A04-SOW_2025_Proposed_CR_U29_Reroute.pdf

STATEMENT OF WORK

2025 TRFO Cultural Resources Inventory of the Proposed County Road U29 Reroute, San Miguel

County, Colorado

INTRODUCTION

This Statement of Work is for:

A Class III archaeological inventory of 80 acres and evaluative testing at 5SM.3695 on Bureau of Land

Management (BLM) land, Tres Rios Field Office (TRFO), in Dry Creek Basin, approximately 8 miles west of Basin, Colorado. The tasks involved include a records search, fieldwork, analysis, documentation of cultural resources on OAHP forms, assessment of travel related effects using the BLM travel route assessment field form, report preparation, and production of associated GIS data. This cultural resource work is conducted under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.

The SOW survey area is located in the U.S.G.S Gypsum Gap, quadrangle. The legal location for the project area is: T44N, R16W, Sections 18 and 19; and T44N, R17W, Sections. 11, 13, 14. The project area can be accessed by San Miguel County Road R25 off Highway 141, near Basin, Colorado.

Topography in the project area generally consists of gently sloping terrain on the north side of Gypsum

Ridge where it transitions into Dry Creek Basin . Vegetation in the project area consists of a mix of pinyon-juniper woodlands and sagebrush communities.

Shapefiles of the survey area(s) are available upon request. Contact TRFO archaeologist Brian

Yaquinto: 970-749-9583 (byaquinto@blm.gov).

Project Background:

The 80 acres survey will be conducted to identify cultural resources in advance of the potential County

Road U29 realignment project to better protect sage grouse habitat. The new alignment will use a combination of existing BLM routes and existing county roads for the new county road across Dry

Creek Basin. One site, 5SM.3695, currently evaluated as eligible is in the potential route alignment and will require evaluative testing where the proposed route crosses the site. An additional two sites

5SM.3371 and 5SM.3171 will need to be revisited and assessed for travel related impacts. The two ineligible sites 5SM.3690 and 5SM.3697 do not need to be revisited for this project.

Previous Inventory and Recorded Cultural Resources:

A summary of prior surveys and recorded cultural resources in the survey area is provided below with the intent of assisting prospective bidders with more specific information about known survey and cultural resources in the project area. While it is frequently the case that similar site types can be expected in the project area if it is a similar landscape, this is not always true. Prospective bidders should not assume that information is anything more than a general description of what is known within the mailto:byaquinto@blm.gov project area based upon information in the archaeological records at the BLM TRFO and the Colorado

OAHP COMPASS database. It is the bidder’s responsibility to thoroughly research their bids.

Prehistoric open lithic scatters, open camps, wikiups. and historic homesteads have been recorded in or near the survey areas.

Prior Archaeological Fieldwork and Documented Cultural Resources in the SOW Survey Area

Known Cultural Resources 5 previously recorded sites, 1 IF

Previous Inventory 14 previous surveys intersect portions of the SOW survey areas

Project Objectives:

• 80 acres of Class III (intensive level) inventory of the survey area(s). (See Figure 1).

• 5SM.3695, evaluative testing and re-recordation of the site.

• 5SM.3371 and 5SM.3171 revisitation and assessment for travel related impacts.

• Completion of the BLM travel route assessment field form with a finding of effect (i.e., NHPA

(No Historic Property Affected), NAE (No Adverse Effect), or AE (Averse Effect)) for each site

(newly discovered or previously recorded eligible/needs data determinations) encountered in the survey area(s). A copy of this form will be provided prior to the start of fieldwork.

To accomplish these objectives:

• The Contractor and any subcontractors must currently hold, or be able to obtain, a BLM-CO

Cultural Resource Use Permit (CRUP), and the work must be conducted by personnel under that permit qualified to work on the Tres Rios Field Office. All CRUP permit stipulations will be followed.

• This Statement of Work is for a fixed price contract. The Contractor shall furnish all labor, supervision, transportation, travel, services, facilities, materials, and supplies necessary for the performance of all aspects of the tasks described herein. All contractor costs are to be included in the contractor’s bid.

• No monetary contract modifications will be provided for unanticipated site density or logistical complexity not considered by the contractor in their bid.

