Attachment 3 - PWS.pdf

1284LL26Q0055

BKNF/MBRTB/NNFG Cultural Resources

BLACK HILLS NATIONAL FOREST, MEDICINE BOW-ROUTT NATIONAL

FORESTS AND THUNDER BASIN NATIONAL GRASSLAND, AND

NEBRASKA NATIONAL FORESTS AND GRASSLANDS

PERFORMANCE STATEMENT OF WORK

C.1 GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Scope of work for cultural resource review, as specified in Task Order bid items, on the Black Hills National Forest (South Dakota and Wyoming), the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland (Colorado and Wyoming), and the Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands (Nebraska and South Dakota).

C.1.1 OVERVIEW

This Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract is for cultural resource inventories with optional systematic shovel testing, National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) site evaluations, site condition assessment activities and site investigations (cf. C.11 Technical Glossary of Terms) designated in individual Task Orders.

C.1.1.1 The IDIQ contract (contract) will primarily assist the Black Hills National Forest, the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland, and the Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands with compliance mandates established in Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA).

C.1.1.2 Contracted projects may include, but are not limited to vegetation management, timber sales, road construction or reconstruction, land exchanges, prescribed burns, mechanical thinning/fuels reduction, range allotments, recreation, and range-improvement projects.

C.1.1.3 The contractor may be responsible for any of the following tasks and as specified in Task Orders:

• Class/Level I (nomenclature and definitions vary by state - see Section C.11 Technical Glossary of Terms) pre-field literature reviews

• Class/Level II stratified sample survey

• Class/Level III intensive field inventories

• Site condition assessments for determining site conditions and for conducting post-fire damage assessments, and potential project monitoring to avoid potential adverse effects

• Site evaluations to determine NRHP eligibility - both initial evaluations and NRHP re-evaluations

• Subsurface testing as described in Task Order

• Preparation of inventory reports

• Preparation of collected artifacts (as permitted or requested in the Task Order) for curation following Federal and State standards

C.1.1.4 Data derived from each project will be used to comply with the NHPA, as amended, and the Archaeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA), as amended, Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) of 1990, as amended to potential effects on cultural resources.

C.1.1.5 It is estimated that inventory needs will exceed five Task Orders per year for each of the next three to five years. Inventories may include multiple planning areas and may, therefore, result in the need for multiple Task Orders each year.

C.1.2 DESCRIPTION OF CONTRACT AREA

The area covered under this contract will include the Black Hills National Forest (South Dakota and Wyoming), the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland (Colorado and Wyoming) and the Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands (Nebraska and South Dakota) The Black Hills National Forest is currently divided into four ranger districts including the Bearlodge, Hell Canyon, Mystic, and Northern Hills Districts. The Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests includes the Brush Creek-Hayden Ranger District, Laramie Ranger District, Hahns Peak/Bears Ears Ranger District, Yampa Rangers District, Parks Ranger District, and Douglas Ranger District (which includes the Laramie Peaks Unit and the Thunder Basin National Grassland).

Collectively, the Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands include two national forests (Nebraska and Samuel R. McKelvie) and three national grasslands (Buffalo Gap, Fort Pierre, and Oglala), in addition to the Charles E. Bessey Nursery.

C.2 TO ACCOMPLISH THE CONTRACT PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES THE CONTRACTOR

SHALL:

C.2.1 Obtain and provide any and all labor, equipment, supplies, services, permits, and licenses necessary to perform cultural resource inventories, NRHP site evaluations, site condition assessments, artifact curation, and all documentation and report preparation covering project areas designated on the Task Order for each project on the Forests and Grasslands during the period of performance which will be clearly stated in the Task Orders.

C.2.2 Commence and conduct all operations in a timely manner so as to complete all work and submit all deliverables in accordance with the completion schedule set forth in each Task Order.

C.2.3 Meetings and Field Inspections

C.2.3.1 After the award of the Task Order, at least one approved member of the contractor’s key personnel (Principal Investigator or Field Supervisor/Crew Chief) that is assigned to the specific project shall be required to attend a pre-work meeting with the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) to discuss the contractor’s Plan of Work. Resumes of the contractor’s Key Personnel (cf. C.2.5 and H.1 Key Personnel) will be provided to the COR before the pre-work meeting. An agreed upon pre-work meeting time, date, and place (virtual meetings accepted) will be coordinated between the Contractor, the Contracting Officer (CO), and the COR. At the pre-work meeting, numerous subjects will be discussed including, but not limited to, a review of:

• Time frames for project completion as identified in the Task Order

• Terms and conditions of the U.S. Forest Service Organic Act

Permit for Archaeological Investigations including the Operating Plan

• Specific details of the undertaking, including a clear definition of the Area of Potential Effects (APE) and project objectives

• Location of the project

• Field inventory methods

• Standards for recordation and delivery of data

• Scope of expected analyses and evaluations

• Current policies governing the collection of material artifacts

• Specific access to survey areas, and issuance of keys and/or temporary authorization permits issued by the District Ranger or other Forest Service official to access Forest Service land

