GILA_Scope_of_Work.docx

Bureau of Land Management Gila Lower Box RAMP: Scope of Work

Scope of Work: Recreation Area Management Plan and associated Environmental Assessments Gila Lower Box RAMP July 20, 2021 SECTION 1 – Background The Las Cruces Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Office is seeking assistance with the writing of a Recreation Area Management Plan for the Gila Lower Box Canyon which includes the Gila Lower Box Wilderness Study Area (WSA) and the Gila Lower Box Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC). The Gila Lower Box was designated as a WSA in 1980 with (8,555) and the ACEC was last designated in the Mimbres Resource Management Plan in 1993 with (6,490 acres). The Gila Lower Box represents one of the most biological diverse river corridors in southwestern New Mexico. The Gila Lower Box is an oasis in the desert containing very high biological diversity with 265 species of birds, 67 mammal species, 12 species of amphibians, and 54 reptile species recorded. The Gila Lower Box is also recognized as one of the best bird-watching areas in the State of New Mexico and contains numerous archeological resources. In addition, the river corridor within the WSA was recently proposed by Congress in May of 2020, to be included as a component of the National Wild and Scenic River System. The Gila Lower Box is located in Hidalgo and Grant Counties, New Mexico, approximately 20 miles northwest of the town of Lordsburg.

The Contractor will work with the BLM to develop an Environmental Assessment (EA) and Recreation Area Management Plan (RAMP) for the Gila Lower Box area. The EA and RAMP will address some of the management directives and implementation level decisions outlined in the Gila River Coordinated Resource Management Plan and provide guidance for future actions including Wild and Scenic River designation and increased signage and infrastructure to protect the varying values of the area.

CONTRACTOR QUALIFICATIONS

The contractor should have experience with writing Recreation Area Management Plans, Environmental Assessments, Resource Management Plans, Wild and Scenic Rivers, and general knowledge about BLM land use planning efforts. Although not required, experience with writing RAMPs for NM, CO, AZ, or other BLM offices in western states is preferred.

COST PROPOSAL

The BLM requests a cost proposal breakdown per task necessary prior to selection. This will include Labor Hours, Labor Dollars, Expense Dollars and an Overall Total Cost.

TASKS TO BE PERFORMED

TASK 1: Initial Project Management Meeting and Project Management The contractor will schedule and hold an initial Project Management meeting within 7 calendar days of receiving the Notice to Proceed. The contractor shall submit a draft work plan and preliminary schedule at the initial project meeting. The work plan will illustrate the tasks and methods to be used to complete the project within 312 calendar days from the Initial Project Management Meeting. The work plan will also include a detailed schedule illustrating anticipated completion times for each task (schedule does not need to include processes internal to the contractor).

The BLM and contractor will discuss the work plan and any other outstanding topics. The contractor will modify the work plan and schedule, if needed, as a result of the meeting, and provide BLM the opportunity to review all changes before finalizing the schedule and work plan. The BLM will provide all changes to the work plan and schedule to the contractor within five business days of the Initial Project Meeting. Based on BLM’s review, the contractor will finalize the work plan and schedule and provide it to the BLM within 14 calendar days.

The contractor will participate in bi-weekly project management conference calls. If the contractor or BLM feels that a specific call is not needed during certain phases of this project, it may be cancelled if both BLM and the contractor agree. During some stages of the contract, there could be more frequent calls, and in some stages, fewer calls. The contractor will provide notes from the bi-weekly conference call to all participants, and other interested parties, as identified by BLM. The contractor will be responsible for creating agendas and capture notes from project conference calls and distributing them, creating and maintaining a project schedule with key milestones. The contractor will assist BLM as necessary in coordinating with any identified cooperators with jurisdiction authority over resources that could be impacted by the proposed project.

The project details will be provided the BLM. The Contractor, in consultation with BLM will provide timely notification to all participating parties if significant delays to the project schedule arise as part of the data collection and the analysis process.

TASK 2: Develop issue-based EA to address the proposed recreation site development and future recreational opportunities (hiking, kayaking) within the Gila Lower Box.

The Contractor will consult with the Las Cruces District Office (LCDO) Outdoor Recreation Planners (ORPs) on recreation site development proposed in the Gila River Coordinated Resource Management Plan. Because the Gila River Coordinated Resource Management Plan is from 1985, there will also be additional analysis developed to help meet the needs of the current uses. After the final work plan the Contractor will have 10 business days to consult with the LCDO ORPs on proposed recreation site development and proposed protection measures. The BLM will conduct archeological, wildlife, hydrological, and paleontological surveys required for the proposed project area and supply the Contractor with final reports of the findings once the reports are complete. The Contractor will have 45 business days upon receipt of the resource information, to provide the BLM with a draft EA. The BLM will have 20 business days to review the document and provide the Contractor with all the comments and edits needed. The communication will continue in the same time fashion until the BLM approves the final draft. Once approved by the BLM, the Contractor will have 10 business days to finalize the EA and provide the BLM with a finalized copy for Manager.

