STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW)

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR REPAIR OF OVERHEAD 70kV

TRANSMISSION LINE South Loop 2 AT

VANDENBERG SPACE FORCE BASE, CALIFORNIA

SOW ATTACHMENTS

SOW Attachment A: Project Air Force Form 813

SOW Attachment B: DAF EIAP Format and Supplement Information (August 2024) SOW Attachment C: DOD NEPA Implementing Procedures (June 2025)

SOW Attachment D: DAF NEPA Implementing Procedures (March 2026) SOW Attachment E: DAF EIAP Administrative Record Instructions

SOW Attachment F: Deliverables Table

May 2026

SECTION 1.0 PURPOSE

The Department of the Air Force (DAF) is proposing to repair the overhead 70 kilovolt (kV) transmission line (TL) South Loop (SL) 2 on Vandenberg Space Force Base (VSFB) in Santa Barbara County, California.

The overall goal of this task/delivery order is to prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) that is technically and legally sufficient pursuant to provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 [(NEPA), Title 42 United States Code (U.S.C.) Section 4321 et seq.], the 2023 Fiscal Responsibility Act’s amendments to NEPA, the Department of Defense (DOD) NEPA Implementing Procedures, 30 June 2025 (Appendix C), and the DAF NEPA Implementing Procedures, 2 March 2026 (Appendix D).

The Contractor shall provide services resulting in a project EA with either a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI), a mitigated FONSI, or a determination that an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is required. If analysis indicates the potential for significant environmental or socio-economic impacts the Contractor shall recommend to the DAF Government project lead one of the following:

• Mitigation measures to minimize impacts to less than significant (incorporated as part of the EA document).

• Implementation of the No Action Alternative.

• Withdrawal of the EA and the preparation of an EIS.

Space Launch Delta (SLD) 30 will retain responsibility as the project proponent.

DRAFT

SECTION 2.0 BACKGROUND

The EA shall provide sufficient, documented information to analyze potential environmental effects associated with the Proposed Action described and shown in SOW Attachment A.

The DAF proposes to repair approximately 84,500 linear feet of overhead (OH) 70kV transmission line, SL 2 (TL-SL 2). This Proposed Action includes sustainment repair of the TL- SL2 circuit on South Base. The Proposed Action would include new gravel access roads and re-graveling of existing access roads. The installation of four (4) new culverts is included in the project scope. The Proposed Action would ensure reliable power on South Base to critical launch infrastructure and base facilities in support of the Spaceport of the Future.

SECTION 3.0 SCOPE OF WORK

The Contractor shall produce an EA that includes all information necessary to substantiate that the DAF has taken a “hard look” at the relevant environmental effects associated with the proposed actions and alternatives, while omitting any superfluous analysis or detail that is not relevant to the proposal. The DAF’s recommended outline for EA documents will be provided as Government furnished information upon contract award. Specific instructions for completion of deliverables are outlined in SOW Section 6.0, Description of Work; SOW Sections 7.0, Instructions/Directions for EA Resource Area-Specific Analysis; SOW Section 8.0, Compliance Requirements; and SOW Section 10.0, Deliverables. The Contractor shall be capable of evaluating the effects of relevant resource areas and identify applicable laws and regulations that must be considered as part of the analysis.

As noted in SOW Section 9.0 Government Furnished Materials, the Contractor shall provide all necessary personnel, facilities, equipment, and materials required to complete tasks identified in this SOW.

The Contractor shall prepare the EA in accordance with the DAF Standard Environmental Impact Analysis Process (EIAP) Documentation Format and Supplemental Information (2024) included in SOW Attachment B.

The Contractor shall comply with all applicable federal, state, and local environmental statutes, instructions, directives, manuals, handbooks, regulations, guidance, policy letters, and rules (including all changes and amendments); and Presidential Executive Orders (EOs) in effect on the date of issuance of the Task Order (TO), including, but not limited to:

• NEPA of 1969 (Public Law 91-190, 42 U.S.C. 4321-4347)

• Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023

• Building United States (U.S.) Infrastructure through Limited Delays & Efficient Reviews

(BUILDER) Act of 2023

• Title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Section 402, Interagency Cooperation -Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended

• 36 CFR Part 800, Protection of Historic Properties

• Clean Water Act Sections 401/404

• EO 11988, Floodplain Management

• EO 11990, Protection of Wetlands

• Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA)

• DOD NEPA Implementing Procedures (30 June 2025)

• DAF NEPA Implementing Procedures (2 March 2026)

• DAF Instruction (DAFI) 32-7001, Environmental Management

• DAF Manual (DAFMAN) 32-7002, Environmental Compliance and Pollution Prevention

• DAFMAN 32-7003, Environmental Conservation

• Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794d)

SECTION 4.0 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The period of performance (PoP) for the completion of this TO shall be twelve (12) months from the date of award. The EA scheduling requirements are outlined in SOW Sections 6.0 and 8.0.

SECTION 5.0 GOVERNMENT POINTS OF CONTACT (POCs)

SLD 30 NEPA POC: Tracy Curry

30 CES/CEIEA

(805) 606-2044 tracy.curry.1@spaceforce.mil

Note: All other POCs and their contact information will be provided by the DAF at the Post- Award Kickoff Meeting.

