140FS226Q0180 Interpretive Panels and Mounts Page 1 of 10 Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge

Statement of Work for Interpretive Panels

Project Location: Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge

Project Title: Auto Tour Interpretive Panels and Mounts

Statement of Work This Task Order Statement of Work (SOW) describes a general overview of the project and does not provide complete detail for finished appearance of the project. The Contractor must design and fabricate the project components in accordance with details provided in this SOW, including attachment (Interpretive Media Guidance) and accessibility guidelines in the following two links

Programmatic Accessibility Guidelines for National Park Service Interpretive Media, and

Smithsonian Guidelines for Accessible Exhibition Design. The Contractor must follow the project process, details, and performance intent of the SOW.

Overview of Project and Project Components

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) will contract for graphic and interpretive design, fabrication, and delivery of fourteen (14) interpretive panels and mounts. Project plan includes partial rehabilitation of the set of auto tour signs at Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge

(CMR) by replacing panels as outlined within this statement of work.

The project includes information gathering, incorporating interpretive connections in preliminary texts provided by the Service, conducting graphic design, developing illustrations, incorporating photos that are provided by the Service, fabrication, and physical and digital file delivery.

The main objective for these interpretive panels is to provide visitors with information that pertains to wayfinding, cultural and natural history, visitor opportunities, refuge habitats and wildlife species.

Upon completion of the project, physical project components (panels and mounts/support structures) are to be delivered to Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge, Sand Creek Field Station, C/O Madison Fladeland, 8407 U.S. Highway 191 N Roy, MT 59471. Physical project components will be installed by field station staff. Digital files will be provided via Box file transfer to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Project Lead or designee at the Service’s Mountain-Prairie regional office, Branch of Visitor Services and Outreach.

Please note that the Service will provide draft text and links to specific photographs or files with specific photographs. The contractor should not include an estimated photograph cost in their proposal. If the contractor needs to acquire and purchase photos, those costs may be billed separately.

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The basis of award will be ability to meet technical requirements, past performance, price, and other factors including, but not limited to:

• Contractor’s ability to demonstrate knowledge in their cost proposal submission that shows a full understanding of project components described in this SOW.

• Contractor’s ability and expertise in developing graphic design and completing fabrication.

• Contractor’s ability to correlate design with previously designed panels.

• Contractor’s ability to have the panels fabricated with a 10-year warranty.

• Contractor’s ability to meet the project timeline and deadlines.

• Contractor’s previous performance: The Government will evaluate past performance using information from CPARS and any other available Government sources, including internal records. Past performance will be evaluated comparatively; offerors with demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and successful outcomes may be considered more favorable.

The project schedule should allow for the project to start via introductory meeting within 3 weeks after project award. All work is to be completed no later than 12 months after project award. Please note that the Schedule of Checkpoints near end of this document is set up for 12 months and includes an invoicing schedule.

Project components include:

▪ Content development, as outlined below.

▪ Production of fourteen (14) interpretive panels: all 36’ high x 48’ wide, matched to mounts as outlined below.

▪ Production of fourteen (14) panel mounts: Various sizes as outlined below. Material of powder-coated aluminum, with tamper-resistant, anti-rust hardware components.

Powder coating of brown color (“NPS Brown”, RAL 8003, Pantone 469C, or approved approximate equivalent).

Specific Description of Project Components Details for specified project components are included below. Substrate thickness for aluminum option should be 1/8” (0.125), and 1/8” (0.125) for high pressure laminate.

Components

1. Interpretive panel and mount

a. Name of panel: North Entrance Prairie Overlook

b. Size – 36” high x 48” wide

c. Content: Graphics, interpretive text, photos

d. Substrate: High pressure laminate or aluminum

e. Mounting system: Upright, powder-coated aluminum (brown), direct embedment installed 36” deep in ground or baseplate mount, will be determined through discussions with Service and contractor

2. Interpretive panel and mount

a. Name of panel: Bison Range Flats

b. Size – 36” high x 48” wide

c. Content: Graphics, interpretive text, photos

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d. Substrate: High pressure laminate or aluminum

e. Mounting system: Upright, powder-coated aluminum (brown), direct embedment installed 36” deep in ground or baseplate mount, will be determined through discussions with Service and contractor

3. Interpretive panel and mount

a. Name of panel: Prairie Wildlife Overlook

b. Size – 36” high x 48” wide

c. Content: Graphics, interpretive text, photos

d. Substrate: High pressure laminate or aluminum

e. Mounting system: Upright, powder-coated aluminum (brown), direct embedment installed 36” deep in ground or baseplate mount, will be determined through discussions with Service and contractor

