Attachment 1 SOW RFQ 12FPC423Q0024.pdf

Attachment 1- Statement of Work

USDA, NRCS Caribbean Area Rev 1. 3.09.2023 1

STATEMENT OF WORK

FOR

CULTURAL RESOURCES INVESTIGATIONS IN THE

CARIBBEAN AREA (Puerto Rico & U.S. Virgin Islands)

USDA, NRCS Caribbean Area Rev 1. 3.09.2023 2

Table of Contents

1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Mission

1.2 Background

1.3 Scope

2 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

2.1 Non-Personal Services

2.2 Contractor Personnel Qualifications

2.3 Key Personnel

2. 4 Location and Hours of Work

2.5 Travel

2.6 Invoicing

2.7 Identification of Contractor Personnel

3 REQUIREMENTS/TASKS

3.1 Requirement/Task 1

3.2 Requirement/Task 2

4 DELIVERABLES/SCHEDULE

5 SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

5.1 Government Furnished Property (GFP), Equipment (GFE), Information (GFI), and/or Services

5.2 Applicable Documents

5.3 Restrictions Against Disclosure

5.4 Organizational Conflicts of Interest

5.5 Insurance

USDA, NRCS Caribbean Area Rev 1. 3.09.2023 3

1 INTRODUCTION

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in THE Caribbean Area (Puerto Rico and United States Virgin Islands) requires professional services for the performance of cultural resources management functions.

1.1 Mission

The Natural Resources Conservation Service mission is to deliver conservation solutions so agricultural producers can protect natural resources and feed a growing world.

1.2 Background

The NRCS - Caribbean Area needs professional archeological services to satisfy a portion of the requirements to comply with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (NHPA), as amended, 36 CFR Part 800 – Protection of Historic Properties, the Natural Resources Conservation Service General Manual Title 420, Part 401 – Cultural Resources (Archeological Historic Properties) NRCS National Cultural Resources Procedures Handbook, Secretary of Interior’s Standards and Guidelines for Archaeology and Historic Preservation, Archaeological Resources Protection Act (43 CFR Part 7), the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), NRCS National Environmental Compliance Handbook, historic preservation requirements and procedures, and other related authorities.

Emergency declarations in the Caribbean Area have increased the agricultural producers need for assistance. These undertakings must be evaluated for compliance with Section 106 of the NHPA; this includes, but is not limited to, archival review and archaeological investigations. External professional services are needed to manage the workload and to be able to execute the projects in compliance with said regulation.

1.3 Scope

The primary objective is to procure services for cultural resources and historic preservation compliance on projects throughout the NRCS - Caribbean Area. The NRCS anticipates that the Contractor(s) will provide the technical expertise required under 54 United States Code (U.S.C) Section 306108 of the NHPA to make a recommendation for review and comment by the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) when appropriate. Products required include two phases:

1. Phase 1A (Archival Review) Cultural Resources Investigations containing recommendations for finding of effect or no effect for all projects referred to the contractor.

2. Phase 1B (Archeological Investigations) Cultural Resources Investigations Containing recommendations for finding of effect or no effect for all projects referred to the Contractor.

Projects are located throughout Puerto Rico and USVI and can occur in a range of environmental settings.

Projects can include any soil and water resources conservation practices used in Puerto Rico and USVI excluding those that are considered exempted from consultation as specified in Appendix B of the Prototype Programmatic Agreements between the USDA NRCS Puerto Rico State Office/Caribbean State Office and the Puerto Rico/USVI State Historic Preservation Officers regarding conservation assistance, as well as other related activities as authorized by federal laws and executive orders.

The work should be led by a Principal Investigator (PI). The Contractor shall provide a PI who will be responsible for the performance of the work and validity of the material presented in all investigation reports. In the event of a court challenge, the PI may be called upon to testify on behalf of the Government in support of his/her findings at Government expense, at established Government rates.

NRCS retains the responsibility for all decision-making and consultation required by Federal agencies

USDA, NRCS Caribbean Area Rev 1. 3.09.2023 4 related to compliance with cultural resources protection laws and regulations.

2 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

2.1 Non-Personal Services

The Government shall neither supervise Contractor employees nor control the method by which the Contractor performs the required tasks. Under no circumstances shall the Government assign tasks to, or prepare work schedules for, individual Contractor employees, except for the site lead. It shall be the responsibility of the Contractor to manage its employees and to guard against any actions that are of the nature of personal services or give the perception of personal services. If the Contractor believes that any actions constitute, or are perceived to constitute personal services, it shall be the Contractor’s responsibility to notify the Contracting Officer (CO), in writing, immediately.

