Request For Proposals
Mississippi Delta National Heritage Area
Civil Rights Resources Study and Community Engagement Project
Deadline for submission of proposals is Friday, December 18, 2020 at 5:00PM
The Mississippi Delta National Heritage Area (MDNHA) is one of 55 National Heritage Areas in the United States designated by Congress. In partnership with the National Park Service, National Heritage Areas tell nationally important stories that celebrate our nation's diverse heritage through community-based partnerships, local collaboration, education, and tourism.
The MDNHA is a partnership between the people of the 18-county Mississippi Delta and the National Park Service. The MDNHA was designated by U.S. Congress in 2009 as a culturally distinctive landscape that warrants significant heritage development investment, including preservation and interpretation. The MDNHA is governed by a board of directors representing agencies and organizations defined by Congressional legislation.
In 2014, the MDNHA Management Plan was approved by the Secretary of the Interior. The MDNHA is implementing the plan with The Delta Center for Culture and Learning at Delta State University in Cleveland, MS, as its management entity. This management partnership has collaboratively developed various programs that reflect the MDNHA’s cultural heritage themes including “Moving Toward Freedom: Changing America’s Character In The Struggle for Rights” which focuses on the Mississippi Delta’s national significance as the “Birthplace of the Modern Civil Rights Movement.”
Working in collaboration with the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, the MDNHA recognizes that recent developments signal growing local and national interest in the Mississippi Delta and the state as Civil Rights heritage destinations, including the opening of the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum in 2017, the designation of the Medgar Evers Home as a National Monument in 2019, and the National Park Service’s current implementation of a Mississippi Civil Rights Sites Resource Study. NPS’ first statewide civil rights open house was hosted by The Delta Center and the MDNHA at Delta State University in May 2018.
Objective I: MDNHA Civil Rights Historic Resources Survey and Historic Context Report
In 2015, the Mississippi Department of Archives and History compiled a list of over 1000 historic structures/sites associated with the Civil Rights Movement throughout Mississippi. Of these structures/sites, approximately 400 resources, are in 18-county Mississippi Delta region, as delineated in the map below, which is color-coded to show estimated concentrations of sites by county. Objective I will consist of a Historic Resources Survey and a Historic Context Report, and in addition, the consultant will attend at least two meetings with the board of the Mississippi Delta National Heritage Area, one at the start of the project and another at the end. It is expected that Objective I will lay the groundwork for MDNHA-led public education in Objective II and for future National Park Service National Register of Historic Places and National Park Service African American Civil Rights Network nominations. Objective I will also lay the groundwork for communities to pursue preservation at the local level and position them for preservation and interpretation funding opportunities (e.g., National Park Service’s African American Civil Rights Grants Program; National Trust for Historic Preservation’s African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund).
Objective II: Community Engagement Presentations
The consultant will collaborate with the MDNHA administrative team to convene a series of community engagement presentations where results of the MDNHA Civil Rights Historic Resources Survey and Historic Context Report will be shared. The intent of these meetings is to increase awareness and support of the benefits both socially and economically of a holistic approach to cultural preservation, and how structural preservation connects to MDNHA themes.
These presentations need not be planned as standalone convenings. Rather, toward achieving diverse, inclusive community engagement that is accessible to local, regional, and national stakeholders, the goal will be to give online and in-person presentations that are connected with existing conferences and meetings throughout the MDNHA. In anticipation of potential conference and meeting postponements due to COVID-19, the consultant should be prepared to give presentations virtually as well as in-person. Examples of such meetings include the Alliance of National Heritage Areas Spring Meeting (scheduled for spring 2021/2022) and the National Parks Conservation Association “On the Road to Freedom” Travel Program (scheduled for fall 2021) that will provide spaces for residents and/or visitors to learn about and experience civil rights heritage development in the Mississippi Delta.
SPECIAL CONDITIONS
Applicants should be aware of the following special conditions for this project.
This project is a partnership between MDNHA and MDAH. The project is funded by the MDNHA. While the consultant will be working with both MDNHA and MDAH, all project deliverables, updates, plans, and invoices must be submitted to the MDNHA administrative office located in The Delta Center for Culture and Learning at Delta State University. In addition, there are project deliverables that also must be submitted to MDAH (see “Projected Timeline for the Project” section below for details).
