B08_PWS_BKFO_Madre_Pictigraph_Assesment_v1_20260224.docx

Carrizo Plain Rock Art Assessment and Condition Appraisal Post Madre Fire Bureau of Land Management, Bakersfield Field Office

Contents

Figure 1 Carrizo Plain National Monument Location Map …………...…….……17 Figure 2 Project Area Map…….……………………

SECTION 1.0 Background on the Government’s Requirement

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has the responsibility to manage cultural resources located on public lands under the jurisdiction of the Bakersfield Field Office, pursuant to the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) (Sections 106 and 110), Archaeological Resources Protection Act (Section 14) and Executive Order 11593. Land use planning guidelines in Manuals 1601 and 8100 place emphasis on BLM’s responsibility to identify and manage cultural resources known or expected within the Carrizo Plain Resource Management Plan area.

The Carrizo Plain National Monument (CPNM) is located in central California within Kern and San Luis Obispo Counties. See Figure 1 for location. This area includes approximately 250,000 acres of public land managed by the Bureau of Land Management, Bakersfield Field Office (BLM). The CPNM is notable for significant natural and cultural resource values. Among these are the many Native American heritage sites that comprise the Carrizo Plain Archaeological District National Historic Landmark (NHL). In 2025, the Madre Fire burned over 80,000 acres of BLM and United States Forest Service land. This impacted over 100 cultural sites, including many within the NHL. Following post burn field survey it was determined that 15 pictograph sites were affected.

SECTION 2.0 General Scope of Work

The objective of this contract is the completion of impact assessments and management recommendations for the 15 pictograph sites located within the 2025 Madre Fire perimeter. See Section 4.0 for task specifications.

The general scope of work for this contract includes the following.

The Contractor shall provide detailed updated site documentation, condition assessments, site management recommendations and reporting for 15 rock art sites impacted by the Madre Fire. Excavation and collection of artifacts, painted rock samples and ecofacts are not authorized under this contract.

All sites have been previously recorded and detailed digital records of pre-fire baseline condition shall be provided.

Place of Performance

The location of the investigation falls within the Carrizo Plain National Monument, San Luis Obispo County, California. See Figure 2 for a map of the monument location.

SECTION 4.0 Specific Tasks

Task 1:

Documentation The Contractor shall minimally include the following documentation in support of this assessment. The method of pictograph recordation shall be conducted in a manner which causes no disturbance to the paintings and rock surfaces.

1. Digital photographs which show overall site condition relative to direct impacts and the potential for erosion or other indirect effects.

2. High resolution (>20.0 mega-pixels) digital camera images of pictograph panels and images, graffiti and site condition completed in a manner which facilities comparison with previously completed documentation.

Task 2:

Condition Assessment The Contractor’s condition assessment of the rock art panels shall identify specific damage or deterioration to the paintings and rock surfaces in a manner consistent with previously conducted site condition assessment studies.

This assessment will include consideration of the chemical and physical properties and condition of the rock surface as well as the applied pigments or carvings. Condition assessment of each site shall be coupled with recommendations pertinent to site preservation for both the rock art and other components of the site. Rock art site condition assessment analysis shall minimally include the consideration of the following potential causes of pigment loss due to both natural weathering and erosion, as well as fire, and human causes:

1. Flaking

2. Granular disintegration

3. Dust

4. Salt

5. Mechanical impacts which include painted or incised graffiti, chiseling, rubbing, bullet, fire

6. Biological impacts due to insects and birds.

Task 3:

Reporting The Contractor shall prepare a technical report that describes pictograph and site condition assessments and provides recommendations for long term site preservation. All reporting is the property of the BLM and shall not be shared or published without the written permission of the BLM. A draft report shall be provided to the BLM for review. The BLM will provide edit requests and provide written approval to the Contractor for production as a final once edit requests have been completed by the Contractor. Specific deliverables are described in Section 5.0.

SECTION 5.0 Performance Schedule/Delivery

Period of Performance:

The Period of Performance shall be initiated upon award and shall extend for one year. Deliverables shall be submitted by the contractor to the COR according to the following estimated schedule.

By 60 days following Award: An electronic version in WORD format of the draft condition assessment report, shall be submitted to the Project Specialist- BLM Archaeologist for review and comments.

The Project Specialist- BLM Archaeologist will return comments to the contractor within 14 days of receipt of draft. The contractor shall incorporate BLM’s comments into the final report, updated site record forms and GIS data, as appropriate, and return to the BLM for review within 14 days.