4. Interpretive panel and mount

a. Name of panel: Refuge Boundary Junction

b. Size – 36” high x 48” wide

c. Content: Graphics, interpretive text, photos, map

d. Substrate: High pressure laminate or aluminum

e. Mounting system: Upright, powder-coated aluminum (brown), direct embedment installed 36” deep in ground or baseplate mount, will be determined through discussions with Service and contractor

5. Interpretive panel and mount

a. Name of panel: Grouse Lek Overlook

b. Size – 36” high x 48” wide

c. Content: Graphics, interpretive text, photos

d. Substrate: High pressure laminate or aluminum

e. Mounting system: Upright, powder-coated aluminum (brown), direct embedment installed 36” deep in ground or baseplate mount, will be determined through discussions with Service and contractor

6. Interpretive panel and mount

a. Name of panel: Murie Vista Overlook

b. Size: 36” high x 48” wide

c. Content: Photos, graphics, interpretive text

d. Substrate: High pressure laminate or aluminum

e. Mounting system: Upright, powder-coated aluminum (brown), direct embedment installed 36” deep in ground or baseplate mount, will be determined through discussions with Service and contractor

7. Interpretive panel and mount

a. Name of panel: Breaks Rim Overlook

b. Size: 36” high x 48” wide

c. Content: Photos, graphics, interpretive text

d. Substrate: High pressure laminate or aluminum

e. Mounting system: Low profile, angled, powder-coated aluminum (brown), baseplate mount

8. Interpretive panel and mount

a. Name: Elk Viewing Area – West Panel

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b. Size: 36” high x 48” wide

c. Content: Photos, graphics, interpretive text

d. Substrate: High pressure laminate or aluminum

e. Mounting system: Low profile, angled, powder coated aluminum (brown), baseplate mount

9. Interpretive panel and mount:

a. Name of panel: Elk Viewing Area – Center Panel

b. Size: 36” high x 48” wide

c. Content: Photos, graphics, interpretive text

d. Substrate: High pressure laminate or aluminum

e. Mounting system: Low profile, angled, powder coated aluminum (brown), baseplate mount

10. Interpretive panel and mount:

a. Name of panel: Elk Viewing Area – East Panel

b. Size: 36" high, 48" wide

c. Content: Photos, graphics, interpretive text

d. Substrate: High pressure laminate or aluminum

e. Mounting system: Low profile, angled, powder coated aluminum (brown), baseplate mount

11. Interpretive panel and mount:

a. Name of panel: Slippery Ann Campground Overlook

b. Size: 36” high x 48” wide

c. Content: Photos, graphics, interpretive text

d. Substrate: High pressure laminate or aluminum

e. Mounting system: Low profile, angled, powder coated aluminum (brown), baseplate mount

12. Interpretive panel and mount:

a. Name of panel: Jones Island Campground Overlook

b. Size: 36” high x 48” wide

c. Content: Photos, graphics, interpretive text

d. Substrate: High pressure laminate or aluminum

e. Mounting system: Low profile, angled, powder coated aluminum (brown), baseplate mount

13. Interpretive panel and mount:

a. Name of panel: Missouri River Breaks Overlook

b. Size: 36” high x 48” wide

c. Content: Photos, graphics, interpretive text

d. Substrate: High pressure laminate or aluminum

e. Mounting system: Low profile, angled, powder coated aluminum (brown), baseplate mount

14. Interpretive panel and mount:

a. Name of panel: South Entrance River Overlook

b. Size: 36” high x 48” wide

c. Content: Photos, graphics, interpretive text

d. Substrate: High pressure laminate or aluminum

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e. Mounting system: Low profile, angled, powder coated aluminum (brown), baseplate mount

Support structures/Mounts Detail

• Style: Low profile, angled, “T-style” o Material: Rust-free, high strength powder-coated aluminum o To be installed: baseplate mount o Coating/Coloration: Use of powder-coated aluminum in specified brown color

(“NPS Brown”, RAL 8003, Pantone 469C, or approximate equivalent) o Features:

▪ Full capture frame to keep panel in place

▪ Custom aluminum extrusions, eliminating unnecessary welds

▪ All corners are rounded for both safety and aesthetics

▪ Weep holes along bottom for water drainage

▪ Removable [top/bottom/side] rail for easy panel changes

▪ Tamper proof connections used to protect from theft

▪ Built to National Park Service/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service specifications

