A03_SOWCHIS_335648-_Environmental_Services_FINAL_0001.pdf

SCOPE OF WORK

May 6, 2024

Channel Islands National Park PMIS 335648 Santa Barbara Island Repair Storm Damaged Wharf

Environmental Compliance Services

In accordance with the terms and conditions of the General Services Administration (GSA) schedule contract and the requirements of this task order, the Contractor shall perform the work of this task order for the National Park Service (NPS) as described below for the Channel Islands National Park (CHIS) Santa Barbara Island Repair Storm Damaged Wharf project.

CONFIDENTIALITY

The information developed under this task order is the property of the U.S. Government and shall be kept in strict confidence.

PERFORMANCE PERIOD

The work shall begin following issuance of the task order, proceed in accordance with the schedule for submittal, and be completed no later than December 30, 2025.

OPTIONAL CLINS

This scope contains Optional Contract Line Items (CLINS). The work required in the option CLINs below are within scope of work of the proposed contract. The option CLINs may be exercised at the time of award or unilaterally exercised by written notice to the Contractor within 180 days after contract award. Option CLINs will be evaluated as part of the base award and be exercisable at amounts specified in the price schedule. The Government will evaluate offers for award purposes by adding the total price for all option CLINs to the total price for the base requirement. Evaluation of option CLINs will not obligate the Government to exercise the option CLINs.

PROJECT IDENTIFICATION

PMIS Number: 335648 Santa Barbara Island Repair Storm Damaged Wharf PEPC Number: 118562

POINTS OF CONTACT

Denver Service Center (DSC):

• Contracting Officer (CO): Rachel Dyer, rachel_dyer@nps.gov

• Project Manager (PM): Heidi Flugstad, 303-987-6722, heidi_flugstad@nps.gov

• Project Specialist (PS): Derek Sergison, derek_sergison@nps.gov

• Natural Resource Specialist/Contracting Officer Representative (COR): Monica Buhler, 720-910-

0472, monica_buhler@nps.gov

• Cultural Resource Specialist (alternate COR): Alexandra Tarantino, 720-610-7099, alexandra_tarantino@nps.gov

Channel Islands National Park (CHIS)

• Superintendent: Ethan McKinley, ethan_mckinley@nps.gov mailto:rachel_dyer@nps.gov mailto:heidi_flugstad@nps.gov mailto:monica_buhler@nps.gov mailto:alexandra_tarantino@nps.gov mailto:ethan_mckinley@nps.gov

• Project Manager (main POC) Sterling Holdorf, 805-658-5710 sterling_holdorf@nps.gov

• Chief Natural Resources Management and Environmental Protection Specialist, Ken Convery

805-658-5709, ken_convery@nps.gov

• Park Archeologist, Kristin Hoppa, Kristin_hoppa@nps.gov

BACKGROUND/PROJECT DESCRIPTION

This project will repair storm-related damage to the wharf on Santa Barbara Island, one of the five islands that comprise Channel Islands National Park (CHIS). Santa Barbara Island is approximately 38 miles west of the closest mainland point in Southern California and is only accessible by boat (NPS, concessionaire or private) or air (Figure 1). The approximate travel time from Ventura Harbor to Santa Barbara Island by boat is 3 hours.

Santa Barbara Island is a cliff island with the only boat access at Landing Cove, also known as the “Wharf” (Figures 2 and 3). The wharf has sustained storm damage numerous times over the last decade that has since been repaired but in January 2023, an atmospheric river storm severely damaged the wharf. Damages incurred include the complete removal of the fender piles, damage to the decking, landing, railings, and ladder. The damages have prevented the concessioner boat from operating and providing transportation for visitors to the island. Repairs and improvements will be designed and constructed to be more resilient to risks associated with natural hazards and climate change, such as increased storm frequency and intensity, storm surge, and sea level rise.

