Attch1_SOW_InterpPanels_RockyFlatsNWR_10pp.pdf

140FC124R0013

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Statement of Work

Date January 5, 2024

Project Title Interpretive Panels for Rocky Mountain Greenway and Caprock Mine

Project Location Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge - Golden, Colorado

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Project Lead (PL) Sue McDonald U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Branch of Visitor Services and Outreach 442 E 900 S, Providence, UT 84332 303-482-6148 sue_mcdonald@fws.gov

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Field Station Point of Contact (POC) Sarah Metzer Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge

6550 Gateway Road Commerce City, CO 80022

303-729-2203 sarah_metzer@fws.gov

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Contracting Officer Representative (COR) Diane Emmons

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Branch of Visitor Services and Outreach 134 Union Blvd., Suite 300 Lakewood, CO 80228 303-236-4392 (office) 303-503-2418 (cell) diane_emmons@fws.gov mailto:sue_mcdonald@fws.gov mailto:sarah_metzer@fws.gov mailto:diane_emmons@fws.gov

Statement of Work This Statement of Work (SOW) describes a general overview of the project and does not provide complete detail for finished appearance of the project. The Contractor must design and fabricate the project components in accordance with the details provided in this SOW. The Contractor must follow the project process, details, and performance intent of the SOW.

Overview of Project and Project Components

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) will contract for design, fabrication, delivery, and installation of 5 interpretive panels and 5 support structures. The main objective of these interpretive panels is to provide visitors with information that pertains to cultural and natural heritage of the Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge.

The project includes information gathering, text and graphic development, Spanish translation of text, photo search and acquisition, illustration, design, fabrication, delivery, and installation.

For the purpose of the contract, interpretive media is defined as a product that uses text, graphics, objects, design and other media elements to help the audience make intellectual and emotional connections to the resource. In terms of accessibility, all interpretive media produced for this contract will comply with the Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Standards see following link ABA Standards (enhanced single file version) (access-board.gov) and follow the Principles of Universal Design see following link The 7 Principles | Centre for Excellence in Universal Design, Programmatic Accessibility Guidelines for National Park Service Interpretive Media Accessibility & Universal Design Standards - (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov), and Smithsonian Guidelines for Accessible Exhibition Design Smithsonian Guidelines for Accessible Exhibition Design. Universal Design is the design of products and environments to be useable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without adaptation or specialized design.

Upon completion of the project, project components are to be delivered to Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge, Attn: Sarah Metzer, Westgate Road, Golden, CO 80402 (39.885448, -105.236652) Project components will be installed by either the field station staff or Contractor. We would like to see a separate quote for installing all five panels. The Contractor will not travel to the site during this project, unless installing.

The Contractor’s Proposal must include all items identified in this SOW. Please note that photos acquired and paid for by the Contractor will be reimbursed via separate invoice submitted to the Service. The contractor should not include an estimated photograph cost in the proposal.

The project schedule should allow for the project to start (introductory meeting) within 3 weeks after project award. All work is to be completed no later than 52 weeks after project award.

Project components include:

Interpretive panels – 5 panels, 3’ high x 4’ wide dimensions, 1/8” thickness, full color.

Support structures – 5 wayside (sloped) colored support structures for 3’ high x 4’ wide, - all to be buried 2-3 feet in the ground.

https://www.access-board.gov/aba/ https://www.access-board.gov/aba/ https://universaldesign.ie/about-universal-design/the-7-principles https://www.nps.gov/dscw/ds-accessibility-universal-design.htm https://www.nps.gov/dscw/ds-accessibility-universal-design.htm https://www.sifacilities.si.edu/sites/default/files/Files/Accessibility/accessible-exhibition-design1.pdf

Substrate of interpretive panel(s) – Either aluminum with no processing holes; porcelain enamel or other substrate that is highly durable and approved for outdoor use and by the Service. We would like to get quotes for both substrates.

Support structure(s) material –powder-coated aluminum.

There are four options for this project and each option should be bid on separately:

Option 1: Design, fabricate, and deliver 5 panels on aluminum with support systems, no installation.

Option 2: Design, fabricate, and deliver 5 panels on porcelain enamel with support structures, no installation.

Option 3: Design, fabricate, deliver, and install 5 panels on aluminum with support structures.

Option 4: Design, fabricate, deliver, and install 5 panels on porcelain enamel with support structures.

