VICK_328787A_Historic_Research_Veterans_SOW.docx

SCOPE OF WORK

HISTORIC RESEARCH TO IDENTIFY CONTRIBUTIONS OF 130 USCT VETERANS IN VICKSBURG NATIONAL CEMETERY, PMIS 328787A

INTRODUCTION

Vicksburg National Military Park (Park) requires historic research, including archival research with primary sources and report writing, to identify the contributions of US Colored Troop (USCT) veterans buried within Vicksburg National Cemetery in Vicksburg, Mississippi.

Vicksburg National Cemetery contains more USCT veteran burials than any other national cemetery in the US. Of the approximately 5,000 USCT buried, only 130 soldiers are known individuals with preserved identities. However, many factors have separated these known USCTs from descendants living today, many of whom may not be aware that they have a veteran ancestor who served during the Civil War. Records indicate that many USCTs who survived the war settled in Vicksburg, which suggests a distinct possibility that some direct descendants may still be living in the area. With each passing year, direct living descendants to the 130 known USCT veterans buried at Vicksburg gets more distant and runs the risk of being lost entirely as family members move away, surnames are changed, or family lineages come to an end. In an effort to restore these connections, this project will contract a professional, SOI-qualified historian to research the lives of the 130 known USCTs. The SOI-qualified historian (Ph.D degree) will work closely with a professional genealogist (under separate contract), so that living descendants can be identified and contacted.

This study will focus on historical documentation of 130 known USCT veterans, including their names, occupations, birth/death dates, military records, pension records, and other pertinent life information needed to more accurately inform the park of these veteran’s contributions to our nation’s history. The information gathered during this project is essential for meeting the legal requirements of a signed 2023 Memorandum of Agreement between the Park and the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) to mitigate an adverse effect from two landslides in the national cemetery from 2020-2021 that required the disinterment of 102 veteran graves.

The study shall conform to professional standards regarding methodology of historical research and writing. Stylistic, bibliographical, and report production standards shall conform to the current edition of the Chicago Manual of Style. In short, the project contains the following components:

· Part 1: Review Existing Documentation (survey existing research and conduct a gap analysis)

· Part 2: Historic Research (conduct thorough research in non-Park archives and repositories focusing on the 130 known USCT veteran identities.

· Part 3: Report Writing & Documentation (write a multi-chapter report that brings together Part 1 and Part 2 as an illustrated narrative with references, images and maps, draft and final reports)

· Part 4: Interpretive Component (write a series of interpretive social media posts and design waysides that tell the story of these veterans and their contributions to US history)

The report, including enumerated appendices (if applicable), graphics, and index, shall be completed within twelve (12) months from the date of contract award.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PARK & RESOURCES

Vicksburg National Military Park was authorized on February 21, 1899 (30 Stat. 841), to commemorate the campaign and siege and defense of Vicksburg, Mississippi and to preserve the history of the battles and operations of the siege and defense on the ground where they were fought. The Park and Vicksburg National Cemetery were transferred from the War Department to the NPS on August 10, 1933. In 1990, the Park was expanded to include Grant’s Canal in Madison Parish, Louisiana and again in 2002 to include Pemberton’s Headquarters in downtown Vicksburg. In 2014, the Park expanded a third time to include three new units in outlying areas associated with the Vicksburg Campaign from 1862-1863.

The nation’s first national cemeteries were authorized on February 22, 1867 to honor fallen U.S. soldiers from the Civil War. Vicksburg is one of these national cemeteries, which was later established on April 12, 1867, and is the final resting place for over 18,000 soldiers.

Today, the Park is comprised of several discontinuous units related to the US Civil War. These multiple sites are managed under one administration and are located in and around a 40-mile radius surrounding Vicksburg. Sites related to the Campaign for Vicksburg include the Port Gibson Unit (A.K. Shaifer House), Raymond Unit (Battle of Raymond), and Champion Hill Battlefield (which includes the Crossroads and Coker House in Edwards, MS). The Siege of Vicksburg sites within the city includes the main battlefield and National Cemetery Pemberton's Headquarters, Louisiana Circle, South Fort, Navy Circle, and the USS Cairo Gunboat and museum.

