Attachment_1_-_SOW.pdf

STATEMENT OF WORK

2021 Cultural Resources Inventory #2 of Sage Grouse Habitat

Near Summit Point, San Miguel County, Colorado

INTRODUCTION

This Statement of Work is for:

A Class III archaeological inventory of 1448.8 acres of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land on the Tres Rios Field Office (TRFO) on Horse Range Mesa near Summit Point, approximately 9 miles northwest of Egnar, Colorado. Pending available funding, this statement work includes the option of adding part or all of one additional survey area (592.6 acres maximum). The tasks involved include a records search, fieldwork, analysis, report preparation, documentation of cultural resources on OAHP forms, 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 Egnar, Horse Range Mesa, Piute Knoll, and Summit Point, Colorado quadrangles. The legal location for the project area is: T43N, R19W, Sec. 5-8, 18;

T43N, R20W, Sec. 1; T44N R19W, Sections 20-22, 28, 29; and T44N, R20W, Section 26, 35. The optional survey area is located in the U.S.G.S. Horse Range Mesa, Colorado quadrangle; T43N, R19W, Sections 4, 5, 8, 9; T44N, R19W, Sections 31, 32. The project area can be accessed by county roads off Highway 141, near Slickrock, Colorado. As the survey area is close to the Utah border, it can also be accessed from roads in Utah.

Topography in the project area generally consists of a gently sloping mesa top. Vegetation in the project areas consists of a mix of pinyon-juniper woodlands and sagebrush communities.

Shapefiles of the survey areas are available upon request. Contact Bruce Bourcy: 970-385-1340 (bbourcy@blm.gov).

Project Background:

The survey will be conducted to identify cultural resources in advance of potential Sage Grouse habitat improvement actions involving the reduction of pinyon and juniper trees via mechanical mastication, hand thinning, or prescribed fire. Activities could also include the mowing of decadent sagebrush. The mechanical mastication of vegetation could be accomplished via the use of a hydromower, brush hog, lawson aerator, or other types of masticating equipment. Vegetation hand thinned with chainsaws could be lopped and scattered or piled for burning. Prescribed fire control lines could consist of bladed lines, drag line, or hand line.

Previous Inventory and Recorded Cultural Resources A disclosure of prior surveys and recorded cultural resources in the survey area is provided below with the intent of assisting prospective bidders with more specific inventory information about areas adjacent mailto:bbourcy@blm.gov to 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 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 and open camps, and historic mining sites have been recorded in or near the survey areas.

Prior Archaeological Fieldwork and Documented Cultural Resources in the Base SOW Survey Areas Known Cultural Resources 4 previously recorded sites, 12 isolated finds Previous Inventory 17 previous surveys intersect portions of the SOW survey areas

Prior Archaeological Fieldwork and Documented Cultural Resources in the Optional SOW Survey Area Known Cultural Resources 2 previously recorded sites, 0 isolated finds Previous Inventory 5 previous surveys intersect portions of the SOW survey areas

Project Objectives

A Class III (intensive level) inventory of the survey areas. (See Figures 1 & 2).

To accomplish these objectives

• The Contractor and any subcontractors must hold a current 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 (or the San Juan Public Lands). 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 three weeks after contract award

• Consultants must schedule a records search with the Tres Rios Field Office archaeologist at the Dolores Public Lands Office. Scheduling the records search may be done by phone or email. The task should be scheduled at least one week in advance.

• The records search must include 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 prior to completing a files search at the BLM office. 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 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 six 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. Previously inventoried areas within the survey units specified in this Statement of Work will be resurveyed.

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) or Project Inspector 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.

• The NRHP evaluations will be completed for all previously recorded sites within the treatment units that have been assessed as Need Data. 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.

• Rare or threatened artifacts may be collected. 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.

