives.

• Review of project and maps to become familiar with the location of the project.

• Survey or investigation strategy and methods, presentation of data, levels of analysis and evaluation, and deliverables.

• Discuss planned fieldwork schedule and a communication plan (e.g. key contacts, phone numbers).

C.5.2 Research Design C.5.2.1 Plan of Work

Prior to commencing fieldwork, the Contractor shall prepare a proposed plan of work that describes the schedule for submission of deliverables (C.5.9), estimated number of person-days for fieldwork, a list of crew members, and strategies for accomplishing the scope of work defined in each task order issued under this contract.

C.5.2.2 Literature Review

Prior to commencing fieldwork, the Contractor shall conduct a literature review that includes a background review of the project area. A minimum list of background review sources is found in the CNNF Survey Methodology (Exhibit A). Components of the literature review include:

a. Previous cultural resource surveys within one-half mile of project area, listed in tabular form. At a minimum, tables shall include FS report numbers, agency/company conducting the survey, survey year(s), acres surveyed, the level of effort expended

(e.g., “intensive” or “reconnaissance”), and SHPO tracking number.

b. Previously recorded sites within the project boundary and up to one-half mile outside the current project area. At a minimum, FS site numbers, trinomials (if assigned), the gross temporal component of sites (e.g., post-contact, pre-contact, or multicomponent), the current National Register Status (listed, eligible, not eligible, or unevaluated), and the type of sites (e.g. logging camp, open campsite), the last known recordation/visit date of the site, if the site is located inside or adjacent or outside to the current survey area, and any SHPO tracking number.

c. Site leads identified within or immediately adjacent to the current project area. Table shall be prepared that (at a minimum) includes unique site lead identifiers, the general legal description of each site lead (township, range, and section), the type of site lead observed (e.g., structure, road, field clearing), and the source of each site lead.

d. Description of sources reviewed and methodology of the literature review.

Please note that the above are to be reproduced/summarized and presented in the report, as noted below in C.5.7.2(e).

C.5.2.3 Submission and Review: The completed research design comprised of the Plan of Work and Literature Review will be submitted to the COR within 30 days of the pre-work meeting. The COR will have 30 days from receipt to review and approve delivery item C.5.2. The Contractor must correct and revise any errors noted by the COR and resubmit the document(s) for additional review and approval. The Contractor shall accomplish the correction, revision and re-submittals of documents within 10 days of notification by the COR of the rejection of the submittals.

C.5.3 Fieldwork

C.5.3.1 Initiation: Fieldwork will commence after the pre-work meeting has been completed and after the COR has accepted the research design.

C.5.3.2 General Fieldwork Requirements

a. The Contractor will notify the COR via email prior to entering the Forest to conduct fieldwork.

b. Contractor personnel will wear protective clothing while working on National Forest lands, including a bright orange safety vest or similar clothing during hunting season.

While on National Forest lands, contractor vehicles must be clearly marked with distinctive signs or plaques identifying the name of the company.

a. The Contractor should be aware that not all roads identified on maps provided are accessible by passenger car. Many are 4-wheel drive roads and are not passable in adverse weather. Some may be closed for administrative use only and will require pre-arranged access. In addition, there may be sections of roads that are not administered by the Forest Service, county, or state, that cross private land. Access along these sections of road is not guaranteed by the awarding of this contract.

C.5.3.3 Specifics Regarding Archaeological Survey

a. Purpose of Survey: The purpose of a Phase I survey is to the investigate the Area of

Potential Effect (APE) as defined for a specific undertaking/Project, and to identify and document, any cultural resource that is listed on, eligible for, or may be eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) pursuant to criteria set forth in 36

CFR 60.4, within the area so defined.

b. Survey method: The contractor shall conduct field survey of all areas identified in each line item of the task order. The field survey strategy must include a combination of pedestrian coverage and systematic shovel testing following the CNNF Survey

Methodology (Exhibit A).

c. Site Recording: All cultural resources (sites and isolates) identified within the project area will be recorded using the CNNF Cultural Resources Record (Exhibit B) or

Isolated Resource Record (Exhibit C). Cultural resources will be recorded in their entirety, even if the boundaries go outside of the identified survey boundary – the exception to this is if it goes onto private land. In that situation the contractor shall, without physically entering the non-federal lands, make a good-faith effort to estimate the extent of the site boundary. The contractor shall make it clear on the site record and site map that, under those circumstances, site boundaries have not been verified.