SECTION 6.0 DESCRIPTION OF WORK

Task 1: Project Management

The Contractor shall furnish all services, materials, supplies, labor, studies, management, travel, and other resources in connection with the work described herein. The Contractor shall be responsible for obtaining and maintaining any registration or certification as required by the various federal, state, and local regulatory agencies; and any other registrations, certifications, licenses, permits, warrants, or other credentials or permissions required to perform the contracted tasks.

The Contractor shall accept directions only from the Contracting Officer or the Contracting Officer Representative (COR). Any changes to the project scope or other provision of this TO must be authorized in writing by the Contract Officer.

Task 1.1 - Contractor’s Monthly Status Report

The Contractor shall be required to prepare and submit, to the Contracting Officer, a Monthly Status Report [no more than twenty (20) pages] that will include the status of the project and billing/percent complete estimate. Completion of work prescribed by this SOW will be documented in these progress reports. The progress reports will describe the work performed the previous month, the work efforts anticipated for the upcoming month, problems encountered, and resolutions implemented, and the overall percent completion of the project (if required). The report will include a list of remaining milestones to be accomplished as a reminder of forthcoming requirements. The Contractor shall also report all contractor labor (including subcontractor labor) required for performance of this contract in accordance with the requirements described in this SOW. The Contractor will also provide status reports upon the request of the COR. (Deliverable 1.1)

Task 1.2 – Project Schedule

The Contractor will coordinate with the SLD 30 NEPA POC as necessary to develop a project schedule that includes the tasks outlined in this SOW. The schedule shall meet the requirements outlined in SOW Sections 6.0 and 8.0. Initial project schedules will be presented during the onsite Description of Proposed Action and Alternatives (DOPAA) Development Workshop/Data Collection (SOW Task 2.4). The Contractor shall update the schedule throughout the project to include identification of planned and actual dates. (Deliverable 1.2)

Task 2: Meetings

The Contractor shall attend and support meetings and teleconferences as required by the COR and SLD 30 NEPA POC. The purpose of the meetings includes, but are not limited to, contract discussions, progress reviews, project scoping, planning, project definition activities, project status, and the general exchange of information concerning current and future activities.

Task 2.1 - Post-Award Kickoff/Planning Meeting

Within three (3) business days of the contract award, the Contractor shall plan a maximum two

(2) hour virtual kickoff/planning meeting to initiate the contract; obtain project POCs; and plan for data gap identification/data collection (SOW Task 2.2); project coordination meetings/ teleconferences (SOW Task 2.3); and the onsite DOPAA Development Workshop/Data Collection Visit (SOW Task 2.4). The Contractor shall prepare the agenda, minutes, and presentation materials for the post-award kickoff meeting. (Deliverable 2.1)

Note: All virtual meetings will be held on Microsoft Teams or some other DAF pre-approved platform.

Task 2.2 - Data Gap Identification/Data Collection

Within five (5) business days of the Post-Award Kickoff/Planning Meeting (SOW Task 2.1), the Contractor shall work with installation POCs to identify and collect all relevant data. Existing applicable data will be provided by DAF personnel to describe the proponent’s proposed actions and alternatives, as well as current environmental conditions to serve as a baseline for assessing potential environmental effects associated with the proposed actions and viable alternatives.

Upon conclusion of the project site review and data collection effort, and if necessary, the Contractor shall submit a list of data gaps of information required to develop the DOPAA.

(Deliverable 2.2)

Task 2.3 - Coordination Meetings/Teleconferences

The Contractor shall coordinate (e.g., provide call-in services, coordinate schedules) and participate in project coordination review meetings/teleconferences at least twice (2) per month to discuss project scoping, contract issues/concerns, progress reviews, technical project issues/concerns, and general information exchange concerning current and future activities. The Contractor shall prepare the agenda, minutes, and presentation materials for meetings attended.

The agenda and presentation materials will be provided at least two (2) business days prior to a meeting and meeting minutes will be provided within three (3) business days of a meeting.

(Deliverable 2.3)

Task 2.4 – Onsite DOPAA Development Workshop/Data Collection

The Contractor shall coordinate and lead an onsite DOPAA Development Workshop. The purpose of the workshop is to coordinate and finalize the details necessary to develop the DOPAA for the proposed action (SOW Task 4). The Contractor shall prepare the agenda, minutes, and presentation materials for the workshop. The agenda and any presentation materials will be provided three (3) business days prior to the meeting. (Deliverable 2.4)

The Contractor shall also meet with and collect all relevant data from installation POCs during this visit. The Contractor shall work with installation personnel in collecting data, as well as evaluating field conditions and assessing effects. Technical meetings with DAF personnel will take place during the onsite data collection visit. (Deliverable 2.4)

Task 2.5 – On-Board Reviews

On-Board Reviews (OBRs) may be conducted if resolution or further information is needed on comments made during document reviews. The Contractor shall support up to five (5) OBRs:

• Preliminary Draft DOPAA OBR (SOW 4.1.1)

• Interim Draft DOPAA OBR (SOW Task 4.5)

• Preliminary Draft EA/FONSI/FONPA OBR (SOW Task 9.3)

• Interim Draft EA/FONSI/FONPA OBR (SOW Task 9.6)

• Draft Final EA/FONSI/FONPA OBR (SOW Task 9.9)

Project OBRs will take place virtually. The Contractor shall prepare agendas, minutes, and presentation materials for meetings attended. The Contractor shall provide a working version of the deliverable and responses to DAF comments, with comments for discussion identified no less than three (3) business days before each scheduled OBR. The Contractor shall conduct the OBRs in a manner that allows for live, on-screen edits during the OBR discussion, as necessary. The contractor shall take notes to ensure the government’s guidance is accurately recorded. Any meeting minutes will be provided to the DAF no more than three (3) business days after the OBR. (Deliverable 2.5)

Task 3: Project Coordination and Consultations

Task 3.1 - Regulatory and Professional Interface

The Contractor shall assist with oral/written interaction with interested parties related to the project, including other government agencies, regulatory agencies, and other contractors.