• Expectations regarding standards and deliverables

• Start work date and performance period as defined in the Task Order

• Methods and GPS/GIS requirements for recording various site types, lithic or other cultural landscapes, isolates, and linear features

• The COR and/or Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative (COTR) will determine the process for file sharing (this will include all pertinent field data, report drafts, and final report delivery)

• Identification of key contractor personnel assigned to the project in addition to relevant contact information

• Any other issues or concerns relating to the project not noted above

C.2.3.2 Be available for formal field inspections as requested by the COR. Field inspections by the COR and/or COTR may be conducted to allow the COR to determine that all fieldwork has been completed according to the terms of the appropriate Task Order. The COR will notify the contractor with a request to conduct a formal field inspection no less than three (3) working days prior to the proposed inspection date. Informal field inspections may be conducted at the discretion of the Contract Inspector, the COR, COTR, or the CO, at any time with or without the contractor’s knowledge of or attendance at these informal inspections.

C.2.4 To be eligible for award, contractors will be required to maintain a U.S. Forest Service Organic Act Permit for Archaeological Investigations on National Forest System lands. These permits are required special use authorizations issued under the Organic Act (16 U.S.C. l 2 3, and 4) that allow consulting firms to conduct archaeological inventories on National Forests and Grasslands in Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wyoming. For the application process you will need to submit a completed application (FOREST SERVICE-2700-30) including the following:

a. Vitae for all personnel to be covered under this permit, including Principal Investigators, Field Directors, Cultural Resource Monitors, Field and Lab Crew Members;

b. A curation agreement from a curation institution (list is available upon request), and;

c. Required attachments

If the application is accepted, Cost Recovery regulations provide the Forest Service the authority to collect fees for processing applications for Special Use authorizations. Cost Recovery fees for applications change annually and are non-refundable.

C.2.5 The following personnel are considered to be Key Personnel in the performance of this contract (cf.

Attachment H, Section H.1). The contractor shall provide qualified personnel meeting the following qualifications throughout the life of the contract and ensure personnel performing the work meet the following criteria for the permit:

• Principal Investigator: In addition to the following minimum professional qualifications, the Principal Investigator (PI) must meet the professional qualifications standards in the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and Guidelines for Archeology and Historic Preservation.

Standards for this contract include:

1. A graduate degree in archaeology, anthropology, or closely related field;

2. A demonstrated ability to perform and complete cultural resource inventories as evidenced by timely and satisfactory completion of previous contracts undertaken within the past three years and no current contracts for which the completion dates have not been met;

3. A minimum of one year of full-time professional experience in archaeological research, administration, or management relevant to Rocky Mountain and Northwest Plains archaeology;

4. Field and analytical experience in a supervisory capacity, and;

5. Ability to comply with all current requirements of the Colorado, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wyoming State Historic Preservation Officers (SHPOs) for a person functioning as a Principal Investigator

• Field Supervisors/Crew Chiefs/Director: A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in anthropology, archaeology, history or a closely related field with a minimum of six months general archaeological field experience in addition to three months of field experience serving in a supervisory capacity on an archaeological crew.

• Field or Laboratory Crew: Completion of, or satisfactory progress toward, a bachelor’s degree in anthropology, archaeology, history or a closely related field, or six months previous experience conducting archaeological field or laboratory work. Completion of an archeological field school is considered satisfactory qualification for an initial position (first archaeological job) if that individual will be continually supervised by a higher qualified individual (i.e., Crew Chief or Principal Investigator).

C.2.6 Provide the agency and COR with a list and resumes of the Key Personnel prior to initiating fieldwork for each project and notify the agency and COR if and when any substitutions in personnel are made at any stage of the project (See Attachment H, Section H.1).

C.2.7 Prior to commencing fieldwork, the contractor shall submit to the COR for review and approval, a proposed Plan of Work that describes the schedule for submission of deliverables, estimated number of person-days needed to complete fieldwork, a task-order specific safety plan, and strategies for accomplishing the scope of work defined in each Task Order issued under this contract.

C.3 APPLICABLE LAWS, REGULATIONS, AND DIRECTIVES

The contractor shall ensure that the procedures and standards of all work performed under this contract conform to the current versions of the applicable laws, implementing regulations, and guidelines including, but not limited to, the following:

• The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, PL 89-665; 54 U.S.C. 300101 et seq.

• National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, Public Law (PL) 91-190, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 4321–4347

• Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979, as amended, PL 96-95; 16 U.S.C. 470 et seq.

• Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) of 1990, as amended, PL 101- 601; 25 U.S.C. 3001 et seq.

• American Indian Religious Freedom Act (AIRFA) of 1978, as amended, PL 95- 341, 42 U.S.C. 1996 and 1996a

• Department of Interior, National Park Service: Archeology and Historic Preservation, Secretary of the

Interior’s Standards and Guidelines

C.4 GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY (MAPS, DRAWINGS, SPECIFICATIONS, ETC.)

