01 IDIQ SOW_AZ_Arch Survey.pdf

DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK

ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY FOR THE SOUTHWESTERN REGION

OF THE FOREST SERVICE IN ARIZONA

SECTION – I GENERAL

1.1 Scope of Work

The Contractor shall furnish all personnel, facilities, equipment, materials, supplies and services and otherwise do all things necessary for heritage resources field inventory and other associated activities located on the National Forest lands within Region 3 of the U.S.D.A. Forest Service in Arizona, hereinafter referred to as ‘the Forest Service’. The scope of this project will include intensive and sample archaeological pedestrian survey as described below and in task orders to be issued under this contract.

For numerous widely scattered spot surveys of small areas, (for example scattered units less than 1 to 2 acres in size, or site inspections/re-recording for numerous previously recorded archaeological sites scattered across a forest unit), details of specific projects will be provided to the contract awardees for pricing these tasks.

Pricing for these scattered units will be project specific, and will be separate from Line Item 01 in the Schedule of Items.

For site testing (e.g., shovel testing), details of specific projects will be provided to the contract awardees for pricing these tasks. Pricing for these activities will be project specific.

1.2 Period of Performance

The government intends to award a multiple award (5-7 vendors), Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) type contract with and ordering period of 5 years.

1.3 Order Tasks

Unless otherwise specified in the individual task order, the contractor will be required to meet the following schedule for each task order issued:

A. Fieldwork – Progress reports shall be delivered to the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) at the time schedule identified in the task order.

Within five (5) business days of the completion of fieldwork, the contractor shall deliver to the (COR) copies of all draft site forms, IO forms, sketch maps, topographic maps showing site locations and geospatial data.

B. Draft Report – One paper copy of the draft report and one electronic copy of the draft report with all forms, photographs, electronic data/files, digital images, and maps will be completed and delivered to the COR, postmarked no later than 20 business days after the completion of the fieldwork.

C. Contracting Officer’s Representative Review – Will be completed with comments and suggested changes (if necessary) delivered to the contractor, postmarked no later than 15 business days after the receipt of the draft report.

D. Final Report – Three paper copies of the final report and one electronic copy of the final report with all forms, photographs, electronic data/files, digital images, maps, along with final geospatial data must be completed and delivered to the COR, postmarked no later than 10 business days after the receipt of the COR Draft Report Review.

1.4 Payments Procedure

The contracting officer will authorize payments as follows:

A. Item/Description.

1. Completion of pre-field literature search and fieldwork (delivery of draft literature search tables/figures, site forms, IO forms, sketch maps, topographic maps and geospatial data), and upon acceptance of work by Contracting Officer’s Representative (within fifteen (15) business days of receiving deliverables)… 50% of contract price. For projects in excess of 1000 acres, payment can be broken into two 25% payments representing phased completion of fieldwork together with forms and data (above) covering a minimum of 50% of the survey area at first payment.

2. Completion of draft report (delivery of one paper copy of the draft report and one electronic copy of the draft report with all forms, photographs, electronic data/files, digital images, maps), and upon acceptance of the work by the Contracting Officer’s Representative (within fifteen (15) business days of receiving deliverables) … 25% of contract price.

3. Completion of final report (delivery of three paper copies of the final report and one electronic copy of the final report with all forms, photographs, electronic data/files, digital images, maps, along with final geospatial data and return of all unused Government Furnished Property), and upon acceptance of the work by the Contracting Officer’s

Representative (within fifteen (15) business days of receiving deliverables)… 25% of contract price.

4. Contractor will be responsible for preparation and submission of proper invoices. Invoices shall contain the Contract Number, Vendor Identification Number, invoice number, remit to name and address, and the specific line items that are being billed.

1.5 Contracting Officer’s Representative will inspect and accept or reject work as appropriate. Upon rejection work will be returned to Contractor for correction. If work is accepted then recommendation for payment of invoice will be forwarded to Contracting Officer.

