National Park Service Grant: Geophysical Survey at Brooks River, Katmai NP

This Funding Announcement is not a request for applications. This announcement is to provide public notice of the National Park Service (NPS), intention to fund the following project activities without competition.

ABSTRACT
Funding Announcement P15AS01041
Project Title Conduct Geophysical Sub-surface Resource Survey at Brooks River, Katmai National Park & Preserve
Recipient Cornell University
Total Anticipated Award Amount 25000
Cost Share 0
Anticipated Length of Agreement 2 years
Anticipated Period of Performance 2 years
Award Instrument CESU Task Agreement
Statutory Authority 54 USC 101702(c)

CFDA # and Title 15.945, Cooperative Research and Training Programs – Resources of the National Park System

Single Source Justification Criteria Cited Unique Qualifications
Point of Contact Erica Cordeiro

OVERVIEW

The Brooks Camp Site is part the Brooks River Archaeological District (National Register Number: 78000342) in Katmai National Park, AK. The district includes sites that date from 2500 BC to the historic period. While this district has yielded data of great scientific importance, including the greatest concentration of Arctic Small Tool Tradition dwellings in Alaska, it is suspected that as much as 90% of the cultural resources remain undisturbed. These resources are presently under threat from both erosion and the ongoing need to maintain infrastructure at the visitor camp. While archaeological monitoring continues, the need for a more detailed assessment of the site’s invaluable cultural resources is now more apparent than ever.

Objectives
Cornell and the NPS will collaborate to accomplish the following objectives:
1. Use multiple geophysical techniques to locate and identify embedded cultural features and sediment layers at all depths for the full depositional range of the site;
2. Conduct limited subsurface testing to “ground truth” geophysical results, likely in the form of auguring.
3. Sample for geochemical soil testing (ICP-MS), C14 dating, and tree-ring dating if necessary or dictated by geophysical results
4. Produce both interpretive material of interest to Katmai visitors and scientific research material of interest to an academic audience.

STATEMENT OF JOINT OBJECTIVES/PROJECT MANAGEMENT PLAN

RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT

Cornell University agrees to:
1. Collaboratively undertake a study titled “Conduct Geophysical Sub-surface Resource Survey – Archaeo-geophysical assessment of cultural resources at the Brooks Camp, Katmai NP” as described throughout this Agreement.
2. Provide qualified personnel for field and laboratory work as per the approved work plan.
3. Comply with NPS training requirements associated with backcountry aviation and bear safety.
4. Undertake geophysical survey and mapping at the site, incorporating ground-penetrating radar (GPR), twin-coil electromagnetic induction (EM), and magnetic survey, along with limited invasive testing and sampling of archeological features.
5. Work with NPS archaeologists to develop a brief status report.
6. Provide or participate in appropriate dissemination (conference or public presentations, reports, research articles) as dictated by the findings.
7. Cooperate with the Agreement Technical Representative (ATR) to ensure that the conduct of the project complies with the “NPS Interim Guidance Document Governing Code of Conduct, Peer Review, and Information Quality Correction for National Park Service Cultural and Natural Resources Disciplines,” and with any and all subsequent guidance issued by the NPS Director to replace this interim document. The ATR is the NPS peer review manager for this project.
8. Following the completion of this project, provide the NPS with original field notes, maps, drawings, indexed images (digital and/or print), and other raw data accumulated in the course of the research project.

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE INVOLVEMENT

. NPS agrees to:
1. Interact directly with the PI on a regular basis and collaborate in management decisions throughout the duration of the project. Facilitate environmental policy review and provide assistance with obtaining research permits and permission to access the project area.
2. Provide mapping and GPS technical expertise and equipment.
3. Contribute substantially to the design of the field-study plan.
4. Coordinate and enlist contributions from other specialists within and outside the NPS if necessary.
5. Contribute to the design of interpretive components of the project.
6. Take lead responsibility for data management, artifact cataloging and curation, and records archiving as necessary.
7. Co-author, review, edit, and approve reports, presentations, and interpretive materials.
8. Provide transportation to and from Brooks Camp for the 2015 field season.
9. Share an inventory of equipment and supplies that are available for project use prior to the 2015 field season.
10. Provide space for storage of project equipment for the duration of the project
11. Provide transportation for collaborators when in King Salmon for the duration of the project.
12. Provide access to previously compiled research, data, and background materials for this project.
13. Provide two qualified archaeological personnel for the duration of the 2015 field project.
14. Coordinate land vehicle, aircraft, and boat transportation throughout the duration of the project.
15. Provide logistical and safety support for the duration of fieldwork. This support will include, but is not limited to, pre-field training, daily safety check-ins via radio or satellite phone during the field season, assistance with flight scheduling, food, and equipment re-supplies.
16. Collaborate in the distribution of final project findings to local and research communities as appropriate. Provide a distribution list and contact information for community members and organizations that have a general interest in the project.
17. Provide an overview and an orientation associated with all park visits including: briefings on safety procedures; introductions to park staff; and logistical support for field work operations, which include coordination with the park and making safety a priority.
18. Assist with safe undertaking of fieldwork within the park and have appropriate NPS staff accompany Cornell researchers and students in the field as needed.
19. Properly credit and/or acknowledge the original author, photographer, or cartographer in future use of project photographs, maps, and written material.
20. Ensure that reports and other formal materials (including publications and presentations) resulting from this collaborative project acknowledge appropriate Cornell University participants and reference this Task Agreement number.

SINGLE-SOURCE JUSTIFICATION

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
SINGLE SOURCE POLICY REQUIREMENTS

Department of the Interior Policy (505 DM 2) requires a written justification which explains why competition is not practicable for each single-source award. The justification must address one or more of the following criteria as well as discussion of the program legislative history, unique capabilities of the proposed recipient, and cost-sharing contribution offered by the proposed recipient, as applicable.

In order for an assistance award to be made without competition, the award must satisfy one or more of the following criteria:

(1) Unsolicited Proposal – The proposed award is the result of an unsolicited assistance application which represents a unique or innovative idea, method, or approach which is not the subject of a current or planned contract or assistance award, but which is deemed advantageous to the program objectives;

(2) Continuation – The activity to be funded is necessary to the satisfactory completion of, or is a continuation of an activity presently being funded, and for which competition would have a significant adverse effect on the continuity or completion of the activity;

(3) Legislative intent – The language in the applicable authorizing legislation or legislative history clearly indicates Congress’ intent to restrict the award to a particular recipient of purpose;

(4) Unique Qualifications – The applicant is uniquely qualified to perform the activity based upon a variety of demonstrable factors such as location, property ownership, voluntary support capacity, cost-sharing ability if applicable, technical expertise, or other such unique qualifications;

(5) Emergencies – Program/award where there is insufficient time available (due to a compelling and unusual urgency, or substantial danger to health or safety) for adequate competitive procedures to be followed.

NPS did not solicit full and open competition for this award based the following criteria:
(6) Unique Qualifications – The applicant is uniquely qualified to perform the activity based upon a variety of demonstrable factors such as location, property ownership, voluntary support capacity, cost-sharing ability if applicable, technical expertise, or other such unique qualifications;