B08_Attachment_1_PWS_082023.pdf

Bureau of Land Management

Performance Work Statement

For A Class I Cultural Records Search and

Literature Review within the WEMO Project Area

1.0 BACKGROUND ON THE GOVERNMENT REQUIREMENT

The West Mojave Programmatic Agreement (WEMO) Planning Area is an area of 3.2 million acres of BLM-administered public lands within a larger planning area of 9.3 million acres. Within the WEMO Planning Area, BLM has identified approximately 15,000 miles of linear features with evidence of transportation use on public lands.

2.0 GENERAL SCOPE OF WORK

The Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) California Desert District Office (CDD) is requesting assistance to conduct a BLM Class I Inventory: Records Search and Literature Review as part of the ongoing implementation of the West Mojave Programmatic Agreement (WEMO PA), executed in September 2015 (WEMO PA attached). The WEMO PA was developed to support the implementation of the West Mojave Route Network Project (WMRNP) Plan Amendment and Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) published in 2019, with subsequent Record of Decision (ROD) in October 2019.

The direct APE is based on routes as designated in the 2019 WEMO ROD. The direct APE will be 50 feet beyond any existing or allowable ground disturbance associated with the route (25 feet beyond the stopping, parking, camping as described in the WEMO designations). Designated off-route parking or camping areas are within the direct APE and are proposed to be 100 feet from the centerline of routes (50 feet each side); therefore, the direct APE will be 150 feet from either side of the centerline of the routes, with a total of 300 ft along each route.

The indirect APE will vary based on the presence of cultural resources identified during current and previous record searches; topography; visibility of historic properties from a Route; the vulnerability of historic properties to atmospheric, visual, or auditory effects and looting; the extent of Traditional Cultural Places (TCPs) or districts; or other factors identified during on-going consultation with the Consulting Parties. The indirect APE extends to the visual horizon, not to exceed one mile on either side of the direct APE of a Route, unless otherwise identified by a Consulting Party in consultation or as identified through additional analysis.

To date, the current Direct APE is 446,014 acres, and the Indirect APE is 3,311,670 acres. Additional information on the scope of this work and definitions are found in the WEMO PA (attached).

3.0 OBJECTIVE

The project purpose is to compile an updated cultural resources records search, literature review, annotated bibliography and updated geodatabase related to routes for the WMRNP Plan Amendment and Travel Management Plans. This information will provide additional data for ongoing field inventories that are being used to test and refine an archaeological resources sensitivity model that has been developed for the WMRNP. It is the BLM's intent to compile this information in a timely manner to continue implementation of the PA and the requirements therein. The goal of this solicitation is to procure a contractor that can produce this product in the timely manner needed to support the WMRNP and meet the implementation commitments in the WEMO PA.

No housing or other provision is included in the performance of work and housing will be the responsibility of the contractor, the staff, or others as required.

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The objective is to complete the necessary Class I Inventory no later than September 30,2024.

4.0 SPECIFIC TASKS

The following items are being requested by a contractor to help update the WEMO PA. The items include a Record Search and a Literature Review.

Records Review: The contractor will familiarize and review existing data for the WEMO PA and update the Report with any new information that generated after 2017. Identify data gaps that may exist from prior work and communicate those findings with the Technical Point of Contact for this contract and document these findings in the draft / final report.

Literature Review: The contractor will review and update the previous Class I Survey Report for the WEMO PA with any new technical reports, academic articles, or scholarly research, which may include but are not limited to ethnographic research; examination of old maps and surveyors' reports; oral histories;

interviews with Tribal Elders; and examination of primary archival resources such as Mission Records and travelers' diaries.

Geodatabase Update: The contractor will review and update the geodatabase generated from the previous Class 1 Survey Report for the WEMO PA, to comply with the BLM National data and metadata standards. This update will include all locational and attribute data for archaeological sites/resources, as well as surveys. The BLM will provide the current geodatabase to the contactor. The contractor will need to provide a secure FTP website link to support the transferring and sharing of data.

Professional Qualifications

Principal investigators and supervisory personnel shall meet professional qualifications that comply with the Secretary of Interior’s Standards and Guidelines for Archaeology and Historic Preservation as published at 36 CFR Part 61 (available online at: Professional Qualifications Standards (U.S.

National Park Service) (nps.gov) Principal investigators should have knowledge and practical experience in the subject matter. All work shall be conducted in accordance with the BLM 8100 Manual.

All work will be performed under the guidance of the BLM Technical Lead (BLM Cultural Staff).

General Submission of Deliverables

A summary of deliverables that will constitute completion of tasks associated with this project are presented below. The information herein is generally limited to the end-product that is needed and does not provide a detailed step-by-step process for performing the work.

The Contractor is responsible for timely submission of deliverables identified in this Performance Work Statement. A schedule for due dates for deliverables will be agreed to by the BLM and the Contractor. A key component for evaluation of contractors will be the ability of the contractor to provide timely completion of work to the satisfaction of the Technical Lead and COR.

However, all final products must be completed and submitted to the BLM by September 30, 2024, unless otherwise agreed to by BLM. A summary of deliverables that will constitute completion of https://www.nps.gov/articles/sec-standards-prof-quals.htm https://www.nps.gov/articles/sec-standards-prof-quals.htm tasks associated with this project are presented below. It is not acceptable if a product is turned in to meet a timeframe but does not meet the content requirements (and needs) of the task or document.

