B--Archeological Data recovery to aid in the mitigate of continuing impacts of erosion by seasonal flooding of the Yellowstone River.

INTRODUCTION Yellowstone National Park requires the services of an archeological firm for data recovery at site 24YE353 and the proposed work is intended to mitigate continuing impacts of erosion by seasonal flooding of the Yellowstone River. The project area is about five kilometers east of Gardiner, Montana on the Yellowstone River in the northern edge of Yellowstone National Park (hereafter park or Yellowstone). The project is located in the Montana portion of the park on the right (north) bank of the river. ENVIRONMENTAL BACKGROUND Yellowstone National Park is a high mountainous plateau that averages 2400 m in elevation and is within the Middle Rocky Mountains of northwestern Wyoming and adjacent parts of Montana and Idaho. The Yellowstone Plateau formed through a series of volcanic eruptions and lava flows, with later modification by glaciers. The volcanic activity in the park is still evidenced by the numerous geysers, hot springs, and mud pots. Mountains surround the plateau. The headwaters of the Yellowstone, Madison, and Snake rivers have their origins on this plateau. Much of the park is covered by conifer forest, although open meadows and grasslands are also present. Fauna in the vicinity of the site includes the rattlesnake, bullsnake, bear, deer, wolves, bighorn sheep, and coyotes. SITE 24YE353 The site is on the Yellowstone River, four miles from the nearest road in the northern part of the park, and is accessible only by trail. The crew must camp in the backcountry during the fieldwork, which will take place in July or August 2004. In August, the site area is often over 90 degrees during the day. It is important to drink plenty of fluids. In the backcountry, water is easily available from the river but needs to be filtered. Previous work in 2002 at the site includes a 1x4 m trench about 150 cm deep, a 2x4m block 40 cm deep, and six 1x1 m units taken down to about 40 cm. A photograph of the 2002 excavation underway was published on p. 27 of American Archaeology magazine (winter 2003-04), Vol. 7, No. 4. To date, there are seven identified cultural horizons and we are not certain the bottom has been reached in the trench. The block excavation stopped on a McKean living floor with fire cracked rock features. four radiocarbon dates from these features averaged 2500 B.C. The top 30-40 cm were mixed and contained Avonlea and Pelican Lake as well as McKean. The 4th (middle of 7) horizon at 55-65 cm B.S. has a radiocarbon date of 8710 years B.P. The three lower levels did not contain diagnostics. All components contain lithics, fire cracked rock, and fragmented animal bone. Anticipated work would complete the 2x4 m block to sterile deposits with new units as necessary to insure crew safety when working at depth. One-eighth inch or smaller screen will be used. The previous 2002 fieldwork has not been written-up and needs to be included in the report that will cover both field seasons. All artifacts would be catalogued into the National Park Service's rediscovery system. Technical capability is significantly more important than price. To be considered, potential contractors must meet education and experience requirements in the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and Guidelines for archeology and Historic Preservation (Federal Register, Sept. 29, 1983, Vol. 48, No. 190). This education and experience must be documented in the technical proposal. The fieldwork and report must meet all requirements of the Wyoming State Historic Preservation Officer. Additionally, potential contractors will be evaluated on the following criteria in descending order of importance: (1) experience in preparing research questions; (2) archeological experience in the Rocky Mountains and adjacent Northern Plains; (3) publications and reports on local and regional archeology; (4) proposed methodology, and (5) experience and ability to carryout fieldwork in remote areas, either in Yellowstone National Park or in similar areas that contain bears and wolves. Due to the time required to obtain a permit, It is also highly recommended that the firm apply for a research permit concurrently with the submission of the proposal. Permit can be requested via email to contact@example.gov. This solicitation will be available electronically only on or about April 15, 2004. Questions can be emailed to contact@example.gov.