The MDNHA is seeking proposals with total costs less than $20,000.
A public project kickoff meeting to discuss the survey process and previous experience will be required with the MDNHA board in February 2021.
Significant progress including a portion of the deliverables— to be defined in the contract — and an invoice for partial payment will be required no later than May 15, 2021.
PROJECTED TIMELINE FOR THE PROJECT
Based on the above special conditions, below is a projected timeline for the project with key milestones and deadlines.
Tuesday, February 23, 2021: Consultant meets with MDNHA Board of Directors for introductions
March – April 2021: Consultant begins survey work (objective I) and meets with MDNHA and MDAH staff regarding community engagement aspects of the project (objective II)
Friday, May 14, 2021: FY21 invoice due from consultant reflecting early fieldwork.
May - July 2021: Consultant continues survey work (objective I) and participates in community engagement meetings/presentations (objective II) for the duration of the project in collaboration with MDNHA, MDAH, and partner organizations.
August 1, 2021: All survey materials, including completed inventory forms, maps, digital photos and media, must be submitted for review and comment to the MDAH Survey Manager;
September 30, 2021: The consultant shall submit a draft copy of a completed Historic Context Report to MDAH and the MDNHA for review.
October 30, 2021: Final draft of the Historic Context Report should be submitted.
November 9, 2021: The consultant shall present the final report at the MDNHA Board of Directors meeting.
December 1, 2021: Project ends. All work under the terms of this project, including corrections and additions requested by MDAH and MDNHA, must be completed and submitted to MDAH.
SURVEY WORK PROGRAM
This survey will focus on about 400 properties previously identified as having associations with the Civil Rights Movement within the MDNHA (see attached map). Comprehensive, intensive survey (both extant structures and non-extant) will be required, and a survey form produced for each site.
1. Survey Requirements
a. Consultant will produce two sets of all survey materials (including photographs) – one for MDAH and one for MDNHA.
b. A Historic Resources Inventory form shall be completed for each surveyed property in accordance with the HPD’s inventory form instructions and to the standards set forth in the accompanying Survey Standards.
c. All resources shall be included, regardless of whether they are extant or not.
d. Copies of digital images for each surveyed property must be submitted on a CD or other forms of portable media (e.g., flash drives).
e. The locations of all surveyed properties shall be clearly indicated on a large-scale map of the survey area. Smaller city-specific maps
HISTORIC CONTEXT REPORT
The consultant shall compile a report at the conclusion of the survey project addressing methodology, scope of research, area covered, a summary of findings, and recommendations for additional research or preservation activity as appropriate. This report shall follow the format specified in the Survey Standards and is expected to become the basis for future National Register of Historic Places nominations.
In addition, the MDNHA expects to use this survey and report as a community engagement mechanism in Objective II of this project. The consultant should employ a “begin with the end in mind” approach, taking into account diverse audiences regionally, nationally, and even internationally that are expected to access, learn from, and utilize the report’s contents. Critical input and output elements in this regard include, but are not limited to, the following:
Working with the MDNHA Executive Director and Program Manager to envision/develop interpretive content for the MDNHA Virtual Resource Center and MDNHA Cultural Heritage Ambassadors Program
Providing interpretive resources for counties served by the Mississippi Delta Tourism Association, especially the nine counties without convention and visitors bureaus that are represented by the MDNHA (Carroll, Humphreys, Holmes, Issaquena, Panola, Quitman, Sharkey, Tallahatchie, Tate)
Assessing feasibility of National Park Conservation Association and related partners’ long-range vision of securing civil rights national park designation for the Mississippi Delta
Mississippi Department of Archives and History
Historic Preservation Division
Survey Standards
(Revised August 2016)
Survey work contracted or managed through the Department of Archives and History (MDAH), Historic Preservation Division (HPD) or through a Certified Local Government (CLG) must meet the following standards to be considered complete:
Survey Forms:
The Historic Resources Inventory (HRI) form is intended to be a permanent paper record kept in files maintained by the HPD and should be completed as neatly and accurately as possible. All relevant sections of the form need to be completed in order to be accepted by HPD. Step-by-step instructions for completing the HRI form are available upon request.