Specific items from the following government furnished property list may be provided, as determined necessary by the COR or COTR. These items will be discussed during the pre-work meeting.

Furnished by the Government for the Literature Review:

Government Furnished Property, Services, Data, etc.

Quantity

Where, When, and How Services Will Be Furnished to Contractor

Consumable /Returnable

Value

Spatial Data:

Including project APE, previously recorded cultural resource and inventory data (1) within the APE and (2) within the applicable project buffer.

Tabular Data:

Including all previous cultural resource and inventory data (1) within the APE and (2) within the applicable project buffer

As necessary

Digital media at the pre-work meeting

None

The following optional maps may be provided:

PDF

Digital media at the pre-work meeting

None

Map(s) showing the following:

Location of previous inventories and previously recorded cultural resources within the APE.

Sites that are identified in the Task Order that require condition assessments, evaluations or reevaluations identified; general vicinity map inset showing project location in relation to the respective Forest/Grassland; new survey polygons

Specific items from the following government furnished property list may be provided, as determined necessary by the COR or COTR. These items will be discussed during the pre-work meeting.

Furnished by the Government required for Deliverables:

Government Furnished Property, Services, Data, etc. Quantity

Where, When, and How Services Will Be

Furnished to Contractor

Consumable/ Returnable Value

Electronic data dictionary (optional) for compatible GPS or other spatial data collecting unit

One electronic copy

Digital media at the pre-work meeting Consumable None

Blank geodatabase schema or blank GIS shapefiles for site and survey spatial data (optional)

One dataset with the required types of feature classes and attribute fields appropriate to the

Forest or Grassland

Digital media at the pre-work meeting Consumable None

U.S. Forest Service Site condition assessment form (if applicable) or equivalent

One electronic copy Digital media at the pre-work meeting Consumable None

Copy of the Respective Forests and Grasslands’ Cultural Resources Overview (as appropriate and available)

One electronic copy to each contractor selected under this solicitation

Digital media at the pre-work meeting Consumable None

Temporary issuance of keys and/or temporary permits issued to access Forest lands

Number of keys as necessary At the pre-work meeting Returnable ~$100.00

Notice to Proceed, issued by CO One electronic copy Following the pre-work meeting N/A None

Forest Service project number(s)

One or more as appropriate

At the pre-work meeting in Notice to Proceed and on government furnished materials (R2 Permit)

Consumable None

U.S. Forest Service site number(s)

One or more as appropriate upon completion of fieldwork

U.S. Forest Service site numbers will be provided as needed after the field survey has been completed and the specific number of newly recorded sites is known

Consumable None

C.5 CONTRACTOR FURNISHED CRITICAL ITEMS/SERVICES

Item Quantity Description

GPS or other equivalent One minimum

Per C.6.2.11. Data collection should meet all State and Federal standards, as determined by the COR or COTR. Survey data shall be collected at five meter or less accuracy and site/cultural resource data shall be collected using one meter or less accuracy.

GPS PC Software One minimum GPS PC-based software that is capable of producing spatial data compatible with other common GIS software. Post processing methods (if needed) shall be described in report submission.

GIS PC Software One minimum ESRI compatible software.

Digital camera(s) One minimum Digital photographs are required as per the appropriate Federal and SHPO standards.

C.6 STATEMENT OF WORK TASKS & CRITICAL SUBTASKS

C.6.1 PRE-FIELD FILE/RECORDS SEARCH REPORT

C.6.1.1 Prior to commencing fieldwork, the contractor shall submit to the COR for review and approval a report summarizing the results of the records and files background search (paper and/or digital Word/PDF version, as per COR direction). Records and files searches shall be conducted to include the APE and appropriate buffer, as determined by the COR. If the Task Order requires a Level/Class I of the APE, records and files searches shall be conducted in compliance with SHPO standards. The Forest Service will provide the agency Level/Class I file search results as determined by the individual Task Order. If any discrepancies regarding sites within the APE are noted between the data provided by the COR and the pre-field file/records search report, the contractor will bring them to the attention of the COR for further review. If additional sites are located within the Class I record search that were not previously known, the Task Order may be updated (cost modification) to reflect additional work as long as the cost modification does not exceed 20% of the Task Order award.

C.6.1.2 If the record and file search produced no results, the contractor shall document the negative findings with a written narrative documenting that all pre-field file searches and historic records data searches are complete.

C.6.1.3 The COR will have twenty (20) working days from receipt of the pre- field background report to review and approve the content and adequacy of the pre-field report.

C.6.1.4 Following COR review, the contractor shall revise any errors, inconsistencies, or inadequate components of the document and re-submit the revised version(s) for additional review and approval.

C.6.1.5 The contractor shall accomplish the revision, and re-submittal of documents within ten (10) working days following notification by the COR of the rejection of the submittals.