All known sites identified during pre-field research as being within the APE, will be revisited and a site update completed as appropriate. The update will contain an current condition assessment and updated spatial boundary data and updated NRHP evaluation as needed.

d. National Register Eligibility Determination: Site recording should provide a level of documentation sufficient to allow for a not eligible, eligible, or, in rare cases, unevaluated NRHP recommendation to be offered. Appropriate recommendations of

NRHP eligibility will be developed and submitted based on 36CFR 60.4 for all sites recorded or revisited during the Phase I investigation. Evaluation should utilized state and/or CNNF thematic context (Rural Farmsteading, Historic Logging Industry, Historic Dams and Stream Crossings, Precontact/Prehistoric Contexts, etc) that may apply. No data recovery beyond the constraints of typical Phase I investigations is expected in the formulation of eligibility determinations. In cases where Phase I data are insufficient to formulate an eligibility recommendation, the reasons for failure to develop a recommendation must be explained. In such cases a recommendation of unevaluated may be offered, along with recommendations for additional research

(e.g., Phase II or advanced testing will be required or additional historical investigations are suggested). Recommendations of unevaluated should be the exception rather than the rule.

e. Site Delineation: All artifact loci identified during the course of a survey shall be further investigated through additional subsurface and visual examinations to delineate the horizontal and vertical limits of artifact distribution.

i. Report must include a description of how site delineation occurred.

Methodology must utilize the CNNF Survey Methodology (Exhibit A).

ii. Due to dense vegetation cover, metal detectors are required on post-contact sites to aid in delineation and recordation of the resource.

f. Site Boundaries: The boundary of both newly recorded and revisited archaeological sites shall be collected using Contractor furnished resource grade GPS unit(s). All data must be collected in NAD83.

g. Resource Numbering:

i. Forest Service Numbers: The Forest Service will assign and provide to the

Contractor Forest Service site numbers to sites and isolated resources recorded in the field following review of preliminary site descriptions. The Forest Service site number must be used concurrently with State trinomials in the report and site forms. Where space is an issue (e.g., on site location maps), abbreviated forms of the State trinomial may be used.

ii. State Trinomials: State trinomials (also known as Smithsonian numbers) will also be required to be obtained from the Wisconsin State Historic Preservation

Office for all new sites located and recorded.

h. Survey Report: A report of all survey and site recording activities will be prepared according to the specifications detailed below.

C.5.3.4 Artifact Collection

a. The Forest follows a limited artifact collection policy for Phase I work.

i. No artifact samples will be collected from the surface unless (1) additional laboratory analysis is determined necessary or (2) for the protection of the artifact from damage or unauthorized collection. The Field Director/PI in coordination with the COR will determine if collection is warranted.

ii. Collection of pre-contact and post contact materials identified in shovel tests will follow the collection policy found in the CNNF Survey

Methodology (Exhibit A). Cultural material will be noted, counted, photographed if diagnostic, then returned to the shovel test. Field analysis of non-diagnostic artifacts left in the field will include at a minimum:

description, material type, provenience, and count. Do not place the material in plastic bags prior to returning to the shovel test.

iii. Laboratory analysis of collections and samples must follow standard and professionally acceptable procedures for maintaining artifact provenience, integrity, stability, and security. Artifact analysis if intrusive or damaging to artifact integrity and stability must be agreed upon by the COR and the

Contractor.

iv. Collections will be handled in accordance with 36 CFR 79. Contractor will utilize CNNF Field Catalog Form (provided as needed) to catalog any collections.

v. Any materials collected during performance of this contract are, and shall be, the sole property of the U.S. Government. All materials must be returned to the Forest as part of the final deliverables (C.5.9).

C.5.4 Progress Reports The Contractor will send regular electronic progress reports while conducting fieldwork to the

COR. Reports are to be submitted weekly, beginning on the first Monday after a full week of fieldwork. The email updates need not occur during periods out of the field. Progress reports shall contain the following information:

• Contractor’s assessment of the amount of work completed and time remaining for task completion.

• Estimated number of acres surveyed and sites identified/re-visited.

• Problems encountered.

• Final email will be submitted upon completion of fieldwork.