HRI forms will be created using ‘Consultant Inventory’ a Microsoft Access Database provided by HPD. This database will generate a template for printing Historic Resource Inventory forms (HRI), as well as a .TXT file for incorporation into MDAH’s online database. Instructions for using ‘Consultant Inventory’ are available from MDAH upon request.
Upon completion of the survey, the consultant shall print out HRI forms on single, (front and back) sheets of white, acid free, 8.5x11 inch, 65# cardstock. Use of ‘quilted’ cardstock is strictly forbidden.
A site or building plan must be completed for each resource surveyed. These do not need to be to scale, but should be neatly drawn and show details such as porches and roof types. In addition, the building’s relation to the street or surrounding structures must be shown. The site plan may be hand-drawn or drawn on a computer.
All sources used for research on each individual building should be entered under the section entitled ‘Bibliographic Resources.’ This includes Sanborn maps (for all years in which that building appears), City Directories, and the locations of any unusual or unpublished materials. If Sanborn maps were made for any part of the survey area, the Consultant is expected to use them in researching each building and cite them in the ‘Bibliographic Resources" section.
A printed photograph of the surveyed property must be attached to the survey form. Photos must be printed on photo paper (see below) and attached with archival glue, but may not under any circumstances be stapled to the survey form. Forms submitted without printed photos will not be accepted by the Survey Manager.
Digital Photographs
At least one, clear, sharp digital image must be taken of the main façade of each surveyed property.
Digital images must be six megapixels or greater (2000x3000 pixel image at 300 dpi), and be in compliance with NPS Photo Policy standards for National Register properties and National Historic Landmarks. This information can be found at the following link: http://www.nps.gov/nR/publications/bulletins/photopolicy/index.htm
Photographs are expected to be high-quality--not blurry, washed-out, or grainy--showing the complete facade of the building or the most significant part of a landscape, structure, or other resource. Photographs that do not provide adequate representations of resources will have to be retaken before the final survey will be approved by the Survey Manager.
While one photo is required for each structure, additional photos of significant buildings may be necessary as well.
Significant outbuildings, such as carriage houses, kitchen dependencies, etc. should be photographed and surveyed on a separate survey form.
Copies of digital images for each surveyed property must be submitted on a CD or other acceptable forms of portable media such as flash drives.
Each image must be labeled with the address of the property, number followed by street
Digital images must be in .JPEG or .TIFF formats.
Images must be organized in folders according to street name.
CD or portable media must be labeled with the Consultant’s name, project name, and date (month/year) of photos. When multiple CDs are needed, discs should be numbered sequentially
Printing Digital Photographs
All digital photographs are to be printed out on professional quality photo paper in 4x6 format at 300 dpi and attached to the HRI form using archival glue. Photographs stapled to the HRI form will not be accepted by the survey manager.
Photos printed at a professional-quality photo shop are preferred, but consultants who choose to print their own photos may use the following ink and paper combinations, in keeping with NPS photographic standards.
Maps
The location of all surveyed properties shall be indicated on large-scale maps keyed to the survey sequence number. All maps should feature a prominent north arrow, display consistent symbology, and be clearly readable whether printed in color or grayscale. For properties within towns, copies of city engineering maps or the county property ownership maps are normally sufficient. All other maps must be approved by the Survey Manager before being submitted as the map for the survey area.
Historic Context Report
A survey report shall be prepared discussing the project objectives, historical research, methodology, and findings. A copy of the report will be submitted in draft form for review by the survey manager, Historic Preservation Division (HPD).
The final survey report (when required) will be arranged in the following order:
Title Page: The title page should include the title of the project, including the nature and location of the survey, the author of the report, the principal investigator(s), the project director, the sponsoring institution, association, or agency, and the date the report was prepared.
Acknowledgment: The acknowledgment of state assistance should be stated on the title page or on the page immediately following the title page.
