Attachment_5-_Annex18_4_Amend_0006_Update_9-5-2013.docx

1800000 – Environmental/Cultural Resources

each Task Order will be awarded for Cultural Resource Related Services and ancillary supplies for the period of performance (POP) as specified in the Task Order Schedule (See Exhibits A-E).

Pricing includes all cost/prices associated with performing the task(s) including all labor, materials, and travel by geographic zone. Geographic zones are defined in Specification Item 4.10. <<Note to Spec Writer: Specify period of performance for the Task Order.>> The Contractor shall comply with all federal, state, and local statutes and regulations, and with applicable DoD and Navy policies, instructions, and guidance. (See Annex 1.11).

Contractor personnel are required to meet specialized qualifications as specified in Specification Item 2.6.3.1. Specialized qualification requirements will be provided in each task order as appropriate <<Note to Spec Writer: Identify the qualification requirements, as defined in Annex 2.6.3.1, for the Task Order.>>

All deliverables are subject to Government review. The Contractor shall incorporate all Government comments received, and submit the revised deliverable (in the timeframe, quantity, and format specified in the Task Order).

The standard period of performance timeframe is a minimum of 90 days from date of the award of the task order to the completion date specified in the task order. <<Note to Spec Writer: Identify specifics regarding the timeframe, quantity, and format for the submission of deliverables.>> The Contractor performed all the required tasks in the Task Order.

Services are performed in a timely manner, according to the Schedule stipulated in each Task Order.

Services are in compliance with federal, state, and local statutes and regulations, and with DoD policies, instructions and guidance.

Appropriately qualified personnel are utilized in performing services.

The Contractor prepared a report/deliverable in the manner and format specified

All data and information collected was presented, complete, and accurate.

As specified within individual Task Orders, the Contractor shall conduct differentiated levels of archaeological survey fieldwork and prepare differentiated levels of site recordation and reporting documentation, as per specifications in 4.1.1 through 4.1.17.

Task Orders will specify one of the four general categories (A, B, C or D below) of archaeological survey and/or site documentation, with differentiated, separately specified reporting requirements:

A. Archaeological Survey Only - an archaeological survey process, including a records and literature search and field survey for location of archaeological sites and loci, but without site recordation. Preparation of a tailored Archaeological Survey Only report is not included in this spec item it is a separate Spec Item 4.1.16 and is ordered separately if required.

B. Archaeological Site Recordation Only - an archaeological site recordation process, including a records and literature search, relocation of known archaeological sites and loci, and preparation of site forms on relocated sites. Preparation of a tailored Archaeological Site Recordation Only report is a separate Spec Item 4.1.17.

C. Archaeological Site Recordation as Supplemental Specification on Archaeological Survey or Site Recordation- an archaeological site recordation process, including preparation of a specified number of site forms supplemental to Archaeological Survey or Site Recordation Task Orders.

D. Archaeological Survey and/or Site Recordation Reports - Unless otherwise specified in a Task Order, the Contractor shall prepare a separately-specified report which addresses the discrete suite of sub-tasks specified for each Archaeological Survey or Site Recordation project category:

1. Archaeological Survey Only Report.

2. Archaeological Site Recordation Only Report.

3. Results of Archaeological Site Recordation Supplemental to Archaeological Survey or Site Recordation Task Orders will be reported in attendant project report.

<<Note to Spec Writer: Insert site-specific information regarding the area(s) to be studied, the type of survey required, the format to be used in preparing the report, and any other tasks to be conducted in addition to those stated above.>> The Contractor performed a one mile records and literature search at the appropriate state information center as directed in Spec Item 2.5.1.

The Contractor conducted a pedestrian survey that encompassed the entire project area defined in the Task Order.

If required, the Contractor recorded all sites identified in the survey to a level that provided all the information required to complete the site forms.

If required, the Contractor collected all diagnostic artifacts in the manner specified.

If required, the Contractor prepared or updated site forms for all sites identified during the survey.

