Archeological Curation Services

SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE

ARCHEOLOGICAL AND CURATION STORAGE SERVICES

CONTROL #: W912EF-23-R-SN04

NAICS: 712110 Museums

PSC: B503 Special Studies /Analysis – Archeological/ Paleontological

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Walla Walla District (NWW) is seeking input on upcoming requirements for Archeological Curation and Storage Services for collections from NWW, Portland District NWP and Seattle District NWS. The collections include a multitude of artifacts, archeological samples and records recovered from the construction of the Snake and Columbia Rivers Hydropower System as well as those from other USACE Operation Projects and undertakings within the Northwestern Division boundaries. (w/tentative start dates and ending): September 1st, 2023 – August 31st 2027

The Government anticipates advertising these service contracts as early as July 2023 depending on responses from Sources Sought, and dependent on the number of contracts needed to service these locations.  In the past, NWW established individual contracts for each location, however, NWW is contemplating a multitude of changes to this arrangement in 2023, possibly, to include revisiting the contract type, pricing schedule, and the number of contracts required to service the entire mission needed.

The estimated maintenance services for each location range from $50K-$150K annually. 

The estimated performance period for the contract is anticipated to be between 3-5 years.

The Government contemplates a commercially competitive procurement in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), Subpart 13, Simplified Acquisition Procedures. 
 

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SERVICES DESCRIPTION:

Archeological Curation services consist of the following requirements:

1. Provide for the professional care and management of provided collections.
2. Perform all work necessary to protect the Collections in accordance with the regulation 36 CFR Part 79 for the curation of federally-owned and administered archaeological collections.
3. Receive, process, and accession of new collections.
4. Provide and maintain a repository facility having requisite equipment, space, and adequate safeguards for the physical security and controlled environment for the Collections.
5. Annually inspect facilities and the Collections.
6. Inventory of the Collections every 3 years. 
7. Within five (5) days of discovery, report all instances of and circumstances surrounding loss of, deterioration and damage to, or destruction of any collection.
8. Do not mortgage, pledge, assign, repatriate, transfer, exchange, give, sublet, discard, or part with possession of any of the collections at any time.

Under 36 C.F.R. part 79, the Curation of Federally-Owned and Administered Archaeological Collections, Federal Agencies are required to retain ownership of collections, ensure that they are curated according to current curation standards, and that collections are available for education and research.

Authorities:

National Historic Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470a et seq.), the Reservoir Salvage Act (16 U.S.C. 469–469c) the Archaeological Resources Protection Act (16 U.S.C. 470aa-mm) and 36 C.F.R., part 79, Curation of Federally-Owned and Administered Archaeological Collections.

Background and Introduction.  The purpose of this Sources Sought is to obtain curation services information for artifacts, archaeological samples and records recovered from the construction of the Snake and Columbia Rivers Hydropower System, as well as those from other US Army Corps of Engineers Operating Projects and undertakings within the Northwestern Division boundaries. The professional care and management (curation) will be provided in accordance with the Regulation 36 CFR Part 79.

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REQUEST INPUT:

The Government seeks input from interested companies to better understand archeologic and socio-economic capability, market considerations, and help inform acquisition planning.  If your company is interested in one this upcoming project listed, please submit a response to include the following information:

1. Company Name
2. Company Point of Contact
3. Company Size Standard (Small or Large business) – See SAM.GOV
4. Company Experience – Including Time and Storage Capacity for Artifacts
5. Company Employer Identification Number (EIN) and CAGE (Alpha Numeric or Numeric), or Systems for Award Management (SAM) unique Identification Number (UEI)
    

It would be appreciated (and beneficial) to receive all input on any questions you have pertaining to this procurement. Your responses towards these Sources Sought will help and be beneficial to inform our agency’s acquisition planning (and future procurement considerations).

Please submit your responses no later than July 12, 2023, 2:00 pm PST.  All interested companies must be registered in the System for Award Management Website (Beta. SAM) SAM.gov | Home to be eligible for a federal contract award.  Please email responses to Richard Harvey @ Richard.a.harvey@usace.army.mil   Please send your responses via email and use subject line: “Sources Sought Response NWW Sources Sought for Archeological Storage and Curation Services” with name of your Company, Address, email and Phone number and Point of Contact (POC)  for further correspondence and details for these Sources Sought.