TASK 3: Develop draft RAMP for the Gila Lower Box.

The Contractor will develop a RAMP for the Gila Lower Box that will address the following:

Section 1: Introduction - executive summary, purpose of the RAMP, relationship to other documents, area overview, RMP objectives to achieve within the parameters established in the RMP, new developments that were analyzed in the Gila Lower Box EA.

Section 2: Management - commitment of resources, services to offered to visitors, development of facilities, access and roads, visitor health and safety, and future management goals.

Section 3: Administration -use restrictions, partnership agreements, data management protocols, timelines, priorities for implementation, and cost estimates of implementation projects.

Section 4: Information and Education - map and brochure development, website development, outreach efforts, interpretation, environmental education, sign placement, and other visitor information delivery services.

Section 5: Monitoring (recreation resources and visitor use) - visitor use and use patterns, recreation (caused resource effects or impacts), visitor satisfaction and demand, and effectiveness or attainment of outcomes-focused management objectives, recreation setting characteristics, standards, and indicators.

The Contractor will have 90 business days to develop the RAMP and provide the BLM with a draft. The BLM will have 20 business days to review the draft and provide the Contractor with any comments and changes to be addressed. The contractor shall set up a meeting or conference call with the BLM to discuss the draft document and any comments that need to be addressed. Once approved by the BLM, the Contractor will provide the RAMP for a 30-day scoping period. After the scoping period the contractor will have 10 business days to provide the BLM with the comments and resolutions. The BLM will have 15 business days to review comments and provide further comments to the contractor. The contractor will have 10 business days to finalize the final RAMP and add it as an appendix to the final EA. The Decision Record (DR) and the Findings of No Significant Impacts (FONSI) will be completed in house by the Las Cruces District Office ORP.

SECTION 3 – Task Schedule Task 1 (planning and coordination) Day 1: Notice to Proceed to contractor awarded contract Day 2-8: Contractor will:

1. Notify Technical Manager

2. Hold Project Management meeting within seven calendar days of contract award.

3. Provides draft work plan with task methods and schedules.

Day 9-21: Contactor provides final work plan and schedules to BLM.

Bi-Weekly: Contractor coordinates project management conference call with BLM (timing may vary based on needs) and is responsible for distributing meeting minutes throughout all tasks

Task 2 (RAMP EA) May be developed concurrently with Task 3 Day 22-32: Contractor consults with BLM ORPs and PM on proposed recreation site development and provides all necessary GIS, documents, and surveys.

Day 33-77: Contractor writes draft EA Day 78-97: BLM reviews draft EA Day 98-107: Contractor finalizes EA and submits to BLM for Manager approval Day 108-117: BLM accepts final EA

Task 3 (RAMP) May be developed concurrently with Task 2 Day 118-208: Contractor writes draft RAMP Day 209-228: BLM reviews draft RAMP Day 229-258: RAMP out for public scoping Day 259- 269: Contractor finalizes comments Day 270- 285: BLM reviews comments Day 286-296: Contractor finalizes RAMP Day297-312: BLM finalizes Decision Record and FONSI SECTION 4 – Government Furnished Materials and Services A. Resource Management Plan The BLM will furnish an electronic copy of the Gila River Coordinated RMP and the Mimbres RMP to the contractor. These RMPs outline planning decisions and implementation decisions made for the Gila Lower Box area. The RMP’s should be consulted during the writing of the RAMP to ensure that all Recreation, Education and Interpretation implementation level decisions are addressed.

B. GIS Data The BLM will furnish the contractor with the necessary GIS data to address any mapping needs and the Travel and Transportation decisions made in the RMP.

C. Preliminary Baseline Surveys Archeological, wildlife, hydrological, and paleontological surveys SECTION 5 – Communication and Acceptance of Deliverables Frequent open communication and coordination between the Contractor and the BLM will be required throughout the completion of the project. There will be a minimum of two meetings (in person or via conference call) between the contractor and the BLM. The first will be an Initial Project Management Meeting and the second will be a meeting to review the completed draft and address any comments on the RAMP.

FINAL ACCEPTANCE will be made by the CO and COR:

DELIVERABLES

If not otherwise stated in the task order, the following requirements apply to all deliverables submitted:

Deliverables shall be addressed to the BLM Project Manager as follows Bureau of Land Management, Las Cruces District Office, 1800 Marquess Street, Las Cruces, NM 88005.

Deliverables will include a paper and electronic copies of the completed RAMP for the Gila Lower Box. All documents, supporting records and publications will be verified true and correct Portable Document Format (PDF) and MS Word copies on CD-ROM and are to be provided to the BLM. Documents are to be of high quality and in color as determined necessary by the BLM and be made 508 compliant.

The BLM will review all draft documents within 20 business day of receipt unless otherwise specified. Based upon the amount or complexity of BLM’s revision comments. BLM shall have the option of reviewing drafts until they are revised to BLM’s satisfaction. The Contractor, upon receipt of BLM’s revision comments, will generally have 10 business days to respond (unless otherwise specified) with the necessary written revisions.

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