Copies of each site form/report were submitted to the responsible Information Center

Very Small The Contractor shall conduct Archaeological Survey Only

As specified within individual Task Orders, the Contractor shall prepare differentiated levels of fieldwork and documentation for Archaeological Survey Only.

Those surveys that qualify as Very Small are services whose study area is defined as less than or equal to 50 hectares (124 acres) by the Task Order.

<<Note to Spec Writer: Identify if this is an Archaeological Survey Only Project or an Archaeological Survey and Site Recordation Project, also insert how data will be used and collected, where the survey will be conducted, and the size of the survey required.>> The Archaeological Survey Only protocol includes a records and literature search, field survey with minimal site documentation, and preparation of monthly progress reports; but not to include preparation of archaeological site records or of an archaeological site survey project report. Preparation of a project report for Archaeological Surveys Only not included in this spec item as it is stipulated as a separate performance objective in Spec. Item 4.1.16 and will be ordered separately if required.

A. Field Work. Field work for Archaeological Survey Only shall include the following:

B. Laboratory Methods and Data Analysis. There shall be NO laboratory methods or data analysis required under this Archaeological Survey Only category unless Surface Collection is specified by the Task Order.

When Surface Collection is specified in the Task Order, Industry standard laboratory methods and data analysis shall be required for artifacts and ecofacts collected, including individual artifact classifications and descriptions and will be identified in the Task Order. These shall include the cataloging, conservation, and consolidation of collected materials and field data. All collected materials shall be washed except those items where washing will result in damage or loss of potential data (e.g. projectile points, basketry, manos, bone, metal, ceramics, etc.).

1. Cataloging Collected Material. All collected materials shall be cataloged. All collected artifactual, ecofactual, and sample materials shall be cataloged, as individual items or in lots, as appropriate. Cataloged items shall be numbered sequentially using the site number as the accession number for each collection. This will allow a separate accession number to be assigned for the materials collected from each site. Catalog sheets shall be processed to produce both a letter-quality printed original and an Access file on CD. If codes are used in the catalog sheets, then a printed description and MS Word text file explaining what each codes represents. CDs shall be labeled per Spec Item 2.5.5. These catalog sheets and CDs shall be included as appendices in the final report.

2. Conservation. All artifacts, ecofacts, and samples shall be subject to appropriate conservation in the field and lab including proper packages, handling of samples, and handling of perishable and fragile materials. The Contractor shall make sure that proper packaging and labeling in the field is followed to prevent damage while the collections are in transit as well as loss of provenience or contamination. Samples shall be handled as is appropriate for each sample type. Each sample type shall be handled in a standardized manner to prevent contamination. Perishable and fragile materials requiring special conservation, unless such skills are available within staff personnel, should be stabilized for shipment to a conservator or held pending the arrival of appropriate expertise.

The Contractor conducted a pedestrian survey that encompassed the entire project area as described within the Task Order.

The Contractor prepared a report in the manner and format specified.

Moderately Small Those surveys that qualify as Moderately Small are those services whose study area is defined by the Task Order as greater than 50 hectares (124 acres) and no more than 100 hectares (247 acres).

<<Note to Spec Writer: Identify if this is an Archaeological Survey Only Project or an Archaeological Survey and Site Recordation Project, also insert how data will be used and collected, where the survey will be conducted, and the size of the survey required.>>

Small Those surveys that qualify as small are those services whose study area is defined by the Task Order as greater than 100 hectares (247 acres) and no more than 250 hectares (618 acres).

<<Note to Spec Writer: Identify if this is an Archaeological Survey Only Project or an Archaeological Survey and Site Recordation Project, also insert how data will be used and collected, where the survey will be conducted, and the size of the survey required.>>

Medium Those surveys that qualify as medium are those services whose study area is defined by the Task Order as greater than 250 hectares (618 acres)and no more than 500 hectares (1,236 acres).