Task 2 Fieldwork Deliverable Due 2 weeks after completion of fieldwork

Progress letter: submit to the BLM COR following the completion of field work. It shall document the survey area(s) and the number of acres surveyed, the total number of cultural resources located/recorded, previously recorded sites not relocated with the treatment units, and the number of eligible, ineligible, and need data sites. The letter shall include the Contract Number and project name at the top of the first page and maps (scale 1:24,000) of the survey area that include site and isolated find locations. Sites will be displayed on maps as polygons rather than point locations.

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

• A single digital copy of the draft report, site, and isolated find forms will be submitted to the

COR.

• The report, site, and isolated find forms must include the BLM and SHPO report numbers (obtain from COR).

• 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.

• Any artifacts collected during the survey shall be noted and described in the draft report and the site forms.

• 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.

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

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

Data Specifications Guide will be submitted via email or a thumb drive.

BLM Draft Report Review Due three 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 three 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 COR. A CD or thumb drive containing digital copies of the final report, site and isolated find forms, 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 COR.

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

• All collected artifacts will be curated at the repository identified in the CRUP within the stipulated time frame.

• 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, COR, or Project Inspector (if assigned to the contract) 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 or Project Inspector 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 or Project Inspector.

• 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 parts of the tasks in this SOW are subcontracted, the Contractor shall furnish to the Contracting Officer copies of the contract of the subcontractor.

• 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

Figure 2: Survey Area Location Map

AWARD

Award shall be based on a low price technically acceptable basis

TECHNICAL EVALUATION FACTORS

1. Managerial Qualifications: include the name of the principal investigator, field director (if applicable) and crew chief(s), and a commitment to keep the proposed principal investigator, field director, and crew chief(s) for the duration of the project. Submit resume and/or vitae for principal investigator, field director, and crew chief(s) demonstrating their qualifications.

Does the proposal indicate sufficient breadth and depth of management’s capability for accomplishing the proposed tasks in accordance with Colorado BLM and OAHP requirements?

2. Capacity: the proposal will demonstrate the firm’s capacity to accomplish the work within each task’s performance period.

Include fieldwork schedule and staffing strategy (number of crew members, crews, crew chiefs (and if a field director is proposed)) and office capacity (staffing to accomplish report) and availability to start the work.

3. Technical Expertise: provide a copy of a past cultural resources survey report pertinent to Southwest Colorado the principal investigator has previously produced.

Does the submittal demonstrate the ability to conduct cultural resource surveys, record and evaluate cultural resources for the National Register of Historic Places, and produce a report that meets the Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation’s Colorado Cultural Resource Survey Manual? What is the quality of the submitted report?

4. Specialized Experience: provide list of similar cultural resource survey projects the principal investigator, field director (if applicable) and crew chief have completed in Southwest Colorado.

How much experience does the principal investigator, field director, and crew chief have in performing similar cultural resource surveys in Southwest Colorado?

A current, valid BLM Colorado Cultural Resource Use Permit for the Tres Rios Field Office for the prime contractor and any subcontractors is required for evaluation of the proposal.

USGS The National Map: National Boundaries Dataset, 3DEP Elevation Program, Geographic Names Information System, National Hydrography Dataset, National Land Cover Database, National Structures Dataset, and National Transportation Dataset; USGS Global Ecosystems; U.S. Census Bureau TIGER/Line data; USFS Road Data; Natural Earth Data; U.S.

Department of State Humanitarian Information Unit; and NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, U.S. Coastal Relief Model. Data refreshed May, 2020.

¯ Project Vicinity Map, Southwest Colorado

1Figure 1. Project Vicinity Map

Survey Areas

Copyright:© 2013 National Geographic Society, i-cubed

Legend Optional Survey Area Base Survey Areas

0 1 20.5 Miles

1:50,000 Figure 2: Project Location Map

T43N, R19W, Sec. 4-9, 18 T43N, R20W, Sec. 1 T44N, R19W, Sec. 20-22, 28, 29, 31, 32 T44, R20W, Sec. 26, 35 Egnar, Horse Range Mesa, Paute Knoll, Summit Point, CO quadrangles