Project Opportunities: Development of National Register Urban Renewal Multiple Property Documentation Form

Through a Cooperative Agreement with the National Park Service, we occasionally have need to seek experienced professionals to complete historic preservation research and other projects.  Please see below for any open Requests for Proposals, or Expressions of Interest.

Deadline: February 28, 2023

The National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers (NCSHPO) and the National Park Service (NPS) seek the services of a consultant to prepare a National Register of Historic Places (National Register) Multiple Property Documentation Form (MPDF) for places significant for or impacted by urban renewal actions during the period 1940–1975, nationwide, to support the identification, evaluation, and nomination of properties to the National Register.

The RFP can be downloaded here:  RFP – Urban Renewal (.pdf)

The National Register Bulletin on preparing a Multi Property Documentation Form can be found here: MPDF Bulletin

Sample MPDF Nominations can be found here: Sample Nominations

Interested consultants should submit a proposal and cost estimate in response to this RFP no later than 5:00 p.m. EST on February 28, 2023.

Questions submitted and answers (Posted as received and answered):

Would it be possible to get a list of the 23 National Register listings related to urban renewal? Yes – you can download a spreadsheet here. (.xlsx)

Cities and States in the United States had Urban Renewal Programs (mostly in the 1930s ie. First Houses, NYC).  Clearly this MPDF is starting in 1940,  is this effort only to cover federally funded Urban Renewal projects? This MPDF is intended to be a survey of urban renewal efforts at the local, state, and federal levels. It is not expected to be an exhaustive analysis of all efforts at all levels; for an example of a nationwide MPDF that considers all levels, see “Historic Residential Suburbs in the United States, 1830-1960” MPDF available at https://catalog.archives.gov/id/77835608

Travel expectations.  Archival work would be ideal but the budget for this project does not support travel.  What are the primary source research expectations?  With budget limits could select areas be targeted as examples? The RFP mentions Massachusetts and Texas as needing more research. Primary source research may be appropriately limited due to budget constraints.

Do I meet the qualifications for a GS-0170-13 Historian? I have a BA in Comparative History, MS in Historic Preservation (from Columbia University) and a PhD in Urban Studies.  I have focused my research on Public Housing for over 30 years.  I am ideal as the Principle Investigator for an Urban Renewal historic investigation; the other three team members all have master degrees. If I do not meet the GS-0179-13 Historian threshold another team member would step forward or could there be co-primary investigators? These qualifications meet the qualifications for a GS-0170 Historian.