A04_44016467_YELL_Old_Faithful_West_Thumb_SOW_Fiber_Internet_Services_Final_2025-07-15.pdf

Statement of Work (SOW) Old Faithful and West Thumb Fiber Internet Services

Table of Contents

1.0 Project Description / Summary

2.0 Objectives

3.0 Background

4.0 Specific Work / Tasks

5.0 Optional Work / Tasks

6.0 Government Furnished Equipment / Materials / Other

7.0 Special Conditions / Requirements

8.0 Place of Performance

9.0 Performance Period / Schedule Requirements

Statement of Work

Project Title: Provide Broadband Internet and other Fiber Optic Services at Old Faithful and West Thumb

Park: Yellowstone National Park

Task Order#: NA

Prepared By: Bret De Young

Date: 07/15/2025

1.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION / SUMMARY:

The National Park Service is seeking providers to deliver broadband internet services and dark fiber connections to support local area networks at designated locations within Yellowstone National Park.

The selected provider must possess the ability to install several miles of underground fiber optic connections, extending from a common demarcation point to specific NPS facilities, to support these services.

2.0 OBJECTIVES:

This solicitation seeks proposals for one year of internet services, dark fiber services, and one-time fees to build fiber optic cable access to connect to National Park Service buildings. The objective is to connect fiber optic cable from existing backbone fiber connection points to NPS buildings at Old Faithful and West Thumb that require internet service, and local area network (LAN) connectivity. The target NPS buildings and services required are listed on 7.0 Place of Performance and identified on Attachment 1, Building and Segment Map.

3.0 BACKGROUND:

Yellowstone National Park currently depends on outdated, low bandwidth microwave and buried copper circuits to provide voice and data throughout Yellowstone to support National Park Service (NPS) phones, computers, alarm systems, and land mobile radio systems. This aging infrastructure is failing, costly to lease, and wholly inadequate to support modern broadband networks.

Replacing the existing copper and microwave radio infrastructure with fiber optic broadband connections throughout Yellowstone National Park will provide substantial long-term operational advantages. These upgrades will improve public safety, safeguard park resources, and enhance the overall experience for visitors.

4.0 SPECIFIC SERVICES:

Itemized pricing for one year for each year of the following services will be required as well as a lump sum as part of this proposal. The list and definition of services is as follows:

• Dark Fiber, Backhaul (Inter-site Connections): Dedicated fiber run between 2 locations in separate developed areas. One demarcation at each location. Single Fiber solution only (bi-directional SFP required). All equipment required for the provisioning of lit services will be purchased, owned, monitored, managed and operated by Customer.

• Dark Fiber, Zero-Mile (Intra-site Connections): Dedicated fiber run between multiple locations in a developed area. Campus LAN. One demarcation at each location. Fiber routes may not be direct point to point. Single fiber solution only (bi-directional SFP required). All equipment required for the provisioning of lit services will be purchased, owned, monitored, managed and operated by Customer.

• Business Class Internet Access: Lit fiber service at single location. One demarcation at each building. Customer responsible for distribution, typically using multiple WAPs, at each location when required. Dedicated internet access.

• MDU Internet Access: Used for employee dorms and other multi-tenant units. One demarcation at each MDU. Shared internet access provided by GPON platform. WAP frequencies restricted to public WiFi 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz only.

• Residential Class Internet Access: Used for employee single family housing and guest access in single building locations. Includes clusters of co-attached cabins of 6 or less. One demarcation at each location. Shared internet access provided by GPON platform. WAP frequencies restricted to public WiFi 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz only.

5.0 SPECIFIC TASKS:

1. Install direct buried single-mode, fiber optic cable in accordance with TIA-492CAAA, and single-mode, fiber optic cable in accordance with TIA-492E000. Fiber optic cable shall be specifically designed for outside use with preferred double jacket (if buried), single armor, loose buffer construction, and must be shielded. Provide fiber optic color code in accordance with TIA/EIA-598.

2. Excavate trenches by hand or mechanical trenching equipment after proper locates and pothole methods are used. Provide a minimum cable cover of 61 centimeters 24 inches below finished grade.

Cables shall be in one piece without splices between buildings.

3. Install fiber optic media marking and protection in accordance with TIA-590. Provide orange color, depth of tape 12 inches above fiber cable.

4. A right of way (ROW) permit is required, prior to beginning work. A ROW is issued by the National Park Service (NPS) and it allows a utility to pass over, under, or through NPS property. The permit may be issued only pursuant to specific statutory authority regardless of whether the equipment is serving the NPS and its visitors or crossing the park to reach other communities. A ROW permit is required any time that a service provider builds or installs a utility on NPS lands. Projects including broadband equipment, such as telecommunication sites, microwave, and fiber optic, require a ROW permit as well.

5. Within 90 days after completion, the Awardee must provide the NPS with a dated final map and legal description of all new outdoor cable plants.

