2026_CNFSO_GPR_SOW_10142026.pdf

Statement of Work (SOW): Coconino Na onal Forest Remote Sensing GPR Survey USDA Forest Service, Coconino Na onal Forest 10/14/2026

1.0 General Summary of Work

The Coconino NaƟonal Forest seeks to implement remote sensing/geophysical survey to assist in meeƟng its compliance responsibiliƟes under federal law and regulaƟon. The purpose of this contract is to perform geophysical survey uƟlizing ground-penetraƟng radar (GPR) at a project unit covering up to five acres on the Coconino NaƟonal Forest, to idenƟfy subsurface disturbances and anomalies, and characterize their extent. Based on the available funds, addiƟonal units and/or acreage may be reduced or increased within the units and opƟons at the government’s discreƟon. One base unit covering approximately two acres is proposed, and if funding allows two addiƟonal project units covering three acres may be exercised as opƟonal line items. See the table below for more details. Survey, report, and data deliverables for both the base units and opƟonal units are described in this contract Statement of Work. The survey results for the base unit and opƟonal units may be combined into a single report. If opƟonal units are awarded, compleƟon dates for fieldwork and reports may be adjusted based on Forest prioriƟes.

Required work for this contract consists of geophysical survey uƟlizing GPR equipment, and results reporƟng that includes geospaƟal data, maps, and raw data. Intensive geophysical survey of block areas will cover the areas described below at transects no more than 1 meter apart. The Contractor will provide a report documenƟng the survey and its results. The Contractor will provide all digital survey data to the Coconino NaƟonal Forest as well as geospaƟal data formaƩed for use with Environmental Systems Research InsƟtute (ESRI) soŌware. AddiƟonal contract work informaƟon is provided below.

Schedules for the opƟonal units will be discussed at the Ɵme the opƟons are exercised/awarded. The work schedule for the opƟonal units shall be proposed by the Contractor but will be planned to be completed to meet the Forest’s prioriƟes and implementaƟon schedule.

2.0 Project Loca on and Context

The proposed survey areas are located within the Coconino NaƟonal Forest, Arizona. The Flagstaff Unit is located approximately 3 miles east of Flagstaff, Arizona, the Red Rock Unit is located approximately 22 miles southwest of Flagstaff, and the Mogollon Rim Unit is located approximately 40 miles southeast of Flagstaff. The sites are relaƟvely flat, undeveloped terrain with some brush and grasses. The project units may be accessed via Forest System Roads in accordance with the Coconino NaƟonal Forest Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) restricƟons. These restricƟons vary by season/weather. A high clearance vehicle will be needed. Roads may not be regularly maintained. ConfidenƟal (pursuant to 36 CFR 296.18) maps may be provided upon request as necessary. Upon award, maps and shapefiles will be loaded onto an external partner folder on Box, and an invite link to the locaƟon will be provided to the Contractor.

3.0 Descrip on of Work and Deliverables

The Contractor will carry out the work described below for each of the project units exercised/funded.

Project unit specific informaƟon is provided below. The Contractor will carry out the work in the general order stated, although some acƟviƟes may occur concurrently. The Contractor will discuss any proposed deviaƟons from the general order with the ContracƟng Officer (CO), ContracƟng Officer’s RepresentaƟve (COR) and Coconino NaƟonal Forest Heritage Staff, reaching a mutual agreement prior to proceeding.

Conduct intensive geophysical GPR survey of the proposed unit areas:

1. Personnel performing the survey must be qualified and trained in the operation of GPR equipment and the interpretation of GPR data. Staff resumes/curriculum vitae for the Project Manager, Site Supervisor, and any specialists will be provided to the Coconino National Forest prior to implementation of the survey.

2. Identify and accurately locate all subsurface disturbance and anomalies within the survey area that could represent previous excavation. The required GPR depth penetration should be 1.5 meters minimum. GPR survey methods will utilize transects no more than 1 meter apart. The survey grid/transects must be established by electronic means using sub-meter GPS and accurately tied to the grid via a physical survey datum.

3. Data will be collected about all subsurface within the unit area(s). A shapefile of the survey results will be submitted with the draft report.

4. Create georeferenced maps showing the location and dimensions of all identified anomalies.

5. At least one digital photo showing the in-progress survey will be taken at every project unit.

Dra report/final report:

6. If multiple optional units are exercised/funded at the same time, the Contractor, CO, COR, and Coconino National Forest Heritage Staff may discuss in advance whether the exercised units can be documented in a single report, reaching a mutual agreement prior to proceeding.