C.6.1.6 At minimum, the pre-field file and records search shall include literature and data reviews from the following sources:

• The appropriate State Cultural Records Office(s)

• The Forest Supervisor’s Office or Ranger District Office(s) as appropriate, and may include:

o A review of the Forest’s cultural resources spatial data (provided during the pre-work meeting) o Forest/District site and report files as requested by the contractor (hard copy or digital) o Any historic Forest/District maps and files o Appointments to view these records shall be made at least five

(5) working days in advance

• Any online sources such as Bureau of Land Management (BLM) General Land Office (GLO) plat maps, patent records, Homestead Entry Survey Maps and Mineral Survey Entry maps, mining records etc.

• Any available remote sensing sources of data to include aerial photographs and LiDAR imagery, if determined applicable by the COR or COTR.

• The current NRHP eligibility status for historic properties located within the APE

• Courthouse records when data from the above searches indicate a need

C.6.2 FIELDWORK

C.6.2.1: Initiation of Fieldwork

Work on an individual Task Order shall commence after the pre-work meeting has been completed, after the CO has issued a Notice to Proceed, and after the COR has accepted the results of the records/files background search and the contractor’s Plan of Work/safety plan.

The contractor shall notify the COR prior to initiating fieldwork on the Forest.

C.6.2.2 Survey Methodology

The contractor shall conduct Class/Level II and III surveys as defined in the Task Order and following the appropriate State and Federal guidelines for survey methodology, and the contractor is responsible for following any updated/new SHPO requirements.

C.6.2.3 Documentation of Cultural Resources and Other Finds

1. Narrative descriptions, maps, photographs, soil profiles, and other methods shall be used to document cultural resource sites and isolates to a standard acceptable to the appropriate State and Federal guidelines. GPS capable devices shall be used to record locations of all cultural features, applicable artifacts, subsurface test locations, and site boundaries (one meter or less accuracy).

2. If cultural resources are identified during the inventory that extend outside the defined inventory area it will be necessary to investigate the full extent of the site on lands administered by the Forest Service for the purpose of site evaluation.

Any exceptions (e.g., lengthy linear sites such as railroad grades) shall be discussed with and approved by the COR and/or COTR.

3. If the boundaries of cultural sites first identified on U.S. Forest Service lands extend onto non-federal lands reasonable and good faith efforts should be taken to identify or estimate site areas extending onto non-federal lands. The COR should be notified of individual cases where this may occur.

4. Recordation standards for artifacts that qualify as “Isolated Finds” pursuant to

State definitions shall be photographed and recorded, at minimum, to standards provided in State guidelines and/or standards provided by the COR and/or COTR.

5. If other finds/non-sites such as caves or other geologic features are located which have the possibility of containing cultural resources or paleontological specimens but were not inspected due to safety or are reasonably outside the scope of work, a GPS coordinate of the feature shall be provided to the COR and/or COTR.

C.6.2.4 Evaluation of Newly Identified Cultural Resources for NRHP Significance

The contractor will be responsible for recording and evaluating all newly identified cultural resources located during field work and/or Level/Class II or III survey. Newly identified cultural resources are not a separate bid item and are included with the cost of the Level/Class II or III survey. Site evaluations for NRHP significance are required by 36 CFR §800.4(c), the implementing regulations for Section 106 of the NHPA. The contractor shall evaluate all identified cultural properties for NRHP eligibility according to procedures in 36 CFR §60 and by applying National Register criteria pursuant to 36 CFR §60.4. National Register Bulletin 15 - How to Apply National Register Criteria for Evaluation, provides guidelines for applying these criteria in evaluating a wide range of newly identified cultural resources.

1. This stipulation may necessitate the preparation of historic contexts for understanding large-scale distributions of cultural resources, structures, etc. under evaluation. In some cases, the State may have thematic historic contexts available and it will be the contractor’s responsibility to identify, utilize, and cite those resources when making their NRHP recommendations.

2. For each site evaluation, the contractor shall submit recommendations for each site of either “eligible” or “not eligible” in a statement for each criterion found in 36 CFR §60.4 (a, b, c, & d). All newly identified sites must include this justification statement along with empirical, non- speculative information, and well-reasoned inferences supporting the justification statement. Additionally, the seven aspects of integrity shall be discussed and how the aspects relate to the historic property.

No site shall be left unevaluated. In a case where a site eligibility recommendation cannot be made for any reason (ex: majority lies on private land), the COR must be notified with adequate justification as to why and will advise on how to proceed.

C.6.2.5 Evaluation of Previously Identified Cultural Resources for NRHP Significance (36 CFR §800.4(c)(1))

1. The contractor may be asked to test and/or evaluate or re-evaluate previously identified cultural resources located within, near or outside the APE and or the identified survey locations. The passage of time, changing perceptions of significance, or incomplete/outdated prior evaluations may require the site to be re-evaluated. Where evaluation of historic properties outside the APE and/or the survey area is deemed necessary, the specific sites to be evaluated will be identified in individual Task Orders. Procedures and guidelines described above in C.6.2.4 shall be used for evaluation of Previously Identified Cultural Resources.