The Vicksburg National Military Park, the USS Cairo, and the National Cemetery are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In addition, the engines and boilers of the USS Cairo are designated Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmarks. Pemberton's Headquarters, located in downtown Vicksburg, A.K. Shaifer House in Port Gibson, MS, and Champion Hill Battlefield in Edwards, MS have all been designated as National Historic Landmarks.

The Park has had three distinct phases of development throughout its history. Upon the Park’s first establishment, the War Department laid out the preliminary road system and plan for the national cemetery in 1867 and the park tour road, commemorative monuments, tablets, and markers later in 1899. In the 1930s and 1940s, in conjunction with NPS management, the CCC implemented the second phase of development by improving roads, fixing drainage, repairing erosion, and planting several trees throughout the Park to stabilize slopes and protect Park infrastructure. In addition, they made improvements to the National Cemetery including construction of a Rest Pavilion and made repairs to the brick wall surrounding the cemetery. The third phase of development was related to the National Park Service Mission 66 era. In the 1960s and 1970s, roads were further improved, a new Visitor Center and Headquarters was built at a new park entrance along Clay Street, and a section of the south end of the Park was turned over to the City of Vicksburg in exchange for parcels of land located between North Union Avenue and Sherman Avenue on the north end of the Park.

The history of Vicksburg National Cemetery and its landscape is detailed in the Vicksburg National Cemetery Cultural Landscape Report (CLR). The CLR can be provided to the contractor as a reference document for this project; however, the bulk of the historic research should focus on the known identifies of the USCT veterans. This historic research will illuminate the role of these 130 individuals in their fight for freedom and their contributions to U.S. history.

SCOPE OF WORK – SPECIAL HISTORY STUDY

The project has four components, which are as follows:

Part 1: Review Existing Documentation A. Review any existing written documentation related to the known 130 USCT veterans. In reviewing available documents and materials, gaps in the knowledge base and additional information and archival repositories shall be identified and used to focus the historic research portion of this project.

Part 2: Historic Research

A. Conduct a thorough[footnoteRef:2] level of research within archives and repositories to locate more detailed information, including primary sources, military records, census records, pension records, etc to complete a comprehensive life history of the known 130 USCTs (to the degree possible). Use of primary archival sources is required. Note: The Park archives may contain some information; however, it is anticipated that researchers will need to examine previously un-evaluated materials from non-Park repositories for the bulk of this research. [2: Thorough level of research as defined by NPS-28 Cultural Resource Management, NPS Office of Policy: NPS-28, Cultural Resource Management (Chapter 2))]

Part 3: Report Writing & Documentation

A. Produce a detailed history narrative in written report format expounding on all previous review and research (Part 1 and 2 above) that narrate the life histories of 130 veterans. The report shall be supported with references, illustrations/photographs and maps, as applicable, along with a narrative of each veteran’s life story and their contributions to US history.

B. The format of the multi-chapter special history study shall include:

a. Abstract

b. Executive Summary - Clearly state the utility of the report, including its importance and relevance

c. Introduction

d. Methodology

e. Findings – multiple chapters addressing the history of the 130 individuals

f. Conclusion - a clear summary of main findings

g. Recommendations - including on how this research can be used for interpretation, future related research, and resource management.

h. Bibliography – including references to all source materials and repositories researched

i. Appendices – including useful primary and secondary sources of information such as maps, drawings, newspaper articles, etc.

C. The study shall include appropriate photographs and figures embedded within the text of the narrative. The photographs shall have captions and identify their source. The report shall be properly cited using Chicago Manual Style.

Part 4: Interpretive Component

A. Working with park staff, identify segments of the histories and stories to augment and improve existing interpretive exhibits, the park website and/or social media posts. Contractor shall include text and images for no fewer than 12 social media posts and text and images for 2 waysides related to USCT contributions. Fabrication of the improved exhibits will be carried out under separate contract.

Submittals & Reviews

A 100% draft of the completed research report with all above specified elements (Parts 1-4) will be prepared and provided to the Park for review and comment according to a proposed project schedule (to be provided by the contractor at the start of the project). The contractor should also ensure that the 100% draft report is also be peer reviewed by a separate professional SOI-qualified historian (Ph.D. degree).

After a 45-day review/comment period following the submittal of the 100% draft, the contractor will then incorporate all Park and peer-review comments and resubmit a final draft. The final draft will then be reviewed by the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) and park Superintendent to ensure all NPS comments have been incorporated and then submitted for approval signatures.

