SOLICITATION NOTICE
B -- Joshua Tree National Park has a need to continue studying whether contemporary tribal heritage experts retain specialized knowledge about 'rock art' in general, Joshua Tree National Park's in particular. This would be Phase 2 to this study.
- Notice Date
- 7/19/2002
- Notice Type
- Solicitation Notice
- Contracting Office
- PWR - JOTR Joshua Tree NP Park Headquarters 74485 National Park Drive Twentynine Palms CA 92277
- ZIP Code
- 92277
- Solicitation Number
- Q8336020035
- Response Due
- 8/2/2002
- Point of Contact
- Cynthia Williams Purchasing Agent 7603675512 Cynthia_Williams@nps.gov
- E-Mail Address
-
Email your questions to Point of Contact above or IDEASEC HELP DESK
(IDEAS_EC@NBC.GOV)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- Total Small Business
- Description
- Scope of Work Traditional Use Study Joshua Tree National Park The National Park Service (NPS) is contracting the work specified below for the purpose of entering into a professional services firm fixed price contract for the documentation of 'rock art' (petroglyphs/pictographs) sites associated with traditional use of Joshua Tree National Park (JOTR) by American Indians. The park has a need to determine whether contemporary tribal heritage experts retain specialized knowledge about 'rock art' in general and JOTR's in particular. NPS believes it needs to understand general or specific concerns about 'rock art' in its cultural resource management and visitor programs. Previous actions taken by JOTR to better understand and comply with directives regarding tribal cultural interests and issues include NAGPRA repatriation, an ethnobotany study, and Phase 1 of an ethnographic overview; this study will continue with a portion of Phase 2 of the overview. 'Rock art' is a tangible connection, which the park considers a specific type of archeological resource, between past Native American peoples and contemporary communities who may live many miles away today. The park lacks understanding about how those communities view this type of cultural resource. This study is to provide basic information about this specific heritage from the Native American viewpoint, which will enable management decisions or options to be supported with reliable information. Specifically, the areas of interest covered by this solicitation are the following: (1) Historic and present day use of the 127 known 'rock art' sites by local Native Americans within the boundaries of JOTR; (2) Uses of 'rock art' sites in JOTR that may affect, or be affected by, NPS management actions; (3) Tribal consultation regarding the appropriate type of interpretation and content of prospective interpretive materials regarding 'rock art' and 'rock art' sites. This traditional use study emphasizes the collection of ethnographic information regarding specific archeological resources at JOTR. Some places may be candidates for a Traditional Cultural Property (TCP) Study if both archeological and ethnographic values would support a TCP as a National Register property consideration. Some data collection focusing on the distribution of 'rock art' styles and possible traditional associations may be necessary to document the use and/or importance of specific culturally significant resources occurring within JOTR. Research into Native American creation stories and other legends that may tie into the 'rock art' elements will be an essential part of this study. 'Rock art' may be affiliated with trails, tribal boundaries, water sources, solstice or equinox events, or areas with spiritual meaning. Research questions should address these areas of inquiry. It is the purpose of the solicited research to obtain information about how the Cahuilla, Serrano, Chemehuevi, and Mojave consider 'rock art' sites (or particular design elements) within JOTR environments, to categorize culturally significant 'rock art' sites, and to solicit input on the appropriate level of interpretation of these sites. Sites categorized as archeological for preservation purposes, for example, contain ethnographic information if traditional religious practitioners consider them to be significant sources of spiritual. Members of traditionally associated groups may place meanings to localities and landscapes containing 'rock art' where reference points are based on collective notions of past or present use. Traditional land use study data will help managers to better assess the effects of NPS operations on "traditional" native ways of life for culturally affiliated peoples. Among other applications the information will help managers evaluate requests for access to resources as well as identify park resources that may require special treatment or protection. Background Joshua Tree National Park was established as a monument in the national park system by presidential proclamation No. 2193 on August 10, 1936 (50 Stat. 1760) under authority of the Antiquities Act of 1906. Its enabling legislation states that the park's "lands contain historic and prehistoric structures and have situated thereon various objects of historic and scientific interest". With passage of the Desert Protection Act of 1994, the national monument became a national park and acquired jurisdiction of an additional 234,000 acres of land formerly administered by the Bureau of Land Management. This increased the acreage of the park from 560,000 to 794,000 acres. The traditional use study is one of the first studies programmed when park resources are known or thought to be traditionally associated with a contemporary ethnic group or groups. The first part of this study will review and evaluate existing archeological and ethnographic data that will serve as a background to design research questions relative to NPS management needs. The literature review will be focused upon existing examples of Native American reference to 'rock art', assumed to be prehistoric or early historic, within