The scope of the design and construction project includes:

• Geotechnical investigation (borings, bathymetric and topographic survey)

• Condition assessment of remaining piles

• Replacement and addition of fender piles

• Repairs to decking

• Repairs to railing

• Repairs to ladder

Figure 1: Overview map mailto:sterling_holdorf@nps.gov mailto:ken_convery@nps.gov mailto:Kristin_hoppa@nps.gov

Figures 2 and 3: Project location with general project limits shown in orange.

TASK ORDER OBJECTIVES

The objectives for the project include completing the following:

• Task 1: Kick-off call

• Task 2: Project Schedule

• Task 3: Floodplain Statement of Findings

• Task 4: Section 106 Consultation Correspondence and Assessment of Effect

• Task 5: Endangered Species Act Section 7 Consultation

• Task 6: Essential Fish Habitat Assessment

• Task 7: Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) consistency determination letter

• Optional Task 8: Biological Assessment

Subsequent project tasks may be awarded to the Contractor as future contract modifications.

SERVICES TO BE COMPLETED

This SOW defines information requirements, products, and services to be produced by the Contractor.

Also included are communication and coordination activities such as conference calls and meetings with NPS staff.

The Contractor shall review relevant source materials to develop a clear understanding of the project area, the proposed project, and associated issues. Data gaps shall be identified and brought to the attention of the DSC COR as soon as they are identified.

The Contractor shall provide all manpower, equipment, and services to perform the tasks necessary. All work shall be technically and legally defensible and in compliance with the requirements of the NEPA;

the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations (40 CFR 1500- 1508); the Department of the Interior NEPA Regulations (43 CFR Subtitle A Part 46); Director’s Order-12 Conservation Planning, Environmental Impact Analysis, and Decision-Making, and its NEPA Handbook (collectively, DO-12);

and other applicable laws, policies, and regulations such as Department of Interior and NPS regional guidance regarding NEPA streamlining. Other principal applicable laws include but are not limited to the following: the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), Endangered Species Act (ESA), CWA, Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, and Migratory Bird Act.

The Contractor shall use only scientific information that meets the information quality standards in NPS Director’s Order 11-B and shall base any impact assessment and resulting conclusions on published and/or peer-reviewed scientific literature, when available.

The NPS will conduct consultations with other agencies and organizations in accordance with the requirements of the NEPA, ESA, NHPA, and/or other applicable laws. The Contractor shall use information provided by the NPS regarding compliance with these laws as well as information from other agencies (e.g., Tribes, State Historic Preservation Office consultation materials, state natural resource management agencies, and state natural heritage inventories) for inclusion and analysis in the compliance documentation.

NOTES ON DELIVERABLES:

• All deliverables must be fully edited, free of spelling and grammatical errors, and user-friendly for public review and understanding, formatted consistent with the Denver Service Center Editorial Style Guide (https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1804/upload/DSC_EditingStyleGuide_2014_AF.pdf) and 40 CFR §1502.8 (plain language).

• The Contractor’s name shall not appear on the cover and/or coversheet of any draft or final products.

• The Contractor shall perform a consistency check of all data and facts used throughout all deliverable products.

• The Contractor shall coordinate closely with the DSC COR and other NPS staff (e.g., DSC and park staff) while developing draft project deliverables.

• All internal draft deliverables shall be line-numbered and include a comment matrix to facilitate and track resolution of NPS comments. For some documents, resolution of comments using track changes in MS Word documents may also be requested to streamline NPS review.

• All print media that will be made publicly available shall be checked and formatted to be Section 508 compliant and must meet NPS Graphic Identity Standards.

• Digital media products shall be Section 508 compliant and compatible with nps.gov (coordination with the NPS will be necessary to ensure compatibility).

• Unless specifically stated, the Contractor shall submit deliverables to the COR in an electronic format.

• GIS products shall be delivered in a format compatible with the NPS Data Delivery Standards and Specifications Template.

• As appropriate, the COR will complete a Quality Assurance review to verify the deliverable is complete, meets contract requirements and meets professional standards. Within seven (7) calendar days of receipt of the draft deliverable, the COR will notify the Contractor of any substantive corrections needed before it can be accepted and distributed to the Project Team for review. The Contractor shall then correct the document and resubmit the draft to the COR within seven (7) calendar days of receiving notification. Once approved by the COR, the Contractor shall distribute the draft deliverable to the Project Team for review and comment.

