B -- ST. JOHN'S/NEW MADRID HISTORIC STUDY

Notice Date

February 2, 2001

Contracting Office

Department of the Army, Memphis District, Corps of Engineers, 167 N Main St, Rm B202, Attn: CEMVM-CT, Memphis, TN 38103-1894

ZIP Code

38103-1894

Solicitation Number

DACW66-01-T-0059

Response Due

March 6, 2001

Point of Contact

Verneda B. Joyner, Contract Specialist, 901/544-3616

Description

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR Subpart 12.6 and the test program outlined in FAR 13.6 as well as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation. DACW66-01-T-0059 is issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ). Scope of Work: Documentation to Support National Register of Historic Places Nomination for the St-John's Bayou-Birds Point-New Madrid Flood Control Project, Southeastern Missouri: Background: The U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, Memphis District (CEMVM) and the Missouri State Historic Preservation Officer's office have concurred that the various physical features (levees, ditches, and other flood control structures) which make up the St. John's Bayou-Birds Point-New Madrid Floodway (Floodway) flood control This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in project in southeastern Missouri are eligible for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). As a This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR result of this determination the CEMVM is seeking to develop a detailed Historic Context for this property. The project area for this effort includes all or portions of New Madrid, Mississippi, and Scott counties, Missouri. Goals, Themes and Content Requirements: This Historic Context will provide a detailed description of the economic, social, political and cultural background against which the Floodway Project is set; a chronicle of the events, organizations, individuals, and legislative milestones associated with the project; a clear and comprehensive depiction of the various debates/discussions regarding both the engineering and cultural aspects of the project; a detailed account of the engineering and construction elements of the project including appropriate graphic representations of various aspects of the resultant built environment; and, an analysis of the subsequent economic, social, political, and cultural consequences of this project. This Historic Context will include: (1) A brief introductory segment discussing the history of human occupation of the area up to the end of the Civil War; (2) A detailed description of the natural environment as documented in the early to mid-20th Century; (3) A discussion of late 19th through 20th Century floods; (4) A detailed description of the built environment and land-ownership patterns as they developed from the post-Civil War period to the present with an emphasis on how these affected and were affected by various flood-control and drainage efforts; (5) A detailed description of the agricultural and other economic practices as they developed from the post-Civil War period to the present with an emphasis on how these affected and were affected by various flood-control and drainage efforts; (6) A detailed discussion of the various flood-control theories and strategies put forward and implemented by various local, state, and federal agencies from the post-Civil War period to the present with particular emphasis on the Mississippi River Commission and the Corps of Engineers. This would include but not necessarily be limited to a consideration of the ideas put forward by James Eads, the levee only policy, and the Jadwin Plan; (7) A detailed discussion of the various debates and lawsuits associated with the development of various flood-control and drainage plans and practices; (8) A detailed discussion with a comprehensive inclusion of plans, photographs, and other graphics related to the construction strategies, techniques, and subsequent built features of the Floodway. This will include the various agencies, private contractors and sub-contractors, as well as a consideration of the primary labor force and various technologies involved in this construction; and, (9) A detailed discussion to the social and economic consequences and re-actions to the development of the Floodway. This will focus on various agencies, individuals, and organizations associated with protest and support activities, including, but not necessarily limited to, the Southern Tenant Farm Union and organized strikes, as well as various Federal relief agencies and programs. In order to develop this Historic Context; the CEMVM is seeking quotations to conduct a comprehensive program to identify, acquire, organize, and preserve the large number of data sets, distributed across various media types, which contain important information regarding the aspects of the Floodway Project referenced above. It is anticipated that these data sets will include public records of various types, contemporary written accounts of the events, architectural and construction drawings, oral histories, film footage, photographs from both public and private sources, cartographic sources, and, perhaps, audio files. It will, therefore, be necessary to investigate a large number of public repositories, examine numerous contemporary and subsequent narrative sources, as well as to identify and interview living participants of the various events associated with this project. It is required that the company accepting this project be capable of conducting at least 51% of the work without the use of subcontractors. However, should a bidder propose to do less than this amount in-house and use subcontractors for a greater percentage of the work, the subcontractor; the percentage and kind of work to be conducted by that subcontractor must be approved by the Contracting Officer. Technical Standards: Data sources will be acquired using a variety of techniques appropriate to the particular media type. Emphasis will be placed on providing an easily accessible multi-media, digital database for these data sets. While there is some flexibility in the use of different archival standards for the various media, all video, digital video, digital still image, and audio documentation conducted during this project will conform to a minimum standard of quality that will allow the dissemination of these resources through a wide variety of media, anticipated to range from low resolution Internet delivery to high resolution broadcast video. In general, guidelines developed for the Library of Congress' American Memory project will be applicable for this effort. A detailed discussion of these various formats may be seen in the White papers available for viewing at