SECTION – II DEFINITIONS

2.1 - Archaeological Survey Definitions

2.1.1 - Site Definition: For the purposes of this contract, a site is defined as a location of purposeful prehistoric or historic human activity. An activity is considered to have been purposeful if it resulted in a deposit of cultural material beyond the level of one or a few accidentally lost artifacts. Loci of human activity not classifiable as sites by this definition should be considered and recorded as isolated occurrences.

A cultural resource qualifying as a site under this definition should exhibit at least one of the following:

a. One or more features;

b. One formal tool if associated with other cultural material or more than one formal tool;

c. An occurrence of cultural material (such as pottery sherds, chipped stone, or historic items) that contains one of the following:

1. Three or more types of artifacts or raw material;

2. Two types of artifacts or material in a density of at least ten items per 100 square meters;

3. A single type of artifact or material in a density of at least

25 items per 100 square meters.

These criteria may be modified, where appropriate, based on a professional cultural resource specialist’s judgment, and with prior approval of the COR. Any deviation from the standard definition should be discussed in the resulting cultural resource report. As a general rule, site designations are reserved in the case of historic remains for those at least 50 years old.

All sites will be recorded in their entirety, even if the boundaries go outside of the identified survey boundary – the exception to this is if the site goes onto private land. The Contractor is not to go onto private land to record site information unless private property is explicitly included in the task order. In the event that long linear sites or other atypically large sites extend outside the survey boundary, the extent of recording will be discussed with the

CO/COR.

2.1.2 100% Archaeological Pedestrian Survey: For the purposes of this survey, a 100% archaeological pedestrian survey is defined as the systematic intensive inspection of the project area using parallel transects spaced no more than 15 meters apart for areas shown in task orders. Areas to be surveyed may include linear areas (for example, roads or trails), corridors, contiguous blocks, a conglomeration of small blocks within a defined project area (for example cutting units within a timber sale), or any combination of these. Any proposed deviations from this transect interval must be identified and justified in the offeror’s technical proposal.

2.1.3 Sample Archaeological Pedestrian Survey: For the purposes of this survey, a sample archaeological pedestrian survey is defined as the systematic intensive inspection of the project area using parallel transects spaced no more than 15 meters apart within sample units that comprise a subset of the project area.

The sample survey will be designed by the Forest Service and described in the task order. Areas to be sampled may include linear areas, corridors, contiguous blocks or any combination of these. Any proposed deviations from this transect interval or sample design must be identified and justified in the offeror’s technical proposal.

2.1.4 Low Site Density Areas: An area is considered to be a low site density area if the estimated average number of cultural resources per acre is less than the average site density for the forest. For example, a high elevation area in the mixed conifer zone will generally have a low site density.

2.1.5 High Site Density Areas: An area is considered to have a high site density if the estimated average number of cultural resources per acre is more than the average site density of the forest. For example, the pinon juniper zone or historic mining districts will generally have a high site density.

SECTION – III GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED PROPERTY, MATERIALS, SERVICES

3.1 Government-Furnished Property

Upon award of individual task orders, the Government shall furnish to the contractor the following listed property and supplies, referred to as “Government- Furnished Property”. The National Forest associated with each task order will supply this property.

1. 1:24,000 scale maps showing project boundaries, GIS files of project boundaries in Forest Service GIS format, and any other imagery, either electronic or hard copy, as specified in the task order.

2. Form R3-FS-2300-4, Inventory Standards and Accounting Form, in printed and/or digital format.

3. Isolated Occurrence recording form if applicable, in printed and/or digital format.

4. National Forest, Cultural Resources Photo Log if applicable, in printed and/or digital format.

5. USDA Forest Service National Site Form (with any requested addendum) or custom state site form modified for Forest Service use, in paper and/or digital format.

6. Geodatabase template for submitting digital locational information to conform to Forest standards.

7. Project number, site numbers (may request additional if needed during project), and site tags.

SECTION – IV CONTRACTOR FURNISHED CRITICAL ITEMS /SERVICES

The Contractor shall furnish all personnel, facilities, equipment, materials, supplies and services and otherwise do all things necessary for heritage resources field inventory and other associated activities located on the National Forest lands within Region 3 of the U.S.D.A. Forest Service in Arizona, hereinafter referred to as ‘the Forest Service’.

