Work_Statement_BFO.pdf

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT –

South Hills Fuel Break Cultural Resources Inventory

Project Title: South Hills Fuel Break

Project Number: FID220-2026-06

Project Description: This project is to conduct a Class III cultural resources inventory and site recording on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) administered land for the South Hills Fuel Break project. The proposed project is to create fuel breaks along existing roads using any regular fuels program projects that may require cultural resources inventories, such as, but not limited to: mowing, skid steering, mastication, lop and scatter, drill seeding, herbicide application, pile burning, and/or road construction.

Since this project is considered a federal planning action, it is considered a federal undertaking and is subject to Section 106 review as part of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966. Therefore, a Class III inventory to identify, evaluate, and analyze for potential effects to historic properties is required.

The Project includes the inventory of a total of 2,128.37 acres identified as the Area of Potential Effects (Attachment A) within the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Burley Field Office. This accounts for all proposed treatment options that may be necessary to create and maintain each fuel break. The proposed treatments will not extend further than 200 feet either side of the road, so the APE includes all 42.5 miles of roads with the 400-foot corridor where all treatments are to be implemented. Within the Area of Potential Effects (APE), all archaeological sites will be recorded to current standards and recommendations will be made regarding eligibility for listing on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). Sites will be recorded in their entirety whether or not the site boundary is fully within the APE. There are multiple previous pedestrian surveys that overlap with the APE, but all of them are either too old to be used as previous adequate survey or do not overlap enough to warrant changing the APE.

Therefore, all 2,128.37 acres of the APE will require a Class III intensive pedestrian survey as part of this inventory.

There are thirty known cultural resources within the APE; sixteen sites, nine isolates, and five noticed not recorded (NBNR) points. Ten of the sixteen sites were previously determined Not Eligible for the NRHP, three were determined Eligible, and three have been left Unevaluated. Only four of the sixteen sites have been monitored and re-recorded in the last ten years, so the remaining twelve will need full re-records. It is possible, due to datum shifts or errors in mapping, that there are other previously recorded cultural resources that exist within the APE, so the exact number that are present may change. There have been 16 previous cultural inventories that overlap with the APE; however, none of them can be used as previous adequate inventory for this project. This data will be provided to the contractor upon award; however, this information is for planning purposes only and the contractor will still be expected to conduct a formal record search with the Idaho State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) and the exact number of resources within the Inventory Area that need to be re-recorded or monitored may change.

The Project is located on the Snake River Plain of south-central Idaho. More specifically, the South Hills Fuel Break is alongside existing roads approximately 16.7 miles (26 kilometers) southeast of the city of Twin Falls and directly north of the largest section of the Minidoka Ranger District within the Sawtooth National Forest. It also sits between U.S. Route 93 (to the west) and Idaho State Highway 27 (to the east) and Interstate 84 (to the north).

The project area consists of rugged and rural terrain. High clearance, four-wheel drive vehicles are suggested for travel on the two-track dirt roads in the project area. All tasks under this contract are expected to be completed by June 15, 2027.

Location: The entire Project is on BLM-administered lands within the Burley Field Office. The Project is split between Twin Falls and Cassia Counties at several legal locations (listed below) and is depicted on the Hub Butte, Stricker Butte, Murtaugh, Hollister, McMullen Basin, Grandjean, Rams Horn Ridge, and Buckhorn Canyon, Idaho USGS 7.5-minute topographic quadrangles.

South Hills Fuel Break Legal Locations (PLSS) Township Range Section(s) 12 South 17 East 1, 2, 11, 14, 15, 22, 24-27, 31, 32, 35

12 South 18 East 2, 4-7, 9-11, 14, 18, 19, 21-23, 26-28, 33, 34 12 South 19 East 1, 11-15, 21, 22, 28, 32, 33 12 South 20 East 7, 18, 19, 25, 26, 29, 30, 32, 34, 35 13 South 17 East 5, 6, 8

Description of Work Required: A complete Class III Inventory of 2,128.37 acres, including records search, background research, field work, site recording and evaluation, assessment of efforts from the undertaking, and report preparation.

The BLM will define the area of the inventory accurately and clearly. A total of 2,128.37 acres has been defined as the Survey Area and requires a Class III Inventory for this undertaking.

