Questions_and_Answers_Round_2.pdf

Solicitation W9128F-17-R-0064 Questions and Answers Round #2

Question 1. The PWS consistently requests information that can only be gathered through fairly intensive excavation, such as in the form of systematic shovel testing, controlled unit excavation, and systematic feature excavation. However, in our North Dakota experience, excavation at the level necessary to obtain the requested site information is rare for National Register Testing & Evaluation studies. Can you confirm that you are requesting more intensive excavation than is the North Dakota norm? Or perhaps add additional clarification?

Answer 1. The USACE expects a good faith effort in the evaluation of sites under its stewardship. The purpose of this contract is to obtain site evaluations in sufficient detail as to provide an understanding of the historical values that they represent. These evaluations will not only aid in the nomination of resources to the National Register of Historic Places, but also to aid in the management of the resource, and/or the planning of mitigation of adverse effects of proposed projects on the resources in the event such mitigation becomes necessary. This good faith effort will require more than the minimum level of testing.

Question 2. In the first round of questions, we asked two questions regarding the use of geophysical survey in Option Year 1& 2 but the answers seem contradictory. Would you please mind clarifying the answers on both of the following? 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).

Question 2a: Is this expected to entail a 4-instrument geophysical survey or is “geophysical analysis” being used differently in this context?

Answer 2a: Yes, all four methods of geophysical testing are expected to evaluate unmarked or suspected graves. Geophysical/remote sensing investigation is expected to include the 4-instrument approach.

Question 2b: 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?

Answer 2b. If during evaluation of the 13 sites identified in option years 1 & 2 the contractor identifies unrecorded, unmarked, or suspected grave features, the USACE expects evaluation of the features through remote sensing via the 4-instrument approach.