2. All previously identified sites included in the Task Order as requiring NRHP evaluations or re-evaluations must have eligibility recommendations submitted for each site as either “eligible” or “not eligible” in a statement for each criterion found in 36 CFR §60.4 (a, b, c, & d). All evaluations must include empirical, non-speculative, well-reasoned information supporting the eligibility recommendation.

No site shall be left unevaluated. In a case where a site eligibility recommendation cannot be made for any reason (ex: majority lies on private land), the COR must be notified with adequate justification as to why and will advise on how to proceed.

C.6.2.6 Subsurface Testing to Determine Presence/Absence, Site Boundaries, and NRHP Significance

1. The contractor may conduct limited test excavations (as discussed in the pre-work meeting/ Task Order) where necessary, to determine NRHP eligibility of historic and prehistoric sites.

2. The locations of all test units and/or shovel tests shall be recorded with a GPS-capable device (as described in section C.6.2.11). Each test unit or shovel test shall be plotted and labeled on the appropriate site maps. All testing results regarding sites shall be described in the site form, either as a narrative or in a table.

3. If state guidelines/standards for subsurface testing have been developed, the contractor shall use the state guidelines/standards as minimum requirements. The Forest reserves the right to provide additional stipulations in the Task Order or during the pre-work meeting.

4. In some states, guidelines and standards have not been drafted to govern the quantity and depth of shovel tests considered adequate to determine the presence/absence and nature of subsurface cultural deposits. Consequently, it is important that the contractor provide a full description of, and justification for, the quantity and location of shovel tests completed at each site. Justifications will necessarily include a qualified description of soil/sediment types and estimated depths across the site.

5. Subsurface testing in rock shelter contexts should be very minimal and limited to areas outside of the apron or dripline in order to preserve what is frequently a small area of undisturbed sediment accumulation inside the rock shelter. It is important that the contractor provide a full description of, and justification for, the quantity and location of shovel tests excavated at each rock shelter.

6. Soils and sediments excavated in test units or shovel tests shall be sifted through screen with a maximum mesh size of one-quarter inch. The excavation of all test units / shovel tests shall continue beyond the last sedimentary unit containing cultural materials to produce evidence of cultural deposits according to the appropriate state standards. If no state standards or guidelines exist, units should extend to bedrock or regolith. The methods used are at the discretion of the Field Director and should be clearly identified in the report and justifiable. If bedrock or regolith has not been exposed, the contractor shall provide a full explanation for terminating the test unit. The purpose of this requirement is to reasonably demonstrate that no additional cultural deposits exist at lower depths.

7. At minimum, soil and sediment descriptions should include Munsell© color code(s), a description of soil texture, and gravel content.

8. The policy governing the collection of artifacts encountered during subsurface testing is specified below in Section C.6.2.9.2.

9. When artifacts are encountered in subsurface test units or shovel tests, collection is at the discretion of the COR and discussed in the pre-work meeting. The following data shall be collected, where applicable, for artifact assemblages encountered in each test unit or shovel test:

• Three dimensional measurements and photographs of all diagnostic artifacts

• A count and description of non-diagnostic artifacts

• Photos of non-diagnostic artifacts (can be grouped by test/shovel unit or stratigraphic unit)

• All artifacts that are not collected as per criteria found in Section C.6.2.9.2 below shall be returned to the test/shovel unit the artifacts are derived from and reburied

C.6.2.7 Systematic Shovel Testing

Where the Forest deems systematic shovel testing is warranted the specific locations will be identified in individual Task Orders:

1. State guidelines and standards for shovel testing shall be followed as minimum requirements. The Forest reserves the right to provide additional stipulations and requirements regarding methodologies for systematic shovel testing at the pre-work meeting.

2. Areas where systematic shovel testing is warranted will be divided into the following two categories. The total acreage for each category will be defined in the Task Order:

• Category 1: Systematic shovel test transects shall be no more than 30 meters apart with individual shovel tests placed at 30-meter intervals unless the principal investigator determines more intensive testing is needed

• Category 2: Systematic shovel test transects shall be no more than 15 meters apart with individual shovel tests placed at approximately 15-meter intervals apart unless the principal investigator determines more intensive testing or closer spacing is needed

3. The location of all shovel tests shall be recorded with a GPS-capable device (as described in C.6.2.11). The results of all shovel tests should be recorded in field notes and forms, and submitted to the COR.

4. Each shovel test shall be at approximately 30 centimeters in diameter (unless otherwise noted in the Task Order) and have approximately vertical sides to full depth. The soil matrix recovered from all shovel tests must be screened through one-quarter inch (or finer) mesh hardware cloth in an attempt to determine the presence (positive) or absence (negative) of cultural material.

5. The excavation of all shovel tests shall proceed using the appropriate state standards. If no state standards or guidelines exist, shovel tests should extend to bedrock or regolith. If bedrock or regolith has not been exposed, the contractor shall provide a full explanation for terminating the shovel test prior to doing so.

The purpose of this requirement is to reasonably demonstrate that no additional cultural deposits exist at lower depths.

6. Typical soil profiles of representative shovel tests should be recorded. It is not necessary to record soil profiles for each shovel test.