Equipment will include, but not be limited to, GPS units, cameras, etc.

SECTION – V PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT TASKS AND CRITICAL SUBTASKS

5.1 Intensive Survey

The contractor shall be required to survey all project area acres or the sample units as specified in the task order, according to USDA-Forest Service Region 3 Cultural Resources Handbook.

5.1.1 Records Search - The contractor shall review appropriate literature and documents sufficient to become familiar with the history of archaeological work and site documentation for project areas specified in task orders.

In addition the contractor will review the survey reports and records available at the National Forest Supervisor’s Office for the Forest issuing the task order, which deal with previous USDA-Forest Service and other archaeological fieldwork in the vicinity of the project area sufficient to describe the results of a literature search for a project area specified in a task order.

5.1.2 Locate, identify, and describe/document all cultural resource sites and isolated occurrences which can reasonably be detected from a pedestrian survey. Potential Traditional Cultural Properties (TCPs) shall be referred to COR for further evaluation. Areas will frequently be larger inventory areas; however, smaller spot surveys may be identified. Details of specific projects will be provided to the contract awardees for pricing these tasks.

5.1.3 Locate, identify, and describe/document all previously recorded cultural resources sites which can reasonably be detected from a pedestrian survey. Any site which has been previously determined to be not eligible will not be updated, unless, upon inspection, a change in the status of the National Register eligibility of the site is determined to be warranted.

5.1.4 Performance Standards – Intensive Survey: The contractor shall conduct a complete pedestrian archaeological survey of 100% of the project area or the sample units designated in a project area as described in the task order in the manner specified in the USDA-Forest Service Region 3 Cultural Resources Handbook and/or other specifications described in the contract and associated task order.

5.1.5 Acceptable quality level: 100% compliance with the USDA-Forest Service Region 3 Cultural

Resources Handbook and/or other specifications described in the contract and associated task order.

5.1.6 Means of measurement: A field inspection of up to 10% of the survey area by the

Government and the review of the contractor’s Quality Control records. If the inspections show that sites were missed by the contractor, field inspection of up to an additional 10% of the survey area may be conducted at the Government’s discretion.

For large projects, the contractor shall submit progress reports at the time schedule identified in the task order.

5.2 Site Recording

At a minimum the contractor shall record all cultural resource sites located in the project area to the level of site recording identified in the associated task order and with the USDA-Forest Service Region 3 Cultural Resources Handbook.

Locational information will be collected in UTMs, NAD 1983 datum using a suitable hand-held GPS device with a minimum accuracy of 1 meter.

Photographs will be taken of each site and feature. Individual task orders may require additional electronic documentation of sites using the current Forest Service mobile data collection application or shovel testing.

Individual task orders may require data entry of cultural resource site information into the current Forest Service cultural resources database.

5.2.1 - Evaluate each cultural resource site and make a recommendation regarding its eligibility to the National Register of Historic Places using all criteria listed in 36 CFR 60.6, USDI-National Register Bulletin 15, and provide all appropriate site, feature, and artifact documentation as required in the specifications as justification for a determination of eligibility, and as specified in an associated task order. An eligibility recommendation of “Undetermined” may be made, with justification, when eligibility if inconclusive based on surface observations and no additional testing has been authorized.

5.2.2 All previously recorded sites located within the survey area will also be documented. All site records shall be updated as needed using the National Forest Service Site Form unless a different form is specified in the task order. In the case of those sites that have not received an eligibility determination, site updates shall include an evaluation of the site’s eligibility to the National Register of Historic Places where possible.

An eligibility recommendation of “Undetermined” may be made, with justification, when eligibility if inconclusive based on surface observations and no additional testing has been authorized. All appropriate documentation as required in the specification shall be provided as a justification for a determination of eligibility. Any site which has been previously determined to be not eligible will not be updated, unless, upon inspection, a change in the status of the National Register eligibility of the site is determined to be warranted.

