4-IRFP 4124-25 On-Call Archaeologist Specifications.pdf

Boulder County Purchasing 1325 Pearl Street

Boulder, CO 80302

SPECIFICATIONS

SPECIFICATIONS:

Boulder County Parks & Open Space is committed to the respectful stewardship of cultural landscapes and the inclusion of historically underrepresented voices in cultural resource management. Through this IRFP, the County seeks to find a consultant who not only meet technical standards but also share these values and are committed to collaborative, equity-centered archaeological practice.

We are seeking a professional archaeologist with active professional-level access to History Colorado’s Compass database, ability to acquire relevant and valid Colorado State Archaeological Permits, and demonstrated experience conducting cultural resource assessments and surveys in Colorado. The Vendor should have knowledge of Section 106, NAGPRA, and NEPA compliance processes, and be able to integrate an equity-informed, antiracist approach into all deliverables.

BCPOS requires support for cultural resource records research and potential field survey work.

Tasks may include;

1. Conducting file searches.

2. Interpreting Compass data.

3. Recommending next steps for compliance or stewardship.

4. Where applicable—carrying out Class I, II, or III cultural resource surveys.

5. The work will help the County assess:

a. Cultural sensitivity of various landscapes.

b. Inform land management decisions.

c. Fulfill compliance obligations.

6. Deliverables may include:

a. Memos

b. Maps

c. GIS data

d. Survey reports

e. OAHP site forms

f. Reports must meet current SHPO submission standards.

The work will take place across various Boulder County-owned open space properties. Sites may be;

1. Natural open space.

2. Former homestead sites.

3. Lands with agricultural leases or trail easements.

4. Access instructions and property data will be provided in each task order.

For each assigned task, Vendor will be expected to begin work within five (5) business days, unless otherwise agreed upon in writing to accommodate site access, weather conditions, or other justifiable circumstances. Deadlines for deliverables will be established per task order, typically ranging from 10 to 30 calendar days depending on scope and complexity.

Boulder County has a legal and ethical responsibility to identify, document, and protect cultural resources on public land. Recent requests from the public, Tribal representatives, and planning teams highlight the need for better internal capacity to assess cultural sensitivity and access confidential records.

This contract helps ensure early-stage planning and stewardship decisions are informed by accurate and respectful cultural resource data;

1. For records research: Vendor will access Compass and/or submit formal file search requests to OAHP. The County will provide parcel maps and relevant planning context.

2. For field survey work: Vendor will follow applicable SHPO guidance, including the Colorado Cultural Resource Survey Manual and Walking the Line. Deliverables must include GIS data and digital site forms as required.

3. All reports must avoid outdated or exclusionary terminology (e.g., “prehistoric”) and should reflect Boulder County’s anti-racism policy and inclusive language standards.

4. Any shovel testing or ground disturbance must be pre-approved by the County.

5. County staff will coordinate site access, field safety, and, when necessary, notify agricultural tenants or adjacent landowners.

No Boulder County Vendor license is required for this work. No warranties or guarantees are anticipated. However, all work must meet professional standards and be reviewed and accepted by BCPOS staff prior to invoicing.

BOULDER COUNTY RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Provide maps, parcel data, and background information needed to initiate each task.

2. Coordinate property access, safety instructions, and communication with relevant land stewards (e.g., rangers, agricultural tenants).

3. Establish task-specific scopes, deliverables, and deadlines through individual task orders.

4. Facilitate internal and interdepartmental coordination (e.g., Planning, Real Estate, Trails, Forestry) related to the scope of cultural resource work.

5. Review and provide feedback on draft deliverables in a timely manner.

6. Ensure that Vendor’s work is supported by Boulder County’s equity and anti-racism policy, including guidance on respectful engagement with cultural heritage.

7. Compensate the Vendor according to agreed task order terms, following County procurement policies.

VENDOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Maintaining valid professional-level Compass access and authorization to conduct file searches on behalf of local governments.