Consultation requirements per the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and regulations (Section 106) or the Endangered Species Act (ESA) (Section 7) or tribal coordination ARE NOT satisfied by sending scoping letters. As necessary, the Contractor shall support such consultation and coordination efforts in order to appropriately execute the NEPA process, and as further outlined in SOW Task 3.3.

The Contractor will support written correspondence and may support the generation of meeting materials and support coordination of meetings with external agencies, as required to complete necessary consultations and the EA process. The Contractor will also support the development of briefing slides associated with the EA for DAF senior leadership and to support Congressional notifications. Requirements include, but are not limited to, generation of presentation materials, agendas, minutes, publications, news releases, public notices, and the maintenance of mailing list(s). Correspondence written by the Contractor shall be provided to the Government for review and approval in electronic format (Microsoft Word). All letters are required to be on DAF letterhead with a DAF representative signature before mailings. (Deliverable 3.1)

Task 3.2 – Coordination and Consultation POC List

The Contractor shall identify key stakeholders and create a project POC list for government review. The POC list will be a living document that is updated continuously, as necessary throughout the TO. (Deliverable 3.2)

Task 3.3 – Interagency/Intergovernmental/Government-to-Government Coordination and

Consultation

The Contractor shall prepare appropriate coordination and consultation letters. These letters shall be printed on DAF letterhead and signed by the DAF. Upon DAF review and signature, the Contractor shall send the signed letters as registered mail so that delivery can be tracked and confirmed. The Contractor shall be responsible for tracking the registered mail receipt of the letters. Letters the Contractor shall prepare or assist in preparing include, but are not limited to:

• Coordination letters as outlined in SOW Task 6.0 (note that submittal of agency coordination letters to regulatory agencies does NOT fulfill consultation requirements).

• EA notification letters as outlined in SOW Task 9.0 (note that submittal of agency coordination letters to regulatory agencies does NOT fulfill consultation requirements).

• Coastal Zone Manage Act (CZMA) consultation documentation prepared for the

California Coastal Commission, as outlined in SOW Task 7.0

The Contractor shall provide Draft letters to the SLD 30 NEPA POC and pertinent Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) for review. Incorporating all DAF comments, the Contractor shall provide Final letters to the SLD 30 NEPA POC and pertinent SMEs for DAF signature coordination. (Deliverable 3.3)

Task 4: DOPAA

Task 4.1 – Preliminary Draft DOPAA for DAF Review

Using the information gathered and determined during the onsite DOPAA Development Workshop outlined in SOW Task 2.4, the Contractor shall develop a Preliminary Draft DOPAA for DAF review. The Preliminary Draft DOPAA shall include Chapter 1, Purpose and Need for the Proposed Action; and Chapter 2, Proposed Action and Alternatives. The Contractor shall submit the Preliminary Draft DOPAA with a comment response matrix (CRM). The review timeframe will be a minimum of ten (10) business days. The Preliminary Draft DOPAA deliverable, and all Internal DOPAA deliverables thereafter, shall comply with all document requirements outlined in SOW Section 8.0. (Deliverable 4.1)

Task 4.2 - Preliminary Draft DOPAA OBR

After receiving comments on the Preliminary Draft DOPAA (SOW Task 4.1), the Contractor shall prepare for and conduct an OBR to resolve comments, as described in SOW Task 2.5. The OBR will be conducted no more than five (5) business days after receiving review comments.

(Deliverable 4.2)

Task 4.3 – Check Preliminary Draft DOPAA Backcheck for DAF Review

After incorporating comments received on the Preliminary Draft DOPAA and OBR (SOW Task 4.2), the Contractor shall submit the Check Draft DOPAA with a CRM to the DAF for backcheck within five (5) business days of the OBR (SOW Task 4.2). The Contractor shall submit two (2) versions of the Check Draft DOPAA – one clean and one showing track changes, along with CRMs and comment responses from the Preliminary Draft DOPAA review. The review timeframe will be a minimum of three (3) business days. (Deliverable 4.3)

Task 4.4 - Interim Draft DOPAA for Legal and AFCEC Review

Within ten (10) business days of receiving comments from the Check Preliminary Draft DOPAA (SOW Task 4.3), the Contractor shall submit the Interim Draft DOPAA with a CRM to the SLD 30 NEPA POC for Legal and Air Force Civil Engineer Center (AFCEC) review. This review timeframe will be a minimum of ten (10) business days. (Deliverable 4.4)

Task 4.5 - Interim Draft DOPAA OBR

After receiving comments on the Interim Draft DOPAA (SOW Task 4.4), the Contractor shall prepare for and conduct an OBR to resolve comments, as described in SOW Task 2.5. The OBR will be conducted no more than three (3) business days after receiving review comments.

