B09_SF30_Q_A_Amendment_0003_0003.pdf

1. SOW 1.A.3 & 1.B.1:

a) When was the last comprehensive cultural resource inventory performed (if any) for the APE beyond the “small cultural inventories” cited?

b) Are prior inventory data and site forms available for our pre-field review?

c) If the last comprehensive cultural resource inventory was in the last 5 years, can you provide the associated contract number(s) for that/those comprehensive cultural resource inventory(ies)?

d) Can you provide contract number(s) for the small inventories mentioned in the SOW?

Answer: While there have been some previous overlapping inventories, the overlap is negligible as noted in the SOW and none are considered comprehensive coverage. As such, the entirety of this pending contract requires Class III survey (no previous overlapping survey exemptions will apply). If interested in familiarizing with these existing reports and surveys, overlapping inventories (including inventory numbers) and cultural site records are generally available for review on the OAHP's Compass/interactive GIS database as noted in the SOW.

a. For the benefit of setting fieldwork expectations, the SOW noted one of the two known cultural resources requiring a revisit: 5MF.6466. The second known resource that would require a revisit for this project is 5RB.8010, the Cathedral Bluffs Trail, which requires a BLM Linear Segment Form revisit only where overlap occurs with the Cathedral N Aspen survey area.

b. BLM otherwise routinely provides a comprehensive files search spreadsheet of previously recorded/completed sites and surveys within 1 mile of the project areas upon contract award, with the intent to further inform on the cultural resource expectations ahead of fieldwork. Essentially for this survey, known resources within 1 mile include historic isolated finds, roads, fences, ranches, homesteads, and a school and a cabin, as well as prehistoric isolated finds, open camps, and lithic scatters.

2. SOW 1.A.3 & 1.B.1: To allow offerors to have the right expectations, for the three known resources within the APE—5MF.6466, 5RB.9422, and 5RB.9030—can the Government provide copies of existing site forms or evaluation notes, even if just in a heavy redacted form, or if not, at least provide a high-level summary of the findings within APE—5MF.6466, 5RB.9422, and 5RB.9030?

Answer: The requested site records or resource summaries for 5MF.6466, 5RB.9422, and 5RB.9030 are available through OAHP and/or their Compass database and can otherwise be provided by BLM upon contract reward. The isolated find (5RB.9422) and County Road 87 (5RB.9030) only need to be noted as overlapping resources in the report, however, and otherwise do not need to be considered further or revisited.

3. SOW 1.C.1 & 4.B: Besides the required Colorado BLM Archaeological Permit (PAI), is the Government aware of any additional local or county permits, right-of-entry approvals, or crossing agreements (e.g., private roads) to access all polygons shown in the maps?

Answer: Only PAI is needed. No other permits are required.

4. SOW 1.B.1 & 3.A–3.B: Are there known wildlife stipulations (e.g., big-game winter range) or seasonal closures in any of the mapped areas that may limit fieldwork to certain times of the year?’

Answer: No

5. SOW 4.B & 5.D: From the maps, some polygons (e.g., Cathedral N. Aspen) appear to include steep or rugged terrain, and Angora is near the White River corridor. Are there any known high-risk slopes, water crossings, or additional safety or equipment requirements (beyond standard 4WD/ATV use) for any portion of these units?

Answer: Per our standards, slopes greater than 30 percent do not need to be surveyed. And, I do not believe any water crossings are necessary.

6. Maps (D.2 – Angora_CRI):

a) Because the Angora Mechanical treatment area is adjacent to (or near) the White River, does any portion of the Class III inventory require surveying riverbanks or crossing waterways?

Answer: Angora is up on a mesa away from the river. None of the survey areas require working on riverbanks or crossing waterways

b) If so, does this trigger any special safety protocols or additional permits?

Answer: No.

7. Maps (D.3 – Blu_Mtn_CRI) & (D.4 – Cathedral_CRI):

a) These project polygons border private lands and possibly National Park Service or state lands. Can the Government confirm that all purple (Cathedral) and yellow (Blue Mountain) polygons lie solely on BLM-administered land, or is a portion under other jurisdiction requiring separate approvals?

Answer: The blue property is State land, we will coordinate with CPW prior to surveys starting on the state land. Yellow is BLM land. Not separate approvals are needed.

b) Can the Government briefly describe any logistical coordination which the contractor will be required to conduct with the Government, including any mandatory access notifications and procedures for the APE, which goes beyond the Contractor updating the Government by email on when they anticipate conducting the various parts of the cultural resource inventory, and specifically where?

Answer: Coordination should be done through the COR.

8. Have previous or ongoing Tribal consultations identified particularly sensitive areas or Traditional Cultural Properties requiring unique field protocols, or is a standard Class III approach sufficient throughout the inventory areas?

Answer: The standard Class III survey applies to the entirety of this project area. The are no known TCPs or other tribally sensitive areas or resources requiring special treatment or field protocols.

9. SOW 1.B.2 & 1.C.3: Will mechanical or prescribed burn activities take place concurrently with our fieldwork in any polygon, or can we assume no overlapping operations that might affect site access or scheduling?

Answer: There shouldn't be any overlapping operations occurring during the time this inventory is being conducted. There will not be any treatment activity occurring during surveys.

10. E.3 Evaluation, Factor 2 Technical Approach, p. 40: Are there any project-specific “green” standards (e.g., reduced vehicle usage, minimal ground disturbance) or additional wildfire precautions (beyond standard BLM guidance) we must implement in our field methods?

Answer: Contractors should not drive vehicles off any existing routes. And no ground disturbance is authorized beyond typical archaeological investigations outlined in the BLM Handbook or the Northwest District Standards and Procedures. As for wildfire precautions, whatever is applied or recommended to the public would also apply to the contractor.

11. E.3 Evaluation, Factor 2 Technical Approach, p. 40: Is the APE subject to sudden fire bans, red-flag restrictions, or other closures (e.g., county road closures in wet conditions) that we must incorporate into our proposed schedule and risk mitigation plan?

Answer: The APE is not subject to fire bans outside of following fire restriction protocols if camping.