PROCUREMENT DELIVERABLES BY TASKS

Task 1: Pre-field File Search and Records Review Due 4 weeks after contract award

Prior to starting fieldwork, the consultants must complete a records search of both the OAHP database, the TRFO cultural resource files, and a review of the GLO historic maps. GLO historic maps are expected to be accessed online. The TRFO archaeologist Brian Yaquinto will assist with the field office portion of the records search.

• Additional historic literature review may be warranted depending on the files search findings, particularly in the case of historic linear resources. The files search must review at a minimum the results of previous work within a one-mile radius of the project survey area boundary and serves to provide a background and interpretive context for the appropriate sections of the

Inventory Report.

Task 2: Fieldwork Due 8 weeks after completion of Task 1

Conduct an intensive level cultural resource inventory within the specified survey areas to locate and record new sites and isolated finds, and previously recorded sites. 5SM.3695 will undergo testing for the presence of sub-surface cultural deposits, and the BLM travel route assessment field form will be completed for each site (newly discovered or previously recorded eligible/needs data sites) encountered in the survey area(s).

Class III Cultural Resource Inventory

• Fieldwork authorization: A fieldwork authorization must be submitted to the field office archaeologist at least 5 days prior to start of fieldwork. It can be submitted via email (preferred) or can be submitted at the same time as the file search is conducted in the TRFO.

• The task will be conducted under the provisions of the BLM Colorado Cultural Resource Use

Permit and will conform to guidelines contained in the most current versions of the BLM

Colorado Handbook of Guidelines and Procedures for Inventory, Evaluation, and Mitigation of

Cultural Resources, the BLM-Colorado Digital Data Specifications Guide, the requirements in this statement of work, and the OAHP Colorado Cultural Resource Survey Manual.

• The Contractor must locate the boundaries of the survey areas prior to commencement of the survey. Use of GPS units, benchmarks, 7.5 minute topographic maps, aerial photographs (where available), roadways and other landscape features, if needed, is required to ensure ground control and confidence in the inventory area and in the location of cultural resources.

• An intensive pedestrian survey at transect intervals not exceeding 15 meters within the block survey areas will be conducted to identify and record all cultural resources. Actual ground examination should result in the identification and recording of all cultural resources observable on the surface and in exposed subsurface profiles.

• Reconnaissance level inventory will occur on any slopes greater than 30% within the specified survey areas.

• Each field crew must be supervised in the field by a qualified crew chief and/or field director listed on the CRUP. A crew chief or field director must be on-site at all times.

• The Contractor must notify the Contract Officer’s Representative (COR) by telephone and with written confirmation immediately upon the discovery of human remains, funerary objects, sacred objects, or objects of cultural patrimony (as defined in 43 CFR 10.2) and must immediately stop any activities connected with such discovery and make a reasonable effort to protect the discovered remains or objects.

Recording and Evaluation of Cultural Resources

• The Contractor must record each cultural resource identified following the BLM Colorado

Handbook of Guidelines and Procedures for Inventory, Evaluation, and Mitigation of Cultural

Resources, the BLM-Colorado Digital Data Specifications Guide, the requirements in this statement of work, and the OAHP Colorado Cultural Resource Survey Manual.

• In addition to the completion of the OAHP data management and component forms, the BLM travel route assessment field form with a finding of effect (i.e., NHPA (No Historic Property

Affected), NAE (No Adverse Effect), or AE (Averse Effect)) for each site (newly discovered or previously recorded eligible/needs data sites) encountered in the survey area(s) will also be completed. A copy of this form will be provided prior to the start of fieldwork.

• The NRHP evaluations will be completed for all previously recorded sites. Care will be taken in coordinating the site numbers when previously recorded sites are re-located to assure that the correct site number are used since they may have associated curated collections. Original site numbers for these sites will be retained as much as possible even though expanded recording may reveal a much larger site area than originally documented.

• When re-mapping previously recorded sites, new maps should build off of earlier site maps.

Feature and structure numbers from earlier maps should be carried forward to the new map. New features or structures will be numbered to follow the last number.

• The full extent of sites will be intensively recorded, even if sites extend outside the survey area

(record portions of sites outside survey areas).

