A04_Statement_of_Work_Paleontology_Survey.pdf

U.S. BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

LANDER FIELD OFFICE, WYOMING

Paleontological Survey of High Potential Fossil Areas within the Lander Field Office

STATEMENT OF WORK

I. Introduction and Background

The contractor shall conduct a paleontological resources sampling survey of 275 acres of the Gas Hills High Potential

Fossil Area (Gas Hills HPFA) within the Lander Field Office (LFO) in 2025 (see attached maps). All paleontological localities within the sampling survey area will be recorded using the BLM Locality Form and evaluated to make a significance determination.

In 2014 LFO issued the Record of Decision for its Resource Management Plan (RMP), which identified five High

Potential Fossil Areas (HPFAs): the Beaver Rim HPFA, the Bison Basin HPFA, the Gas Hills HPFA, the Lander Slope

HPFA, and the Lysite to Lost Cabin HPFA. These five areas total approximately 392,000 acres. In order assist in making land management decisions, the LFO would like to complete paleontological surveys in the Gas Hills HPFA in

2025.

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

As depicted on the attached map, the Gas Hills HPFA1 is located in the Wind River Basin of central Wyoming, approximately 40 miles (64 kilometers [km]) southeast of Riverton, Wyoming.

The contractor shall conduct a 275-acre sample survey of the Gas Hills HPFA in 2025. The survey shall be broken into sample blocks of between 20 and 50 acres totaling 275 acres, with the specific locations and acreages of the sample blocks to be determined by the contractor, subject to approval by the BLM Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR).

Sample blocks shall be located only within areas mapped as Potential Fossil Yield Classification (PFYC) 4 and 5 and shall consist solely of BLM-managed surface.

III. Statement of Work

The contractor shall conduct a background files search and paleontological resources survey of a number of sample blocks (to be proposed by the contractor and approved by the BLM) totaling 275 acres of PFYC 4 and 5 occurring on

BLM-managed surface within the HPFA indicated for the year.

The sample survey blocks 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. Sample blocks should be selected based on their potential to contain exposures of paleontologically sensitive geologic units.

1 The Gas Hills HPFA area has been subject to uranium mining in the past and more than 2,500 acres of the HPFA has been disturbed by open pit mines.

A paleontological resources survey report will be completed describing the results of the survey. The report shall include the following details:

a) Name(s), affiliation, role(s), address, date of report, and permit number(s) of paleontologist(s) 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. This may include a visit to the BLM Lander Field Office to review hard copies of paleontological files that have not been digitized. The BLM COR will advise as to the necessity of an in-person review of

BLM records.

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, and/or tables to aid in explaining, clarifying, and 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 by the time of fieldwork and will adhere to the permit stipulations.

IV. Government Supplied Property

The BLM Lander Field Office will supply the successful applicant with a georeferenced PDF map and shapefiles depicting the Gas Hills HPFA and Potential Fossil Yield Classification (PFYC) of the underlying bedrock units.

V. Funding/Schedule

Work schedule and partial payment for the contract is presented below. All fieldwork shall be conducted when the ground is snow free and after June 15 to comply with seasonal closures to protect wildlife.

Phase I, Background Literature Search & Fieldwork = Complete within 45 days from award; 50% Partial Payment

Phase II, Draft Report and GIS Submission = Complete within 75 days from award; 25% Partial Payment

Phase III, Final Report and GIS Submission = Complete within 105 days from award 30; 25% Partial Payment

VI. Deliverables

The contractor shall prepare a paleontological survey report, including locality forms. The report shall include photographic documentation and maps produced with GIS information. One electronic copy of the draft report (in PDF and/or Microsoft Word format) and GIS data shall be submitted to the BLM for initial review and comment. The BLM shall be allowed 10 calendar 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 one electronic copy of the final report (in PDF format) with color maps and photographs upon completion of the project. In addition to 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. A thumb drive is the preferred method of transmittal, but email or a file share site are also acceptable.

All final documents shall be in PDF format. The preferred digital format for photographs is JPEG.

Digital copies of field and research notes and maps associated with this project shall also be submitted to the BLM upon completion of the project.

Email notifications: The contractor shall notify the BLM seven calendar days before commencing fieldwork, and within seven calendar days of fieldwork being completed by emailing the Contracting Officer (CO) and COR. Email notifications shall also be sent when the draft and final reports are sent to the BLM. All deliverables shall be submitted to the COR.

Evaluation and Award Criteria

Respondents shall supply a written proposal which includes: 1) qualifications and experience of key personnel, 2) past performance, 3) a brief research design/rationale for survey sample block selection, and 4) a quality control plan.

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 within the past five 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. Does the proposed include a brief research design/rationale for survey sample block selection?

C. 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. Do 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 recording localities?

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?

Order of Importance:

Technical factors, when combined, are considered:

☒ Significantly more important than price

☐ Approximately equal to price

☐ Significantly less important than price