(Deliverable 4.5)

Task 4.6 – Stabilized DOPAA

Within five (5) business days of the Interim Draft DOPAA OBR (SOW Task 4.5), the Contractor shall submit the Stabilized DOPAA. The Contractor shall submit two (2) versions of the Stabilized DOPAA – one clean and one showing track changes, along with government CRMs and contractor comment responses from the Interim Draft DOPAA review. The Stabilized DOPAA will inform development of the Coordination and Consultation Letters outlined in SOW Tasks 5, 6, and 7. The Stabilized DOPAA shall not be distributed publicly. (Deliverable 4.6)

Task 5: Cultural Resources Fieldwork & Consultations

The DAF has determined that the proposed SL 2 Power Line Project is an undertaking subject to compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (54 U.S.C.

306108), as amended, and the implementing regulations (36 CFR Part 800). The Contractor shall assist the SLD 30 Cultural Resources POC in fulfilling Section 106 requirements in accordance with the SLD 30 Integrated Cultural Resource Management Plan and DAFMAN 32-7003.

The contractor shall conduct an archaeological study that will result in a technical report that will be used by the SLD 30 Cultural Resources POC as the primary supporting documentation to complete the Section 106 consultation. The Contractor shall execute the tasks detailed in this SOW to 1) determine the presence of any unknown surface or buried archaeological deposits that could be impacted by ground disturbing activity(ies) associated with this project; 2) assess potential effects on known or newly discovered archaeological sites (historic properties); and 3) determine if any potential effects are adverse, and if so, provide recommendations in the study report for mitigating the effects to below a significant threshold, if feasible. If during fieldwork it is obvious that the project will have an adverse effect on an archaeological site (e.g. a pole may be installed in dense midden), the Contractor shall notify the SLD 30 Cultural Resources POC via email or phone within one (1) business day.

Based on the thirty (30) percent design of the Proposed SL 2 power line, the Area of Direct Impact (ADI) has been delineated by the SLD 30 Cultural Resources POC as a 40-foot buffer around the proposed access roads and an 80-foot buffer centered on the wires of the SL 2 power line. The Study Area has been delineated as a one-quarter (¼) mile buffer also using the wires as the centerline. The Area of Potential Effect (APE) is delineated as the full extent of any archaeological site that intersects with the ADI.

Twelve (12) recorded archaeological sites are within the proposed SL 2 ADI. Precontact archaeological sites CA-SBA-1125 and -1815 have been determined eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) and will require adverse effects assessments. Sites CA-SBA- 945H, -1127, -2231, -2446, -2834, -2836, -4009H have been determined not eligible for the NRHP and do not require additional archaeological consideration as part of this SOW. Three (3) sites, CA-SBA-TMP3, -1066, and -3996 have not been evaluated for inclusion in the NRHP and shall be subject to an NRHP evaluation and assessment of effect.

All archaeological work performed by the Contractor shall be under the direction/supervision of a qualified archaeologist that meets the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualification Standards. Principal Investigator and crew chiefs shall each have at least three (3) years of field experience in California coastal archaeology.

Adhering to the timeline of this project is critical and driven by the need to complete Section 106 consultation to support the completion of the EA within its one-year deadline. This requires the Contractor to have everything needed to deliver the final technical report on schedule. The contractor shall furnish personnel, office space, field equipment, photography equipment, laboratory processing space and equipment, computer hardware and software, and field, office, and laboratory supplies to complete Tasks 5.1 through 5.10. The following requirements are particularly important and therefore specifically called out.

• The Contractor shall have one (1) or more licenses to use Microsoft 365 Office applications including Excel, Word, and Access (multiple licenses allow multi-user use of Access).

• The Contractor shall have at least one (1) licensed version of ESRI ArcGIS Pro 3.x software and staff that has experience using file geodatabases and shapefiles.

• The Contractor shall have the ability to use a sub-meter accuracy GPS unit as well as transfer data from the GPS to the ArcGIS software.

Task 5.1 – Kick-off Meeting

• Within three (3) business days following contract award, the Contractor shall coordinate and host a maximum ninety (90) minute Microsoft Teams kick-off meeting with the SLD 30 Cultural Resources POC including any Contractor staff and other attendees as needed.

• The Contractor shall be responsible for capturing meeting minutes including all government or contractor action items. The Contractor has the option to record the meeting to assist in capturing the minutes and action items; however, the Contractor shall notify all participants at the beginning of the meeting if it is being recorded.

• Within five (5) business days following contract award, the Contractor shall deliver the meeting minutes to the SLD 30 Cultural Resources POC (Deliverable 5.1).

Task 5.2 – Background Research

The Contractor shall perform background research consisting of the examination of existing documentation for each archaeological site subject to NRHP evaluation and/or an assessment of effect. The completion of background research will entail the following:

• Within three (3) business days of contract award, the Contractor shall contact the SLD 30 Cultural Resources Data Manager to request relevant GIS data including, but not limited to, Archaeological Study Area (ASA), ADI, APE, archaeological site boundaries, archaeological features, archaeological concentrations, archaeological test units, and isolated finds.

• Within three (3) business days of contract award, the Contractor shall contact the SLD 30 Cultural Resources Data Manager to request a records search of all available documentation for the previous archaeological surveys, sites and isolated finds that fall within the ASA, ADI, and APE.

• Within three (3) business days of contract award, the Contractor shall establish at least one (1) tDAR (Digital Archaeological Record) account to access and download VSFB documents that are available in this repository (https://core.tdar.org).

• Within five (5) business days of contract award, the Contractor shall begin to verify background research document availability on tDAR. The Contractor shall contact the SLD 30 Cultural Resources POC via email to request any documents not available on tDAR. Those documents will be provided by the SLD 30 Cultural Resources POC via email or DoD SAFE.

