SOW Cultural Simmons BearCk Final.docx

U.S. BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

CODY FIELD OFFICE, WYOMING

Simmons Reconnaissance and Bear Creek Class III Cultural Resources Identification for Fuels Treatment Projects

STATEMENT OF WORK

I. Introduction and Background The contractor shall conduct a reconnaissance level identification for cultural resources within 2,285 acres of the Simmons project area, located in three discrete treatment polygons, and a Class III level identification on 455 acres of the Bear Creek project area, located along two prominent drainages, involving multiple treatment polygons. The two project areas together total 2,740 acres; 2,285 being reconnaissance level of identification and 455 being Class III level of identification. Additionally, for Bear Creek project area proximate sites 48BH1283, 48BH3857, 48BH3858, and 48BH4146 shall be revisited for Wyoming Cultural Properties Form (WYCPF) updates {or re-records}, and to recommend a fuels treatment specific finding of effect.

Reconnaissance level of identification executed in anticipation of prescribed fire, broadcast burning of grass, brush, and timber species, treatments that do not include any ground disturbing activities. Class III level of identification executed in anticipation of a combination of conifer treatments techniques, such as machine cutting, mastication using a rubber tracked skid steer, and slash piling and pile burning, where surface disturbance may occur.

As per the Wyoming State Protocol (and subsequent 2014 consultation), the Simmons treatment polygons meet reconnaissance level of identification, where “Fuels reduction or prescribed burns that require no surface disturbance (i.e. hand thinning, hand piling, or chemical treatment) require only a reconnaissance survey to determine if rock art, rock shelters, or other types of fire sensitive or chemical-sensitive historic properties exist”. Proposed field method for thorough and effective reconnaissance shall be included in proposal and is subject to Agency approval.

Two (2) separate reports {Simmons and Bear Creek} shall be submitted for the project areas distinguishing treatment type and level of identification. As such, two (2) separate projects shall be created in the Wyoming State Historic Preservation Office’s (WySHPO) WyoTrack web-application.

The general area for the Simmons project is located in northeast Big Horn County, Wyoming. Simmons area bedrock geology entails Mesozoic-aged red sandstone and shale of the Triassic Chugwater Formation; Paleozoic-aged red shale, gray limestones, and thin gypsum beds of the Permian Phosphoria/Goose Egg Formation; Paleozoic-aged sandstone of the Pennsylvanian Tensleep Sandstone; and the Paleozoic-aged red, purple, and green shales and claystones of the Mississippian-Pennsylvanian Amsden Formation. Surficial deposition includes regolith on the gently-sloped areas, and rockfall talus and exposed bedrock outcrops in the various drainages bisecting the project area. Elevations range from 5700’ (1737 m) to 7800’ (2377 m).

The project area for Bear Creek is in northeast Big Horn County, Wyoming. Bear Creek bedrock geology entails Upper Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous aged Cloverly formation rusty sandstone at top, underlain by brightly variegated bentonitic claystone; chert-pebble conglomerate locally at base. Along with Pleistocene-Holocene aged gravel, pediment and fan deposits. Elevations range from 4700’ (1433 m) to 7000’ (2133 m).

II. Project Location and Scope Simmons project area is located approximately 18 miles northeast of Lovell, in Big Horn County, Wyoming. The Simmons project area spans T57N, R92W, Sections 18, 19, & 30; T57N, R93W, Sections 13, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 34, & 35. Access to the project site can be gained by traveling 10.5 miles east of Lovell on Highway 14A then turning north on gravel road. Travel north on County RD 9-40 (gravel road) 3.7 miles to John Blue parking area. From this point access into the Simmons project area can be difficult in spring and/or early summer due to mud and residual snow drifts. ATV or UTV type vehicles may be the only mode of mechanized travel for access until snow drifts are diminished and road surfaces dry. Road is steep with loose larger rock in areas. It is recommended that all-terrain vehicles be used for efficiency and safety of field operations. All vehicular traffic shall be confined to existing roads and two-tracks.