7. Complete and submit a digital draft report that includes a description of the project; survey methods including equipment used and staff qualifications; survey results data analysis;

interpretation, characterization, and discussion of anomalies including depth and distribution;

recommendations and/or conclusions; and project maps (Heritage Staff will provide a Box link for uploading materials).

8. Complete and submit draft and final geospatial data for all survey coverage as well as survey results, in standard shapefile format (concurrent submittals with the draft and final reports).

9. Subsequent to review of the draft report by Coconino National Forest Heritage Staff, the Contractor will revise and submit a final report. This includes submittal of the digital final report, digital data, digital photos, shapefiles, and any other data collected during the survey to Box.

3.1 Standards for Acceptance of Work

1. Geophysical survey, analysis, reports, etc. must meet professional standards in accordance with ASTM D6432-19 and current GPR operations training and certification programs.

2. Geophysical survey should be adequate to identify extent of subsurface disturbance to within 1 meter within the survey area.

3. Analytical methods must be explained in the draft and final reports, defining all technical terminology and citing all sources.

4. Reports must contain the information mentioned above and must be written in a style that is clear, concise, and, most importantly, well organized, and easy to use. Poor writing, organization, production, etc. are grounds for rejection of the report. There should be no more than three errors in spelling, grammar, punctuation, and typing per page of the report. Legal descriptions in the report must agree with those shown in maps and figures. All survey areas, disturbed areas, and other readings encountered during the geophysical survey that are mentioned in the report must be shown on the report maps and vice versa.

5. All geospatial data (e.g. shapefiles, file geodatabases) must be a UTM NAD 83 Zone 12N projection. Attribute tables/schema for the data deliverables should follow industry standards (no specific schema will be provided by Coconino National Forest).

3.2 Project Unit Summary

Table 1. Project Unit Summary Table

Unit Name Base / Op onal Survey Acreage Report

Flagstaff RD Base 2 Individual

Red Rock RD OpƟonal 2 May be combined depending on Ɵming

Mogollon Rim RD OpƟonal 1 May be combined depending on Ɵming

OPTION UNITS TOTAL 3

ALL UNITS TOTAL 5

4.0 Period of Performance/Time Frame

The total period of performance for the base unit task order will begin on the date of award and end on December 1, 2027.

An iniƟal kick-off meeƟng will be conducted online or at a Coconino NaƟonal Forest office. It is expected the Contractor with Key Personnel, the COR, the CO, and Forest Archaeologist will minimally aƩend.

There may also be a final meeƟng, similar to the kick-off meeƟng, to close out the contract.

The project fieldwork shall be iniƟated in 2026 or 2027, and fieldwork should be completed by July 15, 2027, or earlier if possible. The Contractor must account for and comply with seasonal Forest Road closures that typically occur in November or December and last unƟl April or May depending on local condiƟons. AddiƟonally, the Contractor must be prepared to account for and comply with any other forest closures that may arise due to wildland fires or other dangerous condiƟons.

DraŌ reports for each unit (or combined units as described in Table 1) will be submiƩed electronically to the COR and District/Forest Archaeologist no later than 90 days aŌer compleƟon of fieldwork in the unit(s). Each final report shall be submiƩed no later than 45 days aŌer Forest Service review of each draŌ report. The period of performance for each opƟonal unit will be one year from exercise/award of the opƟon, with an opƟon for a one-year extension.

The COR, Technical Specialist, or a designated Coconino NaƟonal Forest Archaeologist will conduct rouƟne inspecƟons through field visits, virtual meeƟngs, email check-ins, and/or review of project deliverables to ensure that work is proceeding saƟsfactorily within the Ɵmeframe.

5.0 Contractor Qualifica ons

ExecuƟon of this contract will be used as an alternaƟve to the issuance of a Forest Service Cultural Resource Use Permit, pursuant to Forest Service Manual secƟon 2367.15 [A Permit for Archaeological InvesƟgaƟons is required for “Consultants who are under a contract with the Forest Service to carry out official agency duƟes pertaining to the management of cultural resources on NFS lands. The permit may be in addiƟon to the contract or the permit requirements may be added as sƟpulaƟons to the contract (36 CFR 296.4(c).”].

All individuals proposed to work as principal invesƟgators, crew chiefs, or in other supervisory capaciƟes must submit their qualificaƟons to the COR for review to ensure qualificaƟon before that person may direct the remote sensing work.

Prior to conducƟng any fieldwork, the Contractor will noƟfy the COR and discuss any special condiƟons that may apply to this project.

6.0 Payment Phases

The ContracƟng Officer will authorize payments only for work that has been completed. Generally, these payments will follow Contactor invoicing aŌer specific phases of the project are completed, such as:

Completion of remote sensing / geophysical survey fieldwork by unit or groups of units and upon acceptance of work by COR.