2.2 Contractor Personnel Qualifications

The PI shall meet the “Secretary of Interior’s Historic Preservation Professional Qualification Standards” for the specific technical specialty (e.g., historian, architectural historian, archeologist) as defined on pp. 44738- 44739 of the previous mentioned Standards. The name of this person and the alternate(s) who shall act for the Contractor when the PI is unavailable shall be designated in writing to the Contract Officer Representative (COR).

The Contractor shall accomplish the assigned work by employing and utilizing personnel who meet the required qualifications. For example, the contractor must provide or demonstrate access to the following capabilities:

1. The Contractor shall have adequate field, laboratory, and data processing equipment, including capture of information with geospatial technology such as GPS, to conduct the work within the amount of time specified in Section 3.1 and 3.2 of this document.

2. The Contractor shall have access to adequate facilities for temporary storage of records likely to be obtained from this contract as per 36 CFR part 79 Curation of Federally Owned and Administered Archaeological Collections. This does not include such specialized facilities as pollen, geo-chemical, radiological laboratories, but does include adequate facilities to temporarily properly preserve or stabilize specimens for any subsequent analysis.

3. The Contractor shall furnish all labor, equipment, supervision, materials, and incidentals necessary to perform cultural resources investigations, recording, mapping, evaluations, and reporting.

4. The Contractor shall ensure that all approvals, authorities, rights, permits, and easements necessary for conducting the cultural resources investigations have been obtained prior to initiating fieldwork.

2.3 Key Personnel

The Contractor shall assign to this contract the following key personnel:

1. Principal Investigator

2. Field Technician(s)

During the first ninety (90) calendar days of performance, the Contractor shall make no substitutions of key personnel unless the substitution is necessitated by illness, death, or termination of employment. The Contractor shall notify the CO, in writing, within 15 calendar days after the occurrence of any of these events and provide the information required below. After the initial 90-day period, the Contractor shall

USDA, NRCS Caribbean Area Rev 1. 3.09.2023 5 submit the information required below to the CO at least 15 calendar days prior to making any permanent substitutions.

The Contractor shall provide a detailed explanation of the circumstances necessitating the proposed substitutions, complete resumes for the proposed substitutes, and any additional information requested by the CO. Proposed substitutes should have comparable qualifications to those of the persons being replaced. The CO will notify the Contractor within 15 calendar days after receipt of all required information of the decision on substitutions. The contract will be modified to reflect any approved changes of key personnel.

2. 4 Location and Hours of Work

Projects are located throughout Puerto Rico and USVI and can occur in a range of environmental settings.

Contractor personnel, including PI, are not required to work on Federal Government Facilities.

However, the PI may be required to meet periodically with the Cultural Resources Specialist (CRS) and the COR during the contract duration. Meetings shall be as often as necessary as determined by the COR.

However, if the Contractor requests, a meeting will be held whenever a negative performance evaluation is issued. The meetings shall focus on performance and current or potential problems. A mutual, good faith effort shall be made by all parties to resolve all issues. The Contractor, COR, and CRS shall sign the written minutes of these meetings. If the Contractor does not concur with the written minutes, notice of non-concurrence shall be provided to the COR. This notice shall be in writing and provided within seven federal business days of receipt of the minutes. The meetings will be coordinated between Contractor and CRS and those meetings can be virtual or in person. When in-person, meeting can be held at the Government Facility.

When work under this contract is performed at Government facilities, the normal agency workdays are Monday through Friday, except U.S. Federal Holidays. Agency employees typically work eight hours per day, 40 hours per week. Federal employee core hours of work are from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM daily.

The Contractor shall be responsible for establishing their work hours under this contract, except when access to a Federal facility is required, in which case the Government may limit the Contractors access based on the availability of agency employees. However, Contractor employees in possession of a valid HPDS-12 PIV-II Compliant Credential (e.g., Linc Pass) can work unaccompanied at government locations upon Government approval. See Section SOW 5.1 for additional information.

Weather and security closures by their nature usually arise without advance notice. As such, the Government will notify the Contractor as soon as possible once any closures have been announced.