C.5.5 Field Inspections Formal field inspections may be conducted by the COR in order to allow the COR to determine that all fieldwork is proceeding on schedule and has been completed. Informal field inspections may be conducted at the discretion of the CO and/or the COR at any time without the Contractor's knowledge of, or attendance at, these informal inspections.

C.5.6 Quality Control Inspection Documentation Quality Control Inspection Documentation is defined by the Contractor in the technical proposal.

C.5.7 Draft Report C.5.7.1 A written report shall be prepared for survey conducted under this contract.

Contractor shall provide an electronic copy of the Draft Report, including all graphics and associated forms, to the COR. Forest Service site numbers and Smithsonian/State trinomials will be obtained prior to submitting the Draft Report and will be incorporated into the text and graphics of the document.

C.5.7.2 At a minimum the draft report shall contain the following sections:

a. Title Page:

i. Name and location (County) of project area;

ii. Name and address of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest

Supervisor’s Office;

iii. Forest Service Project Number(s), as assigned by the COR and provided to the Contractor;

iv. Contract number and date;

v. Name and address of Contractor(s);

vi. Name of Principal Investigator(s);

vii. Date of report; and

viii. Author's signature and title.

b. Abstract: up to a one-page summary that includes the project objectives, a listing of each separate Project/undertaking involved including the size, the period during which field survey was implemented, survey methods, findings, and a tabulation of site

NRHP eligibility recommendation(s).

c. Table of Contents: topical headings arranged in sequence in accordance with corresponding page numbers. Include a list of appendices.

d. Introduction:

i. Purpose of the investigation.

ii. Project objectives.

iii. Project administration, staff, and dates of the investigation.

iv. General discussion of the methods and techniques utilized.

v. General description of project area keyed to vicinity map(s).

vi. Description of project location, legal locations of all project areas and general vicinity map.

vii. Where appropriate, a brief description of each Forest Service undertaking or Project, (such as a timber harvest project, prescribed burn, road reconstruction etc.) that the survey efforts are associated with.

This may be most appropriately done as a summary introduction for each separate Project/undertaking area.

e. Literature review (as outlined above in C.5.2): includes a listing of all sources consulted during the pre-field background research and a description of the findings, presented through a combination of tables and figures.

f. Culture History: provide a brief review of relevant culture histories related to expected survey results, previous research, settlement/subsistence patterns, and site types. This should be focused on the survey project area specifically and not necessarily the entirety of the CNNF landbase.

g. Methods and techniques: a description and justification of the methods and techniques used during the field and post field investigations, including artifact analyses conducted for site investigations and assessments.

h. Survey results:

i. Description of survey project area(s) and field conditions to include, at a minimum, a general description of landform, soils, vegetation, ground surface visibility, modern improvements in the project area(s), physiography, geomorphology, hydrology, flora, fauna, climate, geology, and related information on environmental settings.

ii. A summary of sites within the project area. Provided information must include:

• Minimum of one general overview photo,

• Any unique features and artifacts (more photos can be provided on the site form),

• site sketch maps (C.5.7.2(n)), and

• NRHP eligibility recommendation for each site.

• Site specific management recommendations, including any protective measures recommended,

iii. Summary of isolated resources identified within project area.

iv. Summary of non-sites identified within project area.

i. Discussion and Conclusion: to include a preliminary analysis of the sites investigated in relation to the cultural context provided. Additionally, recommendations for site protections in relation to the undertaking/project proposed action(s) as appropriate are to be included as well as a recommendation for any additional work that may be required.

j. Completed CNNF site forms (Exhibit B) for all newly recorded and re-visited sites resulting from surveys or investigations. Required attachments to the form include a sketch map, topographic map at 1:24,000 scale, and photographs. Minimum photo documentation includes:

• one overview of the site area/environs,

• minimum of one for each feature and artifact midden,

• diagnostic artifacts, and

• all standing and partially standing features (minimum of 2 different angles).

k. Completed CNNF Isolated forms (Exhibit C) for all newly recorded isolates resulting from surveys. Required attachments include photos and location maps.

l. Maps to be included in the report include, at minimum, the general vicinity map

(C.5.7.2(d)(vi)), map showing all survey locations and all site locations, (including both newly and previously recorded). These project maps showing survey and site locations should be at the 1:24,000 scale.

m. Photographs within the report will include a description containing the date, location, direction, and subject of each image.

n. Sketch maps are required for all sites identified within the project area. Elements of the sketch map must include the following elements: Forest Service site number, state site number (trinomial), site boundary, site features, collected or diagnostic artifacts, datum, scale, north arrow, legend using standard mapping symbology, date, name of recorder, numbered positive and negative shovel tests, metal detector hits, significant landmark(s) or distance and direction to nearest landmark. Not all of this information has to be conveyed within the map legend, but can also be included in the figure caption, as appropriate.

o. A catalog of all artifacts and/or other types of material collected (C.5.3.4).

p. References: list of the relevant sources of non-field data incorporated into the report, including published and unpublished documents, records, and individuals/agencies interviewed or consulted.