• Prior to the start of fieldwork at sites CA-SBA-TMP3, -1066, -1125, -1815 and -3996, the Contractor, in addition to standard background research, shall specifically examine all previous investigation, testing, evaluation, or mitigation reports to identify existing test units at each site. The Contractor shall use this information to avoid excavating new presence/absence STPs within five (5) meters of an STP or TEU existing test unit. Test units for evaluation or assessment of effects are to be located at the discretion of the Contractor with no spatial constraints posed by existing test units.

https://core.tdar.org/

• The Contractor shall determine if test units discussed in related reports exist in the GIS feature class “ArchaeologicalTest_P”. If a test unit appears in a report and is not in the GIS feature class, the Contractor shall add a point to the feature class “ArchaeologicalTest_P_deliverable”. The Contractor shall add basic test unit data, if available in the report, for up to fifteen (15) data columns (e.g. was the test unit “positive” or “negative” for artifacts, the unit designation, etc.). (Deliverable 5.2).

Task 5.3 – Pre-field Preparation

• Within fourteen (14) business days of contract award, the Contractor shall coordinate the AF Form 103. The Contractor is advised that AF Form 103 coordination will require a contractor staff member to physically be on base with the requisite base access.

• Prior to a crew member working in the field, the Contractor shall ensure that they have attended Unexploded Ordinance (UXO) training at VSFB. SLD 30 Cultural Resources POC will provide UXO POC information at the kick-off meeting.

• The Contractor shall budget for and coordinate UXO monitoring for up to four hundred

(400) excavation units and auger borings. This equates to approximately one-hundred twenty (120) shovel/test units at the northern end of the power line and for all shovel/test units located on South Base representing approximately two-hundred eighty (280) excavation units. The Contractor shall ensure that the number of UXO monitors is commensurate with the number of field crews. Coordination of UXO monitors shall occur immediately following contract award to ensure availability of a monitor to support archaeological fieldwork.

• The excavation of any type of test unit located at least 160-feet outside of a known archaeological site does not require the presence of a Native American monitor.

Therefore, the Contractor shall budget for and coordinate Native American monitoring with the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians (SYBCI) for all STPs or TEUs that will be excavated on or within 160-feet of a known archaeological site. The Contractor shall ensure that the number of Native American monitors is commensurate with the number of field crews. The Contractor is advised that the SYBCI typically require a two (2) week lead time to coordinate monitoring.

• The Contractor shall procure/prepare field equipment (e.g. vehicles, portable toilets, and other needed field related equipment), as needed.

Task 5.4 – Fieldwork

The contractor shall begin fieldwork no later than fifteen (15) business days following the contract award. The Contractor shall submit a summary email on the progress of the fieldwork to the SLD 30 Cultural Resources POC at the end of each week. (Deliverable 5.4) Following the start of fieldwork any issue that may impact on the fieldwork timeline should be brought to the immediate attention of the SLD 30 Cultural Resources POC.

The Contractor shall complete all fieldwork tasks within forty-five (45) business days of contract award.

Task 5.4.1 Pedestrian Survey

Pedestrian surveys require an archaeologist to physically walk over an area looking for historic and pre-contact artifacts, archaeological features, and paleontological material. The purpose of the survey at presence/absence STPs is to identify any surface artifacts or features that may be associated with a buried deposit. The purpose of the survey as part of a National Register (NR) site evaluation is to 1) define and/or verify the site boundary, and 2) help position a TEU within a site boundary based on the observation of artifact concentrations or features that may indicate the presence of a buried deposit.

• No systematic survey is required within the ADI; however, the Contractor shall examine an area 15-meters around each proposed STP location and/or proposed power pole.

• The boundary of a previously unrecorded site identified during survey or excavation will be delineated using GPS equipment, and the site will be recorded on California Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) 523 forms. The Contractor shall add the new site boundary to the GIS feature class “ArchaeologicalSite_A” (Deliverable 5.4.1) and ensure that the GIS boundary matches the site boundary in the site record. The Contractor shall assume that two (2) new archaeological sites will be identified during survey or the result of presence/absence testing.

• It is not anticipated that any paleontological remains will be encountered. The Contractor shall in the event of a paleontological discovery complete a one-page locality form and collect a GPS point or area to capture the location of the specimen in the event of a fossil discovery. The Contractor shall also take one or more pictures of the specimen as well as a photograph that shows the general area.

Task 5.4.2 - Archaeological Excavation

Shovel test pits are primarily used for exploratory purposes to determine if archaeological deposits are present, the extent and depth of the deposit (vertical and horizontal boundaries of the archaeological site), and to get basic information about the types of artifacts present, such as stone tools, faunal remains, etc. They are meant to be excavated rapidly and provide less refined detail regarding the density, diversity, and extent of the archaeological deposit. All STPs for this effort shall be excavated as 50-centimeter diameter round holes in 20-centimeter levels. All STPs shall terminate at a depth of eighty (80) centimeters, or if an impenetrable level is reached. If an STP demonstrates that an archaeological deposit continues deeper than 80 centimeters, the Contractor shall bore an auger hole in 20-centimeter levels until two (2) consecutive sterile levels have been observed, or an impenetrable level is reached, or a maximum depth of three (3) meters has been achieved.