• When timeframes are specified in the statement of work, they are given in working days, not calendar days.

https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1804/upload/DSC_EditingStyleGuide_2014_AF.pdf

• Graphics and illustrations (e.g., covers, figures, photographs, graphs, charts) shall be rendered in black and white to facilitate 508-compliance. Graphics and illustrations submitted in other than black and white may be used with prior approval from the DSC

COR.

Please submit deliverables to: Monica Buhler (Monica_Buhler@nps.gov), Alexandra Tarantino (alexandra_tarantino@nps.gov), and CHIS POC Ken Convery (ken_convery@nps.gov).

Data and Materials to be Provided by the Government The following items are examples of the material that shall be provided by the government at the request of the Contractor for their use in completing the services specified:

• Park Foundation Document/GMP as available/appropriate

• Any associated parkwide compliance documents

• Copies of or access to GIS and resource specific data and surveys for the project area

• Applicable natural resource studies such as wildlife surveys in the project area

• Archeological or other cultural resource surveys in the project area

• NPS Data Delivery Standards and Specifications Template

• NPS Floodplain Management Procedural Manual (DO-77-2) and compliance guidance documents

Task 1. Preliminary Kick-Off Call Within two weeks of the task order issuance, the Contractor will facilitate a project kick-off conference call. The Contractor shall include two key personnel on this kick-off conference call; representatives of DSC and the park will also participate. The primary purpose of this conference call will be to introduce team members, discuss roles and responsibilities and communication protocols, review project schedule, discuss project logistics, research and fieldwork methodology, site safety, schedule, and determine the appropriate method for transmitting existing information to the Contractor. The Contractor shall prepare the agenda for this meeting and provide written notes to NPS following the meeting.

The Contractor shall be prepared to discuss and obtain information from the NPS related to the following topics:

• Reviewing the existing data and documentation related to the project.

• Reviewing the proposed action.

• Discuss approach and schedule for field studies.

The Contractor shall prepare meeting notes in summary form and not a meeting transcription. The summary shall document the discussion and decisions related to each agenda topic. The notes shall be submitted to the COR & project team within 5 working days after the meeting. The Contractor shall assume one revision of the notes, assuming the first draft is of acceptable quality to the COR. The Contractor shall make revisions to the meeting notes and associated materials and provide the COR with the final notes.

Deliverables:

• Meeting agenda

• Draft and final meeting notes mailto:Monica_Buhler@nps.gov mailto:alexandra_tarantino@nps.gov mailto:ken_convery@nps.gov https://www.nps.gov/subjects/policy/upload/PM-77-2_10-2002_508.pdf

Task 2. Project Schedule The Contractor shall develop and maintain a detailed project schedule. The project schedule will show the Contractor’s tasks and will also incorporate design or other dependent activities into the schedule. The initial draft shall be submitted to the COR no later than two (2) weeks after the kick-off meeting. The schedule shall include the deliverables as identified in the scope of services, review periods for NPS, and other important milestones as identified in this SOW.

The Contractor shall make the necessary changes to the draft schedule to produce and submit a final schedule to the COR within two (2) weeks after NPS review. The Contractor shall be responsible for updating the schedule as needed, to reflect changes to the overall project schedule. A Gantt chart format, such as MS Project, is preferable.

Deliverables:

• Initial detailed project schedule to be submitted within two (2) weeks after the kick-off meeting.

• Final schedule shall be submitted within two (2) weeks after initial schedule that incorporates any NPS comments.

