Performance work statement.pdf

ARCHEOLOGICAL SERVICES FOR PROJECT MONITORING, CONDITION

ASSESSMENTS AND BACKGROUND RESEARCH

SITKA NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK

1. PURPOSE AND SCOPE

Sitka National Historical Park (SITK) intends to contract for archeological services to (1) conduct and condition assessments of archeological sites within the park; with an option to (2) conduct archeological surveying and monitoring relating to ground disturbing projects within the park; and another option to (3) compile a comprehensive historical report of existing studies, publications and archaeological information related to a Tlingit Kiks.ádi Village located within and/or adjacent to SITK, This work shall be conducted in compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (PL 89

665) as amended and the Archeological and Historic Preservation Act of 1979 (PL 93291) as amended, and shall be performed by professional archeologists meeting the qualifications established in the

Secretary of the Interior's Standards and Guidelines and according to procedures found in 36 CFR Part

800 (Protection of Historic Properties).

2. BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The project area encompasses the lands within Sitka National Historical Park. SITK consists of two units comprising approximately 113 acres, including 49.5 acres of tidelands that are within the authorized boundary. The fort site unit (also known as the Indian River unit) includes the visitor center, the park’s museum collection, Totem trail, a collection of totem poles erected in the park around 1906, adjoining trails, the site of the traditional Tlingit Kiks.ádi Tlingit Village, the site of the historic Kiks.ádi Tlingit

Fort, the battleground of the 1804 Battle of Sitka, the Survival March Memorial, the K’alyaan Memorial

Totem, and the Russian Memorial. The Russian Bishop’s House unit, near downtown Sitka, consists of the Russian Bishop’s House National Historic Landmark and cultural landscape, and two adjacent historic buildings: the Priest’s quarters and the Old School.

Sitka National Historical Park (SITK or the park) is the oldest unit of the National Park System in

Alaska. The land comprising Sitka National Historical Park was originally set-aside as Sitka National

Monument in 1910 by President William Taft via proclamation under the newly-signed Antiquities Act, stating that the site was “the decisive battle ground of the Russian conquest of Alaska in 1804, and also the site of the former village of the Kik-Siti (sic) tribe, the most warlike of the Alaskan Indians; and that here also are the graves of a Russian midshipman and six sailors, killed in the conflict and numerous totem poles constructed by the Indians.”

Component 1entails conducting site inspections and condition assessments of certain archeological sites at SITK in order to protect and preserve them. The objective of this work is to monitor and inspect archaeological sites as part of the National Park Service’s responsibility to manage cultural resources under existing law and policy.

If exercised, Component 2 (option 1) entails work required to fulfill the requirements of Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. Section 106 requires the National Park Service when conducting projects to ensure it identifies properties eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places

(NRHP), and any such project does not have an adverse effect on any historic property eligible for NRHP listing. The objective of work in component 2 is to provide archeological survey or monitoring of projects at SITK where there is a potential to encounter a known or unknown archeological resource, in order to reduce or eliminate potential for an adverse effect of these resources.

If exercised, Component 3 (option 2) of this work is to write a report summarizing existing written and oral research regarding the location and extent of the Kiks.ádi Village, with recommendations for further research and field work to be conducted. To date, the National Park Service has only conducted limited formal research or interpretation of the former village of the Tlingit Kiks.ádi. As such, visitors to the

Sitka National Historical Park are missing a key element of the Park’s enabling legislation. This project would address our missing purpose: to research and locate the former Tlingit Kiks.ádi Village in the service of better interpreting it.

3. WORKING CONDITION AND LOCATION

A. Work is to be performed at Sitka National Historical Park in Sitka, Alaska. While the town of Sitka does have a road system, it is on an island that has no road access from a major highway, and is only accessible via air, Alaska State Ferry System, or commercial barge service. Sitka is on the Pacific

Ocean, located in a temperate rainforest.

B. Work will be performed at contractor’s place of business, the park offices, and in an outdoor environment conducting field work.