2.5 Travel

Travel under this contract, including all 50 states, possessions and/or territories, may be required if and when the need arises. The Government will provide the Contractor with a minimum of two weeks’ notice for any travel required. The Contractor is responsible for making their own travel reservations and paying the associated costs. All travel requirements (e.g., plans, agenda, itinerary, or dates) shall be pre-approved by the Government and is on a strictly cost reimbursable basis. Costs for travel shall be billed in accordance with the cost principles at Federal Acquisition Regulation section 31.205-46 “Travel Costs” and the Federal Travel Regulation information can be found at https://www.gsa.gov/policy-regulations/regulations/federal-travel-regulation .

https://www.gsa.gov/policy-regulations/regulations/federal-travel-regulation https://www.gsa.gov/policy-regulations/regulations/federal-travel-regulation

USDA, NRCS Caribbean Area Rev 1. 3.09.2023 6

The Contractor shall provide a trip report and supporting documentation with the invoice for reimbursement. Travel costs must be broken down by the individual traveler and documentation supporting the costs being invoiced must be attached and clearly indicate the traveler it is associated with.

All travel costs shall be billed within 30 calendar days after travel is complete unless an approval for later billing is approved by the CO. Failure to provide adequate documentation may result in denial of reimbursement. Local commuting costs are the responsibility of the Contractor. Travel is considered another direct cost.

2.6 Invoicing

Invoice must be submitted electronically through the Invoice Processing Platform (IPP) system and in accordance with the payment clause(s) in the contract. Payment is due upon acceptance of report with the invoice for review and approval.

2.7 Identification of Contractor Personnel

Contractor employees, including subcontractors, who attend meetings, send emails, answer Government telephones or place calls, or work in situations where their actions could be construed as acts of Government officials, must clearly identify themselves as Contractor employees.

3 REQUIREMENTS/TASKS

The Contractor shall:

3.1 Requirement/Task 1

Phase 1A (Archival Review) Cultural Resources Investigation

Prior to fieldwork, the Contractor will coordinate with NRCS’s COR to receive Geographic Information System (GIS) shapefiles from NRCS that will denote the undertaking’s Area of Potential Effects (APE).

Upon receipt of the data, the Contractor shall complete an archival review to identify previously recorded cultural resources, to determine the nature of previous archaeological research in the vicinity of the APE and determine the potential for discovery of a cultural resource in the APE. The literature review will primarily focus on records maintained at the Puerto Rico and USVI State Historic Preservation Offices (SHPO), but may also include the NRHP online database, “Centro de Recaudación de Ingresos Municipales” (CRIM) maps, aerial imagery, and other sources and data repositories, as necessary and where appropriate. For the purposes of this Statement of Work, the literature review will be limited to cultural resources identified within 500-meter radius of the APE boundary.

The Contractor will provide the CRS with a draft report containing documentation for the Government to make an informed determination of effect so that any reviewing parties can understand its basis. This documentation shall follow standard report format and should consider, at a minimum, the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and Guidelines for Archaeology and Historic Preservation, the USDA NRCS National Cultural Resources Procedures Handbook and the 36 CFR Part 800.4-5 and 11. The Contractor will transmit the draft report in PDF format electronically to the COR and CRS according to the order.

Below is the timeline for completion of projects.

USDA, NRCS Caribbean Area Rev 1. 3.09.2023 7

Upon making any necessary changes and/or additions to the draft report as requested by the CRS, a copy of the final report will be provided electronically. All reports will include color maps and photos of the project. All copies shall be submitted to the COR and CRS.

Final report will be submitted within 10 calendar days after receiving comments from the NRCS and will contain all requested changes.

3.2 Requirement/Task 2

Phase 1B (Archeological Investigations) Cultural Resources Investigation

Contractors will be responsible for designing and completing an intensive survey to professional standards within the APE. The survey should be systematic (preferably using transects spaced no more than 25 meters apart) and comprise systematic surface level reconnaissance and subsurface sampling.

Transects may be GPS-oriented, compass-oriented, contour-oriented, or meander, depending on the terrain and the dimensions of the cultural resources inventory area.

The survey shall result in the identification and recordation of cultural resources observable on the surface and exposed in subsurface profiles. All cultural resources must be precisely located and recorded. For each cultural resource, the Contractor shall provide NRCS with an overall assessment of conditions and shall also provide National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) eligibility recommendations.