C.5.7.2 The COR will have 30 days from receipt to review the Draft Report and submit comments to the Contractor. The Contractor shall be required to correct and revise any errors noted by the COR and incorporate corrections and revisions into the Final Report

(C.5.8).

C.5.8 Final Report Final report will be submitted within 30 days from receipt of Draft Report comments from the

COR. The final report will address comments submitted.

C.5.9 Final Deliverables C.5.9.1 The final report addressing revisions requested in the draft report review.

C.5.9.2 Photographs and maps in the final report shall be of original quality. The contractor shall furnish the COR with copies of all material contained in the report, including editable text and site forms. All project and site photographs obtained under terms of this contract shall be accompanied by typed photo logs.

a. Two digital copies of the report and site forms are required, one pdf and one Microsoft

Word copy. Digital files will be furnished to the COR on thumb drive or other current digital medium as appropriate.

b. Digital copies of all project photographs along with a photo log containing the date, location, direction, and subject of each image shall be provided to the Forest on thumb drive/other storage media.

c. Digital copy of field notes.

C.5.9.3 Geospatial data: At a minimum, the geospatial data submitted to the COR shall include a geodatabase containing:

a. Survey area, newly recorded and/or revisited archaeological site polygons, and isolate points with the associated data fields (e.g., survey methodology, UTM coordinates of site datums, site descriptions, NRHP eligibility, trinomial, etc.).

b. All data must be compatible with Forest Service Geographical Information System

(ArcPro) software currently in use.

C.5.9.4 Collections: All collected artifacts and catalog forms.

C.5.9.5 Review and Acceptance: The COR will have 30 days from receipt to review and approve Final Deliverables. The Contractor shall be required to correct and revise any errors noted by the COR and resubmit the document(s) for additional review and approval.

The Contractor shall accomplish the correction, revision and re-submittals of documents within 15 days of notification by the COR of the rejection of the submittals.

C.5.10 Additional Requirements and Obligations C.5.10.1 The Contractor shall provide the Forest Supervisor with a copy of all documents and publications resulting from the project including theses, dissertations, articles, monographs, etc.

C.5.10.2 The Forest shall be responsible for initiating consultation with the SHPO and

Tribes. Reports produced under the terms of this contract shall be provided to the SHPO and interested Tribes by the Forest, and not by the Contractor. Final reports will be provided to non-Forest Service proponents, if applicable, only after the report has been accepted by the Forest.

C.5.11 Payments

C.5.11.1 The total price of the contract will be divided into four (4) progress payments.

a. The initial payment, 15% of the amount of the contract/proposal item, will be made upon acceptance of the first deliverables: Research Design (C.5.2)

b. The second payment, 45% of the amount of the contract/proposal item, will be made upon completion and acceptance of the fieldwork (C.5.3 and C.5.4).

c. The third payment, 25% of the amount of the contract/proposal item, will be made upon completion and acceptance of the draft report (C.5.7).

d. The final payment, 15% of the amount of the contract/proposal item, will be made upon acceptance of the final deliverables (C.5.9).

e. Payment shall be authorized in accordance with task order pricing for each project.

The Contractor shall submit invoices concomitant with the completion of scheduled milestones and deliverables as agreed upon during the pre-work meeting. Invoices must contain the contract number and project name.

C.6 GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS/INDUSTRY STANDARDS/STATE

STANDARDS/GOVERNMENT STANDARDS/TECHNICAL EXHIBITS

C.6.1 Report Standards All reports will be in keeping with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and Guidelines for

Archeological Documentation.