6. The map and legal description will be attached as an exhibit to a required right-of-way (ROW) permit to authorize the service provider to place utilities on the owner of the facilities.

7. The map and legal description must comply with the NPS ROW mapping standards as follows

a. All reported Global Positioning System (GPS) point features noted herein require, at a minimum, field-collected GPS data differentially corrected to sub-meter accuracy (differential GPS or DGPS). The correction process can be achieved either in real-time or by post- processing the data using a service like the Online Positioning User Service (OPUS) operated by United States National Geodetic Survey (NGS).

b. The following deliverables are required:

i. AutoCAD (.dwg or .dxf), GIS (.shp or .gdb), or Google Earth (.kmz) files including the required information and meeting the following requirements: a. AutoCAD or GIS files shall be projected to the local state plane coordinate system covering the project area in NAD83 or future state plane systems (ensure that the datum realization is specified in the files).1

ii. Features will include:

1. points, lines or polygons2 identifying the permit area, and associated control points;

2. all DGPS points as required below; and

3. feature attributes (e.g., acreage, Permittee name) or applicable layer names.

iii. Each file shall include an associated metadata file with fields describing the attributes, data collection method and accuracy of the dataset. Metadata must be Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) compliant (see the FGCD website).

iv. A PDF file of each map

6.0 BROADBAND SERVICE PARAMETERS:

Required Maximum Service Speed: Up to 1 gigabit per sec download speeds with variance not to exceed 10%. Service Quality: Contractor will provide testing results of each service connection indicating the upload / download speed.

Broadband Service Reliability:

• 100% network availability

• Less than 45 milliseconds latency

• Less than 0.3% packet loss

• If service is down for more than 60 minutes, other than for pre-scheduled maintenance, monthly bill credit will be issued.

Dark Fiber Service Parameters:

1. Dark fiber shall connect NPS owned communications equipment as identified in each task order.

2. Dark fiber pairs required in the task order shall include TIA492CAAA / OS3 or better single mode fiber terminated in LC/APC in contractor provided enclosure.

3. Contractor shall also provide a security statement outlining the pass-through, uninterrupted fused fiber point to point pathway for each connection required.

4. Include in the security statement a memorandum for record concerning contractor access control measures to facilities housing park leased fiber infrastructure.

Service Connections:

1. Contractor shall connect any telecommunications equipment and infrastructure necessary to achieve the desired service parameters.

2. All service equipment shall remain property of the service provider upon completion of installation under the authorization of a ROW permit.

3. Offeror must be able to obtain and maintain a valid right of way or other permit conveyance to operate equipment in the National Park. Land use and occupancy fees are waived for right of way permits that solely serve the National Park Service.

4. Underground line shall be ed with Ditch-Witch type trencher equipment, line plow, or mini skid steer with narrow (~12”) bucket or plow.

5. Pull boxes / hand holds may be excavated using any equipment with a bucket attachment.

6. All fiber related infrastructure that runs along roadways shall either be 30” minimum below grade, or 36” away from the edge of the roadway, to avoid conflict with snow stakes, road and drainage ditch maintenance.

7. Fiber infrastructure not along roadways (along previously disturbed areas such as driveways or sidewalks) shall be a minimum of 24” deep.

8. Highway crossings shall be directionally drilled or bored.

9. Any crossing of paved secondary roads and parking shall be bored, or with NPS approval, asphalt shall be saw cut and removed, and then patched with 2” deep hot mix asphalt.

10. Service connection standard mitigations. The stipulations identified in the appropriate attachments (Attachment 2: Standard mitigations for service connection, Attachment 3:

Standard mitigations for infrastructure maintenance) apply for any work occurring within NPS boundaries. These stipulations are the same as the special use permit for construction documents.

11. Service calls are included in the monthly service price proposal and will not be separately billed.

6.0 PLANS AND SUBMITTALS

Offeror shall submit a plan with their proposal for each direct fiber optic burial route showing proposed routing, connection points, and hand holes. Offeror shall provide a single point of contact for both connection installations and internet access service.

7.0 SPECIAL CONDITIONS / REQUIREMENTS:

The contract includes requirements for Shop Drawings, Safety plan, Site Cleanup, Barriers and Fencing, Concrete/asphalt cutting and repair, Accident Reports, and post installation As-Built drawings for outside cable plants

Special considerations include use of the project site, exotic weeds/vegetation, , archaeological protection, stormwater pollution prevention plan, and waste management plan. This information may be as detailed or not depending on the circumstance of the project as the contractor will be meeting with NPS representatives that may also describe special project requirements.