Determinations of NRHP eligibility will be made by the NRCS in consultation with the SHPO and other consulting parties, as appropriate. These determinations will lead to a determination of project effects, and possibly, to the development of mitigation measures. If identified, artifacts shall be deemed "diagnostic", either chronologically or functionally (e.g., ceramics, lithics, glass, metal, etc.). For diagnostic artifacts, the provenance must be indicated on the site maps, temporal information and photograph(s) should be included. Artifacts and or specimens shall not be collected from surface or from subsurface testing.

However, recommendations as to areas requiring further examination, if any, shall be made to the CRS and COR.

All field crews shall be directly supervised in the field by a qualified crew leader. Areas that present a potential hazard to the survey crew and/or are extremely unlikely to contain archaeological remains (i.e., excessively steep slopes (>30%), etc.) should be avoided. Areas of extreme health hazard (i.e., hazardous materials, burning fires, etc.) shall be avoided, and the location of such areas should be disclosed to NRCS. Changes in survey strategy due to environmental conditions shall be discussed with the CRS and COR and approved by both prior to making any change.

The Contractor will conduct the appropriate cultural resources investigation of the APE including a comprehensive report. The Contractor will provide the CRS with a draft report containing documentation for the Government to make an informed determination of effect so that any reviewing parties can understand its basis. This documentation shall follow standard report format and should consider, at a minimum, the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and Guidelines for Archaeology and Historic Preservation, the USDA NRCS National Cultural Resources Procedures Handbook and the 36 CFR Parts

1A - Size of project package for Archival

Review

Timeline Following Receipt of Project From NRCS

Phase 1A

Less than 10 cases 15 calendar days

10 to 20 cases 30 calendar days

20 to 30 cases 45 calendar days

USDA, NRCS Caribbean Area Rev 1. 3.09.2023 8

800.4-5 and 11. The Contractor will transmit the draft report in PDF format electronically to the CRS according to the order. Below is the timeline for completion of individual projects.

1B - Size of APE for Field Archeological

Investigations

Timeline Following Receipt of Project From NRCS

Phase 1B

Less than 15 Acres 15 Calendar days

15 Acres to 30 Acres 30 Calendar days

30 Acres and Larger 40 Calendar days

The completion time could be adjusted depending on the site conditions (for example: crops may need to be harvested before an onsite assessment) and other extraordinary circumstances such adverse climate conditions or acts of God.

Upon making any necessary changes and/or additions to the draft report as requested by the CRS, a copy of the final report will be provided electronically. All reports will include color maps and photos of the project. Site forms shall be included as a separate appendix when appropriate. All copies shall be submitted to the COR and CRS.

Final report will be submitted within 10 calendar business days after receiving comments from the NRCS and will contain all requested changes.

4 DELIVERABLES/SCHEDULE

Reports:

The reports format and content shall be sufficient to satisfy current Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and Guidelines for Archaeology and Historic Preservation, the USDA NRCS National Cultural Resources Procedures Handbook and the 36 CFR Parts 800.4-5 and 11. The report shall contain sufficient information to permit NRCS to make an informed determination of project effects, and information must be presented in such a manner as to allow an outside party to understand the basis for the decision or finding.

Required Cultural Resources Inventory Report Components:

• A statement of purpose and full project description, including anticipated direct and indirect impacts, project location, total acreage, map reference, legal description, general environmental description, and the historic context by which sites will be evaluated. Names and duties of personnel conducting the inventory and dates of the field work shall also be included.

• A summary of previous archaeological research in the general area.

• A thorough description of the field methods used.

• The results of the inventory with a description of each cultural resource located in the APE, including previously recorded sites.

• An assessment of the overall conditions of each cultural resource at the time of recordation.

• Recommendations concerning the eligibility of each cultural resource for inclusion on the

NRHP (specific criteria must be assigned to each resource according to 36 CFR 60.4).

Cultural resources should be evaluated for NRHP eligibility regarding their ability to meet

USDA, NRCS Caribbean Area Rev 1. 3.09.2023 9 criteria set forth in 36 CFR 60.4 as well as to answer research questions identified in the historic context of the report.

• Clear, specific, and consistent management or mitigation recommendations (i.e., avoidance/redesign, fencing, monitoring, testing, data recovery, and/or cancellation of all or part of the project) for cultural resources identified as a result of the survey.

• A summary discussion of conclusions and recommendations.

• A list of references and bibliographic entries.

• Project maps at the 1:24,000 scale showing the area surveyed, cultural resource’s locations, finding locations, etc.