• Style: Upright, double leg o Material: Rust-free, high-strength powder-coated aluminum o Depth to be installed: 3 feet (36 inches), within compacted soil, gravel, or rocky ground OR baseplate mount, to be determined through conversations with Service and Contractor o Coating/Coloration: Use of powder-coated aluminum in specified brown color

(“NPS Brown”, RAL 8003, Pantone 469C, or approximate equivalent) o Features:

▪ Full capture frame to keep panel in place

▪ Custom aluminum extrusions, eliminating unnecessary welds

▪ All corners are rounded for both safety and aesthetics

▪ Weep holes along bottom for water drainage

▪ Removable [top/bottom/side] rail for easy panel changes

▪ Tamper proof connections used to protect from theft

▪ Built to National Park Service/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service specifications

Items Provided by the Service The following items specific to this project will be provided by the Service PL or field station POC:

▪ Draft text, themes and key messages to be used by the contractor to develop panel text.

▪ Website links and/or files for photos to be used or draft maps to be used.

▪ Scientific references for wildlife, habitat, and/or landscape illustrations

▪ Existing digital map files and/or references for map development.

Work to be Performed by the Contractor Below is a list of the work to be performed by the Contractor. The Attachment 1 – Interpretive Media

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Guidance further defines the work to be carried out for this project.

Meetings The Contractor will schedule, host, and facilitate the initial post-award (introductory) meeting and all subsequent design review meetings with the Service. The Contractor will write and share meeting notes that summarize the discussion and assigned action items and send these to the Project Lead (PL) within one week of each meeting.

Project Schedule The Contractor will produce a detailed project schedule that lists all required meetings, submittals, fabrication, delivery, inspection by Service, close-out submittals, and invoicing schedule.

Development and review times (# of weeks), and actual dates, must be identified (please use the example Project Schedule of Checkpoints located near the end of this SOW as a guide). The initial project schedule should be submitted to the PL with the introductory meeting notes and updated and resubmitted with new dates at each submittal checkpoint.

Schedule provided must lead to completion within 12 months of award. Once both parties agree upon the schedule, both parties will work together to meet the agreed deadlines.

Content Development Digital content will be developed using Adobe Creative Suite.

Text - The Contractor will start with Service-supplied draft text and/or Service-supplied topics to develop interpretive themes; conduct all research for text development; and write and finalize all text after incorporating text edits as directed by the Service. The Contractor will use an interpretive writing style that helps the audience make intellectual and emotional connections to the resource.

Photographs – The Service will provide files or links to photos to be used on panels. The Contractor will obtain/document photo rights (if applicable); obtain the photos at appropriate size and resolution for the project; complete paperwork demonstrating photo rights and pay associated fees for the photographs (if applicable). Please note that the majority, if not all photos, will be in the public domain.

Illustrations – The Contractor will conduct research for illustration(s) development and provide final illustrations. All original artwork becomes the property of the Service at project completion.

Maps - The Contractor will modify/update existing map graphics and develop new map graphics as needed. Final map files will be prepared and provided in native Illustrator format.

Support Structures – The Contractor will design, fabricate, and provide all hardware necessary for the panel to be held by a support structure per the specifications provided.

Submittals The following design submittals must be provided to the PL for review: concept (10%); design development 1 (35%); design development 2 (65%); pre-final (95%); and final (100%). Submittals must each include all panels within the contract scope and reflect provided comments of the previous phase.

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Submittals (concept, design developments 1 & 2, and pre-final) should be provided to the PL in PDF

(graphic design and graphics list) and Microsoft Word (text) via email, Box or File Transfer Protocol

(FTP) site (Dropbox is not acceptable).

At the conclusion of each review cycle, the Government will provide consolidated comments on the

Contractor's deliverables. For each subsequent revision, the Contractor shall address and incorporate all Government comments from the preceding review cycle, unless otherwise directed by the COR. Any unrequested additions shall be identified. Deliverables submitted in each revision cycle shall reflect all resolved comments from prior review cycles. Failure to address previously provided comments or identify 14 unrequested additions may result in the deliverable being returned for further revision.

Prior to fabrication (at design pre-final 95% submission, or before final 100% submission), a hard copy (print) of all panel layouts will be sent both to the PL and station POC listed on page 1.

With the final design submission (100%), and prior to fabrication, contractor will provide one sample (approximately 8” x 10”) of the selected panel substrate to the station POC listed on page 1 for Service review and approval. Contractor will notify the PL and station POC via email upon shipment. The sample must include a selection of the graphics from the interpretive panel to show color accuracy and resolution of output (fonts, graphics, and images) in the actual material.