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE:

No. Segment Linear ft Service 1 OF Ranger Station 1,000 Business Class IA 300Mbps or more 2 OF NPS Fresh Water 1,100 Zero mile DF 3 OF NPS WWTP 1,600 Zero mile DF 4 OF NPS Quarters #1 180 Residential IA 100Mbps or more 5 OF NPS Quarters #2 150 Residential IA 100Mbps or more 6 OF NPS Quarters #3 275 Residential IA 100Mbps or more 7 OF NPS Quarters #4 200 Residential IA 100Mbps or more 8 OF NPS Quarters #5 675 Residential IA 100Mbps or more 9 OF NPS Emergency Svc/Maintenance 110 DF from OF Ranger Station

10 West Thumb Ranger Station 2,000 Zero mile DF connect to Grant Ranger Stn

8.0 PERFORMANCE PERIOD / SCHEDULE REQUIREMENTS:

The Period of Performance for this project should not exceed 365 days from award after Notice to Proceed is issued by the Contracting office.

ATTACHMENT 1: Building and Segment Maps Old Faithful West Thumb

#1 Old Faithful Ranger Station

#2 OF NPS Fresh Water

#3 OF NPS Wastewater Plant

#4-8 NPS Quarters #1-#5

#9 Emergency Services/Maintenance

#10 West Thumb Visitor Center

ATTACHMENT 2: Standard mitigations for service connection:

PARK SPECIFIC TERMS AND CONDITIONS

1. EMERGENCY CONTACT: The primary point of contact for emergency actions

(fire, police, ambulance response, grizzly bear activity, or other actions that may have civil or criminal liabilities) shall Yellowstone Interagency Communication Center, call 911 or (307) 344-2640, with immediate follow up notification to park’s Project Management staff.

2. LITTER CONTROL: Contractor must keep the Work Area(s) clean and free of litter or other debris at all times. Trash (i.e. trash disposed of/secured appropriately, scrap materials picked up) to minimize the likelihood of wildlife visiting the site and trash leaving the site. Park wildlife program staff may conduct periodic spot checks to ensure adequate project clean-up measures are being undertaken. Trash and recycling receptacles and all dumpsters must be tightly covered to avoid wildlife access.

Contractor shall not use the Park dumpsters or trash receptacles unless approved in writing by the Park’s Chief of Project Management. Debris or trash may not be transported in open beds of pickup trucks without approval from the NPS.

3. NEPA/NHPA COMPLIANCE: All activities associated with this contract and/or project must be in accordance with existing, approved environmental compliance documentation to include the Fiber Optic Cable installation, Yellowstone National Park, Environmental Assessment, March 2021, the Finding of No Significant Impact, Fiber Optic Cable installation, July 2021 which includes analysis of the project in regards to the, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the Clean Water Act (CWA), and all other laws as may be applicable to proposed actions.

4. PROGRESS MEETINGS: The project shall include a pre-work meeting, regularly scheduled progress meetings, and one or more final inspection meetings. Contractor or its authorized representative shall be available for said meetings with reasonable advance notice from the Park.

5. AUTHORIZED DAYS AND HOURS FOR CONNECTION ACTIVITIES:

• All activities at the work sites below shall be limited to 8:00 A.M. – 6:00 P.M, Monday – Friday. unless otherwise approved in writing by the NPS.

• No work is allowed on weekends or federal holidays

• The Superintendent may restrict work on other days due to special events, adverse weather, and other situations at his/her discretion.

6. ADVANCE ACCESS NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: The Park’s Project Manager or designee must be contacted by phone at (406) 581-2617, cell or by email at bret_deyoung@nps.gov at least two weeks prior to the project initiation date. The Park may specify additional requirements for advance notification of any work in the Park at any time in the Park’s sole discretion.

7. COMMUNICATION WITH PARK VISITORS: Contractor shall make every reasonable effort to direct inquiries from park visitors regarding the contractor’s activities to the following personnel Visitor Services (307) 344-2107.

8. UTILITY LOCATES: Contractor shall be responsible for contacting the applicable utility locate service (One-Call of Wyoming) prior to commencing any digging or soil disturbing activity. There are numerous utilities including power, water, sewer, telephone, fiber optic lines, irrigation lines, etc. along and within the proposed right of ways. NPS owned utilities are not mapped and may be difficult to locate (e.g.

concrete pipe). Neither NPS nor non-NPS utilities will be located by the NPS. It is the responsibility of the Contractor performing the work to locate all buried utilities prior to commencing any equipment installation activities.

9. DISRUPTION OF UTILITY SERVICE: In the event of disruption of any utility service in the Park as a result of Contractor’s activities under this Contract, Contractor shall immediately notify the Project Manager or designee and make every reasonable and prudent effort to restore the utility service within 4 hours after Contractor is aware of said disruption.

10. AUTHORIZED ACCESS ROADS: Contractor and its authorized sub-contractors shall only utilize park roads that are open to the public and administrative access roads that are specifically approved by the NPS Project Manager. Most access roads are used by the NPS and park visitors. Therefore, they must be kept open at all times unless otherwise approved by the NPS Project Manager.

