SOO Draft.pdf

US Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Statement of Objectives

The Statement of Objectives is currently in draft form and will undergo revisions before the final contract solicitation.

Contents Project Title

1.0 Purpose

2.0 Scope or Mission

3.0 Period and Place of Performance

4.0 Background

5.0 Performance Objectives

6.0 Deliverables / Schedule

7.0 Operating Constraints

8.0 Attachments

Project Title

Croatan National Forest Landscape Scale Archeological Survey

1.0 Purpose

The National Forests in North Carolina (NFsNC) is in need of archeological services to perform a landscape scale survey of the high probability areas of the Croatan National Forest (CNF).

2.0 Scope or Mission

The project mission is to complete survey of all high probability areas on the CNF. The estimated survey need is up to 51,000 acres, which is based on the current predictive model and completed adequate survey. See Attachment A and B.

The work will focus on Phase I archeological methodologies using shovel testing to identify new sites as described in the 2022 National Forests in North Carolina Programmatic Agreement (2022 NFsNC PA). See Attachment C and D. The needed archeological survey services include background research, survey, new site identification and evaluation, known site monitoring and evaluation, site form preparation, artifact curation, and Section 110 reporting.

Figure 1: Map of survey needs on the Croatan National Forest. Light yellow indicates survey is needed. This area is approximate. Specific survey needs will be identified as the project is developed. The pink shows completed adequate survey.

3.0 Period and Place of Performance

Place of Performance –

Location – The CNF is located on the eastern coastal plain of North Carolina. It covers portions of Craven, Carteret, and Jones counties.

The CNF is relatively small in comparison to other national forests, covering about 161,000 acres.

Administrative Information:

- USDA Forest Service

- Region 8, Southern Region

- National Forests in North Carolina

- Croatan National Forest

141 E Fisher Avenue New Bern, NC 28560

Ecosystem – The forest’s unusual topographic features are the pocosins which are swamps that occur at the upper rather than the lower end of the drainages. A few miles to the south of the central lakes and pocosins are sandy ridges that support old and very large longleaf pines.

The longleaf pine-wire grass ecosystem is globally rare and currently represents only 3% of the historical range for the ecosystem.

Cultural History – Native American occupation of the coastal plain in North Carolina extends back as much as 14,000 years. These first occupants were hunters of large mammals, including mammoths and bison. The Woodland Period began 3,000 years ago and extended through settlement by Europeans. Archeological sites from this period are prevalent on the CNF and are of particular interest for management. During the colonial period, forest-related industries were more important than agriculture for North Carolina’s cash economy. Colonists raised crops for their own consumption, but the primary exports were naval stores—tar, pitch, and rosin for ships. North Carolina was Britain’s main supplier of these products. Trees were cleared for agriculture and to obtain wood for buildings and ships, but logging did not become a major industry in eastern North Carolina until late in the 19th century. National forests were established in the South primarily on land that was cut over during the great logging boom. Efforts to reforest the land were successful, but loblolly pine was favored over longleaf pine in plantations, because its seedlings were easier to raise in nurseries and plant in the forest. The CNF began with the New Deal Programs initiated during the Great

Depression. In 1936, President Franklin D. Roosevelt created the CNF.

Period of Performance – The overall contract can span up to five years from the Notice to Proceed. The contractor should include schedules and timelines as part of the Performance Work Statement (PWS). See Attachment I. The fieldwork under this contract will be limited to September through May.

The proposed Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) to meant as a guide only and contractors should include a schedule as part of the PWS. See Attachment E.

Figure 1: Location of the Croatan National Forest

4.0 Background

Hurricane Florence – In 2018, Hurricane Florence made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane with enough wind speed to uproot trees and cause damage throughout the Croatan Ranger District (RD). The combination of strong winds and flooding over a long period of time resulted in major damage to the entire forest including natural resources, recreation sites, heritage sites, facilities, roads, bridges, and trails.

In 2019, Congress passed Public Law 116-20, Title VII – Related Agencies Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, which provided funding to the Croatan RD for Hurricane Florence Recovery activities in accordance with the 2018 National Forests in North Carolina Strategic Recovery Plan for Hurricane Florence.

5.0 Performance Objectives

This project involves the design and implementation of a large-scale archeological survey project. The intent is to have the contractor perform background research and design a strategy to complete the large-scale survey within year one.

