Department of the Interior Grant Opportunity: Conduct Archeological Survey of Savonoski River to Hallo Bay

ABSTRACT
Funding Announcement P16AC01639
Project Title Conduct Archeological Survey of Savonoski River to Hallo Bay
Recipient University of Alaska Museum of the North
Total Anticipated Award Amount $35,592
Cost Share
Anticipated Length of Agreement 3yr
Anticipated Period of Performance September 19, 2016 to December 31, 2019

Award Instrument Task Agreement CESU P13AC01025
Statutory Authority 54 U.S.C. §100703, Cooperative Study Units.
The Secretary shall enter into cooperative agreements with colleges and universities, including land grant schools, in partnership with other Federal and State agencies, to establish cooperative study units to conduct multi-disciplinary research and develop integrated information products on the resources of the System, or the larger region of which System units are a part.

54 USC §101702 Transfer of Appropriated Funds
(a) Transfer of Service Appropriated Funds.— A cooperative agreement entered into by the Secretary that involves the transfer of Service appropriated funds to a State, local, or tribal government or other public entity, an educational institution, or a private nonprofit organization to carry out public purposes of a Service program is a cooperative agreement properly entered into under section 6305 of title 31.
(b) Cooperative Research and Training Programs.—
(1) In general. — To facilitate the administration of the System, the Secretary, under such terms and conditions as the Secretary may consider advisable, may—
(A) enter into cooperative agreements with public or private educational institutions, States, and political subdivisions of States to develop adequate, coordinated, cooperative research and training programs concerning the resources of the System; and
(B) pursuant to an agreement, accept from and make available to the cooperator technical and support staff, financial assistance for mutually agreed upon research projects, supplies and equipment, facilities, and administrative services relating to cooperative research units that the Secretary considers appropriate.
CFDA # and Title 15.945 – Cooperative Research and Training Programs – Resources of the National Park System
Single Source Justification Criteria Cited 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.
Point of Contact

OVERVIEW

Cooperative Agreement Number P13AC01025 was entered into by and between the Department of the Interior, National Park Service, (NPS), and The University of Alaska Museum of the North for the purpose of providing research, technical assistance and education in biological, physical, social, and cultural sciences needed to address resource issues and interdisciplinary problem-solving at multiple scales and in an ecosystem context at the local, regional, and national level; placing special emphasis on the working collaboration among federal agencies and universities and their related partner institutions. Unless otherwise specified herein, the terms and conditions as stated in the Cooperative Agreement will apply to this Task Agreement.

For performance under this task agreement, the regulations set forth in 2 CFR, Part 200, supersedes OMB Circulars A–21 (2 CFR 220), A–87 (2 CFR 225), A–110, and A–122 (2 CFR 230); Circulars A–89, A–102, and A–133; and the guidance in Circular A–50 on Single Audit Act follow–up. The recipient shall adhere to 2 CFR, Part 200 in its entirety in addition to any terms and conditions of the master agreement not superseded by 2 CFR 200, as well as the terms and conditions set forth in this agreement. In the event of a conflict between the original terms of the master agreement and 2 CFR, Part 200, relating to this task agreement, 2 CFR, Part 200 shall take precedence.

Project Title: Conduct Archeological Survey of Savonoski River to Hallo Bay.

Project Description:
This project is an archeological and ethnographic study of the Savonoski River to its headwaters, and across the Aleutian Range to Shelikof Strait on the North Pacific coast. Katmai has received the first year of funding to accomplish this three year project with funding anticipated for 2017 and 2018. The 2016 funding will go towards planning and recruiting project staff for the following years.

A priority of Katmai National Park and Preserve is to increase inventory of cultural resources as mandated in Section 110 of the National Historic Preservation Act (54 USC 300101 et seq.). Conducting an archeological survey of the route from Naknek Lake to Shelikof Strait via the Savonoski River and passes through the Aleutian Range will significantly increase acreage of archeologically inventoried lands in Katmai and connect archeological surveys of the upper Naknek Drainage to coastal surveys on Shelikof Strait. Geospatial data from project survey areas and transects would be added to cultural sites and survey coverage layers in the KATM cultural resources GIS geodatabase.