<<Note to Spec Writer: Identify if this is an Archaeological Survey Only Project or an Archaeological Survey and Site Recordation Project, also insert how data will be used and collected, where the survey will be conducted, and the size of the survey required.>>

Large Those surveys that qualify as Large are those services whose study area is defined by the Task Order as greater than 500 hectares (1,236 acres) and no more than 1,000 hectares ( 2,471 acres).

<<Note to Spec Writer: Identify if this is an Archaeological Survey Only Project or an Archaeological Survey and Site Recordation Project, also insert how data will be used and collected, where the survey will be conducted, and the size of the survey required.>>

Very Small The Contractor shall conduct Archaeological Site Recordation Only

As specified within individual Task Orders, the Contractor shall prepare a specified number of site records on site relocated for Archaeological Site Recordation Only.

Archaeological Site Recordation Only tasks that qualify as Very Small are those services defined as requiring preparation of up to ten (10) site forms.

<<Note to Spec Writer: Insert the scale of Archaeological Site Recordation Only required, including number and location of sites to be documented under the individual Task Order.>> Archaeological Site Recordation Only includes an archival and field archaeological site record documentation protocol, including, as required, a records and literature search at the installation and/or appropriate regional information center, confirm (relocate) locations of known archaeological sites and loci, and preparation of site forms. Preparation of a project report for Archaeological Site Recordation Only is not included in this spec item as is stipulated as a separate performance objective in Spec. Item 4.1.17 and will be ordered separately if required.

A. Field Work. Field work for an Archaeological Site Recordation Only shall include the following:

1. Pedestrian Survey. Standard survey methods are NOT required under this Archaeological Site Recordation Only category.

2. Site Relocation. The Task Order will provide the Contractor with a population of known-but-undocumented loci or previously recorded archaeological sites within a defined survey area, including a map showing their mapped locations, their respective UTM coordinates, and written site description or previously existing site records. The Contractor shall use the supplied data to relocate each specified site or locus.

<<Note to Spec Writer: Insert information regarding the site(s) to be recorded under the individual Task Order.>>

3.Surface Collection. There shall be NO surface collection of artifacts unless specified by the Task Order.

When surface collection is specified in the Task Order, apply specifications listed under Spec Item 4.1.1 above.

4. Global Positioning System (GPS). GPS shall be used to locate and record each archaeological site, feature, and isolate found.

B. Site Forms. Prepare new and/or update existing site forms for each identified site, isolate, and other material discovered and observed in accordance with state or local requirements established for the specific installation and/or the requirements of cooperating agencies, as specified in the Task Order. Update the existing site forms if the forms are not on the newest version. Updates shall also be required if the results of a separate pedestrian surveys substantially change the previously recorded site information.

1. The requirements for site forms, including updating information for each State, should be in accordance with the requirements stipulated in Site Forms, Spec Item 2.5.2.1.

The Contractor recorded all sites identified in the survey to a level that provided all the information required to complete the site forms.

The Contractor collected all diagnostic artifacts in the manner specified.

The Contractor used appropriate laboratory methods and industry standards in evaluating the collected material.

The Contractor prepared or updated site forms for all sites identified during the survey in accordance with state professional standards and/or as outlined in the Task Order.

The Contractor prepared a report in the manner and format specified.

Moderately Small Archaeological Site Recordation Only tasks that qualify as Moderately Small are those defined as requiring preparation of up to twenty (20) site forms.

<<Note to Spec Writer: Insert the scale of Archaeological Site Recordation Only required, including number and location of sites to be documented under the individual Task Order.>>

Small Archaeological Site Recordation Only tasks that qualify as Small are those defined as requiring preparation of up to thirty (30) site forms.

<<Note to Spec Writer: Insert the scale of Archaeological Site Recordation Only required, including number and location of sites to be documented under the individual Task Order.>>

Medium Archaeological Site Recordation Only tasks that qualify as Medium are those defined as requiring preparation of up to forty (40) site forms.