C.6.2 Rights to Materials and Data All materials and data produced by the Contractor in performance under this contract, or in work in support thereof, are, and shall be, the sole property of the United States Government; unlimited rights in ownership, usage, and equity for such materials and data are, and shall be, transferred without reservation to the United States Government. Materials and data include, but are not limited to, the following items: manuscripts, outlines, abstracts, field notes, artwork (including maps, sketches, charts, tables and related overlays), photography (including negatives, transparencies, prints, microfiches, and electronic files), electronic spatial data, and data sheets.

The materials shall be transmitted to the COR along with the Final Report and prior to final payment under this contract.

C.7 PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE

Period of performance for the contract is between Sept 2026 to Sept 2027.

Award: TBD

Post- Award Meeting: TBD

Research Design: Completed within 30 days of post award meeting.

Initiation of Fieldwork: Within 10 business days of Research Design completion, or as field conditions permit.

Draft Report: Completed within 2 months of completion of Fieldwork.

Forest Review of Draft Report: Completed within 30 days of draft report submission.

Final Report: Completed within 30 days of receipt of Forest comments on draft report.

Exhibit A

Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest

Survey Methodology

The purpose of cultural resource survey is to identify cultural resources in a manner consistent with provisions set forth in Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation

Act (NHPA). Survey is primarily, but not exclusively, directed at investigating areas where undertakings, or “Projects” are planned, and which require compliance with

Section 106 and 110 of the NHPA; the Secretary of the Interior's Guidelines for

Archaeology and Historic Preservation; and the National Environmental Protection Act.

The Forest’s Heritage Program responsibility to make a reasonable and good faith effort to locate historic properties for proposed undertakings (36 CFR § 800.4(b)(1)) must take into account past research as well as an understanding of prior impacts to the land. To this end, it is critical to understand that a considerable part of the Forest’s land base has had continuous timber management activity since the late 1800s. To meet our NHPA obligations, approximately 85% of the forest has been surveyed for cultural resources using a variety of methodologies (as of 2021). Given these conditions, as well as consideration of the 2012 guidance provided by the Guide for Public Archaeology in

Wisconsin and the Secretary of the Interior's Guidelines for Archaeology and Historic

Preservation, the Heritage Program has developed the following methodology designed to meet current professional standards.

Background Review: Understanding Past Research and Prior Impacts

At a minimum, the following records will be reviewed to determine past undertakings and previous research in the project area:

- Forest cultural resources survey information (reports and site forms). This includes records and file searches of all relevant files, including the National

Resource Management Heritage Application (NRM database).

- The Wisconsin State Historic Preservation Office’s Wisconsin Historic

Preservation Database (WHPD).

- The current National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) listings.

Additional information related to land use history of a project area can be collected through examination of historic records, geospatial, and remote sensing data including

(but not limited to):

- Historic maps, such as, General Land Office (GLO) maps, master land status plats, county atlases, historic topographic maps, WI Land & Economic Inventory maps, Kaysen Railroad maps, and historic Forest maps.

- Geospatial sources such as LiDAR and historic aerials.

- County histories, tax rolls, census data, and informant interviews.

- Available Forest timber cut records.

- Other pertinent records, publications, newspapers, etc.

- Previous Tribal consultation.

Survey Methodology

Phase 1 survey is generally conducted in transects of varying intervals with the goal of identification and recordation of all cultural resources within a project area. This methodology is typically a combination of pedestrian survey and shovel testing depending on the landform, built environment, and background research. The following methodology is considered Intensive Survey (FSH 2309.12, Section 32.23) for a project area in need of new survey. While transect spacing and shovel testing intervals may be reduced depending on the situation, anything greater than what is defined will be considered a Sample or Reconnaissance Survey (FSH 2309.12, Section 32.21-22).

Pedestrian transect widths apply to all areas not defined as requiring shovel testing:

- Within or adjacent to known or discovered sites: ≤ 10 meters

- Periphery of existing or remnant transportation features: ≤ 10 meters

- All other areas: ≤ 30 meters

Shovel testing is directed at locating archaeological sites that do not exhibit obvious surface manifestations. They are employed both as a survey method for areas as defined below, and as a site delineation method to assess the scope/scale, nature, and boundary/extent of cultural materials and/or features potentially present at an identified site.