www.loc/ammem/elements. Other relevant discussions of standards important for this effort include a discussion of Department of Defense and National Archive And Records Administration standards at http://www.c3i.osd.mil/org/cio/i3/recmgnt/1june1999imaging.pdf as well as the digital image standards found at http://www.columbia.edu/acis/dl/imagespec.html. To achieve the goals of this project, all video and digital video documentation, including film and video reproduction, will be technically equivalent to or better than the Digital8 format, and digital still images (frame grabs) acquired using video cameras will be of at least 640x480 pixel resolution, 24bit color. All digital still images acquired will be of mega-pixel resolution, minimally 1024x768 pixel, and 24-bit color resolution. Audio recordings may be made with any form of analog or digital recording device, with minimal quality equivalent to 16 bit monaural. All final media productions will be delivered in formats compatible with the intended dissemination technology. For example, video productions edited on digital systems may be required to be delivered on tape formats as requested by the sponsor, and CD-ROM multimedia productions will be required to run on a variety of computer platforms. Black and white text scanned as bit-maps will be scanned at a minimum of 300 dots-per-inch (dpi). Text captured using optical character recognition technologies will be proofed to remove all observable errors. Resultant texts will be delivered in the Adobe PDF format. When capturing older, smudged, or unclear text (or images) from sources such as microfilm copies of public records or newspapers, areas where the original text (or image) is unclear or absent will be clearly marked. Problems related to the digital capture of half-tone images are discussed in the presentation at www.loc/ammem/elements location, which will provide the standards for such images. Recordings of oral interviews captured during this project will be free from external audio and video distortions, such as intrusive and confusing ambient sounds. Deliverables: Electronic Data Base. The resultant collection of text, still and moving images, audio files, and the like will be organized within a searchable electronic data base from which the various elements of the collection can be accessed directly. Metadata to be provided with each element in the data base (texts, images, audio files, and the like) will include the provenience of the item (repository and/or collection, either public or private), appropriate bibliographical reference, date acquired for this project, person responsible for acquisition, and details regarding how the element was acquired, e. g., if it is a scanned image, what device and settings were used in the acquisition. The data base program used to organize these materials will be capable of wide-spread public use by currently existing major data base programs such as MS Access and Paradox. Electronic text files will employ at least one version in the PDF format. Collected Materials. Where possible the originals of all data sources obtained by this effort (photographs, documents, and the like) will be delivered in suitably archived conditions to the CEMVM at the conclusion of this project. Exceptions to this would include data acquired from microfilm, archival film footage, or photographs in private collections. A minimum of three additional products will be developed from these collected data sources. Narrative Report. This will be an illustrated narrative report, which will serve as the supporting documentation for the nomination of this property to the NRHP. This will be produced in both hardcopy (8.5 x 11 size) and electronic media. The form of the electronic media version with be Adobe PDF. The narrative report will contain color illustrations if possible. CD-ROM report. One or more CD-ROM versions of the narrative report suitable for a general public audience with emphasis on use in educational settings. This report will include text, graphics, video, and audio files accessible through major Web browsers which will run on all commonly used platforms. Text files will be in the PDF format and all elements of this product must be capable of downloading to a variety of platforms and output devices. The original (master) and 50 copies will be provided. Video. A brief (10-15 minute) video version of the narrative report suitable for a public audience. This video will be designed to be used in a variety of public settings (classroom use, presentations to community organizations, and the like). The video will illustrate the history and nature of the Floodway Project with special reference to the Corps of Engineers' role. It must meet commonly accepted standards for "Broadcast Quality." The master version will be formatted digitally (Digital8 or higher). It will be free from blurred images and audio defects. VHS, 8mm, High8, or similar technologies will not be acceptable. The original (master) and 150 copies will be provided. The content and specifications of the CD-ROM report and Video will be mutually agreed upon between the Government and the contractor after the completion of the Electronic Data Base and the Narrative Report. All materials gathered for this project belong to the Corps of Engineers and may not be used or given out before completion of the contract, without specific permission from the Contracting Officer. Schedule: Initial Report. An initial progress report with examples of the various data sources arranged within the organizational format agreed upon will be submitted within 120 days. Comments on this initial report will be returned within 45 days. If necessary, an additional conference may be held to clarify any issues which have become unclear. Draft Report. A draft version of the final report including all elements listed above will be submitted within 120 days of receipt of comments on the initial draft or any conference held as part of the original review; which ever is later. CEMVM and MSHPO comments on the final draft will be submitted within 45 days of receipt of this draft. Final Report. Comments from the CEMVM review of the final draft will be addressed in the final submission which will be within 45 days of receipt of CEMVM comments. With the submission of the final report, the contractor will submit detailed outlines (scripts) for the development of the CD-ROM and video products. Discussions regarding the nature and scheduling of these products will be conducted within 45 days of the receipt of the Final Report. GENERAL REPORT REQUIREMENTS: The primary purpose of the cultural resources report is to serve as a planning tool which aids the Government in meeting its obligations