Gas_Hills_Paleo_Survey_Statement_of_Work.pdf

U.S. BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

LANDER FIELD OFFICE, WYOMING

Paleontological Survey of Areas of Paleontological Concern, 2022

STATEMENT OF WORK

I. Introduction and Background The contractor shall conduct a paleontological resources reconnaissance survey of selected portions of the Gas Hills Area of Paleontological Concern within the Lander Field Office (LFO). The contract will include a paleontological resources reconnaissance survey of approximately 4,000 acres within the Gas Hills project area (see attached maps). All paleontological localities within the reconnaissance survey area will be recorded using the BLM Locality Form, or equivalent, and evaluated to make a significance determination.

In 2014 LFO issued the Record of Decision for its Resource Management Plan (RMP), which identified five

(5) areas of Paleontological Concern. These five areas total approximately 392,000 acres. The LFO would like to complete a reconnaissance survey of these areas to assist in making land management decisions, and to begin compiling a record of paleontological sites within the LFO. It is not proposed that the contract holder survey these areas in their entirety. The contract holder shall focus on selected areas within the 32,943-acre Gas Hills High Potential Fossil Area with a Potential Fossil Yield Class (PFYC) of 5 located on BLM-managed surface (a total of 14,281 acres). The contractor shall strategically select 4,000 acres to survey within this larger 14,281-acre area. Additional areas may be added as time and funding permit. The project area is underlain by the Jurassic Sundance Formation, the Cretaceous Cloverly Formation, the Eocene Wagon Bed and Wind River Formations, and the Oligocene White River Formation. These formations are identified as having Potential Fossil Yield Classification (PFYC) of 5, meaning there is very high sensitivity for paleontological resources. The contractor must have a current BLM Wyoming Paleontological Resources Use Permit or be able to obtain a permit in time to meet the project timeframes described in the schedule below.

II. Project Location and Scope The area is located in the Wind River Basin of central Wyoming, approximately 85 miles southeast of Riverton, Wyoming and approximately 130 miles west of Casper, Wyoming. The Gas Hills Project Area is located on BLM managed public lands in Sections 18, 19, 30, and 31, T33N, R89W; Sections 8, 10-15, 17, and 20-36, T33N, R90W; and Sections 1-30, T32N, R90W. To access to the project area from Riverton, travel approximately 43 miles east and southeast on the Gas Hills Highway (Wyoming State Highway 136).

From this point the project area can be accessed by a combination of gravel and two-track roads. The contractor shall not drive off existing roads.

III. Statement of Work The contractor shall conduct a background files search, paleontological resources reconnaissance survey of a minimum of 4,000 acres of PFYC 5 occurring on BLM-managed surface within the larger 32,943-acre Gas Hills Project area. It is important to note that there are a total of 14,281 acres of PFYC 5 within the Gas Hills area, but the contractor shall strategically select 4,000 acres within the larger area of PFYC 5 to survey. A brief research design/rationale for selection of these 4,000 acres shall be provided in the proposal.

The project area will be inspected for 1) surface fossils, 2) exposures of potentially fossiliferous rock, and

3) areas in which fossiliferous rock would be exposed or otherwise impacted by surface disturbing activities. Exposures of paleontologically sensitive geologic units will receive a pedestrian survey; other areas may be cleared visually or using aerial photographs.

A report will be completed based on the results of the reconnaissance survey and will include the following details:

a) Name, affiliation, address, date of report, and permit number of paleontologists doing the survey.

b) Project name and number (if used), name of proponent, and general location of project.

c) Date(s) of survey and names of any personnel assisting with the survey.

d) Project Description

- Brief description of the proposed project, emphasizing potential impacts to paleontological resources.

e) Description of background research conducted.

- Include overview of known paleontological information, institutions consulted, previous surveys in the area, previous projects of similar nature in the area, and general description of survey techniques employed.

f) Summary of regional and local geology. May reference earlier projects for relevant information.

g) Summary of regional and local paleontology. May reference earlier projects for relevant information.

h) Survey Methodology

- Extent of survey coverage. Provide total acres of pedestrian survey and non-survey.

- Include criteria used to determine significant vs non-significant localities.

i) Summary of the survey results.

- Describe each locality separately and provide information on topographic location, formation, fossil description, and preservation.

- Potential impacts to paleontological resources resulting from the project.

- Detailed mitigation recommendations that may lessen potential adverse impacts, including any areas where monitoring during construction is recommended.

- Listing of any collected material, including field numbers, field identifications, and elements, cross-referenced to locality field numbers. This list may be submitted in electronic format, preferably in spreadsheet format.

j) Potential fossiliferous areas to allow for future assessment of sites if applicable.

k) Cited and other pertinent references.

l) Map of the project area, indicating areas surveyed, areas not surveyed, previously identified localities, and new discoveries. Maps will be at 1:24,000 scale with a standard 7.5’ USGS topographic map as a background. Supplemental maps which are reduced or enlarged in scale or with a different background may be provided as needed.

m) Relevant photos, diagrams, tables to aid in explaining, clarifying, or understanding the findings.