Task 3. Floodplain Statement of Findings Subtask 3-A. Floodplain Desktop Survey The Contractor shall perform a detailed review of all previous natural resource survey reports related to floodplains performed to date within and adjacent to the project area and provide feedback on the accuracy and comprehensiveness of these reports. This includes conducting “desktop” surveys of applicable databases, including but not limited to reviewing Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and National Wetlands Inventory maps for wetland and floodplain locations and determine regulatory flood zones, determine applicability of Federal Flood Risk Management Standards and conduct mapping exercises using aerial imaging. The Contractor shall also coordinate with local hydrology or related park specialists. The Contractor shall prepare a report that summarizes this review and identifies potential adverse impacts as described in DO-77-2 (e.g., life, NPS capital investments, floodplain function etc.) to help determine if a Floodplain Statement of Findings (SOF) is needed. If the NPS determines that additional surveys are required for this project, a modification to the contract will occur.

Deliverable:

• Summary report of review and findings of existing floodplain surveys as they relate to the project area.

Subtask 3-B. Floodplain SOF Outline The Contractor shall prepare an annotated outline of the document in accordance with the format and requirements of DO-77-2. The outline shall be annotated with subheadings to facilitate discussion of preliminary content of the Floodplain Statement of Findings (FSOF). An example of an NPS FSOF outline will be provided to the Contractor upon request. The contractor shall discuss with the COR prior to document preparation where deviations from the outline may be appropriate. Once the outline is approved, the Contractor shall prepare a draft FSOF to the NPS for review and comment. The FSOF shall be included in the EA as an appendix.

Deliverable:

• Draft FSOF Outline in MS Word and PDF format.

Subtask 3-C. FSOF 1st Draft (NPS Review) The Contractor shall prepare a 1st draft of the FSOF in MS Word format that will be page and line numbered for review and comment by the NPS. The Contractor shall also submit a comment matrix presenting how NPS comments were addressed.

Deliverable:

• 1st Draft FSOF in MS Word and PDF format, with lines numbered on each page.

Subtask 3-D. FSOF 2nd Draft (Regional and/or Water Resources Division Review) The Contractor shall prepare a 2nd draft for review that has been revised to address NPS review comments provided on the 1st draft. The Contractor shall also submit a track changes version of the revisions and comment matrix to the COR.

Deliverable:

• 2nd Draft FSOF in MS Word and PDF format with lines numbered on each page and NPS comments addressed from 1st draft.

Subtask 3-E. FSOF 3rd Draft and Final for Public Review The Contractor shall prepare a 3rd draft and Final FSOF for public review that has been revised to address comments provided on the previous drafts. The Contractor shall also submit a track changes version of the revisions from the previous reviews and comment matrix to the COR.

Deliverables:

• 3rd Draft and Final FSOF in PDF format for publication.

• 3rd Draft and Final FSOF in PDF format for signature.

Part 1. NATIONAL HISTORIC PRESERVATION ACT (NHPA)

Task 4. Section 106 Consultation Correspondence and Assessment of Effect The Contractor shall assist with drafting and finalizing Section 106 consultation letters to the California State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO), Tribes, other consulting parties, and Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) (if applicable) per 36 CFR 800.2. The NPS has initiated consultation with the SHPO and Tribes. It is assumed that the Contractor will prepare no more than three letters, including but not limited to an archeological survey report transmittal letter and Assessment of Effect documentation for park submittal to the SHPO as part of the standard four-step consultation process.

Letters shall comply with the California SHPO guidelines, requirements under ACHP regulations implementing Section 106 of the NHPA (36 CFR 800), and the stipulations of the 2008 NPS Service wide Programmatic Agreement (PA).

The NPS will provide copies of initiation letters sent to SHPO and the Tribes and any responses received. The initiation letter included a description of the proposed undertaking, a description and map of the proposed area of potential effects (APE), and preliminary identification of historic properties, including notification of a proposed submerged cultural resource survey to occur in June 2024. The Contractor shall also use existing cultural resource studies completed for past projects or by the park for the written documentation.

Assessment of Effect documentation shall include (1) description/summary of the APE and historic properties present in the APE that are either listed in or eligible to be listed in the National Register of Historic Places; (2) application of the Criteria of Adverse Effect [36 CFR 800.5(a)(1)] to historic properties; and (3) consideration of ways to avoid, minimize or mitigate adverse effects.

Deliverables:

• Up to three (3) draft correspondence in MS Word and PDF formats. The Contractor shall assume one revision of each correspondence.