Any handbooks or guidance documents referenced in this Performance Work Statement (PWS) are available online.

Specific digital copies can be made available after the contract is awarded.

The BLM will create the project in ICRIS and provide the appropriate cover letter. The contractor is expected to produce all resources records through the ICRIS system. Only the final survey report will be submitted through ICRIS. Any draft deliverables, associated comments, and changes need to be coordinated with the BLM outside of ICRIS. It is expected that the contractor works with the BLM through any problems, and it is anticipated that there will be no issues large enough to justify a modification to this contract.

The cultural resources inventory and recording of cultural resources shall be completed following the specifications, defined as tasks, below.

1. Task 1: Complete Class III Inventory, including the records search, background research, and field work.

a. The contractor must conduct a records search/literature review at the Idaho SHPO through the ICRIS system to include the inventory area and a 1-mile buffer; and, get a GIS data cut and any associated records from the BLM (for BLM lands only) to determine if there are previously recorded cultural resources in the inventory area and to document the nature and extent of previous archaeological inventories and research in the general area. The exact number and nature of all cultural resources within the inventory area will be confirmed with the records search through Idaho SHPO and with the BLM. This data will also be used to reduce the chance of resources being duplicated in the ICRIS system when recording new resources for the Project;

b. All appropriate GLO and historic maps will be inspected for any historic features that may be within the inventory area/APE as part of the background research;

c. Pedestrian survey of the inventory area will follow these guidelines:

i. The contractor must locate the boundaries of the defined inventory area prior to commencement of the inventory. Use GPS units, corner markers, benchmarks, 7.5-minute topographic maps, aerial photographs (where available), roadways and other landscape features if needed to ensure ground control and confidence in the location of the inventory area;

ii. The area to be inventoried must be examined/surveyed by the contractor using evenly spaced pedestrian transects. The inventory area will be inventoried at 30-meter or less transect intervals. Distance between transects will not exceed 30 meters. Transect intervals must be tightly controlled using GPS units to ensure consistency and accuracy;

iii. In addition to the transects, the contractor, guided by experience and professional judgment, shall identify and examine all probable site locations, including prominent topographic features, such as benches or saddles, rock shelters and caves, intermittent and perennial drainages, and playa shorelines; and,

iv. This will be a non-collection inventory.

d. Site recording (newly identified and previously recorded updates) will follow these guidelines:

i. All sites must be digitally recorded with a GPS (site polygon and feature/artifact data only, no datum point);

ii. All linear cultural resources must be recorded as a polyline feature.

iii. If recording a newly identified linear resource, map the entire route of the resource, county line to county line. If you are not importing the mapped resource from a GIS layer, portions of the route may be based on historic documents, general knowledge, system maps, or even assumption. If you are importing the resource from a GIS layer, please import the entire length of the resource as it will improve future ICRIS searches for all users. Comprehensive field examination for the full extent of the resource is not required.

iv. This will be a non-collection inventory. Diagnostic artifacts will be sketched or detailed photographed, measured in the field, and left in place;

v. Sites must be recorded in the ICRIS system and be reviewed/finalized prior to final report submittal. A new site record or update must be completed for each cultural resource located in the field and should include:

a. There must be sufficient description on the form for BLM officials to derive an accurate eligibility assessment, including a consideration of integrity.

b. The site description must include number and types of objects/artifacts present, site dimensions, types of features, topographic location, etc.

c. If specific references are cited within the site record, these materials need to be listed in detail and referenced correctly, wherever logical and appropriate within the record.

d. If any significant disturbances or impacts have occurred, these must be described, mapped with GPS, and photographed.

e. Each form must be legible and must include a formal site sketch map (.PDF). Site boundaries must be depicted accurately and consistently on both the site sketch map and in ICRIS. Site sketch maps must include spatial relationships of features and artifacts to each other and other pertinent non-cultural data or topography (i.e., roads, trees, drainages, impacts, etc.).

f. If tools or diagnostic artifacts are present, scaled artifact sketches or detailed photographs must accompany the resource record and recording should include measurements of the artifact(s). If there are multiple representations of the same or like artifacts (e.g., tin cans) a sample may be recorded. The sample should adequately represent the types and dates of artifacts within the assemblage.