To Sugpiaq people the Savonoski River was an important route connecting Bristol Bay via Naknek Lake to the west side of the Aleutian Range. The uplands at the headwaters of the Savonoski River provide access to Bristol Bay, Cook Inlet and Shelikof Strait. Prolific sockeye salmon runs probably drew people to this river and led them to travel the length of the river in pursuit of them. Oral accounts relate that in the past people traveled to the Pacific coast via passes at the headwaters of the Savonoski River. The specific pass along this route that linked the interior to the coast in prehistoric and historic times remains unknown.

Depending on the route taken the traverse from the Iliuk Arm of Naknek Lake to Hallo Bay or Swikshak Bay is from 50 to 55 miles long, traversing densely forested lowlands, extensive wetlands at the foot of towering volcanos with active glaciers, and crossing large glacial streams to reach rugged mountain passes. The entire route is through prime brown bear habitat. River bank erosion is the primary threat to the cultural resources along the river and has certainly removed significant portions of sites. The layer of 1912 Ash that blankets the area further obscures all archeological sites.

Discontinuous segments of the lower Savonoski River have been surveyed, but the upper reaches up to and through passes in the Aleutian Range to the Pacific Coast have not received systematic survey. Eleven archeological sites are known along the lower river including historic Old Savonoski. Archeologists will gather additional information about the age and length of the occupation, and cultural affiliation of these sites to identify contemporaneous archeological components on the Shelikof Strait coast.

Settlements on Hallo Bay reported by Russian sources remain unlocated, despite surveys beginning in the 1950’s. Historic Douglas Village (AFG0043) and the Cape Chiniak (AFG-001) precontact site occupy the coast just north Hallo Bay. The Cape Chiniak site may be ancestral to Douglas Village suggesting that this stretch of coast may have been the primary destination of Sugpiaq people traveling from the interior to the North Pacific coast. Oral accounts state that people living at Old Savonoski maintained connections with Douglas Village and some owned houses in both villages. Documenting the kinship and cultural relations between interior people and grave yards at historic sites on the coast is important for addressing NAGPRA issues.

The logistical challenges of this area mean that project will adopt survey tactic of initially surveying areas of known archeological interest. Results of initial surveys will inform surveys of additional areas. In summer 2016 NPS project staff is interviewing knowledgeable Sugpiaq elders to learn place names along the route and historical data about the area. Archeologists will intensify archeological survey at specific locations that the elders identify. There is potential for finding cultural resources preserved in ice patches on the divide between the Savonoski and Ninagiak River depending on the amount of snowfall the previous winter, rate of snow melt during the summer, and weather in the August season.

Objectives
UAMN and Katmai National Park and Preserve will collaborate to achieve the following objectives:
1. Complete surveys and further evaluate the eleven known sites along the lower Savonoski and Grosvenor Lake outlet including Old Savonoski, XMK-001 and XMK-102 which make up the Savonoski Archeological district (XMK-053).
2. Survey the uplands east of the Savonoski Headwaters between the Devils Desk and Fourpeaked Mountains including any ice patches with potential to yield artifacts and weapons left by ancient hunters if weather and snow conditions allow late summer access.
3. Survey the north end of Hallo Bay in the area of Ninagiak Creek for archeological sites reported in Russian accounts, other late 19th Century reports and recent reports by coastal visitors. If the surveys of north Hallo Bay and Ninagiak River show little potential to be productive, the archeologist have the option to survey the area of Douglas Village (AFG-043) and Cape Chiniak for evidence of a trail leading inland.
4. Process and manage artifacts and samples collected, submitting appropriate samples for third party analysis. Process geospatial data as GIS survey layers and catalog and file project photos.
5. Produce and publish a final report meeting the Secretary of Interior’s standards for archeological reporting.