Specific Description of Project Components Interpretive panel for the Rocky Mountain Greenway (1 of 3) Description This panel is part of the Rocky Mountain Greenway and will include interpretive text about the Xeric Tallgrass Prairie. The text will be in both English and Spanish. Photographs and/or illustrations will depict the flora and fauna of the Xeric Tallgrass Prairie.

Location The panel will be installed along new Segment 3 of Rocky Mountain Greenway Trail overlooking a section of Xeric Tallgrass.

Size 3’ high x 4’ wide dimensions, 1/8” thickness

Topic Xeric Tallgrass Prairie

Messages (brief references to information that is important to weave into the theme/body copy/captions/labels.)

Once prominent across the Great Plains at the end of the last Ice Age, Rocky Flats is home to one of the last remaining tracts of Xeric Tallgrass prairie in Colorado and perhaps North America.

Grasses such as big bluestem can reach heights of 5-6 feet, one of the reasons it is known as

"tallgrass" prairie.

Wildflowers occupy the grassland in the spring and early summer when the grass is shorter.

In the fall, grasses such as big bluestem turn shades of red and purple.

List of Plant and Wildlife Species (options for photographs or illustrations) Big bluestem - Andropogon gerardii Lupine - Lupinus spp.

Blanket flower - Gaillardia aristate Paintbrush – Castilleja integra

Golden banner – Thermopsis montana Blue flax - Linum lewisii Cinquefoil Blazing Star

Suggested Graphics Big bluestem showing the height compared to a person or an elk.

Support structure Sloped wayside stanchion with 2 posts.

Material - powder-coated aluminum.

Depth to be installed is 2-3 feet in flatiron soil (very cobbly sandy loam).

Interpretive panel for the Rocky Mountain Greenway (2 of 3) Description This panel is part of the Rocky Mountain Greenway and will include interpretive text about the Tall Upland Shrublands. The text will be in both English and Spanish. Photographs and/or illustrations will depict the flora and fauna of the Tall Upland Shrublands.

Location The panel will be installed along the new segment 1 near the Rock Creek drainage bridge.

Size 3’ high x 4’ wide dimensions, 1/8” thickness

Topic Tall Upland Shrublands

Messages (brief references to information that is important to weave into the theme/body copy/captions/labels.)

Unique community that grows on moderately steep slopes in the Rock Creek drainage area.

Although only 1 percent of the total site, it is home to over 50 percent of the site's plant diversity and hosts the largest diversity of birds on the refuge.

Important nesting area for birds and fawning area for deer in addition to providing food and shelter for many different species.

List of Plant and Wildlife Species (options for photographs or illustrations) Chokecherry - Prunus virginiana Hawthorn - Crataegus erythropoda Skunkbush - Rhus aromatica Wild Plum - Prunus americana

Support structure Sloped wayside stanchion with 2 posts.

Material - powder-coated aluminum.

Depth to be installed is 2-3 feet in Denver-Kutch-Midway clay loam soil.

Interpretive panel for the Rocky Mountain Greenway (3 of 3) Description This panel is part of the Rocky Mountain Greenway and will include interpretive text about the Lindsay Ranch. The text will be in both English and Spanish. Photographs and/or illustrations will depict the life and times that the Lindsay Ranch was occupied on this land.

Location The panel will be installed at the Lindsey Ranch Barn along the Lindsey Ranch Loop Trail.

Size 3’ high x 4’ wide dimensions, 1/8” thickness

Topic Lindsay Ranch

Messages (brief references to information that is important to weave into the theme/body copy/captions/labels.)

Various homesteaders utilized the land around Rocky Flats starting with the Scott family in 1868.

In 1941, this 640-acre ranch property was sold to George and Susan Lindsey of Denver who grazed cattle on Rocky Flats. The barn was constructed in the mid 40's, followed by the house in 1949.

The property was condemned by the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission for the development of the Rocky Flats plant in 1951.

During plant operation, security personnel informally used the house and barn for target practice.

In recent years, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Department of Energy have sought to repair sections of the barn including the foundation, roof, and reconstruction of two wings. The house remains in the condition it was last used in 1951.

Suggested Graphics Historic and present-day photos of Lindsey Ranch.

Depth to be installed is 2-3 feet in clay loam soil.

Interpretive panel for the Caprock Mine (1 of 2)

This panel is part of the Caprock Mine and will include interpretive text about the history of the mine.

The text will be in both English and Spanish. Photographs and/or illustrations will depict the life and times of the Caprock Mine when it occupied on this land.

Location The panel will be installed between segment 2 and 3 at the mine overlook along the Rocky Mountain Greenway Trail.