General Submission Guidelines:

1. The final report shall conform to every reasonable extent with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and Guidelines for Archeology and Historic Preservation (48 Fed. Reg. 44716-40 dated September 29, 1983), as well as the BLM 8100 Manual, BLM 8110 Manual, and the Archaeological Resource Management Reports (ARMR): Recommended Contents and Format (ARMR Guidelines) for the Preparation and Review of Archaeological Reports.

2. The geodatabase and map(s) will be created using ESRI Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software and will strictly conform to the BLM National data and metadata standards.

3. All map(s) and Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) Primary Record forms submitted with the final report will be included in confidential appendices.

4. All deliverables must be approved by the BLM Technical Lead.

Technical Submission Guidelines:

1. Software: the contractor will prepare all written deliverables in Microsoft Office software applications and submit a master of deliverables and supporting documentation using Microsoft Office Word and Adobe Acrobat (electronic). All map(s) and geodatabase will be created using GIS software and will strictly conform to the BLM National data and metadata standards.

2. Format: the contractor will submit deliverables electronically format and will be consistent with report formatting requirements documented above. Hard copies of draft and final documents will be provided to the BLM to assist with consultation needs. The contractor will also provide 2 electronic copies (through FTP and USB) to the BLM, each with a copy of the final report, any site records, and all raw and final GIS data.

3. Review Process: A draft report will be submitted to the BLM for review. The contractor will revise the document based on initial BLM comments and resubmit to the BLM. BLM will circulate to the WEMO PA Consulting Parties for a 30-day review and provide all comments to the contractor. The contractor will revise document and submit to the BLM for final approval.

Tasks and Deliverables

The Class I Survey Report will result in a landscape level report synthesizing the data of the planning area rather than Route specific analyses. The final Report will include:

• a synthesis of the study area, environmental context, previously identified cultural resources and studies within and immediately adjacent to the project area, identified cultural resources, directions for future research.

• maps depicting the study area, past areas surveyed, and locations of identified sites.

• The updated geodatabase of the identified resources and previous investigations will be provided to the BLM. This information should be provided at the same time as the draft report for review.

No interim deliverables are required. The BLM Technical Lead will be available to the contractor on an as-needed basis to assist with content and format questions via phone or email.

No in-person meetings are required.

Corrective Actions

The following, corrective actions will be implemented, as needed, to ensure the BLM's legal, regulatory and other requirements are met in the support of the BLM on this project.

1. If performance deficiencies are found, the Contractor is given the first right to make the corrections.

2. If the Contractor is not able to make corrections, either:

a. The BLM or a third party can do so at the Contractor's expense; or The BLM can accept the performance and the Contracting party (or third party) can seek an equitable adjustment.

b. The Contractor will be asked to rework documents at no cost to the BLM.

3. The BLM will issue a poor performance evaluation.

4. If the Contractor causes harm or damage to the BLM because of failure to perform, the

Contractor must compensate the BLM for its time in providing oversight of a document that does not meet legal requirements in accordance with the contract clause.

5.0 CONTRACTOR FURNISHED ITEMS AND SERVICES.

The Contractor shall furnish all non-personal, labor, equipment, supervision, transportation, materials, supplies, and incidentals, except those indicated as government-furnished, to perform all work necessary for completion of the awarded Tasks and deliverables in accordance with this PWS.

6.0 SECURITY AND ADMINSTRATIVE MATTERS

Regular Work Hours:

The performance period established for this contract is based upon all work being conducted during regular working hours between 7:00am and 4:00pm, Monday through Friday, excluding government holidays. If the Contractor desires to carry on work outside regular hours, including Saturdays, Sundays, and government holidays, a request must be submitted to the Contracting Officer in sufficient time to allow satisfactory arrangements to be made for access to the work site.

Communications:

“Time” for communications received after 3:00pm, after 12:00 pm locally on Fridays, or after 12:00 pm locally prior to a holiday will not start until the next business day. All times are local Pacific Standard Time.

Federal Holidays:

The following Federal Legal Holidays are observed:

New Year’s Day Martin Luther King, Jr. Day President’s Day Memorial Day Juneteenth Independence Day Labor Day Columbus Day Veterans Day Thanksgiving Day Christmas Day

7.0 TECHNICAL DEFINITIONS/ACRONYMS

Physical Condition

The Physical appearance of Federal equipment or facilities that considers cracks, chips, dents, abrasions, rust, corrosion, general cleanliness, vibration, operating temperature, and discoloration and other items as identified by the COR. Physical condition may be determined by visual as well as diagnostic means.

Contracting Officer (CO)

The Secretary of the Interior or designated authorized representative who is the only agent capable of signing a federal award or obligating funds.

Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR)

The Contracting Officer’s designated representative as indicated in a delegation of authority letter.

Quality Assurance (QA)

Surveillance of Contractor performance to determine performance requirements are met.

Performance Requirements Summary (PRS)

The PRS identifies the key performance indicators of the Contract that will be evaluated by the Government to assure Contract performance standards are met by the Contractor.

Quality Control (QT)

Those actions taken by the Contractor to control the production of goods or services so that they meet the requirements of the performance work statement.

Acronyms ARMR-Archaeological Resource Management Reports BLM-Bureau of Land Management CDD-California Desert District Office DPR – Department of Parks and Recreation FTP – File Transfer Protocol GIS-Geographic Information Systems NEPA-National Environmental Policy Act PM-Project Manager PRS-Performance Requirements Summary WEMO PA-West Mojave Programmatic Agreement WMRNP-West Mojave Route Network Project