11. ACCESS ROADS MAINTENANCE RESTRICTION: The Contractor is prohibited from conducting any maintenance activities on any park roads, administrative access routes, or any route within the work area, or other areas within the Park boundary, without prior approval from NPS.

12. STAGING AREAS: Equipment and material staging areas, as well as access routes within the park boundary shall be identified by the Contractor/sub-contractor, and approved by the Park’s Project Manager prior to the start of any work. Staging and stockpiling areas shall be located in previously disturbed sites, away from visitor use areas to the greatest extent possible. All staging and stockpiling areas shall be returned to pre-work conditions following equipment installation.

13. VEHICLE AND EQUIPMENT INSPECTION: Contractor shall inspect all vehicles, trailers, and other maintenance equipment for leaks of oils, fuels, antifreeze, or hydraulic fluids before and during use, to prevent soil and water contamination. Contractor shall have and implement a plan to promptly report to the NPS and clean up any leakage or accidental spills from equipment. Equipment will not be serviced or refueled near bodies of water. Storage and refueling of equipment, and parking will be at least 150 feet from streams or riparian areas in designated staging areas on nonpermeable surfaces.

14. VEHICLE AND EQUIPMENT CLEANING – INVASIVE SPECIES

MITIGATION: All equipment, including hand tools and equipment must be pressure-washed prior to entering the park, and prior to moving from one area of the park to another to eliminate the spread of weeds and invasive plant species throughout the park. All vehicles and equipment must be clean of any soil, plant matter, mud or other materials. Vegetation Management Program staff, designee or the project manager will inspect the vehicles prior to entry into the park. The park may inspect vehicles and equipment at any time without notice. Failure to follow this requirement will result in an immediate suspension of work activities

15. EQUIPMENT NOISE AND EMISSIONS: The Contractor shall ensure that all generators and motorized equipment are equipped with sound attenuation devices and will not allow them to idle longer than 10 mins while not in use according to the YNP Superintendent’s Compendium for safety or mechanical reasons to reduce noise, fumes, smoke and pollution emissions. Motorized equipment associated with the site (HVAC, generators, etc.) must not “…exceed a noise level of 60 decibels measured on the A-weighted scale at 50 feet…”

16. VEGETATION: Contractor is strictly prohibited from trimming or removing trees or other vegetation within the Work Area(s) or other areas in the Park without prior review and approval from the NPS Project Manager. The contractor will work with the park’s vegetation staff to ensure that the disturbed ground is ready for revegetation with native vegetation. Extra care should be taken during trenching operations to ensure that roots of nearby trees are not damaged by providing temporary barriers to protect existing trees and root zones.

17. WEED MITIGATION: Invasive Plant Treatments Fiber Optic installation. Species to be treated are listed below. Treatment should occur one month before the work (work in July/August, treatment can be done in June.) Follow-up treatments should be conducted during the growing season following the work.

a) All herbicide applicators must possess a current/valid Department of Agriculture

Pesticide Applicators License from Wyoming, Idaho, or Montana or work under the direct supervision of a certified pesticide applicator.

b) All herbicides must be applied according to their labels.

c) Documentation and Reporting: All herbicide usage shall be documented to meet YELL herbicide reporting standards. The following documentation must be recorded daily and submitted to Yellowstone Center for Resources staff on a regular basis.

Date of Application, Time of Application, Location of Application, Individual Applicators, Herbicide Trade Name & EPA Registration Number, Application Rate (oz/gal or oz/acre) for each herbicide used, Herbicide Mix Amount Used per species (gallons), Type of Treatment (pre- disturbance, post-disturbance), and method of application (backpack sprayer, UTV, truck, etc.).

d) Operators may collect waypoints marking the beginning and ending points and submit the point file to Yellowstone as a means of location information if data includes date and time.

e) Only the following herbicides are permitted:

o Rejuvra (EPA # 43201609) o Plateau (EPA # 24100365) o Roundup ProMax (EPA # 52400579) o Milestone (EPA # 6271900519) o Telar XP (EPA # 35200654) o Clean Amine 2,4D (EPA # 3470400120) o Garland 3A (EPA # 6271900037) o Curtail (EPA # 6271900048)

f) A UTV/Side-by-side vehicle driving on the edge of the road can be used with a driver and an operator; license plate not required. A chase vehicle with hazard lights engaged (flashers) is permitted.

g) Herbicide must be dispensed by a wand or gun for spot/targeted treatment. A boom sprayer is not permitted.

h) Drivers and operators must be wearing all Personal Protective equipment required by herbicide product label(s), included a high-visibility vest for safety around roadways.

