Questions_and_Answers_Round_1.pdf

Solicitation W9128F-17-R-0064 Questions and Answers Round #1

1. Is the 80-acre site size for 32Me543 correct? The others range from 1-3 acres or 11- 20 acres in size. Yes, 80 acres is the correct size of the site.

2. Can the Corps provide additional information for the sites (type, previous finds, site forms, reports, etc.)? No, it is responsibility of the contractor to complete the literary research for the field investigation once awarded the contract.

3. To confirm, are there to be no artifact collection, period? Or, does the artifact collection policy differ depending on whether artifacts are recovered from shovel probing versus unit excavation? Artifacts from Shovel probes should be recorded and returned to backfill upon completion of shovel test. Artifacts from test units will be returned to sites upon completion of site evaluations.

4. If artifacts are to be collected during unit excavation, is the contractor responsible for identifying a curation facility, or will the Omaha District arrange for curation? All artifacts are to be returned to sites they originated from.

5. If artifacts are not to be collected, what about flotation samples from any features encountered? These may contain artifacts but would have to be transported to a lab for flotation, processing, and analysis. Upon completion of flotation testing, processing and analysis, any artifacts found in the sample are to be returned to the Garrison Project Office.

6. Section 5.6.2 of the PWS states that geophysical analysis is expected at locations of unmarked graves or anomalies found during the National Register evaluations (Option Year 1 & Option Year 2). Is this expected to entail a 4-instrument geophysical survey or is “geophysical analysis” being used differently in this context?

Yes, all four methods of geophysical testing are expected to evaluate unmarked or suspected graves.

7. Section 5.3 of the PWS identifies that the Work Type for Site 32WI1117 includes Testing & Evaluation. The Base Year of the contract is specific to ground-based geophysics survey; can you please confirm whether this site is to receive Testing & Evaluation, in addition to the geophysical survey? Geophysical survey first, with testing and evaluation to investigate anomalies.

8. Can you confirm that Option Year 1 and Option Year 2 (Section 5.6 of PWS) do not entail geophysical surveys for the 13 sites? If geophysical surveys are requested, is the 4-instrument approach required? Correct, option years one and two do not entail geophysical survey.

9. Are we correct to assume that the Corps has consulted with the appropriate Tribes about the NR evaluations and those Tribes agree that some limited disturbance to such sites is acceptable? The Corps will handle any consultation efforts involved with this archeological investigation. The Contractor shall not consult with any Tribes regarding this investigation.

10. As On page 31, the qualifications of a GIS specialist are identified as having a

“Bachelor degree in GIS, geography, computer science”. Are there any exceptions? As identified on Page 31, the GIS Specialist can provide information on five years of related experience in GIS to be documented by means of vitae or resume. Therefore, 5 years of experience and degree outside of GIS or Computer Science is acceptable.