Additional option years would allow for the implementation of the survey. Option items could be added as needed to the project. Survey and reporting would be accomplished by quadrangle. Approximate survey acres are listed below.

Figure 3: Croatan Landscape Archeological Survey Project with quadrangles identified.

Survey and reporting will be completed quad.

Figure 2: List of Quadrangles covering the Croatan National Forest and the approximate survey acres needed.

Archeological Survey Contract

Archeological Services may include but are not limited to the following:

- Background Research – Collect sources including the previous archeological surveys and cultural historic properties within the project area. This should include accessing historic maps, deeds, and other records that can be obtained from libraries, courthouses, universities, etc. Data gathered by the data management contractor will be shared with the archeological survey contractor, however this does not replace independent background research that should be conducted by the contractor to further the information known about the area.

- Survey – The Contractor shall inventory using the established survey methodology and record the newly discovered cultural resources. The fieldwork must include survey, recordation, and GIS mapping.

- Site Identification – As part of the survey, sites must be identified, delineated, and recorded.

- Site Monitoring – Known sites will be relocated and monitored as part of this project.

- Site Evaluation – Previously identified and newly recorded sites will be evaluated based on their eligibility to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP).

- Site Form Preparation – Prepare or update state site forms to reflect new information.

- Artifact Curation – Clean, label, store and transfer artifacts as needed.

- Reporting – The reports will be Section 110 reports, which are in support of the overall heritage program and may have site specific or programmatic of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA).

These reports can inform future Section 106 reports, which are in support of a specific project and may have specific recommendations based on proposed project activities in addition to site specific or programmatic recommendations.

- Cultural Resource Management Plan – The cultural resource management plan will be developed at the conclusion of the landscape survey contract. The plan will use the information gathered from the inventory to create a plan for managing the heritage program as a whole on the Croatan NF.

• Plan survey for remaining acres

• Develop strategy to evaluate the known sites

• Capture ideas for interpretation, public involvement, and other programmatic opportunities

• Identify Priority Heritage Assets (PHAs) or other sites with immediate threats or concerns

Figure 4: Landscape Survey Work Breakdown Structure

Required Services – Project Design required to be performed by the Contractor:

1) Determine survey needs and develop strategies for implementation.

2) Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Access the FS GIS data to create maps for project preparation.

3) Archival Research – Perform more intense research that the background research. This may include archival research, family records, land ownership plats, deeds, wills, maps, or other sources to gain insight about the site types and use of areas on the forest.

4) Use the information to build the survey strategy.

Archeological Services required to be performed by the Contractor:

1) Background Research – Collect, review, and analyze background research from the NC State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) and internal USFS Natural Resource Management (NRM) database. At a minimum this should include a review of previous archeological surveys and cultural historic properties within the project area as well as an examination of USFS land acquisition records for each tract. Background research also includes reviewing historic maps, deeds, and other records that can be obtained from libraries, courthouses, universities, etc.

2) Survey of 10000+ acres a year – The Contractor shall inventory 10000+ acres a year using the established survey methodology and record the newly discovered Cultural Resources. The fieldwork must include survey, recordation, GIS mapping, and data.

3) Site Identification – As part of the survey, sites must be identified, delineated, and recorded.

4) Site Evaluation – Previously identified and newly recorded sites will be evaluated based on their eligibility to the

NRHP.

5) Site Form Preparation – Prepare or update state site forms to reflect new information.

6) Artifact Curation – Clean, label, analyze, store and transfer artifacts in accordance with NC SHPO standards. There is a current curation agreement with the Office of State Archeology Research Center for $220 a box. Refer to the 2022 NFsNC PA in Appendix A.

8) Section 110 Reporting – Write report in support of Section 110 of the NHPA. Section 110 reports are in support of the overall heritage program and may have site specific or programmatic recommendations.

Management Plan Development:

1) Pull information from sources and make connections

2) Recommendations

3) Training and Use Aids

4) Site Evaluation – Previously identified and newly recorded sites will be evaluated based on their eligibility to the

NRHP.

Optional Services – Other services may be needed in support of the large-scale survey. Supporting needs may include but are not limited to the following:

1) Site Evaluation – Previously identified and newly recorded sites will be evaluated based on their eligibility to the NRHP. Data Organization – Look at the existing information available in the FS databases, OSA records, or other sources and organize the data in a way that is accurate and accessible.

