A04 Statement of Work.docx

U.S. BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

LANDER FIELD OFFICE, WYOMING

Green Mountain Vegetation Management, Cultural Resource Reconnaissance Project 2021

STATEMENT OF WORK

I. Introduction and Background The contractor shall conduct a reconnaissance level identification for cultural resources within 2110 acres of the Green Mountain Vegetation Management Area 2021 Vegetation Treatments Project (the Project) located in 16 discrete treatment polygons. Reconnaissance executed in anticipation of vegetation treatments including hand clearing, mechanical treatments, prescribed fire, broadcast burning, and/or chemical treatments, that do not include any significant ground disturbing activities.

As per the Wyoming State Protocol (and subsequent 2014 consultation), the treatment areas meet reconnaissance level of identification, where “Fuels reduction or prescribed burns that require no surface disturbance (i.e., hand thinning, hand piling, or chemical treatment) require only a reconnaissance survey to determine if rock art, rock shelters, or other types of fire sensitive or chemical-sensitive historic properties exist”. Proposed field method for thorough and effective reconnaissance shall be included in proposal and is subject to Agency approval. A single cultural resources reconnaissance survey report will be submitted for this project.

II. Project Location and Scope

The Project is located in southeast Fremont County, Wyoming, approximately 16 miles (26 kilometers [km]) southeast of Jeffrey City. It is in Sections 1,2,10,11,12,13,14,15,23,24 T27N, R91W, Sections 3,4,5,6,9,10 T27N R90W, Sections 18,19,33,32,31, T28N R90W, Sections 21 and 28 T28N R91W. Elevations within the Project area range from approximately 6900 to 8500 feet above sea level (2100 to 2600 meters above sea level). To access the general Project area, travel east from Jeffrey City of west from Muddy Junction along U.S. Highway 287, then turn south on the Green Mountain Road. The project area begins approximately 7.5 miles (12.1 km) south of U.S. 287. The Project is located within the Green Mountain Area of Critical Environmental Concern which is closed to human presence between November 30 and June 15. Therefore, all fieldwork would be conducted between June 15, 2021 and November 30, 2021. All vehicular traffic shall be confined to existing roads and two-tracks.

III. Statement of Work

Contractor shall conduct background file search, Reconnaissance level identification, as per the Wyoming State Protocol and 2014 consultation, of 2110 acres, site recordation, site evaluation, including appropriate site testing and recommendation for eligibility for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), recommendation of a finding of effect for the undertaking, including recommendations for avoidance, minimization and/or mitigation of impacts to any Historic Properties.

Contractor shall adhere to reporting standards as defined by the Wyoming State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) Format, Guidelines, and Standards for Class II and III Reports. Adherence to Wyoming SHPO Metadata GIS and Photographic Standards shall be required. All diagnostic artifacts and ceramics (if any) shall be collected and curated. Curation fees would be the responsibility of the contractor.

Contractor shall complete Wyoming Cultural Property Forms (WYCPF) or Wyoming Isolated Resource Forms (IR) as appropriate for all cultural resources identified via the WyoTrack system. Site forms for other previously recorded sites in the inventory area shall be updated if any conditions or interpretations differ from what has been reported from previous documentation.

All resources found within the area of potential effects (APE) must be evaluated for NRHP eligibility under all four criteria and discussed with respect to the seven aspects of integrity. This must include a reasonable rationale and justification under NRHP criteria (36CFR60.4).

For those resources identified within the APE, provide a discussion of the effect of the proposed action on each resource, regardless of resource eligibility. Effects discussion should include direct and indirect effects, as applicable. Recommend a finding of effect for the undertaking.

Provide recommended alternatives for avoiding or minimizing potential adverse effects to eligible properties that may result from implementation of the undertaking. Describe any methods of treatment which could mitigate direct and/or indirect adverse effects on NRHP eligible properties.

The contractor is required to have a current WY BLM Cultural Resource Use Permit (CRUP) and shall follow the permit stipulations.

IV. Government Supplied Property Maps (topographical and aerial) of the areas subject to reconnaissance are supplied with this solicitation. GIS shapefiles can be provided upon request by email to the CO, Crystal Martinez, at crystalm@blm.gov.

