Opportunity Information: Apply for P18AS00317
The GUMO Section 110 Two-Phase Geo-archaeological Study is a National Park Service (Department of the Interior) cooperative agreement opportunity focused on improving archaeological and geoarchaeological knowledge within the gypsum dune systems at GUMO (Guadalupe Mountains National Park). The project, proposed by the University of New Mexico Office of Contract Archeology (OCA), is designed as a two-phase investigation that systematically documents geoarchaeological data across both active dunes (still moving) and stabilized dunes (more fixed and vegetated). A core goal is to build a structured, park-wide dataset that can be integrated directly into the park's existing GIS, using sub-meter accuracy GPS to precisely locate sites and link them to broader spatial and environmental information.
Phase I centers on field-based data collection and documentation. By recording site locations and associated geoarchaeological observations in a consistent, systematic way, the study aims to support informed interpretations about what kinds of sites are present in the dunes and when those sites were occupied. The resulting dataset is intended to be robust enough for spatial analysis, including testing whether a "Horizontal Stratigraphy Model" applies to GUMO's dune context. In practical terms, that model would suggest that different zones within the dunes may correspond to different time periods or occupation patterns, creating a landscape-level framework that archaeologists can use to interpret how human use of the dunes changed through time.
A major value of the project is its emphasis on prediction and management utility. If the model is supported by the Phase I findings, GUMO archaeologists could use defined occupation zones within the dune field to make more reliable predictions about the likely age or cultural affiliation of newly discovered sites. That kind of predictive capacity is especially helpful in dynamic dune environments where sites can be buried, exposed, or shifted over time, and where traditional excavation or stratigraphic interpretation may be difficult. By tying site patterning to dune zones and geomorphic conditions, the park can improve resource stewardship decisions, research planning, and future survey strategies.
The opportunity also highlights broader scientific contributions beyond archaeology. Because the dunes are moving landscapes, mapping where archaeological sites appear relative to the dune field's leading edge could help researchers estimate dune migration rates, either on annual scales or over much longer time spans. This turns archaeological site distributions into potential markers for understanding how the dune system has advanced or reorganized, offering insights that can complement geomorphology and sediment studies. In that sense, cultural resource data becomes part of a larger environmental history toolset.
Phase II is framed as deepening interpretation, especially around long-term environmental change and early human land use. Information developed in the second phase may help clarify connections between gypsum dune formation and late Pleistocene to early Holocene paleoclimate conditions at GUMO. This is significant because that time window overlaps with the earliest known human occupations in North America, including Paleoindian periods. By linking dune development, climate signals, and archaeological patterning, the project aims to produce a clearer picture of how the earliest occupants used the landscape, how site use evolved after Paleoindian times, and how changing environmental conditions may have shaped where and how people traveled, camped, or gathered resources in and around the dune fields.
Administratively, this was a discretionary funding opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number P18AS00317) issued under CFDA 15.945, with eligibility limited to public and state-controlled institutions of higher education. The anticipated award structure was a single cooperative agreement, with an award ceiling of $122,761 and an expected number of awards of 1. The opportunity was posted on June 12, 2018, with an original closing date of June 21, 2018. Overall, the grant is geared toward producing a high-quality, GIS-ready, systematically collected dataset that advances both cultural resource management needs and broader scientific understanding of dune dynamics, paleoclimate, and early human occupation in the GUMO region.Apply for P18AS00317
- The Department of the Interior, National Park Service in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "GUMO Section 110 Two-Phase Geo-archaeological Study" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.945.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jun 12, 2018.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 21, 2018. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $122,761.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education.
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FAQs: GUMO Section 110 Two-Phase Geo-archaeological Study (NPS Cooperative Agreement)
What is the GUMO Section 110 Two-Phase Geo-archaeological Study?
This is a National Park Service (Department of the Interior) cooperative agreement opportunity focused on improving archaeological and geoarchaeological knowledge within the gypsum dune systems at GUMO (Guadalupe Mountains National Park). It is designed as a two-phase investigation that systematically documents geoarchaeological data across both active (moving) dunes and stabilized (more fixed and vegetated) dunes.
Which federal agency is offering this opportunity?
The opportunity is offered by the National Park Service (NPS), within the U.S. Department of the Interior.
What type of funding instrument is anticipated?
