Rat_Hole_Cabin_Implementation__1.pdf

SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE

2022 CONSERVATION OF LOG AND WOOD STRUCTURES

AT RAT HOLE CABIN HISTORIC SITE (42UN3351),

UINTAH COUNTY, UTAH

STATEMENT OF WORK

I. Scope of Contract

The Contractor shall supply the necessary qualified personnel, materials, equipment, and facilities to conduct and complete the requested preservation and stabilization of the historic log structure components of the Rat Hole Cabin Historic Site (42UN3351), located on Bureau of Land

Management (BLM) administered lands within the Vernal Field Office (VFO). The Contractor shall prepare a work summary regarding each step of the preservation and restoration associated with this project. The contract period shall begin on the date the contract issued and end on

September 30, 2023. Construction work will begin upon Issuance of Notice to Proceed with 30 days to complete the work. A draft work summary documenting the work completed and materials used will be submitted to the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) at least 45 days prior to the end of the contracting period. The contractor must attend a pre-work meeting with the CO and/or COR.

All work shall be performed in accordance with the recommendations outlined in the report

Condition Assessment and Preservation Plan for the Rat Hole Cabin Historic Site, Uintah

County, Utah (U21WN0597) (Diederichs and Fisher 2022) and in accordance with the Secretary of the Interior’s "Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties" (36 CFR part 67 Section 7).

All bidding contractors must submit a Statement of Qualifications that includes their Technical

Ability and Past Experience with their respective bids. The Statement of Qualification should show:

I.) Successful previous historic preservation projects by the project lead that are similar in size and scope to the Rat Hole Cabin Historic Site, and that comply with the Secretary of the Interior’s Guidelines for Rehabilitation.

II. Objectives

The project will address the following objective:

1.) Provide historical stabilization and conservation services on the historic log structures located at the Rat Hole Cabin Historic Site, as per the suggested guidelines contained within the

Condition Assessment and Preservation Plan for the Rat Hole Cabin Historic Site, Uintah

County, Utah (U21WN0597) (Diederichs and Fisher 2022) and in accordance with the Secretary of the Interior’s "Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties" (36 CFR part 67 Section 7).

All conservation and stabilization work must be documented and submitted to the BLM following completion of the project. Documentation must include annotated photographs depicting the areas addressed and a description of the materials used. The completed work will be documented in a brief work summary that verifies the methods employed and the completion of work by the conservator.

III. Statement of Work

A. General

In 2021 the BLM-VFO allocated funds to conduct historical stabilization and preservation on the historic log structures at the Rat Hole Cabin Historic Site. BLM-VFO is ready to execute a statement of work through this funding. The ensuing project will provide repairs to the historic fabric of the structures and result in the preparation of a work summary documenting all repairs and conservation treatments.

The Rat Hole Cabin Site (42UN3351) is located in the Book Cliffs area approximately 80 miles south of Vernal, Utah, Township 14S, Range 25E, Section 23. On lands managed by the BLM-

VFO. The nearest town is Vernal. Access to the site includes a combination of paved, hardened gravel roads, and graded dirt roads. No services (e.g. power, water, secure storage) are available at the site. Backcountry camping near the site is available to bidders. Note that access to the site is limited by road conditions and snow depth. Access to the site is typically available from May 1 through September 30.

No official site tour is planned. All prospective bidders are strongly encouraged to visit the project location before preparing and submitting bids.

B. Introduction and Background

The Rat Hole Cabin Historic site (42UN3351) is located on the northern side of Rat Hole canyon and was settled as a homestead by William King ca. 1910 primarily focused on sheepherding.

The site consists of six structures: a cabin, masonry cellar, barn, granary, guest bunkhouse, and outhouse. In addition, the site contains a developed spring, corral, and dump. The site appears on a 1921 General Land Office (GLO) map as Davis Cabin. The site is eligible to the National

Register of Historic Places (NRHP) under criteria A, C, and D. Prior to the 2021 update, the last detailed recording of the site was conducted in 2008. Since the 2008 recording the BLM has added additional fencing in an effort to preserve the structures, but little additional stabilization work has happened. The condition of the site has continued to decline since this last recording.

Current conditions, structural analysis, and a preservation plan of the Rat Hole Cabin Historic

Site (42UN3351) of the has already been conducted and is available in the Condition Assessment and Preservation Plan for the Rat Hole Cabin Historic Site, Uintah County, Utah (U21WN0597)

(Diederichs and Fisher 2022) which is included in this solicitation. The recommendations in the report will be used to guide the project’s direction. Adherence to the recommendations contained in the Condition Assessment and Preservation Plan for the Rat Hole Cabin Historic Site, Uintah

County, Utah (U21WN0597) (Diederichs and Fisher 2022) will ensure conformity to the

Secretary of the Interior’s “Standards for Rehabilitation” while accomplishing the goal of maintaining structural integrity and long-term preservation of the structures. The data accumulated from the structural analysis and the subsequent restoration work tied to this contract will be used to create a long-term plan for the continued maintenance of the masonry structure.

