United States Department of the Interior
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
Northeast Region Archeology Program
4 Floor Boott Cotton Mills Museum
Lowell, MA 01852
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Requests For Statements Of Interest and Qualifications
Project Title: Geophysical and Archeological Investigation of the Fort Hill Site,
Jockey Hollow Unit, Morristown National Historical Park, Morristown, New
Jersey
Replies Requested By: October 31, 2015
Responses to this Request for Statements of Interest will be used to identify potential
investigators for a project to be funded by the National Park Service that will inventory and
evaluate archeological resources in the area of the Fort Hill Site, in the Jockey Hollow Unit of
Morristown National Historical Park. Approximately $79000 is expected to be available to
support this project. This Request for Statements of Interest and Qualifications has been
distributed to partners of the North Atlantic Coast and Chesapeake Watershed Cooperative
Ecosystem Study Units (CESU).
Background
The National Park Service’s Northeast Region Archeology Program (NPS NRAP) and the
Morristown National Historical Park (MORR) propose geophysical and archeological survey
investigations at the Fort Hill Site in the Jockey Hollow Unit of the park. Relatively little is
known about the site, although surface features marking the location of earthfast redoubts and a
blockhouse were present as recently as 2002. The current geophysical and archeological
investigation will collect information regarding site and feature boundaries and content to enable
more effective stabilization, interpretation, and protection programs. In addition, the project
entails public education and outreach components.
A similar investigation was conducted in the vicinity of the Fort Hill Site in 2006. This project
was focused on the 1st Pennsylvania Brigade Cantonment, and included both geophysical and
standard archeological testing. The goal of the project was to find soldier’s huts associated with
the 1779-1780 encampment. The project met with limited success, insofar as no evidence of the
encampment was found. Bedrock and numerous cobbles containing iron ore and similar
materials limited the effectiveness of the geophysical component of the project. Heavy woods
were also a factor. Similar field conditions are extant at the Fort Hill Site.
Description of Anticipated Work
The project will entail the following components:
1) Collection and evaluation of documentary sources of information on the site.
2) Consultation with NRAP archeologists to develop following aspects of the project.
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3) Geophysical investigations on approximately 4 acres of the site, including the area of surface
features.
4) Archeological testing and excavation in areas of geophysical anomalies and enhanced
sensitivity.
5) Development and conduct of a public outreach program.
6) Analysis and cataloging of all recovered artifacts, and preparation of the collection for
curation.
7) Preparation of GIS datalayers documenting the results of the investigation (ie geophysical
anomalies, locations of excavation units) and cultural features identified (ie earthfast structures).
8) Preparation of a report that details all facets of the archeological investigation. This report
will include background on the archeology of the Jockey Hill Unit and the Fort Hill Site; and
will include appendices with new and/or updated Archeological Sites Management Information
System (ASMIS) and State of New Jersey site forms.
The cooperator will be expected to perform both the geophysical survey and archeological
testing. This is expected to be a two year project, with the fieldwork occurring in Year 1 and
laboratory work and report preparation in Year 2.
Geophysical investigations must involve the use of multiple geophysical instruments including
metal detectors, ground penetrating radar (GPR), resistivity meter (RES), magnetometer (MAG),
and conductivity meter (EM).
NRAP’s substantial involvement with the project will include: consultation with the cooperator
regarding the extent and nature of geophysical and archeological testing once initial site
evaluation is complete; assisting the cooperator in collection and analysis of geophysical data;
assisting the cooperator in access and training for entering baseline and condition data on
terrestrial archeological sites in ASMIS; providing training in cataloging using ICMS, the NPS
cataloging system; coordinating and consulting the findings with the appropriate park units, the
State Historic Preservation Offices (SHPO), and Tribal Historic Preservation Offices (THPO);
and reviewing cooperator work products.
Materials Requested for Statement of Interest/Qualification
Please provide the following via e-mail attachment to: Jim_Harmon@nps.gov
(Maximum length: 5 pages, single spaced 12 pt. font)
1) Name, Organization, and Contact Information
2) Brief Statement of Qualifications (including):

Biographical Sketches for key personnel (faculty, staff) including a description of
discipline(s) of expertise. Curriculum Vitas can be submitted as a separate attachment
and will not be included in the above-stated 5 page limit.
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
Relevant past projects with brief descriptions, clients, and citations for publications
and/or reports associated with these projects.

Brief description of the proposed approach(es) for conducting the project.

Any brief description of capabilities to successfully complete the project that you may
wish to add (eg. GIS capability, computers, equipment, access to information sources,
previous research experience at the park or in the area, etc.)
NOTE: A proposed budget is not requested at this time.
Review of Statements Received
Based on a review of the Statements of Interest received, an investigator or investigators will
be invited to prepare a full study proposal. Statements will be evaluated on each proposed
team’s specific experience and capabilities. Factors included in this review will be general
capability and proposed approach to complete this project (maximum points 100); experience
with geophysical remote sensing instruments and field use (40 points); experience with sites
with similar characteristics and features (40 points). Previous experience with the parks in
the region will also be considered (20 points).
Please submit Statements of Interest and Qualifications, via email, to:
James Harmon
Archeologist
Northeast Region Archeology Program
National Park Service
Jim_Harmon@nps.gov
978-970-5142
Timeline for Review of Statements of Interest
Review of Statements of Interest will begin October 31, 2015. This Request for Statements of
Interest will remain open until an investigator is selected.
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