Outlaw Trails Paleontology Survey SOW 4 02 21.docx

U.S. BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

CODY FIELD OFFICE, WYOMING

Outlaw Trails Paleontological Resources Inventory Project

STATEMENT OF WORK

I. Introduction and Background The paleontological consultant shall conduct a paleontological resources inventory (survey) of the Outlaw Trails Project Area within the Cody Field Office (CYFO). The base period will include a paleontological resources inventory of approximately 750 acres within Block 1 of the Outlaw Trails Project Area consisting of a 300-foot corridor (150 feet each side of centerline) along proposed trail system. All paleontological localities within the inventory area will be recorded using the BLM Locality Form, or equivalent, and evaluated to make a significance determination. Significant fossils will be collected and curated at a BLM-approved repository.

In 2015 CYFO issued the Record of Decision for its revised Resource Management Plan (RMP), which identified Newton Lake Ridge (Outlaw Trails) as a Special Recreation Management Area (SRMA). To complete the NEPA analysis necessary for project implementation, information is needed on the paleontological resources within the Outlaw Trails Project Area. The area contains a mix of geological formations including the Cretaceous Frontier Formation, Mowry Shale, Thermopolis Shale and Cloverly Formation; the Jurassic Morrison, Sundance, and Gypsum Spring formations, and the Triassic Chugwater and Dinwoody formations. These formations are identified as having Potential Fossil Yield Classifications (PFYC) of either Class 3 or 5, meaning there is moderate to very high potential for vertebrate and/or scientifically significant paleontological resources to be found in the area. The paleontological consultant selected must have a current approved BLM Wyoming Paleontological Resources Consulting 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 Bighorn Basin of northwest Wyoming, approximately 5 miles north of Cody. The Outlaw Trails Project Area is located on BLM managed public lands in T. 53 N., R. 102 W., Sections 15, 16, 21, and 22. Access to the Outlaw Trails area is off Highway 120 North to County Rd 7Wc.turn left and drive 1.4 miles to the parking area located north of the county road. The paleontological consultant and their employees shall not drive off existing roads.

III. Statement of Work The paleontological consultant shall conduct a background files search, and paleontological resources inventory of a minimum of 750 acres within the Outlaw Trails Project Area, including the following information: (a) locality recordation, (b) significance recommendation, (c) collection and,(d) curation of significant fossils.

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 inventory and will include the following details:

a) Name, affiliation, address, date of report, and permit number of the paleontological consultant conducting 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 and stratigraphy of the project area. May reference earlier projects for relevant information.

g) Summary of regional and local paleontology including a description of paleontological significance and potential fossil yield classification (PFYC) for each formation. May reference earlier projects for relevant information.

h) Survey Methodology

· Describe the extent of the 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, with photograph(s).

· A description of 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.

· A 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 with the report.

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

k) Conclusions and Recommendations to Management

l) All cited and other pertinent references.

m) 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.

n) 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.

o) BLM locality forms (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).

p) Tables

q) Appendices

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

IV. Government Supplied Property The BLM Cody Field Office will supply the successful offeror with a map of the Outlaw Trails Project Area and proposed new trails. Also, GIS shapefiles will be provided for the proposed trail routes, inventory corridors, and boundaries.

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

VI. Deliverables The consultant shall prepare a paleontological resources inventory 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. The BLM shall be allowed 30 days for review. The consultant shall make revisions and prepare the final report in accordance with BLM recommendations.

The consultant shall submit to the BLM two bound copies 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 completed of the project. Either digital format (thumb drives, CDs, or DVDs) or paper copies are acceptable.

Email notifications: The consultant 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

TBD

Evaluation and Award Criteria

This RFQ will be awarded to the Offeror whose quote provides the best overall value to the government. Best value will be determined through a process of evaluating each quote against the evaluation criteria described below, with technical Factors 1, 2, and 3 when combined, being significantly more important than price. Technical factors are rated equally. Where technical capabilities are similar, price may be the determining factor. Price will be evaluated for reasonableness and completeness.

In addition to providing information in response to the below evaluation criteria offerors shall include: 1) qualifications and experience of key personnel, 2) past performance, 3) and quality control plan. One page resumes of all key personnel shall 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 when combined are more important than the 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. Factor 1: Technical Expertise/Approach A. Understanding of the requirement B. Technical Approach C. Approach to coordination with BLM

2. Factor 2: Respondent Qualifications and Experience A. Does the respondent have a current approved 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. Offeror and key personnel assigned to the project experience conducting paleontology inventories and evaluating paleontological resources in Wyoming.

C. Offeror demonstration of professional past performance in completing paleontology inventories and locality recordation.

3. Factor 3: Availability and Capacity to Perform A. Respondent’s ability to devote sufficient time to the project to meet or exceed the timeframes.

4. Factor 4: Price/Cost A. Offerors shall propose firm fixed price amounts in accordance with the attached pricing sheet.

B. Any price assumptions are to be included with the submission documents.

C. The Government will evaluate offers for award purposes by adding the total price for all optional additions to the total price for the basic requirement. Evaluation of options shall not obligate the Government to exercise the option(s).