The anticipated award structure is a single cooperative agreement.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is P18AS00317.
What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is issued under CFDA 15.945.
Is this a discretionary funding opportunity?
Yes. It is described as a discretionary funding opportunity.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to public and state-controlled institutions of higher education.
How many awards were expected?
The expected number of awards is 1.
What is the maximum (ceiling) award amount?
The award ceiling is $122,761.
When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?
The opportunity was posted on June 12, 2018, with an original closing date of June 21, 2018.
Where will the work take place?
The work is focused on the gypsum dune systems at GUMO (Guadalupe Mountains National Park), including both active dune areas and stabilized dune areas.
What organization proposed the project described in the opportunity?
The project described is proposed by the University of New Mexico Office of Contract Archeology (OCA).
What is the overall goal of the study?
A core goal is to build a structured, park-wide dataset that systematically documents geoarchaeological and archaeological information across the dune field and can be integrated directly into the park's existing GIS.
Why does the opportunity emphasize GIS integration?
The study is intended to produce a high-quality, GIS-ready dataset that links precise site locations and geoarchaeological observations to broader spatial and environmental information. This supports spatial analysis, interpretation, and resource management within the park.
What level of positional accuracy is expected for site documentation?
The opportunity specifies using sub-meter accuracy GPS to precisely locate sites for integration into the park GIS.
What does Phase I focus on?
Phase I centers on field-based data collection and documentation, including recording site locations and associated geoarchaeological observations in a consistent, systematic way.
What is Phase I expected to produce?
Phase I is intended to produce a robust, systematically collected dataset suitable for spatial analysis and for supporting interpretations about what kinds of sites are present in the dunes and when those sites were occupied.
What is the "Horizontal Stratigraphy Model" mentioned in the opportunity?
The Horizontal Stratigraphy Model is described as a landscape-level concept where different zones within the dunes may correspond to different time periods or occupation patterns. The Phase I dataset is intended to support testing whether this model applies to GUMO's dune context.
How would the Horizontal Stratigraphy Model help park archaeologists if supported?
If supported by Phase I findings, defined occupation zones within the dune field could help GUMO archaeologists make more reliable predictions about the likely age or cultural affiliation of newly discovered sites, especially in dynamic dune settings where burial, exposure, and shifting can complicate interpretation.
Why is predictive capacity especially important in dune environments?
The opportunity notes that dunes are dynamic landscapes where sites can be buried, exposed, or shifted over time, and where traditional excavation or stratigraphic interpretation may be difficult. Patterning tied to dune zones and geomorphic conditions can improve the ability to interpret and manage resources under these conditions.
How will the project support cultural resource management at GUMO?
By producing a structured, park-wide, GIS-integrated dataset and potentially defining occupation zones, the project is geared toward improving resource stewardship decisions, research planning, and future survey strategies.
Does the project contribute to non-archaeological science?
Yes. The opportunity highlights that mapping where archaeological sites occur relative to the dune field's leading edge could help estimate dune migration rates on annual or longer timescales, complementing geomorphology and sediment studies.
How can archaeological site distributions help estimate dune migration?
Because the dunes move, the position of sites relative to the dune field's leading edge can act as markers for understanding how the dune system has advanced or reorganized over time.
What does Phase II focus on?
Phase II is framed as deepening interpretation, especially regarding long-term environmental change and early human land use in and around the gypsum dune fields.
How does Phase II relate to paleoclimate and dune formation?
The opportunity indicates that Phase II information may help clarify connections between gypsum dune formation and late Pleistocene to early Holocene paleoclimate conditions at GUMO.
Why is the late Pleistocene to early Holocene timeframe significant in this project?
This period overlaps with the earliest known human occupations in North America, including Paleoindian periods. Linking dune development, climate signals, and archaeological patterning is intended to improve understanding of early land use and how it changed over time.
What kinds of human behavior questions does the project aim to inform?
Based on the opportunity description, the project aims to build a clearer picture of how early occupants used the landscape, how site use evolved after Paleoindian times, and how changing environmental conditions may have influenced where and how people traveled, camped, or gathered resources in and around the dune fields.
What is the intended long-term value of the dataset created by this project?
The dataset is intended to be systematically collected, park-wide, and directly integrable into GUMO's existing GIS so it can support ongoing spatial analysis, prediction, management decisions, research planning, and future survey design.
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