Project Description: The introduction should summarize the objectives for conducting the intensive survey project, the scope of the project, the agencies involved, and the dates within which the project was accomplished. A map showing the location of the project must be included.
Chapter 1: Survey Background and Methodology. Explanations of how the survey project came about and of the procedures used to execute the work program should be included in this section. Items that should be discussed include the following: which organizations were involved in initiating the survey; who surveyed the area and how the survey was conducted; phases of the survey, including a description of geographic or political areas that contributed to the phasing; types of properties surveyed and the criteria for coverage; and sources that contributed to the research effort. Public education efforts conducted in conjunction with the project should be discussed. The role of any volunteer or advisory groups and the success of their participation should be described.
Chapter 2: Historical Summary or Context. A concise historical, cultural, and geographical background of the survey area should be included in this section. This should answer the following questions: What geographic or geologic features are unique to the area or supported its founding? What spurred the growth and or/development of the survey area? What were important events, whether national or local, that brought about change or decline in the area? What important people lived or did business in the area and why were they important? If the area has distinct geographic sub-areas, how and why did those sections develop and what characteristics defined each section? Which (if any) historically important buildings located within the area are now non-extant?
Chapter 3: Survey Findings. This section shall describe the character and distribution of the properties examined in the course of the survey project. For a typical architectural survey of a city or town, this section would include a description of the styles, types, and periods of buildings, the numbers or proportions of each, their relative architectural importance, and rates of survival. Individually important buildings should be cited. Important historical themes and developments (from Chapter 2) should be addressed and properties associated with those developments should be cited. Local historic district areas should be identified and described, and potential National Register district(s) should be noted. The survey findings chapter of the survey report will normally not include a list of all surveyed properties. The list of surveyed properties should be attached to the report as one of the Appendices (typically as Appendix C).
Chapter 4: Survey Products and Documentation. This chapter must contain a description of the products of the survey (such as Historic Resources Inventory Forms, maps, historic context reports, photographic materials, and informational files) and any related documentation (including planning documents, designation reports, and bibliographies).
Chapter 5: Recommendations for Further Research, Documentation, and Registration. This chapter should identify additional research and survey work that should be done, and should include recommendations for National Register nominations, Historic American Buildings Survey recordation, potential National Historic Landmark designation, and other documentation and registration proposals. These recommendations should be prioritized.
Chapter 6: Recommendations for Resource Preservation. This chapter should begin with an account of the status of preservation interest and activity in the survey area or related to the surveyed properties up to the present time. It should address threats to the resources and make recommendations for mitigating those threats. This chapter should also make recommendations relating to the actions or policies of local governments, state or federal agencies, non-profit organizations, business firms, and other parties, with regard to the protection, preservation, development, or interpretation of historic resources in the survey area. Recommendations about educational or promotional activities may also be included.
Appendices. The following documents will normally be attached as appendices:
A. A copy of the work program.
B. A list of any surveyed properties that are already listed on the National Register.
C. A comprehensive list of all surveyed properties, arranged alphabetically and numerically by street address and keyed to the survey map. This list should only include addresses, not descriptions of each building.
General Requirements
The consultant will submit all pertinent materials by the deadlines specified, to the standards required within the three-party contract.
The consultant will inform the Survey Manager in writing of the status of the project on a monthly basis.
1. Two (2) copies of proposals should be received by the Historic Preservation Division on or before 5:00 p.m., Friday, December 18, 2020.
They should be mailed to:
Historic Preservation Division, MDAH
Attn: Jennifer Baughn
P. O. Box 571
601-576-6951
Jackson, Mississippi 39205-0571
2. Contract will be awarded on the basis of the lowest and/or best bid. MDAH and MDNHA reserve the right to reject any and/or all bids. No bid proposal will be reviewed unless all required supporting material listed above has been submitted by the application deadline.
3. This program receives Federal funds from the National Park Service. Regulations of the U.S. Department of the Interior prohibit unlawful discrimination in federally assisted programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, age or disability. Any person who believes he or she has been discriminated against in any program, activity, or facility operated by a recipient of Federal assistance should write to: Director, Equal Opportunity Program, U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, P. O. Box 37127, Washington, D.C. 20013-7127.