i) Invasive Plant Treatment List:

o Agropyron cristatum crested wheatgrass o Agropyron triticium annual wheatgrass o Alopecurus arundinacea creeping meadow foxtail o Alopecurus pratensis meadow foxtail o Alyssum alyssoides pale alyssum o Alyssum desertorum desert alyssum o Alyssum simplex field alyssum o Anthoxanthum odoratum sweet vernal grass o Arctium minus common burdock o Astragalus cicer chick-pea milkvetch o Barbarea vulgaris bitter wintercress o Bassia sieversiana (Kochia scoparia) kochia, summer cypress o Berteroa incana berteroa o Bromus inermis smooth brome o Bromus japonicus Japanese brome o Bromus tectorum cheatgrass, downy chess o Cardaria chalapensis Chalapa whitetop o Cardaria draba heart-pod whitetop o Cardaria pubescens globe-podded whitetop, hoary cress o Carduus acanthoides plumeless thistle o Carduus nutans musk thistle o Centaurea diffusa diffuse knapweed o Centaurea repens (Acroptilon repens) Russian knapweed o Centaurea stoebe (C. maculosa) spotted knapweed o Chorispora tenella blue mustard o Chrysanthemum leucanthemum oxeye daisy o Cirsium arvense Canada thistle o Cirsium vulgare bull thistle o Convolvulus arvensis field bindweed o Cynoglossum officinale hounds tongue o Dianthus armeria grass pink o Elymus repens (Agropyron repens) quackgrass o Euphorbia esula leafy spurge o Hieracium aurantiacum orange hawkweed o Hieracium caespitosum yellow king devil o Hieracium flagellare whiplash hawkweed o Hieracium floribundum glaucous king devil o Holcus lanatus velvet grass o Hyoscyamus niger black henbane o Hypericum perforatum St. Johnswort o Lepidium latifolium perennial pepperweed o Linaria dalmatica Dalmatian toadflax o Linaria vulgaris yellow toadflax o Matricaria maritima false mayweed, scentless chamomile o Medicago lupulina black medic o Melilotus albus white sweet clover o Melilotus officinalis yellow sweet clover o Onopardum acanthium scotch thistle o Poa bulbosa bulbous bluegrass o Potentilla argentea silvery cinquefoil o Potentilla inclinata ashy cinquefoil o Potentilla recta sulfur cinquefoil o Ranunculus acris tall buttercup o Rumex crispus curly dock o Salsola tragus Russian thistle, tumbleweed o Sonchus arvensis ssp. arvensis perennial sow-thistle o Sonchus arvensis ssp. Uliginosus marsh sow-thistle o Silene latifolia white campion o Tanacetum vulgare tansy aster o Trifolium aureum yellow clover o Trifolium dubium suckling clover o Trifolium hybridum alsike clover o Trifolium repens white clover o Verbascum thapsus wooly mullein o Vicia cracca bird vetch

j) Workers and supervisors will be informed about special status species.

Contract provisions will require the cessation of installation activities if a species including any five needle pine, is discovered in the project area, until park staff can evaluate and determine adequate protection measures.

k) Revegetation of boring pits and maintenance box disturbance with native plant species/native seed will take place following installation to reduce the possibility of infestation of invasive species.

18. GROUND DISTURBANCE: Contractor shall minimize the amount of ground disturbance during all activities, except as specifically authorized in this Contract.

19. GEOTHERMAL RESOURCES: The proposed route would be located along existing roadways, confined within the existing engineered road base material.

Trenching in thermal areas would not exceed 10” below the road surface.

a. In areas with abundant geothermal resources, such as Old Faithful, active thermal features and/or elevated soil temperatures would be avoided to the maximum extent possible. Site-specific geothermal investigations would be required prior to installation of the fiber optic cable in these areas.

b. The contractor will cease all work in the immediate vicinity and contact the park geologist if any of the following conditions are encountered:

i. A pre-existing hole in the ground the size of a basketball, or larger,

ii. Standing or flowing water, either hot or cold,

iii. If during excavation a red clay layer is encountered, or ground temperatures above 80 degrees Fahrenheit are measured (early morning) by the contractor installing the cable.

20. SOIL COMPACTION MITIGATION: To avoid compaction from heavy equipment to surrounding areas, to the extent practicable, equipment will be kept inside the work area footprint. Compacted soils will be “ripped” or de-compacted after installation to enable revegetation.

21. EROSION CONTROL: Best management practices will be implemented to minimize the potential for erosion and sedimentation. Because disturbed soils are susceptible to erosion, until revegetation takes place, standard erosion control measures such as sandbags, coir logs, wood bark, and organic straw bales will be utilized to minimize potential soil erosion. Installing erosion control wattles or sediment/silt fence will be implemented to minimize potential soil erosion in areas where soil is disturbed adjacent to waterways, wetlands, rivers, streams, and stormwater inlets. Wood bark mulch will be used to reduce surface erosion, help retain soil moisture and promote seed generation of native plants. Hay bales will not be used for erosion control or revegetation. Hay often contains seed of undesirable or harmful alien plant species.