7. Shovel tests shall be backfilled upon completion of excavation.

When cultural artifacts are encountered in subsurface shovel tests, a new site will be designated, and a formal site evaluation as defined in Section C.6.2.4 will be undertaken. The policy regarding the collection of artifacts encountered during shovel testing is specified in Section C.6.2.9.2.

C.6.2.8 Condition Assessments/Revisiting Previously Identified Sites

• If the Task Order stipulates cultural resource sites are to be revisited, a Forest

Service Site condition assessment or equivalent site form shall be thoroughly completed in the field for each site (as specified by the Task Order) and the completed forms shall be transcribed, digitized, and submitted with the inventory report

• If changes to site boundaries, conditions, content, or any significant threats and disturbances to the site’s integrity are observed during a site condition assessment, a Forest Service or State site updated form shall be completed with a thorough description of the changes observed according to specifications listed in Section C.6.5 and as per guidance provided in NPS Archeology Program Technical Brief 22 and FSH 2309.12-05. This action does not preclude a change in bid item price

• Previously identified sites requiring a revisit in Wyoming (as defined in the Task

Order) may require additional information based on field results. The additional record information shall follow the record types as defined in the WYOTrack/SHPO guidelines

• If a full rerecord is necessary because the site has not previously been recorded on a current Wyoming Cultural Properties Form (WYCPF), the site boundaries are changing or the eligibility is changing, then a Full Rerecord record type is required in the WYOTrack/SHPO guidelines

• If previously undocumented significant vandalism or disturbance is observed, the disturbance shall be documented, and the COR notified as soon as possible (no later than 48hrs after discovery)

C.6.2.9 Collection of Artifacts

Typically, the Forest Service follows a limited artifact collection policy. The collection of archaeological or historical materials during the field inventory is at the discretion of the COR and will be specified in the Task Order/pre-work meeting. The Forest Service Handbook (FSH 2309.12 Chapter 30) identifies the following considerations for artifact collection:

“Carefully consider the collection of artifacts during a field survey, taking into account the vulnerability of the item if left and the disposition/curation of the item if collected... place the artifact in a suitable field container with the corresponding provenance information. Process, label, and appropriately store the artifact(s) immediately following completion of the field survey.”

All artifacts collected shall be handled and properly curated according to stipulations in

Section C.6.2.10.

1. Surface Collections

a) The contractor shall include a full inventory of all collections made in the project report. The inventory shall include, at minimum, U.S. Forest Service site number, Smithsonian designations, catalog numbers, accession numbers, artifacts descriptions and quantities, names of curatorial facilities, and evidence that collections processing is complete.

Collection inventories can be included as report appendices where appropriate

b) The location of diagnostic artifacts collected shall be recorded with a GPS-capable device as described in C.6.2.11 and indicated on the appropriate site map

c) Diagnostic artifacts shall be photographed, measured, and digital images shall be included in the reports (draft and final) and site records

Representative samples of non-diagnostic artifacts can be photographed “in situ” (with a scale bar) to show site assemblage.

2. Subsurface Collections

The stipulations for collecting artifacts encountered in subsurface test units or shovel tests are the same as those for surface collections (as noted in C.6.2.9). Additionally, provenience information (including test level) shall be noted. Artifacts not collected shall be returned to and reburied in the test/shovel unit the artifacts were derived from. The location of test units shall be accurately recorded as per Section C.6.2.7

C.6.2.10 Curation of Artifacts

1. Unless otherwise specified in individual Task Orders, the contractor is responsible for the cost of initial curatorial processing fees for all records and material collections in the appropriate repository for the states of Nebraska, South Dakota, Colorado and Wyoming, depending on job location

2. The contractor shall follow the curatorial requirements of the appropriate facility

3. The handling and curation of all archaeological and historical materials shall comply with standards and guidelines established in 36 CFR §79, Curation of Federally Owned and Administered Archaeological Collections

4. Negotiation of, and compliance with, a curation agreement between the contractor and the curatorial facility shall be the contractor’s responsibility. The contractor’s curatorial agreement is in addition to any existing agreements entered into between the Forests and Grasslands and the repository

5. It is the contractor’s responsibility to ensure that, in the initial transfer of federal archaeological collections to a repository, the transfer is completed in compliance with any and all existing curation agreements between the Forests and Grasslands and the repository

6. The contractor shall sign a written and dated Receipt of Collections supplied by the curatorial facility. The receipt must be provided to the COR prior to the submission of the Final Payment invoice

C.6.2.11 Global Positioning System (GPS) and Geographic Information System (GIS) Standards

1. Site information (site boundaries, features, testing locations) and survey/inventory areas and survey tracks/transects shall be recorded in the field with a GPS capable device with one meter or less accuracy

2. Digital files shall contain site/isolate locational data (if applicable), the area surveyed (actual) by the contractor, and any other required spatial data, such as track logs, per the Task Order. Preferences vary from Forest-to-Forest regarding the digital format in which smaller and linear sites are recorded (i.e., point, line, or polygon). Individual Forests and Grasslands specifications will be clearly defined at the pre-work meeting (Section C.2.3)