Additional submittal and deliverable requirements are listed below in ADDITIONAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS.

Final Deliverables

Final deliverables for the project include:

· 5 hard copies of the final, printed and bound historic research report (submitted to COR)

· USB drive containing:

· 1 digital copy of the final report (both Word and PDF files). The digital version must be Section 508 compliant.

· Digital files (.jpg) of all images/illustrations and maps used in the report.

· Digital files (text and images) of social media posts and wayside content.

· 1 hard copy of the final report, printed on archival paper, to be included in the Park archives

GENERAL PROPOSAL OUTLINE

The prospective contractor must formulate a study proposal and itemized cost proposal in response to this Scope of Work. The proposal must describe in detail the investigator's research strategy and qualifications of personnel responsible for completion of the study. Minimally, the study must individually address each topic outlined above.

The proposal will consist of:

A. Research Strategy

1. A description of the methods, techniques, and procedures of research, including a summary of repositories and other sources of information to be used.

2. A planning schedule and matrix identifying key project milestones and associated products pertaining to the project.

3. A preliminary draft for NPS review and final report.

B. Personnel Qualifications

1. The Principal Investigator / SOI-Qualified Historian: The Principal Investigator (PI) is responsible for all aspects of managing the proposed study. The PI must have a Ph.D. or equivalent in United States History (no exceptions). A level of experience equivalent to a Ph.D. is acceptable and may be evidenced by a publication record demonstrating a professional level of research, analysis, and report preparation. It is expected that the publication record will reflect an understanding and ability to apply research methodology, and education and experience beyond that of a project historian.

2. Project Historian(s): Although the overall research design, guidance, and responsibility for the completed study lies with the Principal Investigator, the PI may utilize the assistance of project historians (PH) and other project staff at their discretion to accomplish the research. The minimum requirements for a PH are a Bachelor's and Master’s degrees in United States History from an accredited college or university followed by two years of graduate study with a concentration in the field. A Master's thesis in history or its equivalent in research and publication are highly recommended.

3. Standards for Consultants: Personnel hired or subcontracted for their special knowledge and expertise must carry academic and experiential qualifications in their particular area of expertise. Such qualifications are to be documented by means of vitae attachments when the proposal is prepared and submitted.

C. Price Proposal

The prospective contractor must submit a line-item cost proposal for the project, including the following items:

1. Personnel services (include costs for Principal Investigator, other personnel)

2. Miscellaneous personal expenses

3. Supplies and equipment

4. Travel

5. Cost of analysis and report preparation

6. Overhead, Indirect, and In-kind costs as applicable

7. Other expenses

8. Total project cost

The proposal must include a work schedule diagramming the duration of field and archival work outlined in the research strategy section of the proposal.

ADDITIONAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

A. General provisions

1. Prospective contractors should note that the research design submitted by the contractor becomes a binding element of the contract and is expected to be carried out. The research performed and reported must meet the minimum requirements.

2. Within 30 days of award of contract, the contractor shall attend a post-award scoping meeting in person or virtually to discuss technical aspects of the contract and to confirm the planning schedule for the submission of the deliverables. Contractor will within two weeks provide a summary of the meeting and the agreed upon contract schedule.

3. The production of the contextual history study shall be completed within twelve (12) months of contract award.

B. Report standards/format and submission schedule

The final report will be in the latest version of Microsoft WORD and include the information required in the specifications listed above. It must be formatted for 8-1/2 by 11-inch white paper, 12 point font. All pages must be numbered. Copies of photographs (screened for reproduction clarity), maps, drawings, and text must be clean, clear, and legible. The format must comply with the latest edition of the Chicago Manual of Style. The digital version of the document must be Section 508 compliant.

C. Progress reports

Quarterly progress reports during the performance of the research and writing phases of this contract are required. The initial due date of the first quarterly report will be 90 days after contract award. All quarterly reports will be submitted to individual(s) named at the time of award.

PAYMENT

Partial payments may be made up to 80% of the contract award amount. Payments must be based on deliverables accepted by the government (see FAR 52.212-4(a), Contract Terms and Conditions – Commercial Items, Inspection/Acceptance & FAR 52.211-1, Time of Delivery). Payment requests must be in accordance with the clause titled, Electronic Invoicing and Payment Requirements - Invoice Processing Platform (IPP).