Erosion control measures must meet material and installation guidelines directed by the National Park Service. All work will cease during heavy rains, snow, or high winds, and shall not resume until conditions are suitable for the movement or materials or equipment. The Park reserves the right to determine when work may resume under these conditions. Contractor is responsible to develop, obtain approval, and enforce a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan permit (SWPPP) in accordance with Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (WYDEQ) requirements. An erosion control plan is required to be submitted to the NPS for each WTF site regardless of WYDEQ requirements. Erosion control measures shall be implemented as necessary at bore or excavation locations for fiber optic line & handhold installation.

Silt fencing fabric will be inspected weekly and after every major storm.

Accumulated sediments will be removed when the fabric is estimated to be approximately 50% full. Silt removal will be accomplished in such a way as to avoid introduction of fine particle materials into any wetlands or flowing water bodies

22. TOPSOIL CONSERVATION: Salvage topsoil at the beginning of all ground disturbance activities by scraping the topsoil to the side prior to deeper digging. Store salvaged topsoil separately from other materials. Limit the height of topsoil stockpiles to 36 inches. Do not stockpile topsoil or subsoil within drip line of remaining trees.

Excess soil will be stored only at approved locations. Replace topsoil and other excavated soils and rock in the proper order, cobble lowest, then subsoil, then topsoil.

Use a trench box if one is needed to reduce disturbance. Spread topsoil as near to the original location as possible. Do not drive or operate equipment on newly replaced topsoil. Do not re-enter the project site once revegetation/restoration work has been initiated and/or completed.

23. SITE LIMITS: The existing disturbance footprint within or adjacent to the Work

Area(s) shall not be expanded without a written request to the Park Superintendent and approval by his/her designee.

24. INSTALLATION ZONE LIMITS: Installation zones will be identified per direction from the NPS, and when required, fencing will be placed prior to installation activity. When required, fencing will define the installation zone and confine activity to the minimum area required for installation. Protection measures will be clearly stated in the installation specifications and workers will be instructed to avoid conducting activities beyond installation zones.

25. WORK RESTORATION AREA: The Contractor shall restore all areas affected by equipment and work activities (including staging areas) to the pre-action condition or better, as directed and approved by the Superintendent or his/her designee. All disturbed areas shall be raked, contoured, and rocks removed, as necessary and determined by the Park.

26. TRAFFIC CONTROL PLAN: Contractor shall submit a traffic control plan, in accordance with MUTCD and applicable federal highway standards, to the Park’s

Project Manager. The plan must be approved in writing by the NPS prior to commencement of equipment installation or any site work.

27. SAFETY PLAN: Contractor shall require its contractor to submit a safety plan to the

Park Safety Officer prior to commencement of work. Safety plan shall demonstrate compliance with OSHA and other applicable safety laws. It shall include an emergency safety plan and shall list contractor points of contact. Hard hats, safety vests, eye protection and other personal protective gear, as needed, shall be worn at all times when within the work zone.

28. SPILL CONTAINMENT: Spill containment kits and fire extinguishers shall be on-site at all times during any activities.

29. DUST MITIGATION: Dust generated by work activities and equipment will be controlled by wetting the site, when necessary and as directed by the park.

30. WILDLIFE: Wildlife will not be fed or approached. All food and trash must be properly stored and disposed of to avoid attracting wildlife. Bird nests may not be removed without prior authorization by the Park’s Chief of Project Management. All persons must maintain a minimum of 100 yards from bears and wolves, and 25 yards from all other animals. Unless specifically provided elsewhere (i.e., see below for elk and sage grouse), routine work activities will be limited to 30 minutes after sunrise to 30 minutes prior to sunset to avoid disturbance to wildlife. To protect special status species, Contractor will:

a. Inform employees about the potential for special status species (i.e., grizzly bears, lynx, wolverine, or yellow-billed cuckoos) in or near the area of the proposed activity. Work will cease if a special status species is discovered in the project area, until NPS re-evaluates the project. Protective measures, including potential modification of the work or the work schedule, could be determined necessary.

b. All project activities must comply with Yellowstone National Park Superintendent’s Compendium regulations related to food storage and park recommended BMPs for living and working in bear country. Bear “attractants” include food, drinks, garbage, cooking utensils, dirty/soiled pots/pans/plates, stoves, grills (charcoal or gas), empty or full coolers, storage containers with food or previously holding food (except approved bear resistant canisters), beverage containers, pet food/bowls, and any odorous item that may attract a bear such as toiletries.

c. At all times in all locations, including the backcountry/wilderness, Contractor must ensure that all bear attractants are attended at all times. All unattended attractants must be stored securely inside a building, a bear resistant food storage locker (if available), in a hard sided vehicle with doors locked and windows closed, or in an Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee approved portable bear resistant food storage canisters; or disposed of properly in a bear-resistant garbage receptacle. Backpacks and/or daypacks containing unsecured attractants (i.e., not in a canister) must not be left unattended.