3. The contractor and U.S. Forest Service personnel shall discuss at the pre-work meeting requirements regarding the recordation of linear sites. The centerline of linear sites should be recorded, and a polygon should be developed which encompasses any cultural activity either side of the centerline. U.S. Forest Service preferences may differ from Task Order to Task Order

4. All GIS data shall be provided to the Forests using the NAD83 datum and projected using the Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) System, using the appropriate UTM Zone for the project area, or shall be provided to the Forests in formats defined in Task Order

C.6.2.12 Treatment of Unanticipated Human Remains

Identification of human remains, triggers stipulations mandated by the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) and State specific burial laws. Should a human burial(s) or skeletal remains be encountered, fieldwork will be terminated within 30 meters (or as otherwise determined by the COR) of the inadvertent discovery. The contractor must notify the COR immediately (within 24 hours). Once an initial determination regarding possible age and affiliation has been made in consultation with the County Coroner and other responsible authorities, agency personnel will then begin consultation with the appropriate American Indian Tribes pursuant to the process mandated by the NAGPRA. Before the contractor or any member of the contractor’s crew returns to the field, the contractor shall discuss a modified plan of action with the COR to accommodate the new circumstances. If necessary, the Task Order that the contractor was working under at the time the human remains were identified will be amended to include any additional—or reduced— responsibilities on the part of the contractor as a result of the new circumstances. For identification of archaeological human remains on State and private lands refer to State-specific statutes, as applicable.

C.6.2.13 Completion of Fieldwork

The contractor shall notify the COR once all necessary fieldwork is complete. In the same notice, the contractor will supply preliminary GIS data that indicates the spatial locations/ boundaries for newly recorded, updated, or evaluated sites and any isolated finds. The GIS data should include recommended eligibilities for newly recorded, updated, or evaluated sites. This information will be considered preliminary in nature and will only be used for planning purposes. It is understood that the final GIS spatial data and site eligibility recommendations may change once the draft report is submitted pursuant to Section C.6.4.

C.6.3 PROGRESS REPORTS

The contractor shall submit bi-weekly Fieldwork Progress Reports to the COR in electronic format (email files, disk, or flash drives) for each assigned Task Order. The start date for the first two-week period shall be the day that fieldwork is initiated, as per the contractor’s notification to the COR (see Section C.6.2.1). The bi-weekly reports shall contain the following information:

• Contractor’s assessment of the amount of work completed and time remaining for task completion

• Contractor’s documentation of the number of days (if any) field crews were not able to work due to conditions beyond their control such as weather, road conditions, or wildlife concerns (excluding scheduled closures for elk birthing, etc.)

• A list of sites and isolates that have not yet been evaluated for the NRHP, if identified in the Task Order

• Site and survey GIS spatial files in a format according to Section C.6.2.11

• Bi-weekly reports shall include the contract number, Task Order number, U.S. Forest

Service project number, and project name at the top of the first page

• Bi-weekly reports shall be submitted to the COR within five (5) working days of the last day of the two-week reporting period

• Bi-weekly reports will stop once the fieldwork has been completed

C.6.4 DRAFT INVENTORY REPORTS

C.6.4.1

The contractor shall submit one draft report copy (COR will determine the format preference) to the COR for review and comment.

1. The draft report shall be complete and follow all guidelines established by the

Federal agency and appropriate SHPO. Management recommendations specific to the proposed undertaking shall be discussed for each historic property

2. Include the permit number under which the work was conducted and the Forest-supplied project number which retains a specific format (e.g., R2026020300001)

3. Include a description of field survey methods, including type of survey strategies performed based on topography, management areas, or other unique circumstances

4. Include the names of individuals employed in actual fieldwork

5. List dates that fieldwork was conducted

6. A description of the Area of Potential Effects as defined the pre-work meeting

(Section C.2.3) including any field observations about previous effects and the physiographic and built environments

7. Indicate the number of acres inventoried and the number of acres within the project area that were not inventoried and explain why they were not inventoried

8. Identify the number of cultural resource sites and isolates located

9. Place all references to specific site localities and other data considered sensitive in detachable appendices separate from the main report

10. Include the results of the pre-field literature and historic records search, maintaining compliance with Section C.6.1

11. Include a catalog list of all artifacts or other materials collected and their current location and disposition. The report shall include an index of all accession and catalog numbers assigned by the curatorial facility. A Receipt of Collections received by the contractor from the repository shall be provided to the COR at this time as per Section C.6.2.10.6. If no collections were made, a statement should be included in the report to that effect

12. Include an assessment of the NRHP significance of the identified resources and their potential for contributing information about the cultural heritage of the project area including descriptions and maps showing the relationship to the proposed project area

13. Include a succinct description of site testing and/or evaluation methods employed to sufficiently justify recommendations regarding NRHP eligibility