5.2.3 The following applies to all sites. The site boundary shall be marked with white flagging tape (or other method, depending on the type of project and appropriate Forest standards as specified in the associated task order and/or during pre-work meeting) in such a manner that a person who has not previously seen the site can easily identify it. Flagging on trees on the perimeter of the site should be inter-visible and not obscured by branches or foliage. Site boundaries marked on the ground should correspond to the boundaries as mapped. The site boundaries shall also be recorded using a GPS device with a minimum accuracy of 1 meter, in UTMs, using the NAD 83 CONUS datum and the appropriate UTM zone, unless otherwise specified in the task order. A datum tree or other convenient, fairly permanent object, such as a fence post, will be established as near as possible to the center of the site or next to a prominent feature of the site. The location of the datum shall be recorded using a GPS device with a minimum accuracy of 1 meter, in UTMs, using the NAD 83 CONUS datum and the appropriate UTM zone, unless otherwise specified in the task order. An aluminum tag with the site number shall be attached to the datum at stump level with an aluminum nail unless otherwise specified in the individual work order.

The site datum shall also be identified by placing two bands of white flagging tape around or on it. The USDA-Forest Service realizes that this marking system is not always possible at each site; any deviation from this system should be discussed with the Contracting Officer’s Representative and documented in the report. Unless specified in a task order this will be the standard site marking treatment.

5.2.4 Some task orders may request site testing (e.g., shovel testing); details of specific projects will be provided to the contract awardees for pricing these tasks.

5.2.5 Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act Notification:

The contractor shall provide strict compliance with all Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) regulations as they apply to the inadvertent discovery of Native American human remains or associated cultural items. Upon the inadvertent discovery, the contractor shall provide immediate telephone notification of the discovery to the Contracting Officer’s Representative. The contractor shall provide written confirmation of the inadvertent discovery to the Forest Archaeologist within five days of the discovery.

5.2.6 Tribal Consultation: The Forest Service will conduct all government-to-government tribal consultation.

5.2.7 Performance Standards – Site Recording: The contractor has recorded all sites on specified forms in accordance with the USDA-Forest Service Region 3 Cultural Resources Handbook, and/or as specified in the contract and associated task order.

5.2.8 Acceptable quality level: 100% compliance with the USDA-Forest Service Region 3 Cultural Resources Handbook, and/or as specified in the contract and associated task order.

5.2.9 Means of measurement: A field inspection of a maximum of 10% of the newly recorded sites and/or previously recorded sites or a minimum of 2 sites and the review and verification of the contractor’s Quality Control records. If the inspections show that sites were not recorded in accordance with Sections 5.2.6 and 5.2.7 of this contract, field inspection of up to an additional 10% of the newly recorded sites and/or previously recorded sites may be conducted at the Government’s discretion.

5.3 Recording Non-Site Cultural Remains

When an isolated occurrence (I.O.) is encountered, it shall be accurately recorded using a suitable hand-held GPS device with a minimum accuracy of 1 meter, in UTMs using the NAD 83 CONUS datum and the appropriate UTM zone, unless otherwise specified in the task order. Each I.O. shall be plotted on the appropriate

7.5 minute USGS map in the same manner as described for site locations. I.O.’s shall be briefly documented, including the area of artifact dispersement (when applicable), artifact type, and frequency. I.O.’s should be photographed (at least one minimum of area and associated diagnostics photographed with scale);

diagnostic artifacts can also be sketched. Date ranges for diagnostic artifacts shall be included in their descriptions. Detailed plan view maps are not required for I.O.

locations.

5.3.1 Performance Standards – Recording Non-Site Cultural Remains: All isolated occurrences that were encountered during the survey have been documented on isolated occurrence recording forms if required in the task order; diagnostic artifacts, lithic and ceramic, have been drawn or photographed and the Isolated Occurrence location has been plotted on the appropriate topographic map.

5.3.2 Acceptable quality level: 100% documentation of encountered isolated occurrences.

5.3.3 Means of measurement: A field inspection by the Government, the verification of the contractor’s Quality Control records, and the data documented in the contractor’s report.