d. All personnel must attend a briefing on proper food/attractant storage and bear safety presented by a qualified member of the NPS bear management team or their designee. Please contact the Yellowstone National Park Project Management Staff at least two weeks prior to the desired start date to schedule a briefing.

e. All human-bear conflicts must be reported to the Yellowstone Interagency Communications Center at (307) 344-2640, immediately. All bear sightings must be reported to the NPS Bear Management Office within 24 hours at

(406) 404-0481 or (307) 344-2162.

f. Provide for proper storage and disposal of materials that may be toxic to bears. All potentially toxic attractants, including petroleum products, must be stored or disposed of in such a way that they are not available to bears.

g. Installation debris must be separated from human food garbage and disposed of in dumpsters that can be closed at night. No open dumpsters are allowed.

However, a request for an exception to the open dumpster stipulation can be made to the Project Manager who will consult with the NPS Bear Management Office to determine if such use will be authorized. The use of open dumpsters will only be considered if the following conditions can be met: the open dumpster must be stored behind a locked fence out of view and inaccessible to the public, will be labeled installation debris only, and be inspected daily to ensure that no human food garbage is in the dumpster.

h. Grizzly bears concentrate in certain areas during specific time periods to take advantage of concentrated food sources or because the area provides a high seasonal food value due to diversity in vegetation and plant phenology (e.g., important spring or fall range). Where grizzly bear use is known or likely to occur and where practicable, delay disturbing activities during the spring in spring habitats to minimize displacement of grizzly bears.

i. Manage activities in a manner that will minimize noise and visual disturbances and facilitate safe movement through habitat by grizzly bears.

j. Control speed, traffic, and parking to minimize negative impacts to grizzly bear activity, including active enforcement of speed limits.

k. Fencing (including temporary fencing for installation and permanent fencing) used in installation will comply with wildlife friendly fencing standards.

Consult with the NPS for assistance with specifications and appropriate design.

l. Take care not to disturb any wildlife species (amphibians, reptiles, migratory birds, mammals, raptors, or bats) found nesting, hibernating, estivating (in an inactive dormant state during hot, dry periods), or otherwise living in, or immediately nearby, worksites. For example, areas will be avoided and buffers will be established around nests, dens, etc. until young fledge or dens are no longer occupied.

35. PETS: No pets are allowed on the work site for this project. Pets outside the work site must always be on a leash no longer than 6 feet and may not be left unattended.

a. Pets may only accompany people in developed areas and must remain within 100 feet (30.5 meters) of roads, parking areas, and campgrounds.

b. Pets must be physically always controlled: they must be in a car, in a crate, or on a leash no more than six feet long.

c. Pets are not allowed on boardwalks, hiking trails, in the backcountry, or in thermal areas.

d. Pets may not be left unattended or tied to an object.

e. Pets may not be left in a situation where food, water, shade, ventilation, and other basic needs are inadequate.

f. Pets may remain in vehicles for short periods of time, but someone must personally ensure their wellbeing.

g. Owners must bag and dispose of pet waste.

36. CAMPING/HOUSING:

a. Neither park housing or camping sites will be provided to the Contractor or its contractors for this project.

36. PERMITTEE AND SUBCONTRACTOR CONDUCT:

a. The Permittee shall ensure that its employees are hospitable and exercise courtesy and consideration in their relations with the public and all NPS contractors/partners and staff.

b. The Permittee shall have its employees who come in direct contact with the public, so far as practicable, wear a uniform or badge by which they may be identified as the employees of the Permittee.

c. The Permittee and its subcontractors shall establish pre-employment screening, hiring, training, employment, termination and other policies and procedures for the purpose of providing services through its employees in an efficient and effective manner and for the purpose of maintaining a healthful, law abiding, and safe working environment for its employees.

d. The Permittee shall conduct appropriate background reviews of applicants to whom an offer for employment may be extended to assure that they conform to hiring policies and shall ensure that its employees are provided the training that is needed to maintain up-to-date job skills.

e. The Permittee shall maintain a drug free environment, both in the workplace and in any contractor provided employee housing, or RV sites within Yellowstone National Park.

f. The Permittee must issue a statement informing their contractors and employees that the illegal manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession, or use of controlled substances is strictly prohibited in Yellowstone National Park.

g. The National Park operates under Federal jurisdiction, not State jurisdiction.

The Permittee should also clarify that legal and employment actions, including termination, will be enforced against any employees who violates this prohibition.

