WD SOW NRHP.pdf

United States Department of the Interior

Bureau of Land Management

Billings Field Office

CULTURAL RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SITE UPDATE/EVALUTION:

WEATHERMAN DRAW SITE LOCATION AND RECORDATION PROJECT

CARBON COUNTY

STATEMENT OF WORK

I. Introduction and Background:

The Bureau of Land Management’s Billings Field Office (BIFO) proposes to obtain site documentation of known but not formally recorded cultural resources within Weatherman Draw Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC). Systematic inventory of the ACEC was conducted via agreement with Western Wyoming Community College (WWCC) from 2003 to 2014, yielding valuable information on settlement and the nature of the cultural landscape.

A total of 71 sites were documented but not fully recorded in the ACEC; the temporary numbers for these sites all start with “HC”, for the Hunters Creek quad map. Several sites were tested or excavated, collections were made but cannot be accessioned into the Billings Curation Center (BCC) without site forms and other information regarding these sites. The selected contractor shall locate, record and evaluate the HC sites, and prepare a report describing the work completed.

The BIFO is currently implementing the Cottonwood Travel Management Area Travel Management Area (CTMA), which contains Weatherman Draw. The TMA would designate routes within the ACEC, which consists primarily of administrate roads and trails.

II. Project Location:

The project area is located in Carbon County, southwest of Bridger, Montana, between US Hwy 310 and MT route 72. Weatherman Draw can be accessed from Cottonwood Road east of 310 (see attached map)

III. Specific Background:

Although WWCC identified 71 new sites, collected artifacts and completed excavations, Cultural Resources Information System (CRIS) forms were not generated for the new sites. Several of these sites may overlap previously recorded sites, as that information was not available to WWCC in the early years of the project. The information generated by WWCC is copious and will require examination for use in both tracking the locations of these sites and providing detail to CRIS forms.

Digital boundaries for these sites were created manually in ArcGIS, from a site map in the 2006 WWCC report (2020-MT-010-07). Eight reports were produced since 2005, often expounding on previous work (Table 1).

A few HC sites may occur within the TMA corridors; 30’ wide for direct impacts in the CTMA, and 300’ wide for indirect impacts. Criteria of adverse effect shall be applied to newly recorded Historic Properties within the TMA corridors. The contractor shall provide suggestions to resolve adverse effects, per 36 CFR §800.6, as appropriate.

Table 1: WWCC Reports submitted to the BLM

BLM Report number Title Date

2020-MT-010-09

REPORT ON TEST EXCAVATIONS AND SURVEY IN

WEATHERMAN DRAW AREA OF CRITICAL

ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN 2005

2020-MT-010-07 2006 Report Revisions 2006 2020-MT-010-08 2009 Report Major Revisions 2009

2007-MT-010-10

Report on test excavations and survey in the Weatherman Draw ACEC 2007

2014-MT-010-25

Test Excavation Results at HC20, Weatherman Draw Montana 2014

2015-MT-010-17

Draft of Final Report for Weatherman Draw: December 31, 2015 2015

2017-MT-010-22 Draft of Final Report for Weatherman Draw 2017

2018-MT-010-25

Report Submitted to Jennifer Macy December 6, 2018 for HC2: Rough Revision of 2014 Report 2018

IV. Objective

A. Specific Study Objectives.

To fully record 71 sites described by WWCC, sorting them out from those previously recorded. The BIFO needs CRIS forms for these new sites, with site boundaries, photos and descriptions of sites, using both information provided by WWCC and on-the-ground observations of the sites.

V. Statement of Work.

A. A site file and literature search with the Montana SHPO is unnecessary for completion of this project. Information pertaining to the HC sites has never been submitted to the SHPO.

B. All WWCC materials shall be provided to the selected contractor. Aside from the eight reports generated, WWCC submitted copious materials regarding a decade of work, including the beginnings of several site forms. Site forms where HC sites overlap with previously recorded sites will be provided. Any HC sites that cannot be located shall be documented as not or no longer present, based on when the site was originally identified.