• All cultural resources documentation should include site location topographic maps, site sketch maps, site and artifacts photos. These will be included as a detached appendix to the report body.

Digital Data:

The Contractor shall provide the COR and CRS with electronic copies of the report, cultural resources forms, project photographs and photolog, and GIS data (i.e., cultural resources inventory area, cultural resources boundaries, datum points, diagnostic artifacts, features, etc.) collected during the inventory. The information can be submitted in an external hard drive(s) or through Federal government approved file sharing services, as the data allows. Contact the NRCS COR if additional information is needed.

• Project photographs should be labeled to correspond with labels on the accompanying photo log to allow for easy identification.

Timely completion of deliverables is essential to a successful outcome. Below are the required due dates for each requirement/task.

Item No.

Deliverable Reference Due

1 Phase IA draft report SOW Section 3.1 15, 30 or 45 calendar days after receiving project from

NRCS

2 Phase IA final report SOW Section 3.1 10 calendar days after receiving comments from

NRCS

3 Phase IB draft report SOW Section 3.2 15, 30, or 45 calendar days after receiving project from

NRCS

4 Phase IB final report SOW Section 3.2 10 calendar days after receiving comments from

NRCS

5 SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Contractor’s personnel are not required to access any Government Facilities or to have access to information technology hardware and systems. However, some meetings can be held in the Government Facilities. For that reason, the following information is included here as reference.

USDA, NRCS Caribbean Area Rev 1. 3.09.2023 10

5.1 Government Furnished Property (GFP), Equipment (GFE), Information (GFI), and/or Services

The Government will make the following available to the Contractor:

1. All relevant and available information that NRCS manages related to each case or project to produce the requirements/tasks (Section 3 of this SOW) and deliverables within the provided schedule (Section 4 of this SOW)

The Contractor shall establish and implement procedures to ensure all GFP/GFE, to include laptops and other data processing devices, issued to the Contractor by the Government are not lost or misplaced, are not used by unauthorized persons or are not subject to unauthorized external devices. The Contractor shall immediately report to the CO any occurrences of lost GFP/GFE immediately upon discovery. In the event that GFP/GFE is lost, the Contractor may be required, upon written direction of the CO, to replace the equipment at no additional cost to the Government. Alternatively, the Government may replace the equipment and deduct the cost from a future invoice or issue a debt notice to the Contractor.

5.2 Applicable Documents

The Contractor shall comply with all documents listed below:

Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (NHPA), as amended https://www.achp.gov/sites/default/files/2018-06/nhpa.pdf

36 CFR Part 800: Protection of Historic Properties https://www.achp.gov/sites/default/files/regulations/2017-02/regs-rev04.pdf

Natural Resources Conservation Service General Manual Title 420 Part 401 – Cultural Resources (Archeological Historic Properties) NRCS eDirectives - Part 401 - Cultural Resources (Archeological Historic Properties) (usda.gov)

NRCS National Cultural Resources Procedures Handbook NRCS National Cultural Resources Procedures Handbook Subpart C (usda.gov)

Secretary of Interior’s Standards and Guidelines for Archaeology and Historic Preservation Archeology and Historic Preservation; Secretary of the Interior's Standards and Guidelines (nps.gov)

Archaeological Resources Protection Act (43 CFR Part 7) U.S.C. Title 16 - CONSERVATION (govinfo.gov)

National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) National Environmental Policy Act | US EPA

NRCS National Environmental Compliance Handbook SUBPART A – THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT (usda.gov)

Historic preservation requirements and procedures, and other related authorities.

https://www.achp.gov/sites/default/files/2018-06/nhpa.pdf https://www.achp.gov/sites/default/files/regulations/2017-02/regs-rev04.pdf https://directives.sc.egov.usda.gov/ViewerFS.aspx?hid=42622 https://directives.sc.egov.usda.gov/OpenNonWebContent.aspx?content=42755.wba https://www.nps.gov/subjects/historicpreservation/upload/standards-guidelines-archeology-historic-preservation.pdf https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2013-title16/html/USCODE-2013-title16-chap1B.htm https://www.epa.gov/nepa https://directives.sc.egov.usda.gov/OpenNonWebContent.aspx?content=17721.wba

USDA, NRCS Caribbean Area Rev 1. 3.09.2023 11

5.3 Restrictions Against Disclosure

The Contractor agrees, in the performance of this contract, to keep all information contained in source documents or other media furnished by the Government in the strictest confidence. The Contractor also agrees not to publish or otherwise divulge such information in whole or in part, in any manner or form, nor to authorize or permit others to do so, taking such reasonable measures as are necessary to restrict access to such information while in the Contractor’s possession, to those employees needing such information to perform the work provided herein (e.g., on a "need to know" basis). The Contractor shall to immediately notify the CO, in writing, in the event that the Contractor determines or has reason to suspect a breach of this requirement.