2. Ability to acquire relevant Colorado State Archaeological Permit for any field-based survey work.

3. Conducting cultural resource records reviews and submitting formal file search requests to OAHP/History Colorado, as needed.

a. Preparing clear, contextual summaries of Compass/file search findings, including identification of known cultural sites, previous surveys, and areas of sensitivity.

4. Providing equity-informed recommendations, including whether further study, Tribal consultation, or field survey is appropriate.

5. Conducting Class I, II, or III cultural resource surveys in alignment with OAHP and SHPO standards, when requested.

6. Submitting professional-quality deliverables such as memos, maps, site forms, post-fieldwork letters, GIS data, and final reports.

7. Beginning assigned work within five (5) business days of receiving a task order.

8. Using inclusive, antiracist language in all documentation, avoiding harmful or outdated terms (e.g., "prehistoric," "vanished cultures"). BCPOS will provide consultants with guidance to support the use of inclusive language and terminology in reports, GIS data, and other deliverables.

9. Communicating regularly with the Cultural Resource Program Coordinator on priorities, methods, and timelines.

10. Complying with all applicable SHPO, OAHP, and Boulder County guidance related to archaeological work.

11. Expertise in identifying ancestral material and/or sites.

DELIVERABLES:

1. General Timeline:

a. Vendor is expected to initiate work within five (5) business days of receiving a task order from BCPOS.

b. Specific deliverable deadlines will be established per task, typically ranging from

10 to 60 calendar days depending on the scope and urgency of the request.

2. Deliverables May Include:

a. Written memos or email summaries of Compass or OAHP file search results (within 15–20 calendar days of task order)

b. Copies of Compass and/or OAHP search results

c. Professional recommendations regarding cultural sensitivity, survey needs, or compliance steps

d. GIS shapefiles and maps indicating areas of concern or recorded resources (as applicable)

3. For fieldwork:

a. Draft and final cultural resource survey reports (Class I, II, or III), following SHPO/OAHP standards (within 45-60 calendar days after fieldwork).

b. OAHP site forms, post-fieldwork letters, and supporting photo documentation

c. GIS data in OAHP-compatible format.

4. Schedule for Completion:

a. Each project will include a written scope and schedule.

b. All field-based survey deliverables must be submitted no later than 60 calendar days after completion of fieldwork, unless otherwise agreed upon in writing. Draft reports are expected within 45 days, with final reports and OAHP site forms due within 60 days to allow for internal QA/QC and GIS processing.

5. Acceptable Criteria for Satisfactory Work

a. All written deliverables must be:

i. Complete, accurate, and consistent with OAHP/SHPO standards.

ii. Professionally formatted and include all supporting documentation (maps, forms, photos, GIS files).

iii. Free from outdated, exclusionary, or harmful terminology (e.g., prehistoric, vanished cultures, discovery).

iv. Use inclusive, equity-informed terminology that reflects Boulder County’s anti-racism values and guidance from Indigenous partners.

v. Where external agencies (e.g., OAHP/SHPO) require specific standardized terms, consultants must note this requirement in their submission and provide alternative, inclusive terminology in the report narrative, GIS metadata, or appendices.

vi. Demonstrate cultural humility and care in discussing Indigenous and descendant communities.

vii. Failure to meet agreed-upon deadlines without advance notice may result in loss of eligibility for future task orders.

All timelines outlined herein represent general expectations and may be adjusted on a case-by-case basis, upon mutual agreement between BCPOS and the consultant, to account for project complexity, seasonal conditions, or other justifiable circumstances. Any revised deadlines will be documented in writing as part of the task order or through subsequent written agreement

Boulder County recognizes that shifting away from historically standardized language has broad implications for records, GIS, and compliance reporting. We are committed to leading this change in collaboration with consultants who are willing to engage in these conversations and develop new practices that center Indigenous perspectives.