By one year following award: The terms of this contract shall be completed on or before this date with the completion and acceptance of the initial survey final report and, if initiated, all option final reports and supporting materials as described in Section 5.

Deliverables

Deliverables shall be prepared to professional format that meets the Secretary of the Interior’s and California’s Office of Historic Preservation (OHP) standards for report documentation, including confidentiality. Specifically, “Archaeology and Historic Preservation; Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and Guidelines” National Park Service, Department of the Interior; “Instructions for Recording Historical Resources” (California OHP, March 1995); and “Archaeological Resource Management Reports (ARMR): Recommended Contents and Format” (California OHP, December 1989). See Section 6 Applicable Publications for a list of cited references with web addresses.

1. The final technical reports shall be submitted to the COR in hard copy and electronically in both Microsoft Word and/or Adobe Acrobat format.

The terms of this contract shall be completed according to the Period of Performance estimated schedule with BLM approval of the following submittal:

a. One (1) bound hard copy of the final report and relevant appendices.

b. An electronic submission of a PDF copy of complete final report. This can be submitted via the contractor’s file sharing platform, through uploads to the BLM file Microsoft Sharepoint site or uploaded onto a disc or thumb drive mailed to the BLM..

Payment Schedule The Contractor must submit an invoice to the BLM CO upon completion of each portion and with approval from the BLM COR, per the following:

1. At the completion and acceptance of the draft report, site recordation forms, visual media, a 60% partial payment will be paid to Contractor.

2. At the completion and acceptance of the final report, site recordation forms, visual media, the remaining 40% will be paid to Contractor.

Notice Regarding Late Delivery In the event the Contractor encounters difficulty in meeting performance requirements, contract delivery schedule or date, or anticipates difficulty in complying with the established work schedule, the Contractor shall immediately notify the CO and the COR thereof in writing, giving pertinent details, including the date expected to complete performance or make delivery: Provided, however, that this data shall be informational only in character and that receipt thereof shall not be construed as a waiver by the government of any contract delivery schedule or date, or any rights or remedies provided by law under this contract.

SECTION 6.0 Government-Furnished Property, Materials, Services

General:

The Contractor shall furnish all personnel, materials, equipment, supplies, facilities, transportation, tools, materials, supervision, and other items and non-personal services necessary to perform the work tasks defined in this Performance Work Statement, except for those items specified as government furnished.

The following items will be government furnished.

Data and Materials:

Upon award, the Government shall furnish the below materials to assist the Contractor in meeting the requirement of this contract.

1. Relevant reports and other information related to the project area

2. GIS generated maps and shape files of the project survey area and access routes

3. During field survey, BLM will provide the Contractor with an Authorized Access placard for each vehicle(s).

4. Gate lock keys or access combinations if needed. (gate lock keys must be returned to COR at completion of project)

Applicable Publications (Current Editions)

1. BLM Manual 8100 https://www.blm.gov/sites/blm.gov/files/uploads/mediacenter_blmpolicymanual8110_0.pdf

2. Secretary of Interior Standards and Guidelines https://www.nps.gov/subjects/historicpreservation/upload/standards-guidelines-archeology-historic-preservation.pdf

3. NPS Bulletin 35 https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nationalregister/upload/NRB-15_web508.pdf

4. CA OHP 1995 Manual Instructions for Recording Historical Resources https://scic.sdsu.edu/_resources/docs/manual95.pdf

5. National Historic Preservation Act (As amended through December 16, 2016 and Codified in Title 54 of the United States Code) https://www.achp.gov/sites/default/files/2018-06/nhpa.pdf

6. Archaeological Resource Management Reports (ARMR): Recommended Contents and Format Archaeological Resource Management Reports (ARMR) https://ohp.parks.ca.gov/pages/1069/files/armr-remediated.pdf SECTION 7.0 Security and Administrative Matters

Accommodations and Access The CPNM is a remote location. Gas and lodging are available in the city of Taft, located approximately 50 miles to the east. Arrangements can be made to utilize BLM accommodation within the monument and established campgrounds with non-potable water are also available.

Study areas are accessible via paved and unpaved county or public roads, and administrative access roads under the jurisdiction of BLM, Some dirt roads may not be maintained and will require four-wheel drive access. Vehicle type shall be limited to standard passenger vehicles. Access through locked gates, where applicable, will be provided by BLM to the contractor. This may include providing lock codes and keys. In the event that access through locked gates is required, the contractor must contact the BLM a minimum of 5 days prior to the requested date for access. Vehicle travel off existing roads or cross-country driving is prohibited for the protection of cultural resources and sensitive plant and animal species. Parking on the road edge or shoulder is allowed, provided animal burrows and vegetation are avoided. Road conditions vary depending upon inclement weather and seasonality.