<<Note to Spec Writer: Insert the scale of Archaeological Site Recordation Only required, including number and location of sites to be documented under the individual Task Order.>>

Large

Archaeological Site Recordation Only tasks that qualify as Large are those defined as requiring preparation of up to fifty (50) site forms.

<<Note to Spec Writer: Insert the scale of Archaeological Site Recordation Only required, including number and location of sites to be documented under the individual Task Order.>>

4.1.11

Archaeological Site Recordation as Supplemental Specification on Archaeological Survey or Site Recordation

Very Small Conduct preparation of site forms as supplemental phase to Archaeological Survey or Site Recordation task orders.

As specified within individual Task Orders, the Contractor shall prepare a specified number of site records for Archaeological Site Recordation as Supplemental Specification.

Those surveys that qualify as Very Small are those defined as requiring preparation of up to ten (10) site forms.

Archaeological Site Recordation as Supplemental Specification on Archaeological Survey or Site Recordation Task Order includes preparation of site forms only as supplemental task where number of sites to be recorded are to be specified under a Archaeological Survey Only task order, or where additional site recording effort is required as modification to Archaeological Site Recordation Only or Archaeological Survey and Site Recordation task orders. Results of Archaeological Site Recordation Supplemental to Archaeological Survey or Site Recordation activities will be reported in supplemented project report.

A. Site Forms. Prepare new and/or update existing site forms for each identified site, isolate, and other material discovered and observed in accordance with state or local requirements established for the specific installation and/or the requirements of cooperating agencies, as specified in the Task Order. Update the existing site forms if the forms are not on the newest version. Updates shall also be required if the results of the pedestrian surveys substantially change the previously recorded site information.

1. The requirements for site forms, including updating information for each State, should be in accordance with the requirements stipulated in Spec Item 2.5.2.1.

Moderately Small Surveys that qualify as Moderately Small are those services whose study area is defined as requiring up to twenty (20) site forms.

Small

Medium

Large Surveys that qualify as Large are those services whose study area is defined as requiring up to fifty (50) site forms.

Archaeological Site Recordation Only Report category requires preparation of final written report addressing the specifications of the Archaeological Site Recordation Only Task Order, including, as appropriate, a discussion of the records search, previous research, prehistoric and historic contexts, fieldwork methods and results, and field observations; and documenting of the records and literature search, fieldwork, and with attached full suite of site records prepared in accordance with state and local requirements, along with, maps, field notes, electronic files, and photographs. (See Spec Item 2.5.5, “Final Report” for formatting requirements).

The Contractor completed the Archaeological Recordation Only Report in the manner/format specified.

Historic resources evaluation accurately applied the National Register Criteria.

Very Small Surveys and evaluations that qualify as very small are those services whose study area is defined as requiring up to five (5) site forms for recordation of properties.

<<Note to Spec Writer: Indicate the property(s) to be studied in the Task Order project.>> This effort will be issued based on the number of site forms required for the evaluation as identified by the Government in the Task Order. The Government will identify those properties that can be grouped together on site forms in order to facilitate survey and evaluation. Prior to Task Order award, the Government shall identify these groupings and determine the maximum number of site forms required on the basis of factors such as construction dates, function, size, architecture, potential eligibility, and common recordation practices within a given State. In developing the maximum number of site forms required for a Task Order, the Government will also take into consideration the number of resources to be grouped on a single site form and the level of effort required to survey and record individual properties, if they are not of duplicative types. <<Note to Spec Writer: Insert known information regarding the property(s) to be studied under the individual Task Order.>>

The Contractor shall conduct a field survey, resource recordation, historic research, preparation and/or update of site forms, updating and amendment of existing National Register forms, and report preparation.

A. Records and Literature Search. The records and literature search shall be prepared in accordance with the requirements of Spec Item 2.5.1.