Test excavation units are 1-meter by 1-meter or 1-meter by 0.5-meter and are used to collect a larger sample of a site and excavated with more precision and control as required for NRHP evaluations. The Contractor shall determine the appropriate size TEU to employ for the evaluation of a site. TEUs will be excavated in 10-centimeter levels until two (2) successive culturally sterile levels or bedrock are encountered. Artifact yield is anticipated to be low-to-moderate at all sites. No sites are anticipated to encounter dense midden. If dense midden is encountered at a site subject to effects testing, the midden would most likely result in an adverse effect determination for that test unit.

The Contractor shall assume that wet screening is not required for any STPs or TEUs. Sediments from all excavations will be dry-screened through 1/8-inch wire mesh screens.

The Contractor shall perform the following:

• Assume the excavation of up to nine hundred (900) STPs for presence/absence testing to identify unknown buried archaeological deposits or to assess effects for NR eligible archaeological sites within the ADI.

• Excavate the proposed STPs at the location provided by the SLD 30 Cultural Resources POC or can be repositioned based on field conditions or the results of the 15-meter survey.

• For NR site evaluations the Contractor shall determine the position of TEUs based on field conditions, surface distribution of artifacts and/or features.

• Record the position of all STPs, TEUs, or any other data collection unit using a GPS unit with submeter accuracy. Compare the GPS position of the STP against the locations test unit locations provided by the SLD 30 Cultural Resources Data Manager in the GIS feature class “ArchaeologicalTest_P”. If the Contractor notices a discrepancy of more than two (2) meters, the STP position shall be updated in the GIS feature class “ArchaeologicalTest_P_deliverable”. Ensure that the ARCHAEOTESTIDPK remains with the unit.

• Assume thirty-eight (38) STPs and one (1) TEU will be required for boundary definition, NRHP evaluation, and effects testing at CA-SBA-TMP3.

• Assume forty-nine (49) STPs and one (1) TEU will be required for boundary definition, NRHP evaluation, and effects testing at CA-SBA-1066.

• Assume up to nine (9) STPs for boundary definition and effects testing at CA-SBA-1125.

• Assume up to forty (40) STPs and one (1) TEU will be required for boundary definition, NRHP evaluation, and effects testing at CA-SBA-3996.

• Excavate TEUs for NRHP evaluation efforts for any new site(s) identified during the survey.

• Assume up to thirteen (13) STPs are required for boundary definition and effects testing at CA-SBA-1815.

• Assume up to eighteen (18) STPs are required for effects testing at CA-SBA-1125.

• All artifacts observed during excavation will be noted on a unit/level form. Collect artifacts, as needed, for off-site laboratory analysis for NRHP evaluation or assessment of effect or photography.

• Assume two (2) previously unrecorded precontact archaeological sites will require boundary, effects, and NRHP eligibility testing with one 1-meter by 1-meter test excavation unit, or two 1-meter by 0.5-meter test excavation units and ten (10) STPs.

Assume that each site will be a low-density lithic scatter composed of less than ten (10) tools and three hundred (300) pieces of chipped stone debitage. Notify the SLD 30 Cultural Resources POC via email at the end of the day on the day of discovery of any new archaeological site. The email shall include coordinates to plot the site in GIS, approximate size, and a brief description of the resource.

• Record excavation information on standard STP and test excavation unit forms. The SLD 30 Cultural Resources POC can provide example forms, if needed.

• When laboratory processing and technical analyses are complete, the Contractor shall notify the SLD 30 Cultural Resources POC via email. (Deliverable 5.4.2)

Task 5.5 - Post-excavation

Following laboratory analysis and/or photography, the Contractor shall remove all artifacts from bags or other storage containers and consolidate into (1) or more Banker’s Boxes in preparation for subsequent reburial. The Contractor shall return the Banker’s Box(es) to the SLD 30 Cultural Resources POC either in person or via mail within the contract PoP. (Deliverable 5.5)

Task 5.6 - Laboratory Processing & Technical Analyses

The Contractor shall complete the following laboratory and technical analyses tasks within eighty (80) business days of contract award:

Laboratory Processing

• The project will not result in the curation of artifacts.

• The Contractor shall assume analyzing and cataloging 1500 lithic artifacts and 50 tools;

analyzing 100 pieces of faunal remains; analyzing 500 grams of shell.

• The Contractor may elect to perform in-field artifact analyses or collect artifacts during fieldwork for laboratory analyses. The intent of artifact analysis is to demonstrate that a site includes sufficient quantity and/or diversity of artifacts to either address or not address research design questions that support the ensuing NR eligibility determination and/or assessment of effect.

• All items observed during excavation and/or in the laboratory shall be entered into a catalog of observed items that shall include provenience information.

• The Contractor shall develop a Provenience Information Log in an Excel spreadsheet using columns to list each test unit by ARCHAEOTESTIDPK.

• The Contractor shall photograph tools, ornaments, or unique items with a centimeter scale using a minimum sixteen (16) Megapixel camera. Each image shall be saved as the highest quality jpeg. The image will be entered in a photo log including the subject, date captured, and the VSFB Cultural Resource Project ID, which will be obtained from the SLD 30 Cultural Resources POC. Each image filename will be a compound of the Project ID and a sequential number for the image (e.g. 2026-R_1.jpg, 2026-R_2.jpg). The entry in the photo log will also use the compound Project ID and sequential number to identify the image in the photo log. (Deliverable 5.6)

Technical Analyses

• The Contractor shall anticipate performing technical analyses including, but not limited to, lithic artifacts, faunal remains, and shell, for three (3) NR evaluations for sites CA- TMP3, - 1066, and -3996, and if determined eligible for the National Register, an assessment of effect.