• Up to three (3) final correspondence incorporating NPS comments and revisions.

Part 2. ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT (ESA)

Task 5. ESA Section 7 Consultation The Contractor shall assist with identifying regulatory requirements, determining ESA listed species in the project area, participating in consultation conference calls, drafting and finalizing meeting agendas, taking meeting notes, drafting and finalizing consultation letters or online templates (as required by consulting agencies), and drafting Biological Assessment (BA) transmittal letters (as needed) to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). Discussions and documentation will only include federal species and habitats. Example consultation and transmittal letters will be provided to the Contractor. The NPS will submit the documents to the USFWS and NOAA to transmit the BA (if required) and recommended mitigations for Federal species of concern.

The contractor should assume two conference calls and/or meetings. There is an optional task for a biological assessment, if required.

Deliverables:

• Up to two (2) draft correspondence in MS Word and PDF formats, with lines numbered on each page. The contractor shall assume one (1) revision.

• Up to two (2) final correspondence in MS Word and PDF formats with NPS comments incorporated.

Task 6. Essential Fish Habitat Assessment The Sustainable Fisheries Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-297), which amended the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA; 16 U.S.C. 1855(b)), as amended), requires that Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) be identified for all species federally managed under the West Coast Region. The act defines EFH as “those waters and substrate necessary to fish for spawning, breeding, feeding, or growth to maturity.” The act requires federal agencies to consult with the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) whenever an action might adversely affect EFH.

Part of agency consultation requires preparing an EFH Assessment if the proposed action would result in potential adverse impacts on managed fisheries in the project area. An EFH Assessment is an analysis of a project’s potential adverse effects on EFH and if necessary, measures to avoid, minimize, or mitigate those effects.

The Contractor shall prepare an EFH Assessment using the Preparing Essential Fish Habitat Assessments: A Guide for Federal Action Agencies, 2004 as guidance consistent with the MSA and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) trust resources under the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (FWCA).

At a minimum, an EFH Assessment must contain the following four sections:

• A description of the proposed action.

• An analysis of the potential adverse effect of the action on EFH, and managed species.

• The federal agency's conclusions regarding the effects of the proposed action on EFH and the managed species.

• Proposed mitigation, if applicable.

Deliverables: The EFH assessment will be completed concurrent with the BA that is described in Optional Task 8 (if required) and will undergo two internal NPS reviews with comments incorporated into each new review draft. The Contractor shall then produce a final EFH Assessment that would be an attachment to the BA to support ESA and MSA consultation with the NMFS.

• Draft EFH Assessment in MS Word and PDF formats, with lines numbered on each page. The Contractor shall assume two revisions. The Contractor shall prepare and submit responses to review comments on the draft EFH Assessment report.

• Final EFH Assessment in MS Word and PDF formats, incorporating NPS comments and revisions on the revised draft.

PART 3 COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT ACT (CZMA)

Task 7. Federal Consistency Determination The contractor shall prepare a federal consistency determination or negative determination letter in accordance with the Federal Coastal Zone Management Act and the California Coastal Act. Please see the California Coastal Commission website for help with this process. The state has sixty (60) to seventy-five

(75) days to review a consistency determination. The letter shall be signed by the Park Superintendent and will be transmitted by the NPS. A sample letter will be provided by NPS upon request.

The procedures for making such a submission are contained in Subpart “C” of 15 CFR 930. Such projects must comply with the key elements of California’s Coastal Management Program (CCMP), which include the following:

• Coastal Area Management Act

• Chapter 3 of the California Coastal Act

• Chapter 11 of the CCMP Final EIS

• Regulations passed by the Coastal Resources Commission (CRC)

• Local land-use plans certified by the CRC.

• Network of other state agencies’ laws and regulations

Deliverables:

• Draft letter in MS Word format for NPS comment.