B. Field surveys and resource recordation. The Contractor shall conduct field surveys that include locating, inspecting, and photographing each property identified in the Task Order as part of the survey and evaluation. The Contractor shall completely and accurately record all data required for each site form as specified for each State(s) referenced in Spec Item 2.5.2.1 where the work will be performed. The inventory data, at a minimum, shall include the building/facility number; year built; year altered or improved; dimensions; historic function(s), and current function. The Contractor shall also record relevant observations on each resource’s potential integrity and property type. The Contractor’s inspection and photographic effort shall also consider the potential for interior features to be considered as characteristics that qualify a historic property for listing in the NRHP. Photographs and descriptive data are to be recorded for all interior features identified as character-defining. The Government will provide available iNFADS real property inventory data to facilitate fieldwork. <<Note to Spec Writer: If available, include iNFADS property data as an attachment to the Task Order.>>

C. Historical Research. The Contractor shall conduct historical research to develop a thorough and accurate historical context statement, relevant historical themes and periods of significance, a discussion of property types, resource descriptions, descriptions of historic function(s), and the evaluation of eligibility. As appropriate for each project, the Contractor shall gather and analyze data from or conduct research at appropriately relevant repositories, such as the installation’s Public Works Office or Public Affairs Offices, local libraries and/or archives, the NAVFAC Historian’s Office at Naval Base Ventura County, the relevant National Archives regional branch (typically Laguna Nigel or San Bruno). <<Note to Spec Writer: Identify known repositories for relevant historical information.>> The Contractor shall develop a historical context utilizing relevant previous investigations, context studies, secondary sources, and available archival repositories with primary sources, such as maps, drawings, command histories, newspapers, and other relevant sources. The historical context and subsequent evaluations must utilize information about historical trends and properties grouped by an important theme in the prehistory or history of a community, state, or the nation during a particular period of time.

D. Site Forms and updates. The Contractor shall prepare new and/or updated site forms in accordance with the State guidance and requirements referenced in Spec Item 2.5.2.1 and as they apply to recording historic resources. At a minimum, each site form shall include digital photographs, sketch/location maps, building descriptions, historical context, identification of property type (as applicable), and an analysis of and recommendation for National Register eligibility.

E. Updating and Amending National Register Forms. As applicable, the Contractor shall update National Register forms as described in Spec Item 4.1.1 and as applicable to historic resources.

F. Report Preparation. The Historic Resources Survey and Evaluation reports shall follow the format specified in Spec Item 2.5 and shall be subject to review within the Department of Defense as well as other agencies including, but not limited to, the SHPO, ACHP, BLM, BOR, the National Park Service, etc. At a minimum, the Historic Resources Survey and Evaluation Report shall include:

1. Executive Summary. The Contractor shall provide an overview of the report’s purpose, the work completed, and a brief summary of findings.

2. Background and Previous Investigations. The Contractor shall provide an overview map of the study area. The Contractor shall provide a table including the building number, year built, year altered or improved, square footage, historic function(s), and current function for each building, structure, or object under study. The Contractor shall review the findings of previous investigations, the results of previous consultations, and discuss relevant state or nationwide contextual studies. The Contractor shall also discuss relevant previous programmatic consultations such as DoD and/or DoN Program Comments. For projects in California, the Contractor shall discuss relevant findings of the California Historic Military Buildings and Structures Inventory (Statewide Study) (JRP, 2000).

3. Methodology. The Contractor shall address the methodology and approaches for the fieldwork and historical research conducted. In particular, the Contractor shall discuss how they developed the thresholds for significance and integrity that are utilized in the evaluation. For Cold War-era evaluations, the Contractor shall discuss the unique challenges of evaluating properties that have achieved significance within the past fifty years (classified materials, lack of temporal “distance,” highly-technical or scientific properties, etc.) and the ways in which these challenges were overcome in the execution of the project.

4. Historical Context. The Contractor shall summarize the site-specific historical context(s) for the properties under study in the Task Order. This section shall include the results of the Contractor’s research efforts. The Contractor shall provide a historical context(s) for understanding the physical development of the local study area over time. The Contractor shall also situate the resources within broader historical contexts and historical themes by utilizing the data contained in state or nationwide contextual studies. In the State of California, the identified contexts, themes, and property types utilized for the evaluation shall be consistent with the California Historic Military Buildings and Structures Inventory (Statewide Study) (JRP, 2000). For work in States without a context study, the State of California’s document shall be used as guidance and other relevant statewide contexts should be referenced.