Upon award, the Contractor shall notify the BLM of the number and type of vehicles prior to the project and the BLM shall issue access placards for each of the Contractor’s vehicle(s). These placards will be returned to the BLM upon completion of the project.

Regular Work Hours:

The performance period established for this contract is based upon all work being conducted during the timeframe of ½ hour after sunrise and stopping work no later than ½ hour before sunset. If the Contractor desires to carry on work outside regular timeframe and would need COR availability, including Saturdays, Sundays, and government holidays, a request must be submitted to the Contracting Officer and COR in sufficient time to allow satisfactory arrangements to be made for access to the work site and arrange for COR availability.

Communications:

“Time” for communications received after 3:00pm, after 12:00 pm locally on Fridays, or after 12:00 pm locally prior to a holiday will not start until the next business day. All times are local Pacific Standard Time.

Federal Holidays:

The following Federal Legal Holidays are observed:

Fire Danger Season:

If the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) allows the Contractor to continue work during periods of declared fire danger or season, the Contractor shall comply with all applicable state laws relating to fire prevention and with all special conditions of work as directed by the COR.

Pre-Work Conference Immediately following award of the contract and prior to initiating data collection, a pre-work conference shall be held between the Contractor and COR for the purpose of familiarizing the Contractor with the study area and BLM facilities, means for accessing the inventory area locations, and specific responsibilities of each party. The Contractor and the COR in consultation shall determine the date, time, and location of the meeting.

Publication Rights The government retains all rights to the use and publication of project data.

Rights of Data All deliverables required by this contract shall become the property of the U.S. government. The government may publish, reproduce, and use all deliverables in any manner and for any purpose, without limitation, and may authorize others to do the same. Unless otherwise provided herein, the Contractor agrees that he/she shall not assert any copyright at common law or equity and shall not establish any claim to statutory copyright on such deliverables.

Redirection of Effort Notwithstanding any other provision of the contract, the Contracting Officer (CO) shall be the only individual authorized to redirect the effort or in any way amend any of the terms of the contract.

SECTION 8.0 Technical Exhibits and Definitions

Standard Definitions:

Contracting Officer (CO) The Secretary of the Interior or designated authorized representative who is the only agent capable of signing a federal award or obligating funds.

Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) The Contracting Officer’s designated representative as indicated in a delegation of authority letter.

BLM Project Specialist- BLM Archaeologist The Project Specialist- BLM Archaeologist, provides project expertise support to the COR. This role does not have delegated authority relative to the contract for the obligation of funds or contract management.

Performance Requirements Summary (PRS) (see Technical Exhibit below) The PRS identifies the key performance indicators of the Contract that will be evaluated by the Government to assure Contract performance standards are met by the Contractor.

Technical Definitions:

Cultural Resource A definite location of human activity, occupation, or use identifiable through field inventory (survey), historical documentation, or oral evidence. The term includes archaeological, historic, or architectural sites, structures, or places with important public and scientific uses, and may include definite locations (sites or places) of traditional cultural or religious importance to specified social and/or cultural groups. Cultural resources are concrete, material places and things that are located, classified, ranked, and managed through the system of identifying, protecting, and utilizing the resource for public benefit, as defined in the BLM Manual 8100).

Technical Direction

The BLM Contracting Officer (CO) is the designated individual who has the authority to commit or obligate funds of the Government. COs have the authority to enter into, administer, or terminate contracts and make related determinations and findings. The BLM Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) is the point of contact with technical responsibility for implementation, compliance, and administration of the contract. The COR is not authorized to make any changes to the contract.

The term “technical direction” is defined to include the following:

1. Contractor shall provide weekly or as needed verbal progress report to COR until the final deliverables are received by BLM.

2. Providing of information to the Contractor which assists in the interpretation of drawings, specification, or technical portions of the work description.

3. Review, and where required by the contract, approval of technical reports, drawing, specifications, and technical information delivered by the Contractor to the government under contract.