5.4 Report

After fieldwork is complete, the contractor will provide a report, which describes the survey and results. Unless specified in the task order, the report will be used for National Historic Preservation Act, Section 106 consultation between the USDA- Forest Service and the appropriate State Historic Preservation Office and as such, shall provide sufficient information with which to conduct these procedures.

Reports prepared for purposes other than Section 106 consultation shall be prepared to the same standards, unless specified in the task order. The report shall contain a description of the proposed project for which the archaeological survey is being conducted as provided by the Government.

Unless otherwise stated in the task order, the report must be accompanied by a completed R-3- FS-2300-4 form (Inventory Standards and Accounting form), the appropriate site inventory forms, all associated site documentation materials (including, but not limited to, plan and location maps, photographs, artifact and feature drawings, artifact documentation forms, copies of associated relevant historic documents, and other materials), I.O forms, and all other appropriate recording forms, as well as the necessary number of 7.5 minute USGS topographic maps required to show clearly the locations of all cultural resources found, the site boundaries, the survey boundaries, and the project location. All site locations will be marked on the topographic maps in accordance with standards set forth in the USDA-Forest Service Region 3 Cultural Resources Handbook. All topographic maps included in the report shall contain a heading in accordance with the standards set forth in the USDA-Forest Service Region 3 Cultural Resources Handbook. All written GPS coordinate descriptions shall use the NAD 83 CONUS datum and the appropriate UTM zone, unless otherwise specified in the task order. All site forms, photo logs, and unused government-furnished property will be returned to the Contracting Officer’s Representative with the report.

The contractor is required to utilize GIS for project vicinity, project location, site location, and I.O. location map production. Use of a GIS system provides for more accurate maps and site plots. All GPS data collected shall be provided to the Forest Service electronically in a geodatabase. The contractor shall provide copies of maps in electronic format as well as hard copy. This data will be used to populate the Forest's electronic site atlas. The US Forest Service currently utilizes ArcGIS mapping software.

5.4.1 Report Production: One paper copy of the draft report, one electronic copy of the draft report in Microsoft Word format, three paper copies of the final report, and one electronic copy of the final report in Microsoft Word format will be delivered to the Contracting Officer’s Representative. The reports shall include all required site inventory forms, all associated site documentation materials (including, but not limited to, plan and location maps, photographs, artifact and feature drawings, artifact documentation forms, copies of associated relevant historic documents, and other materials) I.O forms, and all other appropriate recording forms, as well as the necessary number of 7.5 minute USGS topographic maps required to show clearly the locations of all cultural resources found, the site boundaries, the survey boundaries, and the project location. Electronic copies shall be provided on a CD/DVD, USB-type portable hard drive (flash drive), or other readily readable digital media in Microsoft Word format. The draft and final reports shall contain all appropriate maps, forms and photographs as described in section 5.4. The pages must be unbound and standard size (8 1/2” x 11”). Photographs may be digital photographs, of sufficient quality as to be clear on reproduction, minimally 300dpi. The cover and title page shall carry the statement that the work was “Prepared for the USDA-Forest Service, (Name) National Forest, Arizona”. The title of the report shall conform to the title of the project as determined by the Forest Service. All hand prepared pages such as maps and drawings must be of professional quality and legible. All maps and line drawings must be legible and suitable for reproduction in black and white. Offset printing or high quality photocopying will be acceptable for the text.

Color copies are required for duplicate copies of report sections and site recording materials where originals are in color. The report must be clean and suitable for reproduction. The various recording forms and the topographic maps showing project and cultural resource locations should be originals. All written GPS coordinate descriptions shall use the

NAD 83 CONUS datum and the appropriate UTM zone, unless otherwise specified in the task order. The report will be returned to the contractor if there are editorial or typographic errors, reproduction or production flaws, format/content discrepancies or any other problems, which cause it to be of less than professional quality. Any additional costs to bring the report to acceptable quality will be at the contractor’s own expense.