5. Description and Analysis of Resources and Property Types. The Contractor shall provide physical descriptions of the resources surveyed and shall describe and analyze the relevant property type groupings that are utilized to evaluate National Register eligibility.

6. Recommendation of Eligibility: The Contractor shall utilize all relevant data to evaluate the National Register eligibility of the properties identified in the Task Order. This section shall evaluate eligibility for each resource individually and as a potentially contributing element to a historic district(s). The evaluation of eligibility shall conform with 36 CFR 60.4 and shall be conducted in a manner consistent with National Register Bulletin number 15, How to Apply the National Register Criteria for Evaluation. The survey and evaluation report shall consider the significance and integrity of the buildings, structures, objects, and landscapes within all relevant historic and geographic contexts. The report shall provide substantiated arguments for each resource’s determination of eligibility or ineligibility. Substantiated arguments by property type are acceptable when property type groupings are used to facilitate evaluation. The Contractor shall also consider the potential for resources to have been reused over time and the potential for multiple periods of significance. The Contractor shall also include a table listing the evaluated buildings and structures that includes, at a minimum; building number, year built, year altered or improved, square footage, historic function(s), current function, property type (as applicable), and recommendation of NRHP eligibility. The Contractor shall also provide a site map in GIS that depicts the evaluated properties and any identified historic properties and historic district boundaries, as appropriate. After the report is finalized, the Contractor shall submit the Final Report to the responsible Information Center.

7. Documentation of Sources. The report shall include a comprehensive bibliography with specific citations for works utilized and cited. Historic Resources reports shall utilize “The Chicago Manual of Style” as referenced in Spec Item 2.5.2, “Format”.

8. Site Forms and Amended National Register Forms. The Contractor may also group resources by “property type,” as defined in National Register Bulletin 15, to facilitate evaluation. A photograph and physical description shall be provided for each resource surveyed. Representative photographs and physical descriptions are acceptable for duplicative resource types. One copy of each site form shall be submitted to the responsible Information Center as a draft to initiate the assignment of identifiers. After the report is final, the Contractor shall submit copies of the site forms with the State assigned permanent identifiers to the appropriate Information Center. Any site forms, site form updates, or amended National Register forms shall be included in the survey and evaluation report as an appendix.

9. GIS Data Layers. In accordance with Spec Item 2.5.5, “Final Report”, the Contractor shall provide GIS data layers depicting (1) the resources that were surveyed and evaluated, and (2) properties (including historic district boundaries) recommended as NRHP eligible.

The properties identified in the task order have been surveyed and evaluated and the requested number of site forms have been completed.

The Survey and Evaluation report has been completed in the manner/format specified.

Copies of each site form were submitted to the NTR and responsible Information Center.

Moderately Small Surveys and evaluations that qualify as moderately small are those services whose study area is defined as requiring up to fifteen (15) site forms for the recordation of properties.

<<Note to Spec Writer: Indicate the property(s) to be studied in the Task Order project.>>

Small Surveys and evaluations that qualify as small are those services whose study area is defined as requiring up to twenty-five (25) site forms for the recordation of properties.

<<Note to Spec Writer: Indicate the property(s) to be studied in the Task Order project.>>

Medium Surveys and evaluations that qualify as medium are those services whose study area is defined as requiring up to thirty-five (35) site forms for the recordation of properties.

<<Note to Spec Writer: Indicate the property(s) to be studied in the Task Order project.>>

Large Surveys and evaluations that qualify as large are those services whose study area is defined as requiring up to forty-five (45) site forms for the recordation of properties.

<<Note to Spec Writer: Indicate the property(s) to be studied in the Task Order project.>>

As specified within individual Task Orders, the Contractor shall conduct different levels of fieldwork on differentiated site types, apply criteria for eligibility evaluation, and prepare different levels of report documentation.