For the purpose of survey, shovel tests are minimally deployed along transects, with no greater than a 15-meter interval within and between each transect. The following areas are the primary focus of shovel test coverage:

- well-drained, flat to rolling zones within 100 meters of lakeshores

- well-drained, flat to rolling zones within 100 meters of river or streams

- well-drained, flat to rolling zones within 100 meters of marshes and swamps

- well-drained, flat to rolling zones within 100 meters of suspected late

Pleistocene/early Holocene lacustrian terraces, remnant beach ridges/strand lines, and fluvial terraces

- well-drained knolls and uplands within the boundaries of all waterbodies.

Shovel test guidelines are as follows:

- Shovel tests are generally at least 30 centimeters in diameter.

- Shovel tests shall be excavated downward until impenetrable substrata/obstacles

(such as bedrock, clay, hardpan, etc) are encountered, or until it is no longer reasonable to continue excavation by hand and shovel. Under ideal conditions, a test may achieve depths of 70-80 centimeters below surface if no obstructions

[such as heavy gravel deposits] are met.

- Shovel tests do not need to be excavated in levels, either arbitrary or natural, however, if there is an obvious change in soil strata it should be measured and identified. If cultural material is present, effort to separate artifacts from the distinct soil levels should be made.

- Following excavation and recordation, all shovel tests shall be backfilled and restored as closely as possible to the original condition.

- Areas that are shovel tested should be identified on project maps with both positive and negative test locations delineated.

Collection Policy

The Forest has a limited collection policy. Artifacts will only be collected during Phase 1 surveys if additional laboratory analysis is determined necessary or for the protection of the artifact from damage or unauthorized collection. Research designs completed for a

Phase 2 or Phase 3 investigations will include a project specific collection and curation plan developed in consultation with SHPO and affected Tribes. The Forest will curate any collections and associated documentation at the Forest Service curation facility at the

David R. Obey Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center, Ashland, Wisconsin, in accordance with 36 CFR 79.

Resource Definitions

The Forest defines archaeological resources as follows:

I. Site

A. A pre-contact (formally called prehistoric) site is 10 or more spatially associated artifacts (on the surface or subsurface). A single pre-contact feature is a site (e.g., hearth, mound, rock shelter). Grid shovel testing in all four cardinal directions must be completed to determine site boundaries for subsurface sites.

Two consecutive 5-meter negative tests secure a site boundary, or in the case of obvious landforms (steep slopes, etc.), standing water, or areas of extreme disturbance, such features may be considered boundaries. Shovel tests must be taken to impenetrable substrata or sterile soil.

B. A post-contact (formally called historic) site is 25 or more spatially associated unique artifacts (e.g., a single broken bottle would be considered one artifact).

Artifacts may be on the surface or subsurface. A single constructed post-contact structure or resource may also be considered a site (e.g., bridge, road, etc.).

Certain post-contact property types appearing in isolation (e.g. depression) may be classified as an isolate by the HPM if it can be demonstrated no other post-contact features or artifacts are associated. If attempts are not made to locate subsurface artifacts (through use of a metal detector or shovel tests) it will be assumed there are additional artifacts subsurface.

II. Isolate

An isolate is a pre-contact or post-contact resource that does not meet the definition of a site. An isolate contains a small number of artifacts or single post-contact feature that lack contextual association and/or other distinctive attributes. By definition, these are not considered to be eligible for listing on the NRHP. Isolates will not be assigned

Smithsonian numbers but will be assigned a Forest Service resource identification number, entered into the NRM database, and discussed in the survey report.

III. Defined Non-Sites

A “Non-Site” is a post-contact or modern property type that is considered ubiquitous, does not exhibit significant architectural or engineering features, and does not have the potential to provide information that meet any National Register criterion. In most cases, formal documentation is not required. However, the project report will indicate their presence within a survey area and include justification for their exclusion. If one of these property types exhibit significant architectural or engineering features, or are associated with a cultural resource, they should be recorded on an isolate or site record. In general, Smithsonian numbers and Forest Service resource identification numbers will not be assigned to the following property types:

A. Utility lines (i.e., power lines, towers, telephone lines, fiber optic cable, etc.)

B. Pipelines (i.e., water, gas, power). This does not include early wooden pipelines.

C. Elevation, bench, and section marker (i.e., all survey and cadastral markers)

D. Rip-rap (i.e., the use of cobbles, rock, or wood to stabilize riverbanks, stream banks, or drainages)

E. Isolated abandoned motorized vehicles, boats, appliances, and mobile homes

F. Fences and exclosures (i.e., barbed wire, chain line, or other types of fences)

G. Unnamed two-track roads. This will require standard archival research to determine if the roads are named (FS designation numbers are not considered names)

H. Recent trash (less than 50 years old) or trash that is likely the result of secondary dumping along roads or property lines that cannot be associated with a larger site (such as timber camp or CCC site)

I. Recent short-term camps associated with recreation (camping/hunting) that provide no significant information.

J. Roads, trails, and associated structures (culverts, bridges, etc.) that have been constructed or reconstructed within the last 50 years.