C. Contractor is responsible to comply with all applicable federal, state, and local health mandates and restrictions related to COVID-19 pandemic situation in effect during the period of performance of this contract. Park-specific COVID-19 pandemic guidance will be provided to contractor prior to commencement of work.

D. Contractor is responsible for ensuring the safety of its workers while on-site. Contractor should develop a written site-specific safety plan which addresses Covid-19, natural hazards conducting work at Sitka National Historical Park (e.g. brown bears), and OSHA requirements.

4. CONTRACTOR RESPONSIBILITIES

The Contractor shall furnish sufficient personnel, and other equipment required to ensure expeditious accomplishment of the archeological work specified in this scope of work. The Contractor is responsible to furnish all servies, materials, supplies, equipment, studies, and for coordinating with the appropriate

SITK staff prior to and during research in connection with this scope of work.

The Contractor will have one Project Manager (PM) who will be the primary Point of Contact (POC) between the Contractor and all subcontractors, and between the NPS Contracting Officer’s

Representative (COR) for all work performed under this contract. The PM must be a professional archeologist that meets the qualifications established in the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and

Guidelines found in 36 CFR Part 800 (Protection of Historic Properties). The PM responsibilities will include:

A. Maintain quality control for all inhouse and/or subcontracted work. Monitor the course and quality of work to ensure that assignments are completed in compliance with this contract.

B. Have full authority to act for the Contractor on all matters relating to operation of this contract.

Be available to take or respond to telephone calls or electronic mail messages during the normal hours of operation, and establish appropriate procedures for relaying messages, both emergency and nonemergency.

C. Review all submittals for legibility, accuracy, completeness, and compliance with contract requirements. Receive and review comments and instructions for all submittals that have been reviewed by the COR and insure that the information is provided to the appropriate unit and/or person for use in the project.

D. Maintain and track project schedules to ensure that the project is completed according to schedule.

E. Receive all Government furnished materials and ensure that they are provided to the appropriate unit and/or person within the Contractor's organization for use in the project.

F. Inform the COR when Government furnished materials are unsatisfactory for use in the project within seven days after receipt.

G. Prepare and submit an electronic status report on the first day of each month identifying the type of work being performed and results achieved, and indication of any current problems that may impede performance, the proposed corrective action, and the completion date.

H. Prepare and submit information to the COR for review and approval.

I. The Project Manager shall be on-site for all field work required under this contract.

5. DESCRIPTION OF TASKS

The services to be provided shall include:

BASE CONTRACT COMPONENT 1 SITE INSPECTIONS AND

CONDITION ASSESSMENTS

OPTION 1 COMPONENT 2 ARCHEOLOGICAL SURVEY

OR MONITORING

OPTION 2 COMPONENT 3 Tlingit Kiks.ádi village

A. Component 1 (BASE CONTRACT) entails conducting site inspections and condition assessments of 19 archeological sites at SITK.

1. Review current AHRS site records and NPS Cultural Resources Information System records to determine exact location, confirming with GPS and GIS information available, extent of each archeological site, last known site status and last condition recorded.

2. Conduct condition assessments of archeological sites. Condition assessments conducted stall note the physical stability of a site and the degree or amount of deterioration it has experienced since the last assessment. Condition assessments must include a walkover of the entire site and its subsites with coverage sufficient to ensure that any physical disturbances are detected visually (using as much physical evidence of site stability as possible, including threats and disturbances that will influence its potential for deterioration over time), visual checks for eroding surfaces or edges, manmade holes, and recent vegetation disturbances as clues to recent impacts on condition.

3. Write a report for each condition assessment conducted, including physical observations, documenting current condition of the archeological sites, by taking photographs, and collecting other information on-site. Each archeological site condition assessments shall include a rating as to condition (Fair, good, poor, etc.), and recommendations for treatment which are necessary for the preservation, protection, and interpretation of sites.