Public Purpose
This project will benefit the public by contributing to understanding the human history and adaptive responses to past environments preserve in Alaska’s National Parks. Project results will be compiled in a peer-reviewed collaborative report produced by Katmai National Park and Preserve and UAMN. This information will be disseminated to the public with efforts to present the information included in the report in local schools, tribal councils and other public venues.

Collaboration between KATM and UAMN will give students training that will produce a body of archeologist with experience and knowledge of KATM and Southwest Alaska archeological resources.

ARTICLE II – LEGAL AUTHORITY

54 U.S.C. §100703, Cooperative Study Units.
The Secretary shall enter into cooperative agreements with colleges and universities, including land grant schools, in partnership with other Federal and State agencies, to establish cooperative study units to conduct multi-disciplinary research and develop integrated information products on the resources of the System, or the larger region of which System units are a part.

54 USC §101702 Transfer of Appropriated Funds
(a) Transfer of Service Appropriated Funds.— A cooperative agreement entered into by the Secretary that involves the transfer of Service appropriated funds to a State, local, or tribal government or other public entity, an educational institution, or a private nonprofit organization to carry out public purposes of a Service program is a cooperative agreement properly entered into under section 6305 of title 31.
(b) Cooperative Research and Training Programs.—
(1) In general. — To facilitate the administration of the System, the Secretary, under such terms and conditions as the Secretary may consider advisable, may—
(A) enter into cooperative agreements with public or private educational institutions, States, and political subdivisions of States to develop adequate, coordinated, cooperative research and training programs concerning the resources of the System; and
(B) pursuant to an agreement, accept from and make available to the cooperator technical and support staff, financial assistance for mutually agreed upon research projects, supplies and equipment, facilities, and administrative services relating to cooperative research units that the Secretary considers appropriate.

ARTICLE III – STATEMENT OF WORK

A. UAMN agrees to perform the following tasks under this task agreement:
1. Plan and recruit for the 2017 and 2018 Surveys to accomplish the following project components:
2. Survey lower Savonoski River sites,
3. Survey the uplands east of the Savonoski Headwaters between the Devils Desk and Fourpeaked Mountains including potentially productive ice patches,
4. Survey area of Ninagiak River in Hallo Bay and/or the Cape Chiniak/Douglas village area to the north,
5. Catalog and Analyze artifacts, radiocarbon, and other samples, process geospatial data, complete site forms and maps, complete survey area maps and catalog and process artifacts and samples.
6. Produce a detailed final project report meeting the Secretary of Interior Standards.

B. NPS agrees to:
1. Work directly with UAMN to collaboratively plan and make management decisions and complete compliance requirements.
2. Provide site information, maps, reports of surveys, and published and unpublished documentation.
3. Apply for any required permits including RPRS or ARPA permits.
4. Provide logistics and safety support for the 2017 and 2018 field seasons.
5. Provide an inventory of field equipment available for project use in 2017 and 2018
6. Provide space for storage of project equipment for the duration of the project.
7. Provide Field Assistance
8. Provide GIS information
9. Provide funds and annual budgets
10. Review and Comment on Project Report
11. Collaborate in distribution of project information to partners and research communities.

c. KATM and UAMN jointly agree to:
1. Submit electronic copies of all related project products upon completion to the CESU Coordinator for posting on the University of Alaska Fairbanks CESU website (or the URL where the project is located; whichever is appropriate).
2. Include acknowledgement of the CESU on published products related to this project: “This report was funded by the National Park Service Task Agreement XXXXXX through the University of Alaska Fairbanks through the North and West Alaska Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit under Cooperative Agreement P13AC01025 between the National Park Service and partners”.

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: Awarded under Master CESUCooperative Agreement Number P13AC01025 was entered into by and between the Department of the Interior, National Park Service, (NPS), and The University of Alaska Museum of the North for the purpose of providing research, technical assistance and education in biological, physical, social, and cultural sciences needed to address resource issues and interdisciplinary problem-solving at multiple scales and in an ecosystem context at the local, regional, and national level; placing special emphasis on the working collaboration among federal agencies and universities and their related partner institutions.

This award is necessary to complete geophysical survey of archeological sites at Katmai National Park and Preserve which was started in 2015.