UTMs of artifacts and features recorded in detail should be listed in the record;

g. Photographs: each resource record must include a minimum of two site overview photographs. See Photograph standards section below, for further guidelines.

vi. Impacts to sites: Information concerning any impacts to sites should be documented for each site recorded. These should be specific and quantitative (i.e., grazing impacts include cow pies and trampling; the looting was over a 1 by 1-meter area and 1-foot deep). If impacts from recent looting (unauthorized excavation/collection) are obvious contact the COR at the soonest opportunity so BLM Law Enforcement can be notified.

e. Recording Isolated Finds and Noted but Not Recorded Resources:

i. Isolated finds (IFs) are defined by the Idaho BLM according to the 2014 Idaho State Protocol

Agreement (2014 SPA), Appendix C, as less than 10 artifacts in a 10- by 10-meter area. They must lack association with other sites or features in the vicinity and have no potential for depth.

ii. Isolated Finds must be recorded with a GPS point and detailed description to be included in the inventory report. If tools or diagnostic artifacts are present, scaled artifact sketches or detailed photographs must accompany the isolate form and recording should include measurements of the artifact(s).

iii. Isolated Finds will follow a number scheme defined by the BLM, TFD. The final summary/table in the report should follow this numbering scheme, with the description and UTM point also included.

iv. Noted but Not Recorded (NBNR) resources are usually a brief cultural expression of mid-century to modern trash, a historic survey marker, or a rock cairn with no associated cultural material, and other materials that may be seen and redundant information. They are defined by the Exempted Site Types in the 2014 SPA, Appendix C, and contractors should follow these as a guideline. NBNR resources should be summarized in a table in the report as to what it is, a GPS/UTM point, and why it was not formally recorded. No photographs need to be taken.

v. All isolated finds and noted but not recorded resources, must be digitally recorded with a GPS, and included in in the appropriate “Isolates”, “NBNR_point”, “NBNR_line”, or “NBNR_polygon” feature class.

vi. Guidance for previously recorded Isolated Finds with a Smithsonian Trinomial: It was past practice in Idaho to assign permanent Smithsonian Trinomials to Isolated Finds. If it is determined that there are previously recorded IFs with permanent numbers, there should be a review of the record to determine if the find is actually an IF by current standards, if it was evaluated for the NRHP, and whether or not it was collected. They do not have to be visited or re-recorded unless the find may be indicative of a larger deposit. All IFs with a permanent number need to be discussed in the report and summarized in the “summary of findings” table. If an IF was recorded as an isolate and never given a trinomial, it does not have to be included in the “summary of findings” table and can be summarized with the rest of the IFs in the report.

f. Photograph standards:

i. At least two project overview photos showing the inventory area should be taken and included in the report and the associated .JPEG files will need to uploaded into the project in

ICRIS;

ii. Sites recorded require at least two-color overview photographs, displaying different views (e.g. north and south). All artifacts with diagnostic properties or that are recorded in detail should have detailed photographs taken. All photos should be submitted in high quality JPEG digital format and taken using a digital camera with a minimum of 16 megapixels and at least 1600 x 1200-pixel resolution. All detailed photographs of artifacts should be checked for quality to ensure they are in focus and the lens is not obstructed (e.g., smudged). If in doubt, an artifact sketch will be taken;

iii. A project photo log must be completed and submitted with the final deliverables, along with the digital images in .JPEG file format;

iv. See the Consulting with Idaho SHPO Handbook and ICRIS guidance (https://history.idaho.gov/shpo/idaho-shpo-guidance/) for more information regarding photograph standards.

g. GIS data standards:

i. Cultural resource location data will be recorded with a mean error of +/- 5 meters or less, at a 95 percent confidence level.

ii. Field Observation Standards – GPS.

a. Point Data: Cultural resources point data shall be located by reporting a minimum of one averaged GPS-observed coordinate derived from a minimum of 10 readings collected to provide for a viable sample for averaging and calculating standard deviation.

b. Line Data: Multiple coordinates shall be used to define the approximate centerline of a linear resource (e.g., trail, flume, railroad, etc.). It is recommended that vertices (points) along the linear feature be collected at 5 second intervals.