• To refine or complete National Register eligibility recommendations, evaluative testing (soil probing, trowel testing, auger testing, or shovel testing) will be conducted at all sites where the contractor is unable to determine site eligibility based on surface evidence. This evaluative testing during field recording should be used to determine the potential for subsurface cultural deposits and the site boundary, as needed. Evaluative testing should not exceed three (3) square meters of site surface. Testing locations should also be shown on the site map. The level of testing should not be conducted in a manner that impacts or destroys information that contributes to the sites eligibility. Criteria used to determine properties potentially eligible for the NRHP must be substantive, objective, and stated in the report.

• Potentially eligible sites will be tested to determine site depth potential, integrity and eligibility wherever possible. The “Need Data” determination should be applied sparingly and only in those cases where both surface evidence and limited testing yield ambiguous results. Previous determinations of “Need Data” will be resolved.

• Scaled site maps will include detailed drawings of site features, structures, locations of diagnostic artifacts, artifact concentrations, boundary, topography of the site area, as well as nearby developments or distinctive landforms (roads, power lines, well pads, canyon rims, etc.).

Locations of disturbance and the nature of disturbance will be indicated on the site map. The location of the site tag will be indicated on the site map. Any mapped item not specifically described in the map key will be individually labeled on the map.

• A current assessment of site condition will be made for each site in terms of impacts from natural processes (erosion), human processes (looting/vandalism, commercial development, recreational use-motorized or other, chaining), or livestock impacts, as per OAHP management data form items 33, 34, and 35.

• A GPS unit will be used to record precise site boundaries and isolated find centroids. See BLM-

Colorado Digital Data Specifications Guide (revised 9/2015).

• High quality digital images (300 dpi or highest resolution setting) will be taken for use with the site forms. One site overview photo is required. Photos will be taken for unusual or diagnostic isolated finds.

• Artifact collection is not authorized, however if the contractor determines artifact collection is necessary the BLM TRFO archaeologist is to be contacted and will collect the artifact on behalf of the consultant if deemed warranted. In-field ceramic and lithic analysis necessary to determine site function and chronology will be completed using current standard published typologies (see below).

o Lithic materials will be identified to include the material type, the debitage type (core, primary, secondary, tertiary, angular debris), or the tool type. Diagnostic projectile points will be drawn and photographed and included with the site documentation. Chapter 8 of the “Crow Canyon Archaeological Center Laboratory Manual, Version 1,” (Ortman et al

2005) is a recommended reference for material type identification.

Evaluative Testing at 5SM.3695

• Evaluative testing at 5SM.3695 will build upon Metcalf’s 2002 fieldwork and site documentation. In addition to full re-recordation of 5SM.3695 on new OAHP forms and the completion of the BLM travel route assessment form, approximately .20 acres of the site where the proposed road crosses the site (in old road alignment, previously reclaimed) will be extensively tested to determine if subsurface cultural deposits are present in the proposed route alignment. Additional, evaluative testing may be needed outside the route alignment corridor to assist in overall site eligibility determination. If the site is still determined to be eligible after testing, the contractor will need to identify and GPS the portions of the site that contribute or that do not contribute to the sites eligibility.

Task 3: Draft Report and Site Forms Due 6 weeks after completion of fieldwork

• A single digital copy of the draft report, site, isolated find, and BLM travel route assessment forms will be submitted to the PI.

• The report, site, and isolated find forms must include the BLM and SHPO report numbers The

BLM will provide the BLM project number. OAHP project and site number must be obtain directly from directly from OAHP using the new templates.

https://sites.google.com/state.co.us/oahp-resource-center/forms-guidance/requesting-numbers

• The draft final report will include a detailed description and evaluation of all sites visited during the survey, recommendations on National Register eligibility, a discussion of site impacts observed, and site management recommendations. The evaluations should be made in the context of previous investigations and findings in the general area, and research questions for the region. All sites brought forward as “Need Data” will include a detailed discussion of how field testing was conducted and why field testing was inconclusive and specific recommendations for additional evaluative testing to determine eligibility. The site management recommendations must take into account the current site condition based on disturbances observed while conducting the field work.

• Sites will be displayed on maps as polygons (site boundaries rather than site centroids). Site maps will include the following citation: Disclosure of site locations prohibited (43 CFR 7.18).

• All site forms, including site revisit forms, must have at a minimum of one photograph showing the general site location with a horizon.

• Cultural resources will be recorded on the appropriate OAHP forms, following OAHP form instruction and guidance. The Contractor shall use the latest updates of the form available at the time of report preparation.