Completion of draft report by unit or groups of units (delivery of electronic copy of the draft report with all forms, photographs, maps, figures, shapefiles, etc.) and upon acceptance of work by COR.

Completion of final report (delivery electronic copy of the final report with all forms, photographs, electronic data/files, digital images, maps, data, etc. and return of any unused Government Furnished Property), and upon acceptance of work by COR.

The Contractor may invoice parƟal payments during these phases if they are able to document that the work that has been completed is equivalent to the parƟal invoice.

The Contractor will be responsible for preparaƟon and submission of proper invoices. Invoices shall contain the contract number, vendor idenƟficaƟon number, invoice number, remit to name and address, and the specific line items that are being billed.

The COR will inspect and accept or reject work as appropriate. Upon rejecƟon work will be returned to the Contractor for correcƟon. If work is accepted, then recommendaƟon for payment of invoice will be forwarded to CO.

7.0 Government Furnished Services

The Coconino NaƟonal Forest shall provide access to such informaƟon in its possession perƟnent to the project, including archaeological and historical inventory data, environmental data and reports, aerial photos, maps, and other relevant informaƟon. Forest Service personnel and resource specialists for technical consultaƟon will be available as needed for efficient development of the project. Maps of the area showing survey areas, rights-of-way access when required, and NaƟonal Forest Property lines will be furnished to the Contractor. The Coconino NaƟonal Forest Archaeologists will coordinate field acƟviƟes with the Contractor.

8.0 Addi onal Requirements

8.1 Burial Sites, Human Remains, and Funerary Objects

If human remains and funerary objects are encountered during the invesƟgaƟon, the Contractor must stop and contact the COR and Forest Archaeologist immediately. The Contractor will abide by all applicable federal, tribal, state, or local laws and ordinances regarding the treatment of burial sites, human remains, and funerary objects. The Contractor will also follow USDA and Coconino NaƟonal Forest policy on treatment of human remains and consultaƟon. The Contractor will secure the area in the vicinity of the encountered remains or objects and protect from disturbance and harm.

8.2 Cura on

The Contractor shall thoroughly document all cultural materials in the field following Coconino NaƟonal Forest archaeological inventory standards and returned to their locaƟon of (re)discovery. CollecƟon of cultural materials during this contract is prohibited apart from rare finds such as whole or nearly whole vessels, jewelry, Paleoindian projecƟle points, etc. Any arƟfact collected must be located using a GPS unit. Any and all collecƟons remain the property of the U.S. Government and will be submiƩed to the Forest Archaeologist as soon as possible, and no later than compleƟon of the project, unless otherwise agreed to by the Contractor and the Coconino NaƟonal Forest.

8.3 Security

All project data provided to the Contractor and collected by the Contractor is the property of the U.S.

Government, and will be turned over to the Coconino NaƟonal Forest at the conclusion of the project.

The Contractor must ensure the security and confidenƟality of the project, its locaƟon, the nature of the data being collected, the data collected itself, or any related informaƟon, and must not disclose such informaƟon with any individual or enƟty outside of authorized government personnel.

The Contractor shall prohibit the use of keys, issued by the Government, by any persons other than the Contractor’s employees and the opening of locked areas by Contractor employees to permit entrance of persons other than Contractor employees engaged in performance of contract work requirements in those areas. The Contractor shall safeguard all Government property and controlled forms provided for Contractor use and adhere to the Government property requirements contained in this contract. At the end of each workday, all Government faciliƟes, equipment, and materials shall be secured.

8.4 Data Rights

All data, including field notes, pictures, drawings, not contained in the above report are the property of U.S. Forest Service and shall be turned over to Coconino Forest Service Archaeological staff once the COR, Technical Specialist, and Coconino NaƟonal Forest Archaeologist have accepted report or upon conclusion or terminaƟon of the contract, whichever occurs first.

The Contractor must delete all geospaƟal data related to the project locaƟons once the final deliverables have been provided to Coconino NaƟonal Forest and the period of performance has ended.

9.0 Integrated Project Risks and Mi ga on

Environmental conditions (wildfire, flooding, winter storms) may delay access. Mitigation: build schedule flexibility and monitor closure orders.

Technical risks related to GPR performance in clay-rich or saturated soils. Mitigation: document soil conditions and adjust equipment settings.

GPS signal degradation in dense canopy. Mitigation: plan for post-processing corrections.

Data corruption risk. Mitigation: daily backups and redundancy.

Access restrictions. Mitigation: early coordination with Forest Service staff.

Cybersecurity risk. Mitigation: use encrypted storage and follow Forest Service data transfer requirements.