C. The Contractor shall contact the Billings Field Office within fifteen days of recipient of the contract for:

• Maps

• A Field Work Authorization (FWA)

• Site materials and reports generated by WWCC

• Shapefiles of previously recorded and HC sites

• Lists of previously recorded sites and site forms for sites overlapping previously recorded sites

• Additional background information on the project area

D. The Contractor shall perform an on-the-ground search for all HC sites. The Contractor shall serve as the Principal Investigator and Field Director of a project crew charged with locating these sites, and with writing a final report describing the sites that were found and those not located. The bid proposal shall clearly outline the fieldwork methods and personnel to be used in the survey.

E. The Contractor shall use information provided by the BIFO to locate cultural resources reported by the WWCC, generate CRIS forms and obtain SITS numbers.

F. Shovel testing shall only be conducted as needed to establish potential for site deposition, site boundaries, or significance for those sites within the TMA corridors.

G. The Contractor shall employ BLM criteria for minimum site definition; i.e., an archaeological or historical site consists of any feature alone or in association with other features (cairns, stone rings) or five or more artifacts situated in a discrete location within 50 feet of each other and/or artifacts or features located more than 100 feet from each other but in obvious association.

H. The Contractor shall:

1. Rely on materials generated by the WWCC to relocate, record and evaluate HC sites.

2. Collect time diagnostic artifacts; e.g., projectile points and ceramics. Include both those found on sites and those occurring in isolation. Consider whether lithics are local or non-local to the best of the contractor’s knowledge.

3. Locate each cultural property on a United States Geological Survey (USGS) or GIS generated 7.5' quadrangle topographic1:24K map.

4. Possess or have access to high grade GPS equipment. GPS accuracy standard for cultural resource location data shall be a mean error+/- 5 meters or less, at a 95% percent confidence level Data to be submitted to the BLM shall include SITS numbers and WWCC temporary numbers in attribute tables.

5. Record all cultural properties on Montana CRIS site/isolated find forms. Site forms shall be completed following the SHPO’s CRIS Instructions.

6. Take plenty of photographs. Photographs are the visual aspect of what you have described in a site form, so what you discuss must be visible in the photographs. Include at least two photos of each cultural property. Include photos of artifact clusters/features. Photographs of select artifacts shall be included. Label all photos with a description and orientation. Photos shall not contain people, shadows or gear, except when used for scale. A photographic record shall be maintained and included in the final submission.

7. Map sites in the field with the use of archaeological mapping software, available online. Site maps should be hand drawn or prepared using ArcGIS or an equivalent program and should include cultural features, artifact clusters, basic site contents, locations of all collected artifacts, and topographic contour lines. While it is not necessary to map all artifacts, indicate areas of artifact concentration. Any topographic feature discussed in the site form shall also appear on the sketch map, scaled appropriately.

8. Although scale maps of all sites based on the location of a site datum should be prepared, a physical site datum shall not be established unless specific rationale is presented to the BIFO archaeologist. When GPS technology is not available (i.e. no satellite coverage) all prehistoric cultural properties or historic material scatters shall be mapped by compass and tape or paced in meters. When utilizing GPS technology, note the type of equipment and level of accuracy employed.

9. The Contractor shall obtain Smithsonian site numbers from the Montana SHPO for

HC sites. The BLM will review completed site forms for adequacy prior to the submission to the SHPO for site numbers. The BLM reserves the right to request site forms be submitted as many times as necessary to verify appropriate changes have been completed before submission to the SHPO.

F. Collections.

1. Collections shall be kept to minimum, primarily time diagnostic pre-contact materials like projectile points or uncommon artifacts based on the contractors experience. Call the BIFO archaeologist with any questions.

2. Cultural collections shall be labeled and catalogued, using BLM catalog cards, and shall be processed in accordance with Billings Curation Center packaging standards (forms and packaging requirements are available from the Billings Curation Center).

3. All collections belong to the United States Government and will be delivered directly to the Billings Curation Center by the contractor as part of submitting the final report.

4. If collections are made, an additional copy of the final report and cd or thumb drive with the electronic report will be delivered to the BCC with the collections.

G. Methodologies.

The Contractor shall determine the methods and techniques necessary for completion of this study. The proposed plan of work including proposed schedule of work to be completed, the use of qualified personnel in each stage of the project should be included in the quote. The Contractor shall conduct the work according to the proposed work plan and procedures so specified.

H Technical Direction

The performance of work will be subject to the technical direction of a COR appointed in writing by the Contracting Officer. The term "Technical Direction" is defined to include, without limitation, the following:

(1) The COR may provide information to the Contractor which assists in the specifications or technical portions of the work description.