Recommendations shall include a monitoring schedule for each site to be conducted by

NPS staff who are not archeologists. Such reports shall provide archaeological site and feature data needed for NPS Archaeological Site Management Information System

(ASMIS) entry by NPS. Contractor shall provide updated GPS information of site, when warranted.

4. Conduct a brief training for NPS staff on interim monitoring techniques, location and extent of archeological sites to monitor, and recommended archeological monitoring record keeping methods.

B. Component 2 (OPTION 1) is to provide archeological survey or monitoring of three projects at

SITK where there is a potential to encounter a known or unknown archeological resource, in order to reduce or eliminate potential for an adverse effect of these resources. This work entails

1. Completing limited background research of existing archeological surveys and resources within the project area to have a firm understanding of potential archeological resources that may be encountered during the project.

2. Meeting with COR prior to the project undertaking to discuss any concerns or requirements for the specific project, including the park’s inadvertent discovery plan under NAGPRA.

3. Being present and observing earth disturbing activities to identify any potential archeological resource encountered during the project, and halting work if warranted.

4. Preparing an archeological survey or monitoring report at the completion of each survey or monitoring project which summarizes the monitoring effort, any observations and any archeological features which were encountered. Contractor is responsible to provide the NPS with archival quality copies or scans of field notes, maps, drawings, indexed images (digital and/or print), GIS and other raw data accumulated in the course of the monitoring or survey project.

C. Component 3 (OPTION 2) of this work is to query the existing literature, Tlingit community, and archeological record to locate and define the extent of the pre-contact Tlingit Kiks.ádi village located in the vicinity of Sitka National Historical Park. This component includes the following tasks:

1. Completion of historical and ethnographic research regarding any Tlingit winter village, fish camp, or settlement in or adjacent to the Fort Site Unit of Sitka National Historical

Park. Specifically, this research should include any village in or near Indian River and

Jamestown Bay.

2. Compilation of the accumulated research into a comprehensive report including historic photographs, ethnographic interviews, a complete bibliography and executive summary of findings.

3. Production of a Geographic Information System (GIS) map layer which includes any and all features, known artifacts, Tlingit place names, known occupation sites, any alterations or modifications to the landscape, present known conditions, and other pertinent information compiled throughout the research. The GIS map layer should also include metadata that describes site condition along with historic and interpretive value.

The report and map will be a finished product upon which the proceeding archeological survey can be based.

4. Compilation of recommendations for further ethnographic, archeological, and other research to document the Tlingit Village within this vicinity.

6. SCHEDULE OF WORK

A. Component 1 (BASE CONTRACT) Schedule and Deliverables

1. Contractor will review records within one month of contract award.

2. Contractor will complete condition assessments within nine months of contract award. Specific dates for condition assessments are to be set by contractor, accounting for weather and site conditions.

3. Contractor will draft condition assessment reports within two weeks of conducting each condition assessment, with all condition assessment reports due within ten months of contract award. NPS will have two weeks to provide feedback to contractor on draft condition assessments.

Contractor to complete final condition assessment reports within 2 weeks of receiving any NPS comments.

4. Contractor to conduct on-site archeological site monitoring training with

NPS staff within one month of completing all condition assessment reports.

B. Component 2 (OPTION 1) Schedule and Deliverables

1. Within one month after award of this option, COR will provide Contractor with a list of projects and projected schedule.

2. COR will notify contractor of upcoming project at least two weeks prior to commencement of project commencing on-site.

3. Upon notice of project requiring archeological survey or monitoring by COR, Contractor will complete limited background research within one week (at least two weeks prior to project work commencing on-site).

4. At least one week prior to project commencing on-site, contractor will meet with

COR to plan the work and discuss any concerns or needs.

5. Contractor will be present to monitor or survey the project, interacting with NPS and other contractors regarding the archeological surveying to accompany the project.