• The Contractor shall anticipate performing technical analyses including, but not limited to, lithic artifacts, faunal remains, and shell, for two (2) assessments of effect for sites CA-SBA-1125 and -1815.

• The Contractor shall assume to conduct up to two (2) NR evaluations for previously unrecorded sites, and if determined eligible for the NR, an assessment of effect.

• The Contractor shall anticipate Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) carbon dating for up to ten (10) samples.

Task 5.7 – Preliminary Draft Technical Report

Following fieldwork, laboratory processing, and analysis, the Contractor shall develop a Preliminary Draft Technical Report. The contractor shall submit two (2) electronic copies of the draft report (Microsoft Word and Adobe PDF formats) to the SLD 30 Cultural Resources POC no later than eighty (89) business days from the award of contract. The DAF review timeframe will be no more than two (2) business days. (Deliverable 5.7)

The Contractor shall ensure that the technical report at minimum includes the following:

• Title page with VSFB Cultural Resource project ID and project title.

• A section to introduce the project and its purpose.

• A section that summarizes the area’s cultural and natural setting.

• A section that presents the methods employed during field work, laboratory processing, and technical analyses for 1) the excavation of STPs for the access roads and poles, 2) the presence/absence and boundary testing on sites, 3) the testing conducted for the National Register evaluation, and 4) for assessing effects.

• A sub-section for each of the sites (CA-SBA-TMP3, -1066, -3996) that presents the research design questions considered for NRHP evaluations and effects assessment.

• Maps presenting the overall ASA, ADI, and APE and a map series that overlays the ASA, ADI, and archaeological sites, isolated finds (labeled with Trinomial and VSFB isolated find number, respectively) at a larger scale.

• If a site boundary changed, a map shall be included showing the original site boundary as a solid line and the changed portion of the boundary as a dashed line). Changes to site boundaries must be approved by the SLD 30 Cultural Resources POC prior to finalizing any report where boundary changes are proposed.

• For archaeological sites that were excavated, the Contractor shall include a map showing the location of all units excavated as part of the current effort. The units shall be symbolized as red dots for “positive” units and green for “negative” units. Each unit shall be labeled with the unit number.

• Discussion of chronological data if site produced datable material.

• Details of the cultural materials observed and/or recovered from the site, as described in the technical analyses.

• Data interpretation relevant to assessing adverse effects and evaluating NRHP eligibility.

• A sub-section that presents a management summary for each site that was excavated. The management summary will synthesize past work and shall incorporate the current effort.

• A site description that is consistent with the archaeological site record and that incorporates the observations of the current study.

• A sub-section that specifically addresses each of the four (4) eligibility criteria (A-D) and includes a discussion of the site’s integrity. The Contractor considering both the criterion and integrity shall the present an unequivocal NR determination. Determinations reading “potentially eligible” will be returned to the Contractor for revision.

• Recommendations to avoid and/or resolve adverse effects for all sites that resulted in an adverse effect determination.

• An appendix that includes new or updated site records for those resources that were subject to presence/absence testing, NRHP evaluation, and/or effects testing as part of this study.

• An appendix that includes all isolated find records that were generated as part of this study.

• An appendix of artifact catalogs that were generated as part of this study.

• An appendix of the personnel detailing education and/or years of experience as a professional archaeologist or related field.

Task 5.8 - Interim Draft Technical Report

The Contractor shall address DAF’s Preliminary Draft Technical Report comments (SOW Task 5.6) and submit a preliminary final Technical Report within ninety-six (96) business days from date of contract award. The Contractor shall submit two (2) versions of the Technical Report – one clean and one showing track changes, along with government CRMs and contractor comment responses. The DAF review timeframe will be no more than two (2) business days.

(Deliverable 5.8)

Task 5.9 - Final Technical Report

The Contractor shall submit the Final Technical Report to the SLD 30 Cultural Resources POC within one hundred (100) business days from the date of contract award. Final Technical Report shall be delivered on a CD/DVD. The Contractor can submit all deliverables on a single CD/DVD or multiple, as needed. Each CD/DVD shall include a label reading “Final Deliverables”, the Project ID, project title, abbreviated list of contents (e.g. Final Report, GIS Data, Catalog, Photos, etc.). (Deliverable 5.9)

The Final Technical Report deliverable shall include:

• One (1) hard copy of the final report, letter quality, single-spaced, double-sided, perfect-bound, and printed on 8.5-inch by 11-inch acid-free/lignin-free paper, excepting oversize maps and images.

• One (1) electronic copy in Adobe PDF and Microsoft Word formats.

Task 5.10 - GIS Data

The Contractor shall add or modify, as needed, elements (e.g. archaeological site boundary, a test unit, a locus boundary, etc.) in the feature classes within the ESRI file geodatabase provided by the SLD 30 Cultural Resources Data Manager. These feature classes include archaeological site boundaries, loci/concentrations, archaeological features, point-provenienced artifacts or isolated finds, and test units. The GIS data provided by the SLD 30 Cultural Resources Data Manager uses the Projected Coordinate System NAD 1983 (2011) State Plane California V FIPS 0405 (US Feet), Projection Lambert Conformal Conic, WKID 6424. The Contractor shall ensure that all data delivered to the SLD 30 Cultural Resources Data Manager employs the same coordinate system. The following GIS data shall be delivered within ninety-one (91) days following the contract award.

