A04_Statement_of_Work.docx

U.S. BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

LANDER FIELD OFFICE, WYOMING

Paleontological Survey of the Bison Basin Area of Paleontological Concern, 2021

STATEMENT OF WORK

I. Introduction and Background The contractor shall conduct a paleontological resources reconnaissance survey of the Bison Basin Area of Paleontological Concern within the Lander Field Office (LFO). The base bid will include a paleontological resources reconnaissance survey of approximately 4,133 acres within Bison Basin project area. The number of acres (base bid plus any additives) will depend on the availability of funds. All paleontological localities within the reconnaissance survey area will be recorded using the BLM Locality Form, or equivalent, and evaluated to make a significance determination.

In 2014 LFO issued the Record of Decision for its Resource Management Plan (RMP), which identified five (5) areas of Paleontological Concern. These five areas total approximately 392,000 acres. The LFO would like to complete a reconnaissance survey of these areas to assist in making land management decisions, and to begin compiling a record of paleontological sites within the LFO. It is not proposed that the contract holder survey these areas in their entirety. The contract holder will focus on areas with a Potential Fossil Yield Class (PFYC) of 4 and 5 that are managed by the Bureau of Land Management. This contract is for a survey of the Bison Basin Area of Paleontological Concern. The project area contains a mix of Ice Point Conglomerate, White River, Battle Springs, Bridger, Cody Shale, and the Green River formations. These formations are identified as having Potential Fossil Yield Classifications (PFYC) of Class 4 and 5, meaning there is high to very high sensitivity for paleontological resources. The contractor must have a current BLM Wyoming Paleontological Resources Use Permit or be able to obtain a permit in time to meet the project timeframes described in the schedule below.

II. Project Location and Scope The area is located in the Sweetwater Plateau of central Wyoming, approximately 60 miles southeast of Lander. The Bison Basin Project Area is located on BLM managed public lands in T27N R96W sections 23-26, 36; T27N R95W sections 15-23, 26-36; and T26N R95W sections 01-06. To access to the project area from Lander follow Hwy 287 for approximately 40 miles, and then follow the Bison Basin road for approximately 20 miles. Two-track roads can be used to access portions of the project area. The contractor shall not drive off existing roads.

III. Statement of Work The contractor shall conduct a background files search, paleontological resources reconnaissance survey of a minimum of 1,280 acres (PFYC 5) within the Bison Basin project area, locality recordation, and significance recommendation. Please bid on all additives. The number of acres (base bid plus any additives) will depend on the availability of funds. Additive A includes the all the PFYC 4 in the northeast section of the project area, approximately 240 acres. Additive B includes approximately 970 acres of PFYC 4 within east side of the project area. Additive C includes the remainder of PFYC 4 within the project area, approximately 1,643 additional acres.

1. Base Bid: Paleontological resources reconnaissance survey of 1,280 acres

2. Additive A: Paleontological resources reconnaissance survey of an additional 240 acres

3. Additive B: Paleontological resources reconnaissance survey of an additional 970 acres

4. Additive C: Paleontological resources reconnaissance survey of an additional 1,643 acres

The project area will be inspected for 1) surface fossils, 2) exposures of potentially fossiliferous rock, and 3) areas in which fossiliferous rock would be exposed or otherwise impacted by surface disturbing activities. Exposures of paleontologically sensitive geologic units will receive a pedestrian survey; other areas may be cleared visually or using aerial photographs.

A report will be completed based on the results of the reconnaissance survey and will include the following details:

a) Name, affiliation, address, date of report, and permit number of paleontologists doing the survey.

b) Project name and number (if used), name of proponent, and general location of project.

c) Date(s) of survey and names of any personnel assisting with the survey.

d) Project Description

· Brief description of the proposed project, emphasizing potential impacts to paleontological resources.

e) Description of background research conducted.

· Include overview of known paleontological information, institutions consulted, previous surveys in the area, previous projects of similar nature in the area, and general description of survey techniques employed.

f) Summary of regional and local geology. May reference earlier projects for relevant information.

g) Summary of regional and local paleontology. May reference earlier projects for relevant information.

h) Survey Methodology

· Extent of survey coverage. Provide total acres of pedestrian survey and non-survey.