southern California/western Arizona tribal cultures. A research plan will arise from what tribal cultural references to 'rock art' state, or from the absence of statements. Basic questions or working hypotheses will be developed in the research plan from this focused review. The second phase of the study will begin ethnographic interviews with knowledgeable individuals of Cahuilla, Serrano, Chemehuevi, and Mojave descent. It is expected that about 5 substantive interviews will be conducted. Interviews will be conducted with individuals who have knowledge of creation stories, legends, genealogy, oral or folk history, place names and associated stories, plant and animal resources, religious practices, and other past or present use of the park. The Principal Investigator (PI) will need to engage knowledgeable persons from the various Cahuilla, Serrano, Chemehuevi, and Mojave cultural communities who are recognized as heritage experts suitable for this study. The PI may need to make arrangements for these persons to visit Park headquarters to discuss and share their recommendations. The PI will be expected to pay all expenses for travel to the park. The PI may use information about park 'rock art' already in the public domain when talking with these persons elsewhere (e.g., David Whitley's Davis Dam and Indian Canyon rock art book). It may develop that some tribal communities won't have much information except in very general ways regarding the 'rock art' we see today. This is important to document also. The third phase will be the synthesis of study results and presentation in a report format understandable to the lay person. This report will summarize the literature consulted, interviews with tribal community representatives, questions and observations from site visits, and shall make recommendations for enhance stewardship by the NPS for these cultural resources (see Deliverables section). The NPS places primary emphasis on fieldwork and the collection of contemporary ethnographic data in this traditional use study. Primary emphasis is also placed on Native American input into appropriate levels of interpretation of 'rock art' and/or 'rock art' sties. Secondary emphasis is placed on the collection and analysis of existing ethnohistorical materials documenting 'rock art', legends, trails, tribal boundaries, water sources, etc., by American Indian communities. The focus in these studies is on specific cultural groups such as the Cahuilla, Serrano, Chemehuevi, and Mojave, who have both long-term and presently active associations with park resources. Objectives of the Traditional Use Study This project will document the degree, extent, and character of historic and contemporary use of park resources by recording narratives relating to the socio-cultural links between the Cahuilla, Serrano, Chemehuevi, and Mojave and the 'rock art' within park boundaries. Topics to be documented include, but are not limited to: creation stories and other legends, tribal boundaries, traditional travel routes, place names, possible solstice or equinox sites, ceremonial sites, and religious activities. The contractor will collect, and through the report present, information related to past and present knowledge regarding the symbolism represented by the pictographs and petroglyphs. The NPS specifically desires information from contemporary Native Americans that could help guide appropriate interpretation of these important resources to the public. The NPS acknowledges that the sensitivity of some ethnographic information about culturally significant resources, especially those associated with traditional religious practices, may not be possible or desirable to record. In these cases, however, an attempt should be made to provide information on the general importance of localities or areas and their character or nature (e.g. religious, ceremonial, etc.) such that culturally informed NPS planning and management decisions can result. Moreover, the traditional use study is intended to facilitate the development of relationships with knowledgeable tribal members and park-associated tribes and to help the park in developing appropriate interpretation of 'rock art'. Statement of Work The study described herein is to be performed in accordance with the Scope of Work and under the authority and requirements of the American Indian Religious Freedom Act of 1978 (P.L. 95-341); the Archeological Resources Protection Act of 1979, as amended (P.L. 96-95); the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (P.L. 96-515); Executive Order 13007; Release No. 5 of the Cultural Resource Management Guideline (NPS-28) and its supplements; Director's Order 28; and NPS Management Policies, 2001, Section 5, pp. 54-57. The study will employ a principal investigator (PI) that possesses a doctorate degree in ethnography and who has considerable experience in this field of study. This researcher must be able to demonstrate that they have a long-term relationship established with the tribes in question. The PI must also be able to demonstrate that they have conducted ethnographic work in the geographical area of the park. Researchers with comparable experience may be utilized under the PI's supervision. The contractor will: (1) Conduct a focused literature review/evaluation and prepare a research plan to guide fieldwork and the phases of the study. The research plan will include the types of interview questions to be asked of knowledgeable individuals of Cahuilla, Serrano, Chemehuevi, and Mojave descent. (2) Collaborate with the park Contracting Officer's Technical Representative (COTR) and appropriate NPS professionals. (3) Attempt to work directly with the Cahuilla, Serrano, Chemehuevi, and Mojave tribes headquartered in California and Arizona. Along with qualified NPS personnel, the contractor will present the project to interested tribal representatives and, if necessary, adapt the research