V. Funding/Schedule Work schedule and partial payment shall be divided into three phases.

Phase I, Background Research/ Field Work = 60 days from award and/or June 15 (whichever occurs later); 30% Partial Payment

Phase II, Draft Reports Submission = 90 days from award; 40% Partial Payment

Phase III, Final Reports Submission = 120 days from award; 30% Partial Payment

VI. Deliverables The contractor shall prepare inventory reports, including Wyoming Cultural Properties Forms and Wyoming Isolated Resource Forms, following the standards set forth in the Wyoming SHPO Format, Guidelines, and Standards for Class II and III Reports.

The contractor shall enter the project in the automated WyoTrack program. The reports shall include photographic documentation and maps produced with GIS information.

The contractor shall submit to the BLM one (1) electronic version of the draft reports and associated WYCPF and IR forms for initial review and comment. The BLM shall be allowed 15 days for review. The Contractor shall make revisions and prepare the reports in accordance with BLM recommendations.

The contractor shall submit to the BLM two (2) unbound copies of the final report and associated WYCPF and IR forms upon incorporation of agency comments on draft report. The final report, site and isolate resource forms, all GIS information (including original field data files and GIS shapefiles), and all photographs taken as part of this project will also be presented in the form of CDs or DVDs. The final report, site forms, and isolated resource forms should be in PDF files. The preferred digital formats for images include JPEGs or Bitmaps (.bmp). The BLM reserves the right to request additional revisions within 10 working days of receipt of final reports. Additionally, contractor shall follow the WyoTrack workflow.

Copies of field and research notes and maps associated with this project shall be submitted to the BLM upon completion of the project. Either digital format (CDs or DVDs) or paper copies are acceptable.

The contractor shall deposit all artifacts, processed samples and collections, as applicable, and all original records, data, photographs, and other documents, resulting from work conducted under this permit, with the University of Wyoming Archaeological Repository (UWAR), no later than 60 days after the date the final report is submitted to the BLM authorized officer. Not later than 180 days after the final report is submitted, the contractor shall provide the BLM State Office with a catalog of all materials deposited with the curatorial facility, including the facility’s accession and/or catalog numbers, the name of the item, the name of the project and applicable BLM field office.

Notifications: The contractor shall notify the BLM at least two weeks before commencing fieldwork by email and/or phone call to the Contracting Officer’s Representative and Project Inspector. Additionally, prior to beginning any fieldwork under the authority of the CRUP, the permit holder shall use the automated WyoTrack program to perform fieldwork authorization request to the appropriate BLM field office for each episode of fieldwork.

The contractor shall also notify BLM when fieldwork is completed, by email and/or phone call to the Contracting Officer’s Representative and Project Inspector. Email notifications shall be sent when the draft and final reports are mailed to the BLM.

Forms and Guidelines can be viewed at the links below:

https://wyoshpo.wyo.gov/index.php/programs/review-and-consultation-s106/guidelines-standards-and-legislation https://wyoshpo.wyo.gov/index.php/programs/review-and-consultation-s106/forms-requests/wyoming-cultural-properties-forms https://www.historycolorado.org/survey-inventory-forms

VII. Evaluation and Award Criteria Respondents shall supply a written proposal, list of key personnel and qualifications (e.g. resume), statement of availability to perform the work, and a list of references. Respondents will then be evaluated on the specific evaluation criteria listed below. Respondents will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

1. Quality of the Proposal

A. Does the proposal reflect a good understanding of the scope of issues involved?

B. Is there a clear description of how the work will be managed and coordinated with the BLM?

2. Respondent Qualifications and Experience

A. Does the respondent and key personnel assigned to the project have experience in and a current permit for Wyoming?

B. Does the respondent demonstrate professional past performance in cultural resource inventories in Wyoming?

C. Are the reference checks supportive of the respondent’s technical abilities and ability to work within original budgets?

3. Availability and Capacity to Perform

A. Given the current and projected workload of the respondent, will the respondent have sufficient time available to devote to the project?

B. Will the respondent be able to meet or exceed the timeframes described?

4. Bid Price

Order of Importance:

Technical factors, when combined, are considered:

☒ Significantly more important than price ☐ Approximately equal to price ☐ Significantly less important than price