• Final letter in MS Word format incorporating NPS comments and revisions.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST DISCLOSURE

After award, the Contractor shall disclose any potential conflicts of interest and provide the following statement for each of the key personnel assigned to this project:

“To the best of my knowledge and belief, neither I, xxxxxxxx, as owner or delegated representative of xxxxxxxx company, nor any member of my family, have any direct interest, financial or otherwise, in the outcome of this project, and that our participation in preparing the environmental assessment therefore presents no conflict of interest. In the event that I later become aware of such conflict of interest, I agree https://www.coastal.ca.gov/fedcd/fedcndx.html https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-15/subtitle-B/chapter-IX/subchapter-B/part-930/subpart-C https://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/coastal-management/coastal-management-rules/cama https://www.coastal.ca.gov/fedcd/cach3.pdf https://www.coastal.ca.gov/fedcd/ccmp-ch11.pdf to disqualify myself and report this fact to the Contracting Officer and to abide by any instructions that he/she may give me in this matter.” (CEQ regulations CFR 1506.5, NPS DO-12 Handbook Sec. 4.12).

INFORMATION SHARING RESTRICTIONS

All persons working under this contract are prohibited from revealing information on the nature and location of archeological resources discovered, recorded, updated, collected, or tested (or any other activities related to archeological resources under this contract) to the general public unless or until the NPS has taken adequate steps to assure the protection of the resources in question and given approval for the disclosure, in writing, to the Contractor. Given the sensitive and nonrenewable nature of archeological, historic structure, and paleontological resources and their protected status under statute and regulation, the Contractor shall coordinate any media announcements, including social media postings, with NPS prior to release. Any publication of the results of work conducted under the authority of this contract shall fully credit the U.S Department of the Interior and the NPS. Publication of contractual research results in any format (including, but not limited to, professional journals, books, magazines, the internet, film, audio tapes, or other similar methods) shall not include detailed cultural resource or paleontological location information. This includes descriptive location information; visual information such as maps, drawings, and photographs; and associated or linked databases; or any other information that provides a degree of specificity that would reasonably facilitate or allow the public to determine the location of cultural and paleontological resources. The final report is a public document and shall not be copyrighted. Information collected in the final report may be used by the NPS for cultural resource management purposes. Information collected during the research project may be used by the Contractor in other publications that can be copyrighted. However, the Contractor shall not publish, without the prior permission of NPS, any locational or other identifying archeological, historic structure, or paleontological resource information that could compromise the government's protection and management of these resources. The NPS shall be afforded the opportunity to review drafts of conference presentations, and both printed and internet-based publications prior to presentation or publication to ensure confidentiality of cultural and paleontological resource location information. The Contractor shall also submit a copy of any published journal article and any published or unpublished report, paper, or manuscript results from this contract to the NPS curator. The Contractor shall grant the NPS authorized officer, or his/her representative, full access to the work area specified in this contract at any time the Contractor is in the field, for purposes of examining the work area and any recovered materials and related records. The Contractor shall not negotiate, make commitments, cause harm to relationships with the NPS and other parties, or otherwise give the appearance of speaking for or exercising NPS authority.

KEY PERSONNEL SUBSTITUTIONS:

During the first 90 days of performance, the Contractor shall make no substitutions of key personnel unless the substitution is necessitated by illness, death, or termination of employment. The Contractor shall notify the NPS Contracting Officer within 15 calendar days after the occurrence of any of these events and provide the information required below. After the initial 90-day period, the Contractor shall submit the information required to the Contracting Officer at least 15 days before making any permanent replacements.

The Contractor shall provide a detailed explanation of the circumstances necessitating the proposed substitutions, complete resumes for the proposed substitutes, and any additional information requested by the NPS Contracting Officer. Proposed substitutes should have comparable qualifications to those of the persons being replaced. The Contracting Officer will notify the Contractor within 15 calendar days after receipt of all required information of the decision on substitutions. This clause shall be modified to reflect any approved changes of key personnel.

GENERAL SCHEDULE

The schedule shown is preliminary and is included for discussion and understanding of specific period billable rates. The final project schedule will be negotiated and completed by the Contractor after the initial kick-off meeting.