From the John Blue parking area travel on BLM Rd 1122 for 3.5 miles. Turn right onto BLM Rd 1130. Travel southeast along BLM Rd for approximately 6.5 miles, this will put you within project area. There are many intersecting two-track routes, use the provided geo referenced access map, along with mapping technology to determine specific travel route details and travel between project units.

The Bear Creek project area is located approximately 11 miles northwest of Shell or 19 miles southeast of Lovell Bighorn County, Wyoming and spans T54N, R92W, Section 15; T55N, R92W, Sections 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 14, 18, 22, 23, 27, 28, & 33; T55N, R93W, Sections 13, 23, 24, 27, 28, & 32; T56N, R92W, Section 32. To access the Bear Creek project area, travel east from Lovell or north from Shell. There are multiples routes to the project area, refer to the provided geo reference map access map. Vendor needs to have access to mapping technology, download map and reference map for route details. Access through private lands is necessary, and vendor is required to coordinate access through BLM COR or representative prior to planned field days. It is recommended that all-terrain vehicles be used for efficiency and safety of field operations. All vehicular traffic shall be confined to existing roads and two-tracks.

III. Statement of Work For the Simmons project area {which includes three (3) treatment polygons}, contractor shall conduct Reconnaissance level identification (as per the Wyoming State Protocol and 2014 consultation) of 2,285 acres; consisting of background file search, site recordation, site evaluation, including appropriate site testing and recommendation for eligibility for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), recommendation of a finding of effect for the undertaking, including recommendations for avoidance, minimization and/or mitigation of impacts to any historic properties, all following WySHPO’s WyoTrack web-application workflow. Proposed field method for thorough and effective reconnaissance level of identification shall be included in proposal and is subject to Agency approval.

For the Bear Creek project area {which includes two prominent drainages, involving multiple treatment polygons} contractor shall conduct Class III level identification of 455 acres; consisting of background file search, site recordation, site evaluation, including appropriate site testing and recommendation for eligibility for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), recommendation of a finding of effect for the undertaking, including recommendations for avoidance, minimization and/or mitigation of impacts to any historic properties, all following WySHPO’s WyoTrack web-application workflow. Additionally, proximate sites 48BH1283, 48BH3857, 48BH3858, and 48BH4146 shall be revisited for WYPCF updates {or re-records}, and to recommend a fuels treatment specific finding of effect.

Contractor shall adhere to reporting standards as defined by the Wyoming State Historic Preservation Office Format, Guidelines, and Standards for Class II and III Reports. Adherence to Wyoming SHPO Metadata GIS and Photographic Standards shall be required. All diagnostic artifacts and ceramics (if any) shall be collected and curated.

Contractor shall complete Wyoming Cultural Property Forms (WYCPF) or Wyoming Isolated Resource Forms (IR) as appropriate for all cultural resources identified. Site forms for other previously recorded sites in the inventory area shall be updated if any conditions or interpretations differ from what has been reported from previous documentation.

All resources found within the area of potential effects (APE) must be evaluated for NRHP eligibility under all four criteria and discussed with respect to the seven elements of integrity. This must include a reasonable rationale and justification under NRHP criteria (36CFR60.4).

For those resources identified within the APE, provide a discussion of the effect of the proposed action on each resource, regardless of resource eligibility. Effects discussion should include direct and indirect effects, as applicable. Recommend a finding of effect for the undertaking.

Provide recommended alternatives for avoiding or minimizing potential adverse effects to eligible properties that may result from implementation of the undertaking. Describe any methods of treatment which could mitigate direct and/or indirect adverse effects on NRHP eligible properties.

The contractor is required to have a current WY BLM Cultural Resource Use Permit (CRUP) and shall follow the permit stipulations.

The contractor is required to obtain a State of Wyoming, Office of State Lands and Investments surface inventory permit and shall follow the permit stipulations for the Simmons project area.

IV. Government Supplied Property Maps (topographical) of the areas subject to fuels treatment are supplied with this solicitation. GIS shapefiles are provided upon contract award.