Exhibit B

Cultural Resource Record

Reporting Organization: Chequamegon-Nicolet

NF

FS Number: 090x0x00xxx

Ranger District: Smithsonian Number: 47xx-xxxx

State: Wisconsin Other Number:

County: Site Name:

Date of Field Visit/Recording: ☐Initial Record ☐Supplemental Record/Update

I. General Site Information

Resource Type: ☐ District ☐Site ☐ PHA ☐ MUA

Site Type (all that apply): ☐Pre-contact ☐Post Contact ☐Unknown

Structure(s) present: ☐Yes ☐No

Site Names(s):

Site Description Narrative:

Site Condition:

Surface Visibility:

Condition Narrative:

Vandalism Present: ☐ Yes ☐No

Vandalism Narrative:

Site Dimensions: Length: Width: Site Area:

Bearing: Bearing: Depth of Site:

Disturbances: Threats:

Protections: Treatments:

Mgmt. Recommendations:

Management Narrative:

ll. Location Information

Type of Ownership: ☐Forest Service ☐Private ☐Other_________ ☐Multiple______________

USGS Quadrangle(s):

Legal Description:

PM Township Range Quarter Sections Section

Coordinates:

Zone UTM East UTM North

Longitude Latitude

Elevation:

Directions to Site:

Location Description Narrative:

lll. Legal Status Information

National Register Status: ☐Listed ☐Eligible ☐Not Eligible ☐Unevaluated

National Register Eligibility Status Narrative:

Criteria: ☐A ☐B ☐C ☐D

Significance Period:

Level of Significance: ☐Local ☐State ☐Federal

Theme(s):

National Register Potential:

District Association: ☐Contributes ☐Does Not Contribute

Other Designations:

IV. Component Information {note: this section repeats for each component present on site}

Site Component Type: ☐Prehistoric ☐Historic ☐Unknown

Component Function/Activity:

Cultural Affiliation:

Cultural Affiliation Narrative:

Period:

Dating Method:

Feature Summary Narrative:

Feature Description:

Feature ID Type Material Type Description/Dimensions

Artifact Summary Narrative:

Artifact Description:

Artifact ID Count Type Style Material Type Description

V. Environmental Information

On-Site Vegetation Narrative:

Natural Community:

Landform Feature:

Slope: Aspect:

Site Position Narrative:

Physiographic Region:

Major Drainage: Basin: Subbasin:

Nearest Water Name: Water Type: Distance:

Geology/Geomorphology:

Soil Classification: Soil Depth:

Soil Description:

VI. Site Associations

Current action resulting in the documentation of this site:

Project/Undertaking Name ID Date

Previous actions associated with this site:

Project/Undertaking Name ID Date

People and organizations associated with this site:

Name Organization Role

Documents associated with this site:

Documentation References:

Images associated with this site:

ID Type Date Location Description

Attachments: (Check all that apply)

☐Sketch map ☐Topographic (location) map ☐Historical Documentation ☐Photographs

Other:

Attachment Description:

Exhibit C

CNNF ISOLATED RESOURCE FORM

1) Resource Type: 2) Field No.:

3) Project Name:

4) Name of Recorder: Date:

Company/Institution:

5) Ownership: USFS CNNF District:

6) Collections? [ ] Yes [ ] No Repository: N/A

7) Catalog No(s): N/A

8) Location Description:

County: USGS 7.5’ Map Name, Date:

Township: Range: Section:

Elevation (ft):

UTM Zone: [ ] 15N [ ] 16N Easting: Northing:

Datum used to calculate: [ ] NAD27 [x] NAD83

UTM source: [ ] Corrected GPS/rectified survey (<5m error)

[ ] Uncorrected GPS

[ ] Map Template

[ ] Other:

9) Environmental Description (Discuss topography, vegetation, soils, slope, hydrology, on-site depositional environment):

10) Resource Description (Describe and discuss artifact type(s),…