6. Contractor will complete archeological survey or monitoring report within two weeks of completion of the project.

C. Component 3 (OPTION 2) Schedules and Deliverables

1. Submission of executive summary of findings and draft report for

Component 3 is due no later than six months after award of this option, including site visit with NPS staff to present findings. NPS receives six weeks for review of draft report. Submission shall be in electronic format

(Microsoft Word 2007 or later).

2. Submission of GIS information for Component 3 no later than seven months after award of this option. NPS receives six weeks for review of GIS information.

3. Submission of final report, final GIS information, and complete research files for Component 3 no later than nine months after award of this option, including on-site meeting to present full research findings.

7. SUBMITTALS AND DELIVERABLES

1. Teleconference to occur within 2 weeks of the awarding of the contract. Purpose of this call is to identify points of contact, define communication procedures, and plan initial on site visit.

2. Initial Site Visit to occur within one month of contract award. Final dates to be determined at first teleconference meeting. Contractor shall meet on-site at Sitka

National Historical Park to participate in a meeting with SITK staff. Purpose of the meeting will be to review proposed work and to identify expected challenges; review provided documents; review proposed project schedule for clarification and to address any outstanding issues.

3. Site-specific safety plan to be delivered within one month of contract award. NPS will have one week to review and provide comment. Safety plan must be finalized before any field work commences under this contract.

4. Monthly status reports in written format due to COR by the fifth day of each month during execution of the contract.

5. GIS Submissions shall be in electronic format (ESRI ArcGIS and ArcMap compatible files).

6. Project Monitoring and Survey Reports shall be submitted in Microsoft Word for

Windows format, and Adobe Acrobat (.pdf format).

7. Condition Assessment reports shall be submitted in Microsoft Word for Windows format, and Adobe Acrobat (.pdf format). Database files shall be provided in .dbf format; spreadsheet files shall be provided in Microsoft Excel .xls format; and GIS data shall be provided in ESRI ArcGIS and ArcMap compatible files. Paper research files and field notes shall be submitted in clearly organized folders and labelled with project, researcher name and date.

8. Kiks.ádi Village Research Final report, GIS data and all research files. Text of the final report shall be submitted in Microsoft Word for Windows format, and Adobe Acrobat

(.pdf format). Database files shall be provided in .dbf format; spreadsheet files shall be provided in Microsoft Excel .xls format; and GIS data shall be provided in ESRI

ArcGIS and ArcMap compatible files. Paper research files and field notes shall be submitted in clearly organized folders and labelled with project, researcher name and date. Copies of archival materials shall be clearly labelled with the name of the source institution and the source institution’s preferred citation format. Materials shall be accompanied by a complete file list indicating file names, file types (paper or specific electronic file type (e.g. PDF, Word, Excel)) and file description (e.g. Chapter 1, Figure

5, design file overlay, etc.) Inventory shall include the project information, date and software used to produce the drawings and maps. Project CD shall be considered

Government property and shall be included as a part of the final project submission. The

Contractor shall also supply any documentation in regard to formatting of electronic media and any alterations, additions or modifications of the program used to produce the work.

8. GOVERNMENT FURNISHED MATERIALS

A. Access to the SITK library and museum collections of historical photographs and documents, archeological site records, administrative records, and published reports.

B. Access to the SITK Resources Staff, including the Historian, Archeologist, Museum

Curator and Archives Technician. The NPS COR will be the primary point of contact for the Contractor, and will coordinate all communications with other appropriate parties, including the SITK Resources Staff.

9. POINTS OF CONTACT

Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) for Technical Support/Submittals Approval:

a. Contracting Officer Representative

To be provided at the time of award

b. Contracting Officer

Amanda Jordan

National Park Service

Alaska Regional Office

240 W. 5th Ave.

Anchorage, AK 99501

907-644-3311

Amanda_jordan@nps.gov

10. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE (POP)

Date of Contract Award (est Aug 1) to 12 months after award of contract and all options. If options are exercised it is anticipated they will be exercised prior to Feb 1, 2021.