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

Phase I, Background Research / Field Work = 75 days from award; 30% Partial Payment

Phase II, Draft Reports Submission = 115 days from award; 40% Partial Payment

Phase III, Final Reports Submission = 155 days from award; 30% Partial Payment

VI. Deliverables The contractor shall prepare inventory reports, including Wyoming Cultural Properties Forms and Wyoming Isolated Resource Forms, following the standards set forth in the Wyoming State Historic Preservation Office Format, Guidelines, and Standards for Class II and III Reports.

The contractor shall enter both projects in WySHPO’s automated WyoTrack web-application. The reports shall include photographic documentation and maps produced with GIS information.

The contractor shall submit to the BLM one (1) electronic version of the draft reports and associated WYCPF and IR forms for initial review and comment. The BLM shall be allowed 20 days for review. The Contractor shall make revisions and prepare the reports in accordance with BLM recommendations.

The contractor shall submit to the BLM one (1) unbound copy of each final report and associated WYCPF and IR forms upon incorporation of agency comments on draft reports. The BLM reserves the right to request additional revisions within 10 working days of receipt of final reports. The final reports, site and isolate resource forms, all GIS information (including original field data files and GIS shapefiles), and all photographs taken as part of this project will also be presented in the form of CDs or DVDs. The final reports, site forms, and isolate resource forms may either be in Microsoft Word (Windows XP compatible) or PDF files. The preferred digital format for images is JPEGs. Additionally, contractor shall follow the WySHPO’s WyoTrack web-application workflow.

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 (CDs or DVDs) or paper copies are acceptable.

Permittee shall deposit all artifacts, processed samples and collections, as applicable, and all original records, data, photographs, and other documents, resulting from work conducted under this permit, with the University of Wyoming Archaeological Repository (UWAR), no later than 60 days after the date the final reports are submitted to the BLM authorized officer. Not later than 180 days after the final reports are submitted, permittee shall provide the BLM State Office with a catalog of all materials deposited with the curatorial facility, including the facility’s accession and/or catalog numbers, the name of the item, the name of the project and applicable BLM field office. Failure to comply with this time frame may result in the suspension, revocation or non-renewal of this permit.

Notifications: The contractor shall notify the BLM at least two weeks before commencing fieldwork by email and/or phone call to the Contracting Officer’s Representative and Project Inspector. Additionally, at least 10 days prior to beginning any fieldwork under the authority of the CRUP, the permit holder shall use the WySHPO’s automated WyoTrack web-application to submit fieldwork authorization request to the appropriate BLM field office for each episode of fieldwork {Simmons and Bear Creek}.

The contractor shall also notify BLM when fieldwork is completed, by email and/or phone call to the Contracting Officer’s Representative and Project Inspector. Notification shall communicate brief synthesis of preliminary findings. Email notifications shall also be sent when the draft and final reports are mailed to the BLM.

Confidentiality: To protect site information from unauthorized disclosure, all site location and content information must be kept in strictest confidence. The contractor shall make the information available only to the COR, Project Inspector, and POC, and must take whatever internal measures are necessary to ensure that confidential material is protected. All BLM and Wyoming Cultural Use Permit Stipulations shall be followed.

VII. Evaluation and Award Criteria Respondents shall supply a written proposal, list of key personnel (which defines the individuals’ involvement in all phases of work) and qualifications (e.g. resume), statement of availability to perform the work, and a list of references. Respondents will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

1. Quality of the Proposal

A. Does the offeror's proposed methods, techniques, procedures, and criteria fulfill stated project objectives, and does respondent proposal demonstrate an understanding of those methods, techniques, procedures, and criteria stated in the solicitation?

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 and key personnel specifically assigned to the project have experience in, and a current permit for, Wyoming?

B. Is there a clear, demonstrable, indication of which phase of work the assigned personnel shall be involved and how?

C. Are the reference checks supportive of the respondent’s technical abilities and ability to work within original budgets?

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?

B. Will the respondent be able to meet or exceed the timeframes described?

4. Price

Order of Importance:

Technical factors, when combined, are considered:

☒ Significantly more important than price ☐ Approximately equal to price ☐ Significantly less important than price