2) Section 106 Reporting – Write in support of Section 106 of the NHPA. Section 106 reports are in support of a specific project and may have specific recommendations based on proposed project activities in addition to site specific or programmatic recommendations.

3) Data Entry – Input new data into information systems.

4)National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Support – Write reports in support of the NEPA.

5) Hydrological Research – Reassess the waterways both existing and in the past to form survey strategies and identify areas of high probability.

6) LiDAR Analysis – Use existing LiDAR data to identify features on the landscape and form survey strategies and identify areas of high probability.

7) Ethnography – Interview local community members or people associated with sites on the Forest.

8) Ethnobotany – Look at the botanical resources and learn how they relate to people and land use.

9) Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR)– Use GPR to look for underground anomalies that may indicate cultural use.

9) Carbon Dating – Use C-14 dating technologies to date sites on the forest.

10) Interpretation and Display – Create interpretive sign and displays to engage the public about the Cultural Resources on the Forest and allow for them to understand their local, regional, and national importance.

Compliance The work to be performed must be consistent with the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended and corresponding standards and guides. The work is occurring in North Carolina, therefore the Contractor must adhere to the North Carolina (NC) SHPO, OSA Archaeological Investigation Standards and Guidelines for Background Research, Field Methodologies, Technical Reports, and Curation (Standards and Guidelines) (December 2017). This document is available online at https://files.nc.gov/dncr-arch/OSA_Guidelines_Dec2017.pdf.

6.0 Deliverables / Schedule

Key Deliverables

Item No.

Deliverable Objective Due by

1 Background Research Initial step in collecting information pertaining to the project area to gain context before starting the survey.

Gather historical data from known primary and secondary sources.

July 30, 2024

2 Survey Plan Develop survey methodologies and strategies on a large scale as well as on a compartment-by-compartment level to outline how and when the surveys will be complete.

October 30, 2024

3 FY 25 - Annual Survey Reports – Individual reports by Quadrangle

Reporting should follow the NC SHPO statements and Guidelines. The reports should be complete and without errors. The reports must be accepted by the NC SHPO in order to be considered complete.

September 30, 2025

4 FY 26 - Annual Survey Reports – Individual reports by Quadrangle

Reporting should follow the NC SHPO statements and Guidelines. The reports should be complete and without errors. The reports must be accepted by the NC SHPO in

September 30, 2026

5 FY 27 - Annual Survey Reports –

Reporting should follow the NC SHPO statements and Guidelines. The reports should be complete and without errors. The reports must be accepted by the NC SHPO in

September 30, 2027

6 FY 28 - Annual Survey Reports –

Reporting should follow the NC SHPO statements and Guidelines. The reports should be complete and without errors. The reports must be accepted by the NC SHPO in

September 30, 2028

7 Management Plan Develop a Management Plan that describes how to manage the resources into the future.

This can include future survey needs, changes to the probability, evaluation needs, etc.

March 30, 2029

7.0 Operating Constraints

7.1 Fieldwork – Fieldwork will be restricted to the fall-spring, from September 1st - May 31st. This is due to the hot weather and vegetation in the summer months. During the winter months, there is better visibility for finding sites and better working conditions for crew members.

7.2 Evaluations – Site evaluations are not the focus of the study. Complicated sites requiring Phase II archeological excavations to determine eligibility will be deferred.

7.3 Mitigation Measures – There may be a need to alter survey strategy as protection for wildlife or botanical resources.

Environmental analysis is not required but there will be coordination with other disciplines.

7.4 Prescribed Burning – The Forest has an active prescribed burn program. Survey strategies may need to be designed in coordination with the burn plans.

7.5 Timber Operations – The Forest has ongoing timber sales what will need to be avoided during active harvest.

8.0 Attachments

8.1 Government Furnished Information

A. Project Map 1: Survey Area (JPG)

B. Project Map 2: Survey Area by Quad (JPG)

C. National Forests in North Carolina Programmatic Agreement (PDF)

D. National Forests in North Carolina Programmatic Agreement – Appendices (PDF)

E. Work Breakdown Structure (JPG)

F. North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office Standards and Guidelines (PDF)

G. North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office Curation Letter (Word)

H. Example Statement of Work (PDF)

I. Performance Work Statement Template (Word)