Size 3’ high x 4’ wide dimensions, 1/8” thickness

Topic History of the Caprock Mine

Messages (brief references to information that is important to weave into the theme/body copy/captions/labels.)

The Caprock Mine is an abandoned coal and clay mine within the Rocky Flats area that was in operation between the 1930s and 1960s.

The Caprock and surrounding mines closed in 1952 for the construction of the Rocky Flats nuclear weapons production facility.

Include quote or family account- families would join miners for picnics.

Historic photos.

Depth to be installed is 2-3 feet in Denver clay loam/cobbly sandy loam soil.

Interpretive panel for the Caprock Mine (2 of 2)

This panel is part of the Caprock Mine and will include interpretive text about the geology of the area.

The text will be in both English and Spanish. Photographs and/or illustrations will depict the geology of the area.

Location The panel will be installed between segment 2 and 3 at the mine overlook along the Rocky Mountain Greenway Trail.

Size 3’ high x 4’ wide dimensions, 1/8” thickness

Topic Geology

Messages (brief references to information that is important to weave into the theme/body copy/captions/labels.)

The Caprock Mine is situated over the Laramie formation, known for its relatively accessible coal and clay beds. The formation is dominated by sandstone, claystone, and siltstone and ranges from 600 to 1000 ft thick.

Coal beds are found in the lower 200 ft of the formation. These coal beds can range from a few inches to several feet thick. Clay beds, also found in the lower depths, range from a few feet to 20 feet thick.

As both coal and clay beds are found in the lower part of the Laramie formation, it was common to economize operations and superimpose clay mines overtop earlier coal mines. Both the clay and coal beds in the Laramie formation are often not contiguous across the region. Therefore, many of the clay and coal mines in Jefferson County focused on one exposure until it pinched out, becoming too inefficient to chase.

Historic graphics and photos of the mine operation.

Material - powder-coated aluminum.

Depth to be installed is 2-3 feet in Denver clay loam/cobbly sandy loam soil.

Items Provided by the Service If government-furnished material is provided during the course of the project, the contractor shall receive, inspect, and inventory all government-furnished materials and ensure that this material is forwarded to the appropriate unit or person within the contractor’s organization for use in the project.

The Project Manager shall notify the Project Lead via email within seven (7) days after receipt if government-furnished materials are not satisfactory for their intended purpose. The Project Manager shall notify the Project Lead via email as soon as possible, but no later than three (3) business days, if government- furnished materials are lost or damaged while in the contractor’s possession. The contractor shall be responsible for the security and protection of government-furnished property or materials in connection with this task order. Following acceptance of all work by the government, the contractor shall return to the project lead all government-furnished property.

The Government will furnish, as appropriate, required data, materials, and access to project information necessary to perform the services required.

The following items specific to this project will be provided by the Service PL or field station POC:

Scientific references for wildlife, habitat, and/or landscape illustrations.

Documents on the Caprock Mine evaluation and summary proposal with historic information about the mine.

Neighboring ranchers contact information for historic and present-day photos of the Lindsey

Ranch and Caprock Mine.

Field-station-specific photographs.

Existing digital map files and/or references for map development.

Work to be Performed by the Contractor Below is a list of the work to be performed by the Contractor. Attachment A - Performance Work Statement further defines the work to be carried out for this Contract.

Meetings The Contractor will schedule, host, and facilitate the initial post-award (introductory) meeting and all subsequent design review meetings with the Service. The Contractor will write and share meeting notes that summarize the discussion and assigned action items and send these to the Project Lead (PL) within one week of each meeting.

Project Schedule The Contractor will produce a detailed project schedule that lists all required meetings, submittals, fabrication, delivery, inspection by Service, close-out submittals, and invoicing schedule. Development and review times (# of weeks), and actual dates, must be identified (please use the Project Schedule of Checkpoints located near the end of this SOW as a guide). The initial project schedule should be submitted to the PL with the introductory meeting notes and updated and resubmitted with new dates with each submittal.

Content Development Text - The Contractor will develop interpretive themes; conduct all research for text development; and write and finalize all text after incorporating text edits as directed by the Service. The Contractor will use an interpretive writing style that helps the audience make intellectual and emotional connections to the resource.

Photographs – When possible, the Contractor will use photos that are in the public domain and specifically from the Mountain Prairie Flickr site. If photos are not available here, then other stock sites may be used. In addition, the Contractor will conduct photo search; obtain photo rights; purchase photos after approval by the Service; obtain the photos at appropriate size and resolution for the project; complete paperwork demonstrating photo rights and pay associated fees for the photographs.