PERMITS, LICENSES, LOCATES AND CODES:

The selected Vendor shall have full responsibility for identifying and obtaining, prior to the start of work, and for maintaining throughout the term of the Project, any permits and licenses which may be required in order to carry out the work. The Vendor shall also be responsible for following all State and County codes, which may be required in order to carry out the Project. The Vendor shall also be responsible for all "locates" of all public utilities related to performing work under the terms of this Contract. The Vendor shall also be responsible for insuring that any of its subcontractors performing work on the Project satisfy the provisions of this paragraph.

Vendor is responsible to contact and coordinate with utility companies regarding protection of existing utilities and special requirements at utility crossing locations, as well as, other conditions where work is nearby existing utilities. Vendor shall be responsible for all costs of coordination with utilities including, but not limited to, outages, protection or support and any fees for costs from the utility.

CONTRACTOR LICENSING:

It is the responsibility of the selected Vendor to apply for and ensure the appropriate Contractor’s license is obtained.

General contractors, HVAC contractors, and roofing contractors require licensing through the Boulder County Community Planning and Permitting Department. Electricians and plumbers are required to be licensed through the State of Colorado and registered with the Boulder County Community Planning and Permitting Department. Furthermore, it is required for all Architects, Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors to be fully-licensed through the State of Colorado.

SUBCONTRACTORS:

Contractor is required to disclose to County the complete business name(s) of all potential subcontractors that will be assigned to awarded Projects, should the Contractor be selected.

Contractor acknowledges that it is completely responsible for the actions or inactions of its subcontractors. Contractor shall be responsible for the compliance of all subcontracting parties with the terms of the Contract and with any applicable local, state or federal laws or regulations.

Contractor shall be solely responsible for timely payment of its subcontractors.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST:

Any party that has developed, designed or drafted specifications, requirements, statements of work and/or has participated in planning activities for this IRFP may be excluded from consideration for the award of this IRFP. Additionally, any party that has developed, designed or drafted specifications, requirements, statements of work and/or has participated in planning activities for future Projects may be excluded from consideration for the award of those Projects.

CHANGE ORDERS:

Any unplanned, change orders, modifications or additional services to this Project, shall be submitted by the Vendor, in a separate, written document, including a fee schedule and completion schedule and presented to the County for review. Approval from the County, in writing, must accompany all change order requests.

OVERNIGHT CAMPING:

Boulder County prohibits any overnight camping for awarded Projects; all operational staff, including designated security staff, are not authorized to be present at Project sites from sunset to sunrise, the open space property will remain closed during these hours to the Vendor and its subcontractors and/or designated representatives and/or agents, unless specifically authorized by a BCPOS representative.

HOURS OF OPERATION:

Vendor work hours shall be designated in accordance with each project awarded, in general Monday through Friday, from sunrise to sunset. Unless specified otherwise in individual awarded Projects. Work on Saturdays and Sundays, nights, and designated Federal Holidays shall not be allowed unless approved, in writing, by the County.

OWNERSHIP OF WORK PRODUCT:

All work product, property, data, documentation, information or materials conceived, discovered, developed or created by the selected Vendor pursuant to this bid and subsequent Contract will be owned exclusively by the County. To the extent possible, any Work Product will be deemed to be a work made for hire. The selected Vendor unconditionally and irrevocably transfers and assigns to the County all right, title and interest in and to any Work Product.

The selected Vendor will agree to keep confidential all County Data, and will agree not to sell, copy, modify, reproduce, republish, assign, distribute, data mine, search or disclose any such confidential information to any other person or entity without the County’s written permission, including metadata (e.g. aggregations of county data or analysis of county data content).

The Vendor shall not access County accounts or County Data, except in the event as required by the express terms of a written contract between the mutual Parties and/or at the express written request of the County. All data obtained by the Vendor in the performance of this solicitation resulting in a contract shall become and remain the property of the County. The Vendor shall not use any information collected in connection with the service issued from this solicitation for any purpose other than fulfilling a County contract for this IRFP.