The Contractor agrees not to disclose any information concerning work under this contract to any persons or individual unless prior written approval is obtained from the CO. The Contractor agrees to insert the substance of this clause in any consultant agreement or subcontract hereunder.

Performance of work may involve access to potentially sensitive information about governmental and landowner issues. All Contractor personnel shall comply with the terms of AGAR clause 452.224-70 (Confidentiality of Information), as well as provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a) Additionally, the Contractor’s personnel shall comply with privacy of personal information relating to agency programs in accordance with Section 1244 of Title II of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-171) and Section 1619 of Title I of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008. The Contractor’s employees shall not disclose contents of agency case files and/or records to anyone other than authorized United States Department of Agriculture employees without the express written consent of the Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act Officer, through the

CO.

Title to all data recovered or generated under this work is vested in the Government.

A. BURIAL SITES, HUMAN REMAINS, AND FUNERARY OBJECTS. If burial sites, human remains, and/or funerary objects are identified during the investigation, the Contractor must stop and contact the NRCS immediately. The NRCS will abide by all applicable federal, state, and/or local laws and ordinances and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation’s policy for the treatment of burial sites, human remains, and funerary objects. The NRCS will also follow USDA and NRCS policy on treatment of human remains and consultation. The area must be secured and protected from disturbance and harm.

B. DISSEMNATION OR PUBLICATION. Data, records, and reports cannot be disseminated or published by the Contractor.

C. PERSONAL IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION (PII). PII cannot be released without NRCS approval.

5.4 Organizational Conflicts of Interest

The Contractor acknowledges that it is familiar with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 9.5, Organizational and Consultant Conflicts of Interest, and agrees to avoid, neutralize or mitigate such conflicts of interest in accordance with the principles set forth in the FAR. If the performance would require the Contractor, including subcontractors, to provide services related to systems or projects with which the Contractor is already directly concerned, either by prime or subcontract, that would cause an organizational conflict of interest, the Contractor shall immediately notify the CO, in writing, and not perform the work until direction is provided by the Contacting Officer.

USDA, NRCS Caribbean Area Rev 1. 3.09.2023 12

5.5 Insurance

The table below lists the kinds and minimum amounts of insurance required, as referenced in contract clause 52.228-5 (Insurance–Work on a Government Installation).

Minimum Insurance Requirements

1 Workers' compensation and employer's liability

$100,000 or per statute

2 General liability:

Bodily injury $500,000 per occurrence Property damage $100,000 per occurrence 3 Automobile liability:

Bodily injury $200,000 per person /

$500,000 per occurrence Property damage $20,000 per occurrence.

In addition, the Contractor must provide coverage for any other risks as deemed appropriate, since the Government is not indemnifying the Contractor against any risks under the contract. A current duplicate (not machine reproduced) certificate of insurance must be submitted to the CO (CO) for approval before the Contractor begins work under this contract duplicates of renewal certificates (not machine reproduced) obtained by the Contractor during the life of this contract must immediately be provided to the CO. Also, see the cause, "Insurance Additional Named Insured" below.

The insurance policy must contain an endorsement that any cancellations or material decreases in the coverage’s shall not be effective, unless the insurer or the Contractor gives advance written notices of cancellations or changes in accordance with the CO's instructions.

All premiums or costs incurred to comply with these insurance requirements will be paid by the Contractor. If the Contractor already has an organizational policy in effect, the CO requires evidence that it satisfies all the above stated requirements. The Contractor is required to provide such evidence as deemed necessary by the CO before a notice to proceed with contract performance issued. The Government reserves the right to disapprove the purchase of any insurance coverage not in the Government's interest.

This contract requires that all insurance coverages be kept in full force and effect until all contract work is completed; the insurance requirements also apply to subcontractors.

The Government will not be responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities beyond the amounts, limits, and conditions of the above-required insurance.

The requirement of contract clause 52.228-5 is hereby supplemented to provide that the general liability policy shall name "The United States of America, acting by and through Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)," as an additional insured with respect to operations performed under this contract.