The Contractor may request reimbursement from the Service, at cost, for associated photo fees.

Illustrations – The Contractor will conduct research for illustration(s) development and provide final illustrations. All original artwork becomes the property of the Service at project completion.

Maps - The Contractor will modify/update existing map graphics and develop new map graphics as needed.

Support Structures – The Contractor will design, fabricate, and provide all hardware necessary for the panel to be held by a support structure.

Submittals The following design submittals must be provided to the PL for review: concept (10%); design development 1 (35%); design development 2 (65%); pre-final (95%); and final (100%).

https://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwsmtnprairie/

Submittals should be provided to the PL in PDF (graphic design and graphics list) and Microsoft Word (text) via email or FTP site. A hard copy should also be sent to the Project Lead and Alt Project Lead listed on page 1.

Prior to fabrication, provide one sample (approximately 8” x 10”) of the selected panel substrate for Service review and approval. The sample must include a selection of the graphics from the interpretive panel to show color accuracy and resolution of output (fonts, graphics, and images) in the actual material.

Fabrication The Contractor will produce exterior-grade interpretive panels using ultra-violet stabilized all-weather material; production will include 12-color high-density printing technology; panels will have an edge treatment to prevent delamination and deterioration. Exterior grade support structures or kiosks will be designed and finished to be maintenance-free; and to withstand the site-specific weather conditions – high elevation that is dry, sunny, and windy. All mounting hardware must be provided.

Warranty All products produced and/or provided under this contract will be warranted for a minimum of one calendar year from the date of acceptance for all parts and labor unless otherwise specified. If the product itself carries a higher warranty, that warranty will apply.

Packaging/Shipping and Installation of Interpretive Media The contractor shall package and ship all interpretive media products in a manner that protects the media from damage during transit and installation at the project site.

Contractor must coordinate with PL in advance of shipping to ensure staff will be available to accept delivery and to learn if the delivery truck must have a lift gate or if a loading dock or forklift operated by Service staff will be available for unloading.

Installation of the interpretive media will comply with all OSHA and Local Safety Codes.

USFWS and the Contractor will conduct a final walkthrough/inspection of all interpretive media provided. Final punch list items for correction will be provided to the contractor at the conclusion of the inspection. Final acceptance is contingent upon correction of punch list items.

Installation See Overview of Project and Project Components on page 2 and 3.

Closeout Package At project closeout, the Contractor will provide the following items to the PL via FTP site.

Service-provided reference materials Final digital files for all interpretive media in PDFX and in native file format Final electronic copy of the graphic layout with all changes.

As-built drawings for support structures and actual installed support structures Photo rights paperwork - signed releases, licenses, and/or agreements Maintenance, mounting, and installation instructions

All tools and equipment necessary to assemble and install all interpretive media, exhibits, and displays on site.

Warranty information

Schedule of Checkpoints The introductory meeting will occur within 3 weeks after project award. All work is to be completed within 52 weeks of project award.

Checkpoint Who/Deliverable Schedule Introductory meeting Contractor, PL, POC Day 1 Introductory meeting notes and schedule Contractor 1 week Introductory meeting notes and schedule review Service 1 week Concept design development (10% phase) Contractor 5 weeks Concept design review Service 3 weeks Design development 1 (35% phase) Contractor 5 weeks Design development 1 review Service 3 weeks Submit invoice after Service accepts Design development 1 (30% of contract total)

Contractor -

Design development 2 (65% phase) Contractor 5 weeks Design development 2 review Service 3 weeks Pre-final design development (95% phase) Contractor 3 weeks Pre-final design review Service 3 weeks Submit invoice after Service accepts pre-final design (30% of contract total)

Contractor -

Final design development (100% complete) Contractor 2 weeks Final design review Service 2 weeks Fabrication sample (at 25% completion) Contractor 3 weeks Fabrication sample review Service 1 weeks Submit invoice after Service accepts fabrication sample (15% of contract total)

Contractor -

Fabrication Contractor 8 weeks Shipping Contractor 2 weeks Inspection Service 1 week Close-out Contractor 1 week Submit invoice after Service accepts Close-out (25% of project total)

Contractor -

Invoicing Requirements At a minimum, invoice must include the invoice date; period for which services were provided; contract number, order price; current invoice amount; and remaining project balance. Contractor will submit invoices to the PL for approval, prior to uploading to the Invoice Processing Platform (IPP).