B08_140P1426R0003_Attachment_6_GRTE_Taggart_Renewal_Dec_10_2025_Slides_and_Notes.pdf

TAGGART LAKE RENEWAL

Grand Teton National Park

December 10, 2025

Slides and Notes for Distribution

Slide 20 – Three Project Overview Goals

Project: Mormon Row, Highlands, Taggart Anticipated Construction Year: 2026–2027 Rough Magnitude: Various

Major Content: - Clarified goals of market research and small business participation. - Identified FAR Part 19 socioeconomic categories. - Confirmed competitive FAR Part 15 procurement approach.

Expanded Notes (Context for Contractors):

Molly explained that the remainder of the day would focus on three upcoming projects, but before diving into details, she provided an overview of sources sought notices, market research, and contracting strategy. She noted that three sources sought notices were posted on SAM.gov, all aimed at market research—collecting and analyzing information about industry capabilities to meet agency needs. Responses, including capability statements, are still welcome through the end of the week and will help determine socioeconomic set-asides for each project. The notices seek to identify availability and capability among Small Business, Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB), Economically Disadvantaged WOSB (EDWOSB), HUBZone, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), Indian Small Business Economic Enterprise (ISBEE), and other categories under FAR Part 19. Molly emphasized that this is not an IFB or RFP and does not commit the government to issue a solicitation; any future solicitations will be posted separately on SAM.gov. She reiterated that all information presented today is preliminary and subject to change. The anticipated solicitation sequence is Mormon Row first, followed by Taggart, then Highlands, with the first RFP ideally posted by the end of January. Each project will likely be procured through open-market Requests for Proposals under FAR Part 15, with one contract per project awarded to a qualified prime contractor. Molly then turned the session back to the Project Management team for detailed project overviews.

Questions / Discussion: - General questions on set‑aside determinations and timing.

Slides 38–46 – Taggart Lake Renewal https://youtu.be/FcmAPjmJiF8 https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FFcmAPjmJiF8&data=05%7C02%7CJessica_h_brown%40nps.gov%7Cea221ce343164a25ee9808de4199c27e%7C0693b5ba4b184d7b9341f32f400a5494%7C0%7C0%7C639020325801963170%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=Y4UV2RPm88ipZD96LvRAiP9PkeWdi4VHu1eKzhdbSyI%3D&reserved=0

Project: Taggart Lake Renewal Anticipated Construction Year: 2026–2027 Rough Magnitude: $5M–$10M

Major Content: - Trailhead and picnic area renewal including parking, pedestrian areas, vault toilets, waysides, and benches.

- Rock wall identified as work by others. - Sources Sought under NAICS 237310.

Expanded Notes (Context for Contractors):

Project Overview

The Taggart Lake Renewal Project is a major infrastructure initiative in Grand Teton National Park aimed at revitalizing one of the park’s most popular and heavily visited trailheads. Located approximately three miles northwest of Moose, Wyoming, the Taggart Lake Trailhead and Cottonwood Creek Picnic Area serve as key access points for visitors year-round. Increased visitation has created challenges related to parking, accessibility, and visitor amenities. This project, made possible through partnership with the Grand Teton National Park Foundation, seeks to enhance visitor access, safety, and sustainability while preserving the natural and cultural integrity of the site. Construction is anticipated to occur in phases during the 2026 and 2027 seasons, with full completion targeted by fall 2027.

Scope of Work

The project includes expanding and relocating the existing Taggart Lake Trailhead parking area to accommodate approximately 140 vehicles, including designated spaces for oversized and accessible parking. Improvements will also include new vault toilets, a water filling station, upgraded signage, and a central plaza featuring wayfinding, seating, and educational displays. Trails will be resurfaced and regraded to meet ABA accessibility standards, and the existing parking lot and trailhead areas will be removed and rehabilitated. Native landscaping and revegetation will restore disturbed areas, and a 0.5-mile section of porous pavement trail will provide accessible access to the first Taggart Bridge. At Cottonwood Creek Picnic Area, work will involve reconstructing the picnic area with accessible furnishings, upgrading parking for 13 vehicles, maintaining the existing vault toilet to meet accessibility standards, and creating accessible connections between parking, picnic areas, and restrooms.

Phased Construction Plan

To minimize visitor disruption, the project will be implemented in phases.

• 2026: Construction will begin at Cottonwood Creek Picnic Area, with minimal impact to visitor access at Taggart Lake Trailhead. Trails crews will start improvements on the Taggart trail system, focusing on surface upgrades and long-term maintenance. The northern trail segment to Taggart Lake will be closed for the year, while the southern segment remains open for summer access.

• 2027: Full closure of the Taggart Lake parking area and both trail segments will occur to support construction of the expanded parking area and new trailhead amenities. Major construction completion is targeted by fall 2027.

Design Features

The redesigned parking area will include clear signage, defined entry and exit points, and direct connections to restrooms, trail access, and the central plaza. The plaza will feature exposed aggregate and colored concrete surfaces, stone walls constructed by a partner-funded artist, and native landscaping with irrigation in center islands. Site furnishings, vault toilets, and shade structures will require early procurement due to long lead times. The porous pavement trail surface—specified as FilterPave or approved equal—requires installation by a vendor-qualified crew to ensure compliance and durability.