(2) The COR approves adequacy of reports, site forms, and any other material submitted by the Contractor as required by the contract.

(3) The COR may conduct site visits to verify the Contractors work at any point over the duration of the contract.

I. Specifications and Standards.

1. Upon award the contractor shall provide a safety plan to address safety concerns for personnel performing the work specified in the proposal.

2. Upon award the contractor shall include an in house quality control plan.

J. Analysis and Report Preparation.

1. Upon completion of the site location project, prepare a professional quality report, addressing the general categories outlined below:

a. Title Sheet. Signed by the Principal Investigator.

b. Abstract. Provide a 250-word or less abstract of the report. The abstract must outline the report contents and refer to specific highlights from the narrative.

c. Table of Contents. Provide a complete inventory of report contents.

d. Introduction. Provide an overview of the project including its purpose.

e. Literature Review. Provide a brief but complete discussion on the work that has been conducted by the WWCC.

f. Environmental and Cultural Setting. Provide a brief but complete overview of the environment in which the survey was conducted. In addition, discuss the cultural setting, again briefly, including both the prehistoric and historic periods.

g. Methodology. Provide a description of the methods used to relocate HC sites.

g. Summary and Recommendations. Discuss the results of the inventory in summary form. Include the following:

i. Identify the sites recorded, whether the sites were prehistoric or historic, and what type of site is represented.

ii. Evaluate each cultural property for its eligibility to the NRHP.

Contractor shall use an appropriate "Context" in which to evaluate cultural properties and shall employ the National Register Criteria in those evaluations. Contractor shall clearly describe the rationale used to determine which sites are eligible, unevaluated, and not eligible.

iii. Provide the best technical recommendation possible, with testing as needed, relying on professional experience and familiarity with site types.

i. References Cited. Include a list of all sources cited in report; cite WWCC materials used to relocate HC sites.

j. Maps and Graphics. Provide appropriate 1:24,000 maps, charts, tabulations and graphics necessary to support the report narrative. Maps, graphics, and photos in all copies of reports must show the same degree of detail as the electronic images.

VI. Acceptance

Final acceptance of all items/services to be delivered under this contract shall be the responsibility of the Contracting Officer. The government may withhold final payment pending completion of any necessary rework by the Contractor.

VII. Deliverables

A. The Contractor shall submit one draft copy of typed site forms, with photographs and maps, to the BLM for review prior to submission to the Montana SHPO for issuance of Smithsonian numbers. After review and changes, if any, the Contractor will obtain Smithsonian numbers from the SHPO.

B. One hard and electronic copy of the draft report. Additional draft reports may be requested as many times as necessary to ensure the report meets what is describe in this SOW.

C. Two (2) bound copies of the final report, unless collections are made. The report shall be typed and printed on 8 ½ " x 11" paper and shall be single-spaced. Maps may not be in a larger format, but should be numbered in a way to make what is depicted clear. All temporary site numbers shall be replaced with SITS numbers.

D. One completed Cultural Resource Annotated Bibliography System (CRABS) form.

E. Two sets of final site forms with Smithsonian site numbers and with color photos, unbound.

F. Two electronic copies (CD or thumb drive) of the report, site forms, photos, photo log, GIS data and associated metadata. GIS data shall be site boundaries established for HC sites.

Metadata should include temporary numbers and SITS numbers, at a minimum. Shapefiles shall be in the NAD 83 Zone 12 coordinate system. KMZ files are not acceptable.

VIII. Period of Performance

A. Contact with BIFO shall begin no later than 15 calendar days after the order has been issued.

B. Draft site forms and site shapefiles will be submitted within 4 months of the completion of field work.

C. Copies of the draft report shall be submitted within 10 months of contract award.

D. The COR will review all deliverables and comment on their adequacy within 25 calendar days of submission. Final deliverables of collected artifacts, associated documentation, final reports and completed CRABS forms are due within three months of submission of draft report.

Map Reference

BLM Surface Management Status Map 1:100,000-Scale Bridger, Montana 2008.