• Sites documented prior to 2000 will be completely re-recorded on Colorado OAHP component forms. Sites recorded after 2000 can be documented on an OAHP revisit form as long as no significant changes to the site are observed.

https://sites.google.com/state.co.us/oahp-resource-center/forms-guidance/requesting-numbers

• An OAHP revisit form will be completed for previously recorded sites that cannot be relocated, for documentation purposes.

• A TRFO travel route assessment form will be completed for each site in the survey areas (both newly and previously recorded).

• Site, isolated find, and survey GIS data (shapefiles) that meet the current BLM-Colorado Digital

Data Specifications Guide will be submitted via shared drive.

BLM Draft Report Review Due 3 weeks after receipt of draft report

• The BLM will submit draft report review comments and/or corrections to the contractor, which must be addressed in the final report.

Task 4: Final Report and Site Forms Due 3 weeks after receipt of BLM draft report comments

• One hard copy of the final report, site, and isolated find forms addressing all changes and corrections identified from the draft report review will be submitted to the PI. Digital copies of the final report, site and isolated find forms, BLM travel route assessment form, photos, and shapefiles of site, isolated find, and survey area locations that meet the current BLM-Colorado

Digital Data Specifications Guide will also be submitted to the PI via a shared drive.

• Hard copy site forms are to be separate from the report (do not bind the report and site forms together).

• The BLM retains ownership of, and all rights to, all artifacts collected, records, data, maps, drawings, photographs, samples, artifacts, GIS products, automated data bases, or other products.

These items cannot be used by the Contractor without written permission from the BLM.

BLM Final Report Review Due 10 days after receipt of final report

• Upon receipt of the final report the COR shall have 10 calendar days to review the final report for acceptance or resubmission. If any revisions are needed, the contractor will have 10 calendar days from submission of final comments to resubmit the final report.

COORDINATION

• The Contractor must be highly flexible and able to adapt to changing circumstances. Close coordination with the CO and/or COR will be necessary to meet contract deadlines. The

Contractor must be able to quickly mobilize to execute assigned tasks within the SOW time frames.

• The Contractor shall be responsible for obtaining and coordinating any access needed across private lands for the purpose of conducting work under this contract, contact information will be provided. The Contractor shall advise the COR within one (1) working day of any access restriction which would significantly delay progress.

• Any unanticipated problems which may delay the Contractor’s work schedule must be reported immediately to the COR.

• During the course of the project, reasonable precautions will be taken to avoid the disclosure of site locations to all but authorized personnel. In addition, field personnel will be required to keep all motorized vehicles on existing roads and trails.

PROGRAM MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL REQUIREMENTS

• Work performed under this contract shall be monitored according to contract specifications, provisions, and the Contractor's proposal. The Technical Proposal for this RFQ shall thoroughly discuss cost and schedule control as well as quality control.

• Cost and Schedule Control: Adherence to costs and schedules contained in the award shall be closely monitored by the contractor to ensure task deadlines are met.

• Quality Control: Control over the technical quality of all work and deliverables shall be closely monitored by the Contractor to assure required BLM and other professional standards are met.

SUBCONTRACTING

• Any anticipated use of subcontractors must be included in bid proposals, along with the materials requested in the non-cost evaluation factors, specific to the subcontractor.

• The subcontracted firm must currently hold a valid BLM Colorado cultural resource use permit

(CRUP), or the principal investigator and crew chief(s) of the subcontracted firm must be listed on the prime contractor’s permit. The CRUP must indicate the principal investigator and crew chief(s) can work on the Tres Rios Field Office (or the San Juan Public Lands).

• If all or part of a project or task (s) illustrated in the SOW is subcontracted, the contractor shall follow the requirements illustrated in FAR Clause 52.244-6 -- Subcontracts for Commercial

Items.

PAYMENT SCHEDULE

Costs of technical report revisions and rewriting based on BLM comments shall be included in the initial proposal for individual statements of work. BLM shall not be billed separately for extra costs incurred by the Contractor due to major or successive technical report revisions. The Contractor shall not receive final payment for a task until the task deliverables have been accepted by BLM.

The following payment schedule shall be used:

• Tasks 1 & 2: Upon acceptance, 40% of award amount

• Task 3: Upon acceptance, 35% of award amount

• Task 4: Upon acceptance, 25% of award amount

ATTACHMENTS

Figure 1: Project Area Vicinity Map