Construction Constraints and Trades

The short work season, combined with wildlife protection requirements and heavy visitor traffic, adds complexity to scheduling and logistics. Contractors must maintain public safety and security while keeping the site open during certain phases. Anticipated trades include civil contractors, concrete specialists, paving crews, electricians and IT technicians, plumbers, landscapers, and traffic control teams. Coordination will be critical to meet deadlines and deliver high-quality improvements.

Questions / Discussion:

Discussion focused on site access and logistics shown in the video; technical questions deferred to solicitation.

Currently the roadway and lot surfaces slick/slushy; Taggart gates closed; no plowing to Cottonwood; anyone wanting to see Cottonwood should expect 6–12 inches of slush for ~½ mile.

Who is attending which site visit? Logistics: meet at Mormon Row first (~12:30) and then proceed; no one attending only Taggart.

SITE VISIT: Taggart Lake Trailhead – Detailed Field Notes (December 10, 2025) Purpose of Site Visit:

- Provide contractors with on-the-ground understanding of existing conditions, visitor use intensity, accessibility goals, environmental constraints, and sequencing expectations for the Taggart Lake Trailhead Renewal Project. - Supplement drawings and videos with real-world context for phasing, staging, and risk management.

Existing Conditions and Overall Project Intent

Verbatim Field Discussion (paraphrased): - Taggart Lake Trailhead is one of the park’s most heavily used year-round trailheads, averaging approximately 800 visitors per day during peak season. - The project places a strong emphasis on accessibility, including improved trail surfacing and visitor circulation. - The existing parking lot where the group assembled will be fully demolished.

Contractor-Relevant Detail: - Demolition includes asphalt removal, subgrade removal, and ripping to promote successful native revegetation. - All disturbed areas will be reclaimed to native sagebrush and vegetation communities. - Reclamation standards are higher than typical roadway projects due to visibility and ecological sensitivity.

New Parking Lot, Plaza Area, and Visitor Capacity

Verbatim Field Discussion (paraphrased): - Stakes visible to the west mark the location of the new parking lot, which will be constructed during the 2027 full-closure year. - Winter and shoulder-season use remains significant, necessitating expanded restroom capacity.

Contractor-Relevant Detail: - New parking area will accommodate approximately 140 vehicles. - Restroom capacity will increase to six vault toilet stalls. - A new plaza area near the trailhead will serve as the primary visitor gathering and orientation space with prominent Teton views.

Tree Removal, Salvage, and Environmental Timing Constraints

Verbatim Field Discussion (paraphrased): - Tree removal is required, but tree salvage and replanting will also occur to screen parking areas from scenic roadways. - Emphasis on removing trees prior to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) survey window.

Contractor-Relevant Detail: - MBTA window: May 1 – August 15. Tree removal during this period requires bird surveys. - Park Service conducts surveys, but discovery of active nests can halt work (example given of a single robin stopping a project). - Contractors are strongly encouraged to schedule clearing and grubbing in 2026 outside the MBTA window.

Trail Surfacing and Accessibility Work

Verbatim Field Discussion (paraphrased): - Approximately ½ mile of trail will receive improved surfacing. – If trail work occurs in 2026, it must maintain access to the southern trail during construction. 2027 both sections of trail are anticipated to be closed.

Contractor-Relevant Detail: - Trail surfacing material is FilterPave (or approved equal): - Porous - Hard surface suitable for accessibility - Installation requires qualified installers. - Trail surfacing may occur in 2026 or 2027, depending on phasing and access constraints.

Utilities, Technology, and Future Adaptability

Verbatim Field Discussion (paraphrased): - Electrical service will be extended to support traffic counters, cameras, and monitoring systems. - Technology will be housed near the vault toilet area.

Contractor-Relevant Detail: - Expect significant conduit installation throughout the site. - Design philosophy emphasizes future adaptability, with spare conduit installed to accommodate future technologies. - Similar systems were successfully implemented on Moose-Wilson Road Phase I.

Concrete, Pavement, and Material Quality Expectations

Verbatim Field Discussion (paraphrased): - Project includes extensive concrete work, including curbing and exposed aggregate finishes. - Government has experienced inconsistencies in exposed aggregate finishes across multiple pours.

Contractor-Relevant Detail: - Concrete samples will be required after award to ensure consistency in: - Color - Aggregate exposure - Exposed aggregate concrete must match across placements, even when poured weeks apart. - A highly qualified concrete subcontractor is strongly recommended.

Scheduling, Closures, and Seasonal Constraints

Verbatim Field Discussion (paraphrased): - Full site closure is planned for 2027, allowing major construction activities. - Partial/offline work may occur in 2026.

Contractor-Relevant Detail: - 2026: - Cottonwood Creek Picnic Area construction - Clearing, grubbing, limited trail and prep work - 2027: - Full closure of Taggart Trailhead and parking area - Winter storage of equipment or materials on-site is not allowed due to heavy winter recreation use. - Weather-related delays are not pre-quantified in the contract; contractors must plan based on typical conditions.

Traffic, Access, and Coordination with Other Major Projects

Verbatim Field Discussion (paraphrased): - Coordination required with nearby projects, including: - Moose Entrance Station / Moose-Wilson Road Phase II - Federal Lands Highway projects

Contractor-Relevant Detail: - Expect: - Periodic traffic delays on Teton Park Road (up to ~20 minutes during certain construction phases) - Multiple overlapping construction efforts in 2026–2027 - Traffic control and pedestrian safety planning will be critical during project.