· Include criteria used to determine significant vs non-significant localities.

i) Summary of the survey results.

· Describe each locality separately and provide information on topographic location, formation, fossil description, and preservation.

· Potential impacts to paleontological resources resulting from the project.

· Detailed mitigation recommendations that may lessen potential adverse impacts, including any areas where monitoring during construction is recommended.

· Listing of any collected material, including field numbers, field identifications, and elements, cross-referenced to locality field numbers. This list may be submitted in electronic format, preferably in spreadsheet format.

j) Potential fossiliferous areas to allow for future assessment of sites if applicable.

k) Cited and other pertinent references.

l) Map of the project area, indicating areas surveyed, areas not surveyed, previously identified localities, and new discoveries. Maps will be at 1:24,000 scale with a standard 7.5’ USGS topographic map as a background. Supplemental maps which are reduced or enlarged in scale or with a different background may be provided as needed.

m) Relevant photos, diagrams, tables to aid in explaining, clarifying, or understanding the findings. All photographs included in the report shall be at least 3.5 inches by 5 inches in size. Captions will include direction of photo, description, any modification to the photo, and date taken.

n) BLM locality form (8270-3) or equivalent for each new locality (including localities where fossils were observed but not collected) with a 1:24,000 scale map showing the localities (not reduced in scale during photocopying).

The contractor is required to have a current BLM Wyoming Paleontological Resources Use Permit, and will adhere to the permit stipulations.

IV. Government Supplied Property The BLM Lander Field Office will supply the successful applicant with a map of the Bison Basin Project Area. Also, GIS shapefiles will be provided of the Bison Basin project area.

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

VI. Deliverables The contractor shall prepare a paleontological reconnaissance survey report, including locality forms. The report shall include photographic documentation and maps produced with GIS information. One copy of the draft report (either hard copy or electronic format) shall be submitted to the BLM for initial review and comment. Electronic deliverables will be in PDF format. The BLM shall be allowed 30 days for review. The contractor shall make revisions and prepare the final report in accordance with BLM recommendations.

The contractor shall submit to the BLM two bound copies of the final report with color maps and photographs upon completion of the project. The final report, locality forms, and GIS information (including original field data files and GIS shapefiles), and all photographs taken as part of this project will also be submitted in electronic format. Thumb drives are preferred for the electronic submission, but CDs or DVDs are also acceptable. The final report and locality forms may either be in Microsoft Word (Windows 10 compatible) or PDF files. The preferred digital format for photographs is JPEGs.

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 (thumb drives, CDs, or DVDs) or paper copies are acceptable.

Email notifications: The contractor shall notify the BLM before commencing fieldwork, and when fieldwork is completed, by emailing the Contracting Officer (CO), Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) and the Point of Contact (POC). Email notifications shall also be sent when the draft and final reports are mailed to the BLM. All deliverables shall be submitted to the POC.

Evaluation and Award Criteria

Respondents shall supply a written proposal which includes: 1) qualifications and experience of key personnel, 2) past performance, 3) and quality control plan. One page resumes of all key personnel will be submitted. Respondents will submit a list of clients (no more than 5) for past and present similar projects covering the past three years. This list will serve as a list of references to obtain past performance information (quality, timeliness, cost control, business relationships) related to the Respondents current and past work. The quality control plan will show how the respondent intends to meet the tasks associated with this contract.

Respondents will then be evaluated on the specific evaluation criteria listed below. The technical evaluation factors are more important than the bid price. The final award will be made to the most qualified respondent, with consideration that the bid price is within the available budget for this project.

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 have a current BLM Wyoming Paleontological Resources Use Permit (please provide permit number) or the ability to obtain one in time to meet the project timeframes described (please provide resume documenting qualifications)?

B. Does the respondent and key personnel assigned to the project have experience conducting paleontology inventories and evaluating paleontological resources in Wyoming?

C. Does the respondent demonstrate professional past performance in completing paleontology inventories and locality recordation?

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 to meet or exceed the timeframes described?

B. Is the bid price within the available budget?

4. Price

ORDER OF IMPORTANCE

Technical factors, when combined, are considered:

|X| Significantly more important than price

|_| Approximately equal to price

|_| Significantly less important than price