• The Contractor shall create a new site boundary, or modify an existing site boundary, in the feature class “ArchaeologicalSite_A_deliverable” for any archaeological site that was either newly recorded or where a site boundary was modified as a result of testing or surface observation of artifacts. The Contractor shall contact the SLD 30 Cultural Resources Data Manager to acquire a ARCHAEOLOGICALSITEIDPK for a newly recorded archaeological site.

• The Contractor shall create a new “concentration” (aka “locus”) boundary, or modify an existing locus boundary if recent observation or testing demonstrates changes are needed, in the GIS feature class “ArchaeologicalSiteLocus_A”. The Contractor shall contact the SLD 30 Cultural Resources Data Manager to acquire a LOCUSIDPK for the newly recorded concentration/locus.

• The Contractor shall create a new archaeological feature boundary, or modify an existing feature boundary if recent observation or testing demonstrates changes are needed, in the GIS feature class “ArchaeologicalSiteLocus_A”. The Contractor shall contact the SLD 30 Cultural Resources Data Manager to acquire an FEATUREIDPK for a newly recorded feature.

• The Contractor shall add a point representing a newly recorded point provenienced artifact or Isolated Find in the GIS feature class “ArchaeologicalArtifact_P. The Contractor shall ensure that the attribute ARTIFACTIDPK has the correct value. The Contractor shall contact the SLD 30 Cultural Resources Data Manager to acquire an ARTIFACTIDPK for a newly recorded point provenienced artifact or isolated find.

• The Contractor shall add/remove/move points representing test pits to the feature class “ArchaeoTest_P_deliverable” for any test units that are associated with this project.

Contractor shall ensure that all test units have an ARCHAEOTESTIDPK and that the ARCHAEOTESTIDPK matches the physical test unit that was excavated. The Contractor shall contact the SLD 30 Cultural Resources Data Manager for the assignment of additional ARCHAEOTESTIDPK numbers if new test units have been added to the feature class. The Contractor SHALL NOT assign ARCHAEOTESTIDPK to new test units as those numbers will not align with the database.

• The project geodatabase shall be submitted electronically on CD/DVD to SLD 30 Cultural Resources Data Manager. The Contractor shall submit the final GIS data with the final report. GIS data can be submitted on the same CD/DVD as the final report.

(Deliverable 5.9)

Task 6.0: Natural Resources Fieldwork & Consultations

Task 6.1 – Wetlands and Potential Jurisdictional Waters Analysis

A maximum of four (4) pits may be dug at a maximum of two (2) sites along the SL2 powerline route where potential jurisdictional waters of the US (WOTUS) and State (WOTS) may be affected including riparian areas. The Contractor shall provide qualified biologists or surveyors familiar with the aquatic features for hydric vegetation, wetland hydrology, and hydric soils. A wetlands delineation and analysis must adhere to the Minimum Standards for Acceptance of Aquatic Resources Delineation Reports (2016 or most current version) providing results of the delineation and State waters criteria to complete the delineation and wetlands assessment. The ordinary high water mark shall be determined as part of the analysis where needed in accordance with the 2008 Field Guide to OHWM Determinations in the Arid West. The Contractor may use the Rapid OWHM Field Identification Data Sheet (September 2024 or most recent version).

Vegetation alliances must be mapped following the Manual of California Vegetation (MCV) Second Edition (Sawyer et al. 2009). The Contractor shall provide two UXO monitors for one day for any delineation pits located on South Base. There are two (2) culvert installation areas within the Proposed Project area that shall be evaluated that may or may not need delineation pits. The Contractor shall determine if the Proposed Project impacts WOTUS and/or WOTS. The Contractor shall determine if the Proposed Project will require a USACE Nationwide Permit and 401 Certification. At least three (3) years of experience with wetlands assessment and analysis plus USACE Nationwide Permit coordination and MCV mapping is required. Within five (5) business days (hereafter within this task referred to as “days”) of contract award, the contractor shall:

• Participate in a virtual kick-off meeting with SLD 30 Natural Resources Wetlands POC.

The Contractor shall submit meeting minutes within three (3) business days of the kick-off meeting. (Deliverable 7.6.1).

The Contractor shall determine if a Compensatory Mitigation and Monitoring Plan (CMMP) is required based on the wetlands and potential jurisdictional waters analysis (SOW Task 6.1). If a CMMP is required the Contractor shall follow Optional Task 6.1.4.

Task 6.1.1 – Preliminary Draft Potential Jurisdictional Waters Analysis Report

Following the survey, the Contractor shall develop a Preliminary Draft Report based on at least the thirty-five (35) percent design. Where WOTS only are impacted by project activities, a restoration strategy shall describe or outline guidelines for the project impact area with an initial component plant list and percentage of native and non-native plant cover for the areas to be restored. If willows are temporarily removed, willow planting will be required.

The Contractor shall quantify and map permanent and temporary impacts to jurisdictional waters, plus quantify and map jurisdictional and non-jurisdictional habitat enhanced and restored, and develop monitoring and maintenance activities with at least one (1) year of weed control. The Contractor shall submit the Preliminary Draft Potential Jurisdictional Waters Analysis with the EA Interim Draft DOPAA Review (SOW Task 4.4). The Preliminary Draft Potential Jurisdictional Waters Analysis will be submitted with a separate CRM for the SLD 30 Natural Resources POC review. (Deliverable 12.4)

Task 6.1.2 –…