37. DISCOVERY OF ARTIFACTS OR ENDANGERED SPECIES: The Contractor shall halt any activities and notify the Yellowstone Interagency Communications Center (307) 344-2640 and Park Cultural Resources Branch upon discovery of threatened or endangered species or archeological, paleontological, or historical findings. All artifacts unearthed remain the property of the park.

38. DISCOVERY OF HUMAN REMAINS: The Contractor shall ensure that in the event human remains or paleontological resources are discovered during maintenance activities, all work on the project will stop immediately, the Yellowstone Interagency Communications Center (307) 344-2640 and Park Cultural Resources Branch will be notified immediately, and all provisions outlined in the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 1990 (25 U.S.C. 3001) will be followed.

39. AS-BUILT RECORDS: Within 90 days of completion, the applicant must deliver to the Superintendent, a final as-built map and legal description meeting the standards for infrastructure that already exists, as set forth below. This includes remeasuring all DGPS points to match actual as-built conditions. Furnish the park GIS Office with utility location information, including a shapefile using coordinates NAD83 UTM 12N, company name, and type and number of lines, following installation and in accordance with the Permittee’s right-of-way permit.

a. Legal description must include sub-meter accuracy GPS points for the centerline.

b. Legal description must include courses and distances of the centerline.

c. The entire area (in acres and square feet) must be included.

40. IMPLEMENTATION PLAN: The Contractor shall prepare (for NPS approval) and follow an implementation plan which includes an activity schedule and status reporting framework.

ATTACHMENT 3: Standard mitigations for infrastructure maintenance:

1. ANNUAL WORK PLAN: The Park Superintendent, and/or her/his representatives shall receive in writing from the Contractor by April 1st of each year, a plan(s) for any maintenance, vegetation management, or work activities or projects to be carried out in that current calendar year in the approved right-of-way (“Work Area”) or authorized ingress/egress routes. Any plan(s) should include expected start and completion dates, contractor or sub-contractor name(s), tasks to be completed, types of equipment, necessary ingress and egress routes, number and description of vehicle(s)/equipment, and number of personnel envisioned to be needed to complete the activities or projects.

a. Six Week Notification: The Superintendent and/or her/his designee shall be notified in writing by the Contractor no less than 6 weeks prior to the start of any proposed work, non-emergency maintenance, or vegetation management in order to guarantee that all the aspects of environmental compliance and review have been satisfied, necessary monitoring personnel can be scheduled, and an on-site meeting can be scheduled with the monitoring personnel and local area representatives.

b. Two Week Site Meeting: When determined necessary by the NPS, an on-site meeting will be conducted no less than 2 weeks prior to the start of maintenance or work, between representatives of the NPS and the Contractor’s maintenance/work supervisor, to determine and clarify the scope of the project and any requirements of the NPS.

c. 48 Hour Notifications: The Contractor and/or their representatives shall comply with the notification conditions outlined above, and make the following notifications 48 hours prior to accessing the site:

i. Notify the NPS Contracting Officer’s Representative

ii. In the case of emergencies, the Contractor must make the same notifications noted above, except the 48-hour prior notice requirement will be waived.

2. INFRASTRUCTURE REPLACEMENT. The installation or replacement of any exterior infrastructure (fiber optic cables, etc.) shall be subject to the terms and stipulations of this contract as well as those of the original service connection stipulations of Attachment 2 the placement of said infrastructure.

3. REMOVAL OF INFRASTRUCTURE – GUIDELINES. The NPS will direct removal of infrastructure and equipment in those conditions a) where the infrastructure is not in compliance with the terms of the contract, or b) where the infrastructure or equipment poses a danger to human health and safety, c) where the infrastructure or equipment poses an adverse impact to wildlife or natural or cultural resources, or d) where the infrastructure or equipment has not been used for the purposes of the permit for more than 24 consecutive months.

4. REMOVAL OF INFRASTRUCTURE – TIMELINES In the event that infrastructure or equipment is directed for removal, the Contractor shall develop a schedule that removes the installation within six months, excluding seasonally closed areas (generally 1 November – 1 May).

5. EMERGENCY CONTACT: The primary point of contact for emergency actions (fire, police, ambulance response, grizzly bear activity, or other actions that may have civil or criminal liabilities) shall be Yellowstone Interagency Communication Center; call 911 or (307) 344-2640, with follow up notification to the park’s Project Management staff.

6. EQUIPMENT ON NPS FACILITIES OR WITHIN CONCESSIONER

LAND ASSIGNMENT: If any equipment is authorized to be located on or within any NPS facility, concessioner operated facility, or within a concessioner’s land assignment, Contractor must coordinate access to the building or land assignment area with the NPS or concessioner prior to conducting any work and shall make every effort to minimize disturbances to NPS or concessioner operations, as well as inconveniences to Park visitors. The Park may require Contractor to obtain written approval from the concessioner, with a copy of said approval to the NPS, for any equipment that is proposed to be attached to or located within a concessioner operated building or land assignment.