in accordance with suggestions from tribal staff and members in consultation with, and as approved by, the NPS. (4) Record narratives about traditional use of 'rock art' sites. The recording should be videotaped if possible or, as a second choice an audio recording made. If the interviewee does not feel comfortable with these methods written notes can be taken. The exact number of interviews is to be determined through communication between the contractor and the NPS though it is expected that a minimum of 5 substantive interviews will take place. "Knowledgeable individuals" will include persons of Cahuilla, Serrano, Chemehuevi, and Mojave descent who are resident in California or Arizona and are recognized as heritage experts suitable for this study. (5) Record information regarding Native American perspectives on appropriate level of interpretation of 'rock art' and 'rock art' sites. (6) Review the ethnographic literature, other possible studies similar to that which is currently proposed, archeological records of park 'rock art' sites, existing photographs, maps, and locally available archival sources for information about traditional use utilizing standard ethnohistorical techniques. In analyzing these sources, the contractor will consider, and discuss in writing, the limitations or biases of important manuscript, photographic, cartographic and published sources. (7) As an appendix to the report, the contractor will provide copies of interview notes of interview sessions that contain information about relationships and ties to Joshua Tree National Park 'rock art' sites. This material should attempt to show how places were traditionally recognized, maintained and used, and the relative significance of each site; traditional narratives which evoke Joshua Tree National Park through (i) legends and resultant linkages with belief and ritual, and (ii) historical narratives of recent or contemporary use. Products (Deliverables) The contractor will produce a research plan and professional quality "typed" report in Microsoft Word 7.0 that addresses elements in the Statement of Work given above. The report will follow the American Anthropologist style, the guidelines for which are available through the publication's web page. This report will also document the concepts, procedures, and the logic behind findings that lead to the Principal Investigator's conclusions. The final report will be paginated and include: (1) an executive summary, consisting of one to two pages that summarizes the contents of the report; (2) a table of contents, which includes the location of narrative sections, figures, maps, illustrations, and appendices; (3) an introductory section which explains why the study was undertaken, who was involved, and special issues which were addressed; (4) a summary of the literature review; (5) a description of the study objectives and how the methods employed work to obtain those objectives; (6) a non-technical summary and interpretation of the report, which is understandable to tribal members, park staff, and the general public who have little or no expertise in the field of anthropology. Among the findings, the contractor will: (a) identify existing or potential conflicts between cultural group use(s)/traditional practices and current NPS management of these resources. In addition to this inventory, the contractor will recommend mitigation measures for these conflicts; (b) identify data gaps which will indicate the need for additional research in the future; (c) assess how information gathered during this study can most effectively be used to augment existing park interpretation programs that best meet the need of the visitor. This will include discussions of what park interpreters need to know in order to accurately and sensitively convey information to the public regarding the traditional use of resources found in the park; (d) discuss what park law enforcement personnel need to know regarding traditional use, and how to apply existing law and regulations in ways that are sensitive to the activities of Indian people; (7) a complete bibliography of sources used, including interviews (whether videotapes or audio taped or not) with knowledgeable individuals; (8) an index which lists place names, resource types, and specific categories of information; A draft report will be submitted for NPS review according to the schedule given in Section VII. It will include Section V components (2), (3), (4), (5), and (6) described previously as products (deliverables). The final report will include all components listed in Section V and be a camera-ready, double-spaced, professional document. Authors will not copyright the report (see attached waiver) and research materials are to be in the public domain unless administratively restricted by the contracting officer for reasons of privacy or sensitivity. At the conclusion of the project the contractor will provide the following: (i) five (5) unbound copies with high quality reproduction (clear, sharp, photocopies are acceptable) of any illustrations; (ii) five (5) copies of the report in Microsoft Word 7.0 on a compact disk; (iii) one (1) copy of photographic prints and negatives, maps, or illustrations, used in the report as a separate submittal; (iv) one original of videotapes, audio tapes, and field notes. Unless otherwise mutually agreed upon, the contractor will submit "release forms" signed by the interviewee(s) for each interview. Originals of study-related nonsensitive data will also be given to the parks when the draft report is submitted for review.
- Web Link
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- Place of Performance
- Address: Joshua Tree National Park Twentynine Palms, CA
- Zip Code: 92277
- Country: US
- Zip Code: 92277
- Record
- SN00121506-W 20020721/020719213613 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
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