<<Note to Spec Writer: Identify the archaeological site(s) to be evaluated for eligibility investigations, the size of the site(s), previous work performed on the site, and all artifacts and features associated with the site(s).>> The Contractor shall determine if any of the archaeological resources evaluated during the investigation are eligible for listing to the NRHP. Each investigation shall include a records and literature search, investigative field work, site recordation, site forms, laboratory methods and data analysis, and report preparation. Preparation of project reports for Archaeological Evaluation and Eligibility Investigations is stipulated as a separate performance objective (see Spec. Items 4.3.5 through 4.3.9).

A. Site Size Categories:

1. Moderately Small Site/Locus – No more than 20 m average diameter for defined area of midden or other subsurface deposit, or less than approximately 315 m2.

4. Large Site/Locus – No more than 160 m average diameter for defined area of midden or other subsurface deposit, or approximately 20,100 m2.

B. Site Deposit Condition Categories:

1. Vertically Stratified Prehistoric Archaeological Deposit Category. Defined as archaeological context, absent bioturbation, that is typically encountered on San Clemente Island and San Nicolas Island.

2. Mixed Prehistoric Archaeological Deposit Category. Defined as known bioturbated and/or mechanically mixed or otherwise altered soils such as those typically encountered in the coastal slope of California and the interior mountain ranges (e.g. MCB Camp Pendleton, NB Point Loma, MCMWTC Bridgeport).

3. Deflated/Eroded Prehistoric Archaeological Deposit Category. Defined as archaeological contexts that have undergone a deflation or erosion from natural environmental forces such as those typically encountered in arid environments (e.g. NAF El Centro, MCAS Yuma, NAWS China Lake, NAS Fallon, and MCB Twenty-nine Palms).

4. Indeterminate Prehistoric Archaeological Deposit Category. Generic evaluation specification for context where the character of the archaeological loci to be evaluated is unknown or cannot be defined at time of an initial Task Order.

C. Records and Literature Search. The Contractor shall follow the specifications for a records and literature search as directed in Spec 2.5.1.

D. Field Work. All field work will include some or all of the following methods, as shall be differentiated, below, for Site Deposit Condition Categories, and as may be further specified within individual Task Orders:

1. Site Probing using Shovel Test Pits (STPs) and/or Hand/Power Augering. As specified within individual Task Orders, STPs or auger holes shall be excavated in 10 to 20 cm levels below surface. STPs shall be 30 cm to 50 cm in diameter and excavated to a maximum depth of 90 cm using hand tools. Auger holes shall be 10 cm in diameter and excavated to a maximum depth of 6 feet using hand or power augers. STPs and auger holes shall be placed at regular intervals to determine extent of the subsurface deposit. STP intervals shall be placed at a minimum of 3 meters and a maximum of 20 meters apart. Intervals for augering shall be a minimum of 1 meter and a maximum 5 meters. All excavated soils from each STPs and auger holes shall be screened by level, through 1/8-inch wire mesh screen. Artifacts and ecofacts shall be collected from the screen as prescribed in the work plan. Each STP or auger hole shall have an established form for recording all data and observations made during the excavation by level. The recorded observations shall include descriptions of the soil, type of disturbance, and types and kinds of material collected. All STPs and auger holes shall be backfilled after excavation.

a. Alternative Interval Specification for Site Probing using Shovel Test Pits (STPs) and/or Hand Augering on San Clemente Island or San Nicolas Island. As specified within individual Task Orders, auger (or STP) probing shall sample a site’s subsurface deposits within the following locus-size-determined protocol:

(1) For small sites and site loci, augering shall probe every 2 m along a 4 m grid laid off from the site’s datum. One axis of the grid shall be offset 1/2 m from the site datum, so as to avoid probing on the datum.

(2) For medium sites and site loci, augering shall occur every 3 m on a 6 m grid.