to preserve and protect our cultural heritage. The report will be in the form of a comprehensive, scholarly document that not only fulfills mandated legal requirements but also serves as a scientific reference for future cultural resources studies. As such, the reported content must be not only descriptive but also analytic in nature. Upon completion of all field investigation and research, the Contractor shall prepare a report detailing the work accomplished, the results, and recommendations for the project area. Copies of the draft and final reports of investigation shall be submitted in a form suitable for publication and be prepared in a format reflecting contemporary organizational and illustrative standards for current professional archeological journals. The final report shall be typed on standard size 8-1/2" x 11" bond paper with pages numbered and with page margins one inch at top, bottom and sides. Photographs, plans, maps, drawings and text shall be clean and clear. The report shall include, when appropriate, the following items: 1. Title Page. The title page should provide the following information: the type of task undertaken, the study areas and cultural resources which were assessed; the location (county and state), the date of the report; the contract number; the name of the author(s) and/or the Principal Investigator; and the agency for which the report is being prepared. If a report has been authored by someone other than the Principal Investigator, the Principal Investigator must at least prepare a forward describing the overall research context of the report, the significance of the work, and any other related background circumstances relating to the manner in which the work was undertaken. 2. Abstract. An abstract suitable for publication in an abstract journal shall be prepared and shall consist of a brief, quotable summary useful for informing the technically oriented professional public of what the author considers to be the contribution of the investigation of knowledge. 3. Table of Contents 4. Introduction. This section shall include the purpose of the report, a description of the proposed project, a map of the general area, a project map, and the dates during which the investigations were conducted. The introduction shall also contain the name of the institution where recovered materials and documents will be curated. 5. Environmental Context. This section shall contain, but not be limited to, a discussion of probable past floral, faunal, and climatic characteristics of the project area. Since data in this section may be used in the evaluation of cultural resources significance, it is imperative that the quantity and quality of environmental data be sufficient to allow subsequent detailed analysis of the relationship between past cultural activities and environmental variables. 6. Previous Research. This section shall describe previous research, which may be useful in deriving or interpreting relevant background data, problem domains, or research questions and in providing a context in which to examine the probability of occurrence and significance of cultural resources in the study area. 7. Literature Search and Personal Interviews. This section shall discuss the results of the literature search, including specific data sources, and personal interviews which were conducted during the course of investigations. 8. Research Design. Where possible, the research design should contain a discussion of potentially relevant research domains and questions. Field and analytical methods and other data should be explicitly related to research questions. 9. Fieldwork Methods and Collected Data. This section shall contain an explicit discussion of analytical methods and their rationale as well as, a description of data collected. All cultural items collected must be listed with their respective provenience either in the main body of the report or as an appendix. Where appropriate, field methods should be explicitly related to the research design. 10. Analytical Methods and Results. This section shall contain an explicit discussion of analytical methods and results, and shall demonstrate how field data, environmental data, previous research data, the literature search and personal interviews have been utilized. Specific research domains and questions as well as methodological strategies employed should be included where possible. 11. References (American Antiquity Style). 12. Appendices (Maps, Correspondence, etc.). A copy of this Scope of Work and, when stipulated by the Contracting Officer, review comments shall be included as appendices to the final report of investigations. 13. Each report shall contain a completed Report Documentation page (SF Form 298). (SF 298 attached to the last page of this scope of work) The above items do not necessarily have to be in discrete sections so long as they are readily discernable to the reader. No logo or other such organizational designation shall appear in any part of the report (including tables or figures) other than the title page. All appropriate information (including typologies and other classificatory units) not generated in these contract activities shall be suitably referenced. Information shall be presented in textual, tabular, and graphic forms, whichever are most appropriate, effective and advantageous to communicate necessary information. All tables, figures and maps appearing in the report shall be of publishable quality. Any abbreviated phrases used in the text shall be spelled out when the phrase first occurs in the text. For example, use State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) in the initial reference and thereafter SHPO may be used. The first time the common name of a biological species is used it should be followed by the scientific name. Generally, all measurements should be metric/English, if the measurement is generated by the contractor for this report. As appropriate, diagnostic and/or unique artifacts, drawings or photography shall show cultural resources or their contexts. Black and white photographs are preferred except when color changes are important for understanding the data being presented. No instant type photographs may be used. Negatives of all black and white or color photographs and/or color slides of all plates included in the final report shall be submitted to the Contracting Officer. SUBMITTALS. Unless otherwise stipulated in the purchase order, the Contractor shall submit 3 copies of the draft report for review; one original, camera ready, unbound

Web Link

Memphis District Corps of Engineers (http://www.mvm.usace.army.mil)

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010206/BSOL005.HTM (W-033 SN50C5H9)