5.4.1.1 Geospatial Data Submittal: All GIS/GPS data shall be submitted in a geodatabase format on a CD/DVD, USB-type portable hard drive (flash drive), or other readily readable digital media to the Contracting Officer’s Representative at the time of the completion of the fieldwork. The geodatabase shall include feature classes that conform to Forest standards provided by the COR prior to survey implementation. All locational data, survey polygons and site polygons shall use the NAD 83 CONUS datum and the appropriate UTM zone, unless otherwise specified in the task order.

5.4.2 Performance Standards – Report: The contractor provides a report that meets the specifications described in this contract and is in accordance with the standards set forth in the USDA-Forest Service Region 3 Cultural Resources Handbook and/or as specified in the contract and associated task order.

5.4.3 Acceptable quality level: Clear, concise, proper grammar and format, and contains all required Government data.

5.4.4 Means of measurement: 100% review and verification of the contractor’s records, data, and report.

5.5 - Quality Control Plan

5.5.1 The contractor shall prepare a Quality Control Plan pursuant to the requirements of the Statement of Work (SOW) as specified in an associated task order. This plan sets forth the procedures and guidelines that the contractor will use to assure that the work performed under the contract is complete, accurate, and meets the requirements of the standards set forth for this contract, including, but not limited to, fieldwork, laboratory analyses, documentation, and reporting. The Quality Control Plan shall include the submittal of bi-weekly progress reports identifying areas surveyed and cultural resources identified to date.

SECTION – VI GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS/INDUSTRY

STANDARDS/ STATE STANDARDS/GOVERNMENT

STANDARDS/TECHNICAL EXHIBITS

6.1 R-3 FSH - 5/87, FSH 2309.24 – Cultural Resources Handbook, USDA-Forest Service, Region 3.

6.2 36 Code of Federal Regulations Part 60

6.3 NRB 15 - 8/95, USDI, National Register Bulletin 15, How to Apply the National Register Criteria for Evaluation

6.4 1991, Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, 43 Code of Federal Regulations Part

10.

6.5 Collections

Except as otherwise noted, thorough documentation of cultural materials shall be made in the field. Any collections must be approved in advance by the Contracting Officer’s Representative, and may be made only in the following instances:

A. The collection is absolutely necessary to adequately assess the resource, B. Especially rare or sensitive temporal indicator artifacts are encountered.

When collection is necessary, the artifact will be point provenienced to a permanent datum established by the contractor and the location of the artifact recorded using GIS the NAD 83 CONUS datum and the appropriate UTM zone (unless otherwise specified in the task order), and shown on the site map. Collected artifacts will be photographed in situ prior to removal, and a durable marker left at the collection location. All collected materials shall be analyzed and discussed in the final report.

Arrangements for the curation of the collected artifacts will be the responsibility of the contractor and, as such, the contractor will be required to have a curation agreement with an appropriate Arizona repository for these purposes. All collections remain the property of the United States Government.

6.7 Disposition of Collections and other Investigation Documentation

All material and data produced by the contractor in performance under this contract, or in work in support thereof, are, and shall be, the sole property of the United States Government; unlimited rights in ownership, usage, and equity for such materials and data, and shall be, transferred without reservation to the United States Government. Materials include, but are not limited to, the following items:

manuscripts, outlines, abstracts, field notes, artwork (including maps, sketches, charts, tables and related overlays), photography (including negatives, digital imagery, transparencies, prints, and microfiches), geospatial data, collected artifacts, and data sheets. The final report will be distributed to interested parties by the government.

The contractor may use the archaeological data resulting from this survey for future research purposes. However, the contractor agrees to comply with all applicable site confidentiality requirements concerning the nature and location of cultural resources, Traditional Cultural Properties or sacred sites located during the survey.

The contractor shall provide three copies of any manuscripts, reports, and publications pertaining to the survey to the Forest Archaeologist on the forest where the work was performed and to acknowledge that the Forest Service funded the Fire Plan.

At the time a task order is placed, the appropriate Fire Plan will be provided if needed.