All photographs included in the report shall be at least 3.5 inches by 5 inches in size. Captions will include direction of photo, description, any modification to the photo, and date taken.

n) BLM locality form (8270-3) or equivalent for each new locality (including localities where fossils were observed but not collected) with a 1:24,000 scale map showing the localities (not reduced in scale during photocopying).

The contractor is required to have a current BLM Wyoming Paleontological Resources Use Permit and will adhere to the permit stipulations.

IV. Government Supplied Property The BLM Lander Field Office will supply the successful applicant with a map of the Gas Hills Project Area.

Also, GIS shapefiles will be provided of the Gas Hills project area.

V. Funding/Schedule Work schedule and partial payment shall be divided into four phases.

Phase I, Background Literature Search = 30 calendar days from award; 10% Partial Payment Phase II, Field Work = 75 calendar days from award; 40% Partial Payment Phase III, Draft Report Submission = 165 calendar days from award; 25% Partial Payment Phase IV, Final Report Submission = 195 calendar days from award; 25% Partial Payment

VI. Deliverables The contractor shall prepare a paleontological reconnaissance survey report, including locality forms. The report shall include photographic documentation and maps produced with GIS information. One copy of the draft report (either hard copy or electronic format) shall be submitted to the BLM for initial review and comment. Electronic deliverables will be in PDF format. The BLM shall be allowed 30 days for review.

The contractor shall make revisions and prepare the final report in accordance with BLM recommendations.

The contractor shall submit to the BLM one bound copy of the final report with color maps and photographs upon completion of the project. The final report, locality forms, and GIS information (including original field data files and GIS shapefiles), and all photographs taken as part of this project will also be submitted in electronic format. Thumb drives are preferred for the electronic submission, but CDs or DVDs are also acceptable. The final report and locality forms may either be in Microsoft Word (Windows 10 compatible) or PDF files. The preferred digital format for photographs is JPEGs.

Copies of field and research notes and maps associated with this project shall be submitted to the BLM upon completion of the project. Either digital format (thumb drives, CDs, or DVDs) or paper copies are acceptable.

Email notifications: The contractor shall notify the BLM before commencing fieldwork, and when fieldwork is completed, by emailing the Contracting Officer (CO), Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) and the Point of Contact (POC). Email notifications shall also be sent when the draft and final reports are mailed to the BLM. All deliverables shall be submitted to the POC.

VII. Point of Contact Nick Freeland, Archaeologist and Paleontology Coordinator, BLM Lander Field Office, 1335 Main Street, Lander, Wyoming 82520; 307-332-8421; nfreeland@blm.gov.

Evaluation and Award Criteria

Respondents shall supply a written proposal which includes: 1) qualifications and experience of key personnel, 2) past performance, 3) and quality control plan. One-page resumes of all key personnel will be submitted. Respondents will submit a list of clients (no more than 5) for past and present similar projects covering the past three years. This list will serve as a list of references to obtain past performance information (quality, timeliness, cost control, business relationships) related to the Respondents current and past work. The quality control plan will show how the respondent intends to meet the tasks associated with this contract.

Respondents will then be evaluated on the specific evaluation criteria listed below. The technical evaluation factors are more important than the bid price. The final award will be made to the most qualified respondent, with consideration that the bid price is within the available budget for this project.

Respondents will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

1. Quality of the Proposal

A. Does the proposal reflect a good understanding of the scope of issues involved?

B. Is there a clear description of how the work will be managed and coordinated with the BLM?

2. Respondent Qualifications and Experience A. Does the respondent have a current BLM Wyoming Paleontological Resources Use Permit (please provide permit number) or the ability to obtain one in time to meet the project timeframes described (please provide resume documenting qualifications)?

B. Do the respondent and key personnel assigned to the project have experience conducting paleontology inventories and evaluating paleontological resources in Wyoming?

C. Does the respondent demonstrate professional past performance in completing paleontology inventories and locality recordation?

3. Availability and Capacity to Perform A. Given the current and projected workload of the respondent, will the respondent have sufficient time available to devote to the project to meet or exceed the timeframes described?

4. Price/Cost

A. Is the bid price within the available budget?

Total Points _____ Score for Quality of Proposal _____ Score for Respondent Qualifications and Experience _____ Score for Availability and Capacity to Perform _____ Score for Price/Cost of Project

Score for Proposal, Qualifications, and Availability _____ Best _____ Above Average _____ Average _____ Below Average _____ Poor