The preservation plan has been excerpted from the report and provided with this SOW.

The contractor is expected to follow all stabilization and preservation recommendations in

Diederichs and Fisher 2022. If, during to course of site stabilization any of these recommendations cannot be met, the contractor is expected to meet with the BLM to discuss why and offer an alternative solution in accordance with the Secretary of the Interior’s "Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties" (36 CFR part 67 Section 7). The BLM and contractor will then work to modify the contract as appropriate to address the inability to meet one of these recommendations. Current condition and construction methods can be found in Diederichs and

Fisher 2022).

a. Main Cabin (Feature 1)

Building consists of two rooms resting on a stone foundation with a wood and corrugated metal gabled roof. The cabin is a saddle-notched log structure divided into two rooms and measures

21’8” x 31’ 11” x 22’5” x 29’3”. The interior of the cabin is divided into two rooms. The cabin is currently suffering from loss of corrugated roof panels and significant rot of lower logs causing logs to lean and the walls to tilt. No doors or windows remain in the structure. Grading around the cabin has buried the lower logs in places. Only limited efforts have been conducted to stabilize this structure.

Current recommended treatments of this structure include: structural stabilization of the south, north, and dividing walls; treating the basal logs, and required basal log replacement; weather-proofing the walls, roof, and floors; managing water flow around the structure (see Deiderichs and Fisher 2022).

b. Masonry Cellar (Feature 2)

This structure consists of a sandstone foundation with cut logs for roof beams and measures 18’ x

13’ x 3’6.” The roof has collapsed and partially filled in the structure. Current recommended treatments of this feature include repointing the masonry with an appropriate mortar (see

Deiderichs and Fisher 2022).

c. Barn (Feature 3)

This structure is a modified saddle-notched cabin with a metal gabled roof that may have once served as the primary residence. The structure measures 28’ x 23’ and includes a 12’6” awning on the southwest side. A partial stone foundation remains on the northeast site of the structure. A large portion of the roof collapsed in 2019.

Current recommended treatments of this structure include: treating the basal logs, and required basal log replacement; managing water flow around the structure; structural stabilization of the roof; weather proofing of the walls and remaining roof segments (see Deiderichs and Fisher

2022).

d. Granary (Feature 4)

The structure is a saddle-notch log structure with a cut wood foundation resting on 13 posts capped with metal buckets. The structure measures 10’ x 6’5” x 5’5.” The structure is currently missing roof segments and the post foundation has issues with loss through rot. Current recommended treatments of this structure include: repairing the structures roof (see Deiderichs and Fisher 2022).

e. Bunkhouse (Feature 5)

This structure is immediately north of the granary and is a square notched log cabin which measures 15’ x 14’7” x 7’. The structure rests on a cut wood foundation and the roof has collapsed. No windows or doors remain in this structure. Current recommended treatments of this structure include: weather proofing of the exterior walls (see Deiderichs and Fisher 2022).

f. Additional Stabilization Work Contingent on Funding

In addition to the primary stabilization recommendations additional stabilization can be conducted contingent on project funding. This recommended additional work includes:

Installation of French Drains to better keep water aways from wall bases of Features 1 and 3; and reconstruction of the roof of Feature 3 (see Deiderichs and Fisher 2022).

Completion of the recommendations made for this project will bring the structure into compliance with federal guidelines and provide long-term benefits through the preservation of the National

Register eligible property. The preservation activities will help maintain and enhance the scientific, educational and interpretive values, as well as provide continued professional exploration and public enjoyment of the Rat Hole Cabin Historic Site. The work will also follow the 2008 VFO Resource Management Plan’s Management Decision for the Rat Hole Cabin (Rec-

13 Stabilize and preserve Chipeta, moonshine, Rat Hole, and Trujillo cabins and CUL-17 Allow for reconstruction, stabilization, maintenance, and interpretation of selected sites for public enjoyment and education).

Contractor Will:

1. The Contractor shall furnish all other equipment and materials necessary to complete this project.

2. Review the 2022 Rat Hole Cabin Stabilization Report Condition Assessment and

Preservation Plan for the Rat Hole Cabin Historic Site, Uintah County, Utah (U21WN0597)

(Diederichs and Fisher 2022). This will serve as a baseline reference for the site and will guide all preservation and restoration activities.

3. The project work will be carried out in accordance with specific tasks as described for the historic property identified. Tasks are related to stabilizing and replacing deteriorating building fabric.

4. Provide detailed information of all the materials and suppliers used.

5. Additional requirements based on stabilization report.

6. Optional Additional Stabilization work Contingent on funding based on the stabilization report.

7. Weekly up-dates between the contractor and the BLM-VFO cultural staff will be necessary to facilitate coordination, problem resolution and consultation, if needed, with the Ute Tribal

Historic Preservation Office and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation.

8. Upon the completion of the work, a draft work summary, shall be generated and submitted for review to the COR within 120 days following the date from which the contract is awarded. After review of the draft work summary, a final summary will be prepared and submitted to the COR.