TASK TIMEFRAME

Project Kickoff Summer 2024

NHPA Consultation Summer 2024

ESA Section 7 Consultation Summer 2024

CZMA determination letter Fall 2024

Floodplain Statement of Findings Spring 2025

Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) Assessment Spring 2025

Biological Assessment (Option) Spring 2025

FEE AND PAYMENT

Fees and payment shall comply with the above referenced GSA base contract, and as stated herein. The Contractor shall be paid firm fixed price, based on hourly rates as provided under the base contract and current option year.

The Contractor shall be paid for meals and lodging in accordance with GSA per diem rates. Travel costs and all other direct costs shall be included in the firm fixed price for the work.

The Government obligation for performance of this task order beyond this price is contingent upon the availability of funds from which payment for contract purposes can be made. No legal liability on the part of the Government for any payment may arise for performance under this contract beyond the amount that has been authorized through the issuance of written task orders.

After completion of the work and as a prerequisite to the final payment on each task order, the Contractor shall furnish to the Contracting Officer a Release of Claims. Such claims as are asserted by the Contractor and excepted from operation of the Release shall be listed in spaces provided after the word "except" and shall be referenced to correspondence or other identifying data, together with monetary amount for each major claim item.

Original invoices are to be mailed directly to Contracting Officer, NPS Denver Service Center, 12795 West Alameda Parkway, P.O. Box 25287-CS, Denver, Colorado 80225-0287. Contractors shall submit official invoices through the Invoice Processing Platform (IPP).

For the furnishing of all supplies and services required to accomplish all services required under the preceding scope of services, the Contractor shall be paid the firm-fixed amount of $_XXXX.

TASKS BELOW ARE SUBJECT TO FURTHER ANALYSIS AND MAY OR MAY NOT

BE AWARDED VIA MODIFICATION

Optional Task 8. Biological Assessment Subtask 8-A Biological Assessment (option)

If it is determined there are Federally Endangered Species Act (ESA) listed plant or wildlife species in the project area, the Contractor shall prepare a Biological Assessment (BA) to assess effects to listed species from the proposed action. The BA may be a separately identifiable document prepared in accordance with NOAA guidance and Section 7 of the ESA requirements. The contents of the BA shall include results of on-site inspections determining the presence of listed or proposed species, and an analysis of the likely effects of the action on the species or habitat based on biological studies, review of park data, and the views of species experts. The BA shall also describe any known unrelated future non-federal activities reasonably certain to occur within the action area that are likely to affect the species.

The BA should address all listed and proposed species found in the project area, not just those listed and proposed species that are likely to be affected. The BA should provide a determination statement of affect for listed species following USFWS guidelines. The NPS shall consult with the USFWS per section 7 of the ESA. The contractor shall reference the consultation results in the decision document and provide copies of appropriate correspondence as an appendix. Specific deliverables follow:

Subtask 8-B. Biological Assessment Outline (option) The Contractor shall prepare an annotated outline of the BA in accordance with the format and requirements of Section 7 of the ESA of 1973, as amended. The outline shall be annotated with subheadings to facilitate discussion of preliminary content of the BA. An example of a BA outline and full report will be provided to the Contractor upon request.

Deliverables:

• Electronic copies of the outline in MS Word and PDF format, with lines numbered on each page.

The Contractor shall assume two revisions.

Subtask 8-C. BA 1st Draft (DSC/Park Review) (option) The Contractor shall prepare preliminary draft documents for review and approval. The contractor shall discuss with the DSC COR or appropriate park contact prior to document preparation where deviations from the outline may be appropriate.

Deliverables:

• Draft BA in MS Word and PDF format, with lines numbered on each page.

Subtask 8-D. Final BA (Public Review) (option) The Contractor shall prepare a final BA, that has been revised to address review comments provided on the 1st draft, and NPS will submit it to USFWS. The Contractor shall also submit a track changes version of the revisions from the review to the DSC COR or appropriate park contact electronically.

Deliverables:

• Final BA in MS Word and PDF format without lines numbered on each page.

• Final BA in MS Word format, showing track changes of the revisions from the NPS review of the 1st draft.