Hatcher Pass, Hunters Creek, Long Draw, Wade and Warren 7.5’ Topographic Quadrangle Maps

Carbon County Legal Descriptions (see attached map)

T8S, R. 23E Parts of Sections 14, 15, 22, 23, 25 and 26

T8S, R. 245E Parts or all of Sections 17, 19, 20, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34 and 35

T9S, R. 24E Parts of Sections 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10 and 11

IX. Payment Schedule The Contractor shall not receive payment for any deliverable until they have been accepted by BLM. Costs of technical report revisions and rewriting based on BLM comments shall be included in the initial proposals for individual statements of work. BLM shall not be billed separately for extra costs incurred by the Contractor due to major or successive technical report revisions.

The following payment schedule shall be used for the contract unless otherwise agreed to by the BLM and the Contractor.

Submission of table summarizing the results of the project 40% Submission of Acceptable Draft Report 30%

Submission of Acceptable Final Report 30%

X. Selection of Contractor

EVALUATION CRITERIA

CRITERION I - TECHNICAL APPROACH –Topics Must Be Addressed in the Successful Proposal

1. Offeror's analytical methods to complete the interpretation and evaluation of cultural resources.

2. Adequacy of offeror’s experience recording prehistoric and historic sites.

3. Adequacy of offeror’s proposed plan of work including proposed schedule of work to be completed and the use of qualified personnel in each stage of the project.

4. Adequacy of offeror’s understanding of the Scope of Work.

CRITERION II- PAST PERFORMANCE - (only include work completed within the last 3 years)

1. The following criteria (a) through (d) are of equal importance.

(a) Quality of Service - compliance with contract requirements - accuracy of reports - technical excellence.

(b) Timeliness of Performance - met interim milestones - reliable - responsive to technical direction - completed on time, including wrap-up and contract administration.

(c) Familiarity with cultural resources in south-central Montana and recording aboriginal sites and rock art.

(d) Cost Control - within budget - current and accurate and complete billings -relationship of negotiated costs to actuals - cost efficiencies.

2. Assessment of the offeror’s past performance will be one means of evaluating the credibility of the offeror’s proposal, and relative capability to meet performance requirements.

3. Information will primarily be obtained via bibliographic information and locations of inventories conducted as provided in the proposal.

4. Award may be made from the initial offers without discussions. However, if discussions are held, offerors will be given an opportunity to address lack of experience in central Montana.

CRITERION III - PERSONNEL QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

1. Minimum Acceptable Qualifications for contract personnel to successfully implement this contract shall be submitted with bid proposals showing appropriate qualifications for Principal Investigator, crew leaders and field crew personnel. All personnel working on this contract must be minimally qualified.

2. Resumes shall be narrowed down to no more than last five years of work and presented in standard 12 point font in not more than five typed pages. Past performance for the company shall likewise be restricted to no more than the last three years of cultural resource field work unless work was completed in locations geographically or historically similar to the current contract area.

Position classifications can be found in the Department of Labor’s Directory of Occupations:

http://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/wage/SCADirV5/SCADirectVers5.pdf

3. Offeror's availability of computer software and GPS abilities to meet the terms of the contract.

4. Adequacy of offeror’s understanding of cultural resources in Carbon County, Montana.

5. The Proponent must be capable of obtaining a permit to conduct inventory on Montana/Dakotas Bureau of Land Management Lands.

CRITERION IV - COST/PRICE

1. Cost/Price will be used to assist the Government in determining the offeror's understanding of the requirements of the Request for Proposal (RFP). Technical merit and price are considered relatively equal in contractor selection. Where proposals demonstrate equal technical merit, cost becomes more important in the selection. A Best Value analysis that evaluates total cost/price in relationship to other factors will be performed by the Contracting Officer to aid in the final determination for award.

2. Questions regarding this RFP shall be submitted to the Contracting Officer responsible for the offering of this contract.

9S 24E9S 23E

8S 23E 8S 24E

07 09

21 23

10 12

Long Draw Road

Hunters Creek

Bo bc atP ass Ro ad

Hunt Creek

Ridge Roa d

US 310

Cub Creek

Cottonwood Road

Castle Coulee Road

100052

Legend Cottonwood Public Cartography

County Rd, ROW, or Hwy Motorized Road (higher maint.)

Motorized Road Non-Motorized Trail OHV Trail Weatherman Draw ACEC

0 0.95 1.9 2.850.475 Miles

CRITERION IV - COST/PRICE