9. Submit one digital copy and three hard copies of a report detailing the preservation and conservation work conducted along with samples of the mortar and treatments used for future reference to the BLM 360 days following the date from which the contract is awarded. One copy will include original dated before and after photos of all tasks in progress. The report must include original and annotated photographs printed on archival quality paper.

The above is provided as information only and should not necessarily be used as the basis for formulating a bid or serve in place of the offeror’s due diligence. It is the offeror’s responsibility prior to submitting a price quotation to inspect the project area and literature to resolve any concern over the nature and extent of potential difficulties regarding terrain, site density, site size, vegetation density, ground cover, boundaries, access and/or any other factors which may affect the offeror’s price quotation. If the offeror is unfamiliar with the project location, it is strongly recommended that the area be visited by the potential contractor.

B. Government Furnished Property

The Government will make available the materials, supplies, property, or services listed below.

The Contractor shall be liable for the loss or damage to such property until returned to the

Government in good condition. Government furnished property will be provided to Contractor at the pre-work meeting.

• All necessary reference materials including site records, maps, reports, etc.

• Condition Assessment and Preservation Plan for the Rat Hole Cabin Historic Site, Uintah County, Utah (U21WN0597) (Diederichs and Fisher 2022)

• Review and provide comments on the draft work summary within 30 days of delivery.

C. Administration, Supervision and Personnel

The Contractor is responsible for all phases of the work and for the quality of deliverables. The

Contractor must be able to demonstrate competence in project administration. Such demonstration may include the following: 1) a record of successful completion of similar projects or types of projects with comparable scope and complexity; or 2) a record of responsibility at the

PI level in the successful completion of similar projects.

The Contractor shall submit a list of key personnel who will be involved with the project verifying their qualifications and past experience with repointing and restoration work on historic stone buildings.

Key Personnel

Project Supervisor will be responsible for managing the project, project budgets, and personnel, and for meeting project deadlines for each step of the process at the site, including preparation of final reports. This individual will have a working knowledge of the regional history and historic architecture and stabilization methods which meet the Secretary of the

Interior's guidelines (36 CFR part 67 Section 7).

Historic Preservation Specialist will provide expertise in the preservation, conservation, and maintenance of the structure, combining a working knowledge of historic stone architecture, and the perspectives of an architect and a scientific conservator. This individual will work to conserve the architectural fabric from which the structures are made, retaining architectural significance that reflects integrity and heritage values. He/she will make treatment recommendations that are based on established preservation principles, and carry out and direct field treatments.

D. Deliverables and Scheduling

Stabilization should begin as soon as the contract is awarded. Access is weather dependent and likely only through October before snowfall and mud will make the roads impassable. Access will likely be difficult until the following April.

Three printed copies of the report are required. In addition to hard copies, an identical digital version of all documentation is required on a compact disc. Draft versions of the report may be submitted electronically for review via electronic media or email.

Quality of all report photographs, illustrations, maps and other figures shall be equivalent to the original. Contractor will prepare and organize ALL project materials for curation and collections.

Contractor will submit the following items at project completion as per the schedule outlined below: test boards, mortar samples, and all reporting documentation (hard copy and digital) including photographs, annotated photographs, negatives and photo logs, and the final report.

The contractor shall summarize the quality control measures employed by the contractor during the completion of the draft and final reports. This summary will be included in a transmission letter that is to accompany the draft and final reports.

The contract period shall begin the date the contract was issued and end on September 30, 2023. A draft work summary will be submitted to the COR at least 45 days prior to the end of the contracting period. Comments on the draft work summary will be returned to the Contractor within 30 calendar days. If the draft report is of unacceptable quality, the COR shall reject the work summary. If this is to occur, the contractor shall provide a revised draft work summary for review. The Contractor will have the remaining contracting time to submit the final work summary and all project materials as defined above. If the final work summary is found to be deficient in form or content, the government may return it for revision. Any additional costs incurred in producing an acceptable work summary shall be borne by the Contractor.

E. Payment Schedule

The Contractor shall be paid a firm-fixed price for the services performed under the contract.

• 50% payment upon completion of 50% of work

• 40% payment upon delivery of draft work summary

• 10% payment upon acceptance of final, revised work summary, and review of Ute THPO

F. Future Use of Project Data

Contractor may use the data resulting from this restoration and conservation project for future purposes only under the following circumstances. Contractor agrees to provide two copies of any manuscripts, reports, and publications pertaining to the project to the BLM Archaeologist. Any manuscript prepared for possible publication will be submitted for review by the BLM

Archaeologist prior to publication.

Driving Directions

• Take Utah State 45 south from Naples for 40 miles

• 1.8 miles south of the White River Bridge turn left onto the Dragon Road

• Take the Dragon Road for 12.5 miles

• Turn right on the 3 Mile Canyon Road and continue for 4.5 miles

• Turn left on the Atchee Ridge Road continue for 17.8 Miles

• Continue straight on Rat Hole Ridge Road and continue for 0.5 miles

• Turn right off Rat Hole Ridge Road onto Rat Hole Canyon Road. Continue for 3.8 mile and the site will be on the right.