14. Provide definitive NRHP recommendations as “eligible” or “not eligible” according to the four criteria cited in Section C.6.2.4 and retention of aspects of integrity, as applicable. Documentation shall be provided in sufficient quality and quantity to support NRHP recommendations

15. Include supporting documentation in the form of cultural and/or historical contextual discussions with reference to the appropriate state contexts, the appropriate Forest’s Cultural Resource Overview, and other relevant sources

16. Recommendations stating that additional investigations are needed to determine

NRHP eligibility are not acceptable

17. Coordinate with the COR or COTR for recommended protection measures that realistically minimize or negate potential adverse effects (where required) to historic properties for the specific undertaking

18. Include a project location map, a survey coverage map, site location map and individual site/isolated find sketch maps as necessary that meet the appropriate state standards. Maps should include clear and legible labels, symbologies should be individually distinguishable, and the appropriate state SHPO standards and schema should be followed. The maps shall include at a minimum:

• Project Location Map: A detailed project location map (scale as specified by appropriate SHPO) showing the relationship of the project area(s) to the greater Forest or Grassland boundaries, and easily identifiable local features such as towns, major roads, or major landscape features. This map should include proper symbology/labels with areas previously surveyed clearly distinguished. Supplemental maps which are enlarged or reduced, as necessary, to help enhance the illustration of the project are provided as well

• Survey Coverage Map: A detailed survey coverage map (scale as specified by appropriate SHPO) with topographical background including new survey completed as a result of the inventory, previous surveys completed within the project area/APE, and any areas not surveyed or not having previous survey. Survey coverage, as illustrated, shall clearly distinguish between Class/Level III intensive survey and Class/Level II sample survey coverage for all applicable surveyed locations

• Site Location Map: A detailed scale map of the project area/APE with topographical backgrounds of all site and isolated find locations

• Individual site/isolated find sketch maps, which are distinct from the project and/or survey map(s), shall be provided with the site/isolated find form in separate detached appendices in both the draft and final reports (scale as specified by SHPO)

C.6.4.2 The contractor shall be notified by email of the results of the COR’s review. If the report requires revision, the COR shall discuss the deficiencies with the contractor and the correction must be made to the satisfaction of the COR.

• The COR shall have twenty-one (21) working days to review the final draft report and provide comments to the contractor

• The contractor shall have fourteen (14) working days to complete the required changes

• If additional edits are needed following the potential second review, the COR shall have ten (10) working days to review and return the draft report to the contractor, and the contractor will have five (5) working days to complete them. Deductions may apply, see Attachment G, Section G.6.5.

C.6.5 SITE/ISOLATED FIND FORMS

The contractor shall submit one copy (Word and/or PDF version, WyoTrack entry, as per COR preference and applicability) of all draft site and/or isolated find records to the COR for review and comment. The draft site/isolated find records shall:

C.6.5.1 Include accurate and complete site/isolated find and/or other property forms, pursuant to the appropriate state standards and guidelines, for all newly recorded or updated cultural resources identified during field survey. The following stipulations apply:

• Site/isolated find forms must be included as appendices with the report

• Updated site forms shall be completed and submitted for each previously recorded site as specified in Task Order

• The Forest site condition assessment form or equivalent (cf. NPS Archeology Program Technical Brief 22 and FSH2309.12-05) as directed by the COR, shall be used to document previously recorded sites that may exhibit evident changes in physical conditions or site boundaries

• For WY-SHPO requirements, appropriate site information should be collected to complete the appropriate level of documentation as required in WyoTrack and by the Task Order

C.6.5.2 Include digital photographs and photograph log as per the appropriate Federal and State guidelines. Photographs should include images of sites, isolates, general project overviews, site location overviews, cultural features, artifacts, and other objects as necessary to provide adequate visual representations.

C.6.6 SPATIAL DATA

Digital files of all GPS and GIS data must be provided to the COR for review with the Draft Inventory Report. The GIS spatial files shall indicate the locations of the areas surveyed, any areas not surveyed (with explanation), any newly recorded, updated, re-evaluated site locations, isolated find locations, and site boundaries. In addition, any Class/Level II survey areas must have locations where selective Class/Level II survey was conducted clearly identified. GIS/GPS data will follow the standards outlined in Section C.6.2.11 and include all original and post-corrected GPS data as applicable. Digital data supplied by the contractor will be reviewed by the COR or COTR and any corrections or changes shall be done by the contractor following the prescribed timelines cited in Section C.6.4.2.

C.6.7 FINAL DELIVERABLES

C.6.7.1 The final report and data files shall include all revisions requested in the draft report review.

The final report and/or data files will not be accepted until identified deficiencies have been corrected.

C.6.7.2 The contractor shall furnish the COR with one digital copy of all material contained in the report, including editable text and site forms. Printed photographs and maps in the final report shall be of original quality. All project and site photographs obtained under terms of this contract shall be accompanied by typed photologs. Digital files will be furnished to the COR in a current digital format as requested by COR or COTR. Digital copies are required of all the following:

• Site Forms

• Maps

• Final Report

• Raw GPS data

• GIS files and tabular data

• Field…