(3) For large and very large sites and site loci, augering shall occur every 4 m on an 8 m grid.

(4) As necessary, supplemental, finer-grained (e.g., 1 m intervals) or arbitrarily-spaced augering shall be used to better define a subsurface feature or locations of targeted recoverable materials, or to adjust to a deposits’ configurations. Areas of multi-loci sites between loci with surface-only deposits, or accountable as transported materials, may be augered at up to 8 m intervals (on a 16 m grid) until discrete sub-surface deposits are again encountered, at which point the interval returns to that prescribed for the associated locus’s size.

2. Test Units. As specified in the individual Task Order, the contractor shall conduct excavation testing of project sites to assess site integrity, quantify archaeological data sets appropriate to the criteria for National Register eligibility, and recover carbon-source samples for 14C dating. Determination of whether and where to test excavate a site's deposit shall be based in an assessment of observed surface and/or auger data for the locations of concentrated subsurface cultural materials.

a. The test unit dimensions are 1 m x 1 m, but can be specified in the individual Task Order as 0.5 m x 1 m units in a number equivalent to the cumulative areas of the 1 m x 1 units required for a particular site/locus size category. Test units shall be excavated to the sterile substrata beneath the archaeological deposit. In each unit, soils shall be excavated in 10 cm controlled levels from an established unit datum. All excavated soils from each unit shall be screened through 1/8-inch wire mesh screen. Artifacts and ecofacts shall be collected from the screen. A unit notebook shall be maintained for each unit. This notebook shall include a level form for each excavated level in the unit. The level form shall be used to record data and observations including descriptions of soils, any observed disturbance, types and kinds of materials collected, and feature and artifact provenience. The notebook shall also include level maps where any encountered features are mapped and recorded. Sidewall profiles shall be completed for at least one representative sidewall for each unit and include observed stratigraphy, any disturbance, and soil descriptions and Munsell soil color codes for each strata. All test units shall be backfilled when excavation is complete, after photographs are taken, and sidewall profiles are complete.

b. Test units shall be excavated into each discernible site locus, as follows:

(1) Up to two 1 m x 1 m test units shall be excavated in each small site or site loci.

(2) Sites or site loci in the medium size category will receive up to four test units, as required by condition of deposits.

(3) Large sites or site loci will receive up to eight test units, as determined by the sites' character.

(4) Very large sites or site loci will require a number of test units in excess of eight, as determined by the sites’ character.

(5) The total number of excavation test units dug shall be guided by the evaluation project’s research goals, and through consultation the Contract Manager and the installation Cultural Resources Manager.

c. Alternative Test Unit Specification for Deflated/Eroded Prehistoric Archaeological Sites/Loci.As specified within individual Task Orders, test units applied to deflated/eroded archaeological deposits may be alternatively specified surface sweeping or scraping units of up to 2m x 2m.

3. Column Samples. When specified in the Task Order, one 10 by 10 cm column sample shall be taken for each excavated unit. Each 10 cubic cm of matrix shall be placed in a clear, zipper closure, polyethylene bag marked with the site number, unit number, level, date, and contents. The sample shall be transported to the laboratory for processing. Laboratory procedures for column samples are described in Spec 4.3.

4. Features. The types of features to be excavated include hearths, house floors, cache pits, artifact concentrations, etc. The excavation and recordation of these features shall follow industry standards including documenting and recording data such as provenience, description, depth, and collecting soil and charcoal samples. Each feature encountered in a site shall be given a feature designation. Feature forms shall also be maintained for recording data, observations, and mapping for each feature.

7. Field Collected Materials. Artifacts and ecofacts shall be saved in plastic bags marked with indelible ink indicating site number, provenience, level, date, and contents. The collected materials shall be sorted and bagged by artifact/ecofact type (e.g. lithic debitage, bone, shell, etc.). Any fragile or perishable materials shall be handled to prevent damage and contamination as described in Spec Item 4.1.1, “Archaeological Survey Only”.

8. Samples Collected for Special Analysis.