Fabrication The Contractor will produce exterior-grade interpretive panels using ultra-violet stabilized all-weather material to withstand the site-specific weather conditions that include freezing temperatures to -30 degrees Fahrenheit, wind speeds to 60 miles per hour, and extended sun exposure; production will include 12-color high-density printing technology; panels will have an edge treatment to prevent delamination and deterioration.

Exterior grade support structures will be designed and finished in the above-specified powder-coating and color to be maintenance-free; and to withstand the site-specific weather conditions that include freezing temperatures to -30 degrees Fahrenheit, wind speeds to 60 miles per hour, and extended sun exposure. All mounting hardware and installation instructions must be provided.

Delivery Panels and support structures must be packaged to withstand the shipping method used to deliver the project components to the field station.

• Contractor will coordinate to determine with the station POC if delivery must include a delivery truck with a lift gate (if a skid steer or forklift operator will not be available).

• Contractor will coordinate with POC and PL in advance of shipping to ensure station POC field staff will be available to accept delivery within a specified window.

Installation Service staff will complete the installation.

Closeout Package At project closeout, the Contractor will provide the following items to the PL via email, FTP site, OneDrive, or Box:

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• Final digital files for all interpretive media in PDFX and in native Adobe Creative Suite file formats, including:

o links and document fonts o standalone map files o panel layouts o other final design media as requested by PL

• As-built drawings for support structures and actual installed support structures.

• Photo rights paperwork - signed releases, licenses, and/or agreements (if applicable).

• Maintenance, mounting, and installation instructions.

• Warranty information

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Schedule of Checkpoints The introductory meeting will occur within 3 weeks after project award. All work is to be completed within 26 weeks of project award. Contractor may use this template to create actual schedules with

PL and station POC upon award.

Invoicing Requirements At a minimum, invoice must include the invoice date; period for which services were provided;

contract number, order price; current invoice amount; and remaining project balance. Contractor will submit invoices to the PL for approval prior to uploading them to the Invoice Processing

Platform (IPP).

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Project Lead (PL) Allison Newberg, Regional Visitor Services Manager U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Branch of Visitor Services and Outreach, Region 6

Checkpoint Who/Deliverable Schedule Introductory meeting Contractor, PL, POC Day 1

Introductory meeting notes and schedule Contractor 1 week

Introductory meeting notes and schedule review Service 1 week

Concept design development (10% phase) Contractor 5 weeks Concept design review Service 3 weeks

Design development 1 (35% phase) Contractor 5 weeks

Design development 1 review Service 3 weeks

Submit invoice after Service accepts Design development 1 (30% of contract total)

Contractor -

Design development 2 (65% phase) Contractor 5 weeks

Design development 2 review Service 3 weeks

Pre-final design development (95% phase) Contractor 3 weeks

Pre-final design review Service 3 weeks

Submit invoice after Service accepts pre-final design (30% of contract total)

Contractor -

Final design development (100% complete) Contractor 2 weeks

Final design review Service 2 weeks

Fabrication sample (at 25% completion) Contractor 3 weeks

Fabrication sample review Service 1 weeks

Submit invoice after Service accepts fabrication sample (15% of contract total)

Contractor -

Fabrication Contractor 8 weeks

Shipping Contractor 2 weeks

Inspection Service 1 week

Close-out Contractor 1 week

Submit invoice after Service accepts Close-out (25% of project total)

Contractor -

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• FedEx/UPS/USPS Address: 800 S. Quitman Street, Denver, CO 80219

• Email: allison_newberg@fws.gov

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Field Station Point of Contact (POC) Madison Fladeland, Wildlife Refuge Specialist

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge

• FedEx/UPS/USPS Address: 8407 US Hwy 191 N

• City/State/Zip: Roy, MT 59471

• Phone: 406-464-5181 ext. 12

• Email: madison_fladeland@fws.gov

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Contracting Officer Representative (COR) Diane (Dee) Emmons, Regional Branch Chief Visitor Services and Outreach U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Branch of Visitor Services and Outreach, Region 6

• FedEx/UPS Address: 1 Denver Federal Center, c/o Dee Emmons GSA Mailroom, Building 41, Room 177, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Denver, CO 80225

• USPS Mailing Address: PO Box 25486, Denver, CO 80225

• Phone: 303-503-2418 (work cell)

• Email: Diane_Emmons@fws.gov