4. Technical direction must be within the general scope of work stated in the contract. The COR does not have the authority to issue any technical direction which (i) constitutes an assignment of additional work outside the general scope of the contract; (ii) constitutes a change as defined in the contract clause entitled, “Changes”; (iii) in any manner causes an increase or decrease in the total contract price or the time required for contract performance; or (iv) changes any of the expressed terms, conditions, or specifications of the contract. The COR shall notify the Contracting Officer well in advance of the anticipated issuance of any technical directions which the COR feels may fall within categories (i) through (iv) preceding.

5. All technical directions shall be issued in writing by the COR or shall be confirmed by him/her in writing within five (5) working days after issuance.

6. The Contractor shall proceed promptly with the performance of technical directions duly issued by the COR in the manner prescribed by this provision.

7. If, in the opinion of the Contractor, any instruction or direction issued by the COR is within one of the categories as defined in (i) through (iv) preceding, the Contractor shall not proceed but shall notify the Contracting Officer in writing within five (5) working days after the receipt of any such instruction or direction. Upon receiving such notification from the Contractor, the Contracting Officer shall issue an appropriate contract modification or advise the Contractor in writing that, in his/her opinion, the technical direction is within the scope of this article and does not constitute a change under the “Changes” clause of the contract. The Contractor shall thereupon proceed immediately with the directions given. A failure of the parties to agree upon the nature of the instruction or direction or upon the contract action to be taken with respect thereto shall be subject to the contract clause entitled “Disputes”.

Technical Exhibits:

EX: Performance Requirements Summary

SECTION 9.0 Contractor Qualifications

1. The PI is required to have completed formal training in the specialization of rock art conservation, to include documentation, detailed materials-based rock art pigment condition assessment procedures to include fire related environmental effects to pictograph sites. The completion of similar projects is also required.

2. All fieldwork must be directly supervised by a Principal Investigator (P1) who meets or exceeds the professional qualifications required by the Professional Qualifications Standards (in Archeology and Historic Preservation; Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and Guidelines (48FR1 90:44738-44739).

3. Cost of complete proposed contractual investigation.

4. Contractor must provide documentation demonstrating their ability to complete a project of this scope. This should include evaluations from agencies for which the contractor has previously worked, including timeliness of deliverables.

5. Understanding of the scope of the proposal as demonstrated by the responsiveness of the proposal to complete the PWS.

Key Personnel The BLM Contracting Officer (CO) is the designated individual who has the authority to commit or obligate funds of the Government. COs have the authority to enter into, administer, or terminate contracts and make related determinations and findings. The BLM Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) is the point of contact with technical responsibility for implementation, compliance, and administration of the contract. The COR is not authorized to make any changes to the contract.

The Contractor shall designate and identify the following positions.

1. Principal Investigator: The Principal Investigator (PI) will have overall responsibility for archaeological fieldwork and will be the primary point of contact to the BLM under this contract. The PI will be providing the expertise for completing the fieldwork, condition assessments and reporting for this project. The PI will meet the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualifications Standards for Archeology and is required to have completed formal training in the specialization of rock art conservation, to include documentation, detailed materials-based rock art pigment condition assessment procedures to include fire related environmental effects to pictograph sites. Project activities which require rock art conservation expertise must be conducted by the qualified PI and cannot be delegated to field directors or crew.

2. Archaeological Field Director/Crew Chief: The field director will operate under the direct supervision and management of field crew personnel. The field director will also be responsible for compiling and ensuring the quality of the field data on a daily basis and conducting daily safety briefings. The field director will meet the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualifications Standards for Archeology and will have at least 6 months experience conducting work similar to that to be accomplished under this contract, to include working in the California Central Coast archaeological region and in the identification of both prehistoric and historic period archaeological remains.

Performance Work Statement (PWS)

3. Archaeological Field Crew: Field crew members will conduct project activities under the direct supervision of the Field Director/ Crew Chief and will prepare basic documentation of field operations, including site, feature, and isolate identification, recordation, and mapping. Crew members will have at least 6 months experience conducting work similar to that to be accomplished under this contract, to include working in the California Central Coast archaeological region and in the identification of both prehistoric and historic period archaeological remains.

PWS Page 5

EXHIBIT X: PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS SUMMARY (PRS)

Task 1 – pictograph site documentation

Task 2- pictograph site condition assessments

If the draft or final report does not meet the standards and requirements as described in the PWS, the COR will specify Contractor document edits to address deficiencies. If more than 3 times requirements are not met, BLM will look at 10% deductions in cost.

Figure 1: Carrizo Plain National Monument Location Map

Figure 2: Pictograph Assessment Project Area image1.jpeg image2.jpeg