Attach_05_Questions_and_Answers_04092024_0001.pdf

Questions and Answers TUSK Paleontological Excavation

April 9, 2024

Q1. Is there a not-to-exceed contract amount? If so, what is that limit?

It is anticipated that a firm-fixed price contract will be awarded. The limit will be based on the awarded contract amount.

Q2. The end date for the contract is 31 December 2024. This suggests that the contract will extend over two (2) Federal fiscal years. Is this correct?

Yes, that is correct. This is our maximum estimate for how long it will take to prepare and curate the resulting fossil specimens from this site and write the final report.

o If the contract does in fact extend over two (2) Federal fiscal years, is it possible to conduct some or all of the excavation in October or November of 2024 (= FY 2024-25)?

It is expected that all work under the Performance Work Statement must be completed within the contract period of performance. The fieldwork needs to be completed in FY24, but the lab preparation, curation, and report writing can extend to FY25.

Q3. Will there be any coordination with other federal entities besides the NPS? If so, which entities?

There will be coordination with Nevada Division of State Parks for access to water hookups (through NPS). Research scientists from the US Geological Survey will be collecting field data/samples for stratigraphic and dating analysis-NPS will lead coordination with the USGS.

Q4. The contract requires a Work Plan that must be approved by the NPS prior to the initiation of fieldwork; is there an estimate as to how long the approval process might take?

The approval process is estimated to not exceed 10 days, including review, incorporation of suggested edits, and final approval.

Q5. The contract requires a Safety Plan for the subject work; what is the scope of this plan? What specific aspects of the work will the safety plan be required to address? What specific topics do you wish the safety plan to cover?

The Safety Plan should address safety protocols and precautions relating to paleontological fieldwork at TUSK and lab work, including but not necessarily limited to: weather/heat hazards, venomous reptiles, working with hand tools, working with chemical consolidants, working in natural desert terrain, and the safe transport of heavy field jackets/lifting heavy objects.

Q6. Will the Safety Plan need to be approved by the NPS before the field effort can be initiated?

Yes. TUSK staff will review the safety plan within 3 business days to provide requested changes and/or approval.

Q7. The Performance Work Statement (p. 1, section 1.4.1) states that, “Geospatial data will provide be provided in shape files”. What level of geospatial mapping will be requested and are there any requirements for our GPS devices that the NPS will require?

Geospatial data should be recorded in NAD 1983 UTM (Universal Transverse Mercator) coordinate system on a GPS receiver with submeter horizontal accuracy. Mobile devices connected to an internal or external receiver with submeter horizontal accuracy can also be used, using ArcGIS FieldMaps, or comparable applications. Any points, lines, or polygons must be clearly labeled within their metadata and correspond to written documentation (field notes or forms). While GPS points must be recorded for the meter-grid mapping framework (xy), a device that can record precise submeter depth (xyz) coordinates within geospatial data is not required if depth is manually recorded within field notes and/or maps. All geospatial deliverables must be compatible with ArcGIS software.

Q8. The Performance Work Statement (p. 4, section 1.6.8) states that, “The government intends to award a firm fixed-price contract.” This suggests that change orders will not be possible. Yet the very nature of paleontological excavation, particularly in a quarry situation, includes the potential for unanticipated discoveries at depth that cannot have been foreseen prior to the onset of excavation. Please clarify whether the discovery within the work area of additional remains beyond the stated scope of work, including archaeological resources, may potentially be addressed via a change order.

It is expected that all work under the scope be completed within the firm-fixed price. However, any unforeseen changes or unknown site conditions that could not be reasonably contemplated at time of contract award must be addressed by notifying the contracting officer. The contracting officer will determine if a contract modification is necessary, and/or request for equitable adjustment as authorized by the contract terms and conditions. Any changes to the contract/project scope must be in writing and by mutual agreement of the parties.

Q9. The Performance Work Statement has an entire section termed “Compliance” that does not seem to have any billable tasks associated with it; in other words, we cannot budget hours in our cost sheet for compliance because it is based upon discoveries that might be encountered. Please confirm that adding no hours for this section of our proposal is acceptable or clarify which tasks should be included under this section.

It is the expectation that quoters review the scope and rely on their expertise to identify all billable tasks and include all associated costs in their firm-fixed price quote. All costs to perform the scope must be included in the price schedule. There will be 0.5 hour for attending the NPS Desert Tortoise Training. All additional compliance tasks are more guidelines and requirements to follow during all fieldwork at TUSK, so they can fall under billable hours for fieldwork.

Q10. The Performance Work Statement (p. 11, section 5.2.1) states that excavation shall cease if “previously unknown archaeological resources are discovered during proposed work”. Does this include historical archaeological resources? The quarry itself was initially opened in 1933, and so any tools, equipment, scraps of paper, etc. left behind by these early efforts would be considered to be historical archaeological resources. Will work stoppage be required for each of these items as encountered, or is it possible to continue excavation in areas outside of the find until the find has been assessed by the qualified Archaeologist? Cogstone would include the procedures to follow in the event of an inadvertent archaeological find in the Work Plan.

Yes, cultural resources include historic and prehistoric artifacts and materials. Excavation may continue in areas outside the find until the resources are cleared for collection. Should a previously unknown archeological resource be encountered, the contractor must notify the NPS immediately for response. Any changes that may affect the contract price (cost/labor hours) must be communicated to the CO and COR immediately.

Q11. In the Performance Work Statement (p. 11, section 5.2.4) concerning non-native plant spread, states that vehicles must be cleaned prior to entering the monument and that carwashes may be used. How far can vehicles travel on paved roadways outside of the monument after they have been cleaned? If a vehicle is only driving on local paved roads and monument non-paved roads in the Vegas area, can they exit the park and read enter the park at will or will they have to wash every time prior to re-entering the monument? If not, can a visible review of the vehicle and a stiff brush be used to remove any visible material in lieu of a full auto wash prior to re-entering the monument?

Vehicles may travel on paved roadways outside the monument from a carwash to roadways within TUSK for 20 miles after they have been cleaned. Visible review/inspection and stiff brushing may be used to clean the vehicle in lieu of a full car wash upon entry/reentry into

TUSK.

Q12. The Performance Work Statement (p. 13, section 5.4.4) states that, “As fossils are unearthed during the excavation process, larger elements or articulated elements may require the construction of plaster field jackets … The fossils will be covered in aluminum foil to prevent them from coming into contact with plaster.” Our experience is that aluminum foil used in this manner can often “tent” and leave gaps between the fossil and the surrounding plaster. This can allow the fossil material to fall into these created gaps. Additionally aluminum foil will in the long term retain moisture within the jacket and not allow porous bone to fully dry out. This can be a problem and can result in mold and additional degradation of the fossil material. Our preference has long been to use layers of paper instead of foil, and this approach has been very successful (and less expensive). Are we able to deviate from the stated use of aluminum foil and employ our own preferred (and more effective) methods?

Yes, we simply require that an inert barrier material be used between plaster and fossil material.

The paper method is approved, if the paper is archival quality (i.e. acid-free).