How to Choose an Archaeological Contractor

Archaeological survey by Rio Verde Archaeological Services for a waterline replacement

Finding the right archaeological contractor for your project can seem daunting. Ranchers, small utility companies, small mine operators, and other small organizations that haven't contracted an archaeological survey before might not know where to start when looking for an archaeological contractor. Here are some tips to help you find the archaeological services company that is the best fit for your project.

Here are some things that can help you find the right archaeological contractor for your project:

On the plus side, Arizona has many excellent archaeological service companies, also known as Cultural Resource Management or CRM firms. On the downside, Arizona has many CRM firms, and it can take some work to find the one that is the best fit for your project. Here is some information that can help you find the right contractor for your project

• If you have a small project such as a range improvement, mining Plan of Operation or Mineral Exploration Permit filing, a water pipeline or residential powerline, then a small CRM firm should be able to complete the compliance work for your project sooner and at a lower cost than a big firm.

• If you have a large complex project, contact the larger CRM firms. They have the people and institutional support to handle big projects.

• Ask your colleagues who have completed projects similar to yours if they can recommend an archaeological services company that performs the compliance work that your project needs.

Things to ask before hiring a CRM company:

• Has the company completed compliance work for projects similar in scope and complexity to yours? If so, ask to see some of their reports.

• Will the company partner with you throughout the compliance process as well as the permitting process? Beyond the archaeological compliance report, make sure that they will help you respond to questions or comments that may come from the public, tribes, and interested parties after the report has been accepted by the agency permitting your project. For some companies, their services end when the agency accepts the survey report.

• Is the archaeologist who will be responsible for your project listed on the Register of Professional Archaeologists (RPA)? RPA archaeologists formally commit to uphold professional standards and can be sanctioned by the RPA for failure to do so. You can learn more about the RPA and search the register here Register of Professional Archaeologists - Hiring an RPA

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To summarize:

• Match the CRM company to your project.

• Make sure that they will partner with you through the entire permitting process.

• Be sure that they adhere to professional standards.

Please contact us if you would like to discuss your project.