REQUEST FOR LETTERS OF INTEREST FOR A PROJECT TO BE INITIATED THROUGH THE COOPERATIVE ECOSYSTEM STUDIES UNITS (CESU) NETWORK

 PROJECT TITLE: PREPARE NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK NOMINATION(S) ASSOCIATED WITH AFRICAN AMERICAN CIVIL RIGHTS IN CALIFORNIA

 The National Park Service (NPS) is seeking the assistance of principal investigator(s) for a project to nominate a property (site, building, structure, object or district) as a National Historic Landmark (NHL) related to African American civil rights history.

ELIGIBILITY:

This opportunity is open to non‐federal members of the CESU National Network. Information on the CESU National Network can be accessed at htps://www.cesu.org.

Background:

The NPS, Interior Regions 8, 9, 10, and 12 Preservation Partnerships Program (PWR‐PPP) wishes to nominate a property as a National Historic Landmark (NHL) related to African American civil rights history. Until recently, much of the history about the Western United States focused primarily on Westward Expansion, prioritizing European American settler colonialism, and tended to marginalize or exclude minority communities, including those of African Americans. There is a growing body of scholarship on the role and importance of African Americans in the West. Concurrently, there have been efforts to address the underrepresentation of historic properties associated with African American history that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places or Designated as National Historic Landmarks. People of African descent formed vibrant and active communities with life experiences that included, perseverance, self‐determination, racial discrimination and the overall fight for civil rights. There are important places that represent this history.

Brief Description of Anticipated Work and Deliverables

This Request for Letters of Interest is intended to seek assistance of CESU members to prepare a NHL nomination for a property that will synthesize, analyze and summarize multiple sources of information associated with a historic property located in California that is associated with nationally significant historic events and people, within the context of African American civil rights.(determined in consultation with the PWR‐PPP). Specifically, the request is to:

1. Work with NPS to select a historic property located in California that is associated with nationally significant African American civil rights history using a preliminary list of properties and other historical background materials prepared for the NPS by Sacramento State University, as well as contexts developed in the California Multiple Property Document (MPD), African Americans in California, 1850‐1974, and other sources.
2. Prepare a schedule that conveys to NPS the timing of the overall work and dates of deliverables and reviews.
3. Prepare an NHL nomination to provide historic context adequate to make a clear, convincing, and concise argument for national significance in one or more areas of NHL significance criteria (expected NHL Criterion 1 [history]). The focus of the nomination should be on the significance statements, not on creating a complete narrative of the property’s design and construction. Research and evaluation should be adequate to identify why the property is an outstanding example of African American civil rights history. Cooperating with the NPS, the cooperator will identify and consult with scholars with relevant expertise to gain perspective and consensus on the historical significance of the property.

4. The nomination will document the associated physical characteristics of the property and will include a general property development history. The nomination will develop scholarly arguments why the property possesses exceptional value or quality in illustrating or interpreting African American civil rights heritage of the United The property will be placed in context with appropriate theme studies as appropriate.
5. The cooperator will meet all specifications for this type of document as outlined in the NPS National Register Bulletin How to Prepare National Historic Landmark Nominations (https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nationalhistoriclandmarks/nhl‐bulletin.htm) used in conjunction with guidance provided on the NHL website (https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nationalhistoriclandmarks/nhl‐nomination.htm). The cooperator will provide photographic documentation of all above ground resources that contribute to the NHL in accordance with National Register photo policy (https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nationalregister/upload/NR‐NHL‐photo‐policy‐2024‐01‐02.pdf). The cooperator will create maps showing the location of all resources that contribute to the NHL and provide a georeferenced boundary for the NHL in accordance with the NHL bulletin and guidance on the NHL website.
6. The cooperator shall attend a teleconference with the ATR (NPS ‐ Agreements Technical Representative) and PWR‐PPP staff at the start of the project, attend an in‐person or teleconference meeting with the owners of the NHL nomination property, and conduct a site visit. The cooperator shall attend up to five additional teleconference meetings to (1) update the ATR and PWR‐PPP staff on progress, (2) present an annotated outline and bibliography, (3) to troubleshoot any problems, and (4) to out‐brief teleconference meeting with the ATR, PWR‐PPP staff after the submittal of a Draft. On receiving feedback from the PWR‐PPP staff, the cooperator will attend a final out‐brief teleconference meeting with the ATR and PWR‐PPP staff after delivery of a Final Draft NHL Nomination Form.
7. Phase 2, pending additional funding of the project, will address completion of the nomination to address comments from peer reviewers, unforeseen circumstances, or additional complexities in research and nomination. Phase 3, pending additional funding would address the completion of a second nomination.

The primary purpose of this project is not the acquisition of property or services for the direct benefit or use by the Federal Government, but rather to accomplish a public purpose of support or stimulation. The project will promote greater public and private participation in historic preservation programs and activities by evaluating and documenting the national significance of the property. Each property owner will be able to use the NHL nomination to inform decisions about managing the property. The nomination may also serve as a marketing and fundraising tool to support long‐term stewardship of the property. In addition, the project builds a cultural resource stewardship ethic in its participants by expanding awareness of the specialness of NHLs and by linking them to our shared cultural heritage.

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE:

The period of performance of this Cooperative Agreement will be determined when the partner is selected and the Agreement awarded. It is expected to extend 24 months.

Tentative start date: September 2025

Tentative end date: October 2027

MATERIALS REQUESTED FOR LETTER OF INTEREST/QUALIFICATIONS:

A detailed study proposal and cost estimate is not requested at this time. Your Letter of Interest should include:

1. Name, department, university or organization; CESU affiliation; and contact information.
2. Brief Statement of Qualifications including: a) Biographical Sketch; b) Relevant past projects and clients with brief descriptions of these projects ‐ demonstrated results including published works; c) Staff, faculty or students available to work on this project and their areas of expertise. (Maximum length 2 pages, single‐space 12 pt. font).
3. A summary of your vision for implementing this project that includes strategy, approach, and special capabilities, timelines, roles and responsibilities of personnel, specific tasks to be conducted, and deliverables. Please be as specific as possible. (Maximum length: 4 pages, single‐space 12 pt. Font)

FUNDING: The project will be funded up to $43,770. This project will be administered by the National Park Service through a Task Agreement at the CESU Network IDC rate (17.5%). Applicants must have a Master Cooperative Agreement with NPS in place at the time of award.

DEADLINE: The deadline for responding to this letter of interest is February 28, 2025, by 5:00pm Pacific.

REVIEW: Letters of Interest will be evaluated based on qualifications and experience of principal investigator, and project team and proposed approach. Based on review of the Letters of Interest, a principal investigator will be invited to prepare a full application.

CONTACTS: Letters of Interest should be directed to Doug Wilson (doug_wilson@nps.gov) by the closing date. Questions regarding the proposed scope of the project can be addressed to Doug Wilson (doug_wilson@nps.gov, 360‐921‐5241).

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