Angle points of the line should be collected to increase feature accuracy.

https://history.idaho.gov/shpo/idaho-shpo-guidance/

c. Polygon Data: Polygon data shall be collected for the external boundary of any site location. Polygon data is also useful for accurately mapping polygonal site features and loci.

iii. All GPS data will be collected using NAD 1983 Idaho TM (Meters) projection.

iv. Use of the BLM GPS data dictionary, which will be provided at the pre-work meeting, to record BLM mandatory feature level meta-data for each site is optional if the contractor chooses to directly populate the Idaho BLM Cultural Resources Geodatabase (GDB), as an alternative.

v. GPS data will be post processed to conform to Idaho BLMs data management requirements.

vi. At a minimum, each site will have one polygon delineated as the site. If the site is a linear resource, then a polyline will be recorded.

vii. Further guidance on populating the Idaho BLM Cultural Resources GDB can be provided upon request, after the contract is awarded.

viii. All GIS data needs to be provided to the BLM in the Idaho BLM Cultural Resources GDB and quality controlled by the BLM prior to submission to SHPO through ICRIS to ensure accuracies and consistencies between SHPO and BLM data.

h. All sites (previously recorded and newly identified) located within this inventory area will be recorded to current standards (if necessary) and evaluated for NRHP eligibility following the guidelines in National Register Bulletin 15 (NPS 2002) and the Consulting with Idaho SHPO Handbook. If there are previously recorded sites identified with a recommendation of “Not Eligible” for the NRHP, the site record should be reviewed to ensure that the nature and description of the site adequately warrants a not eligible determination. If this is so, then the site just needs to be summarized in the summary of findings table, so it is accounted for within the inventory. If it appears that the nature of the site may warrant a revisit, the site should be re-visited, re-recorded, re-evaluated, and assessed for effects from this specific undertaking, if deemed necessary.

i. An assessment of effects to each resource from the specific undertaking/project activities will be discussed and incorporated into a standardized summary of findings table. If there are any recommended management actions or protection measures to ensure no adverse effects from the project, this will also be incorporated into the table. Examples of adequate tables may be provided upon request.

j. Within two weeks of the completion of field work, the contractor must provide the COR and/or PI with corrected and finalized GIS data, see Deliverables section below for more detailed information.

2. Task 2: Draft deliverables for BLM review

a. For complete list of draft deliverables expected for Task 2, see Deliverables section, below.

b. The BLM will furnish comments on the draft deliverables within 30 calendar days.

c. All site records will be recorded to the standards outlined above, in Task 1.

d. At minimum, the report must follow the format and guidelines laid out by Idaho SHPO (report template available online). The report should include the following information:

i. A purpose statement and full project description including anticipated direct and indirect impacts of the proposed project or action, location of the inventory area and total acreage, including legal description and a general project map showing the area inventoried. Include maps.

ii. A description of the local environment.

iii. An overview of pertinent, previous archaeological surveys and research in the geographic area and relevant ethnographic data. The overview will include current and relevant Native American and historic Euro-American chronologies and themes for the project area.

iv. A thorough description of the field methods used. Include names and duties of personnel conducting the inventory, dates of the fieldwork, and any problems encountered. Include USGS 7.5' 1:24,000 scale maps designating intensively surveyed areas.

v. The results of the inventory with site location maps and a full description of each cultural resource identified and recorded or revisited by the Contractor’s field crew within in the APE, including previously recorded sites, and recommendations concerning the eligibility of each site for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). Specific criteria must be assigned to each resource according to 36 CFR 60.4.

vi. A summary discussion of conclusions, assessment of effects from the undertaking, and management recommendations.

vii. References and bibliographic entries must follow the American Antiquity Style Guide.

viii. A table (summary of findings table) summarizing all resources identified within Inventory

Area/APE including, at a minimum, the site type, very brief description, NRHP eligibility recommendations, potential effects from the undertaking, and recommended management action to ensure no adverse effect. Examples of adequate tables may be provided upon request, after the contract is awarded.

3. Task 3: Final deliverables (No Hard Copies or Digital Media)

a. For complete list of deliverables expected for Task 3, see Deliverables section, below.

b. All permanent Smithsonian numbers for newly recorded resources need to be included in the final report.

c. All comments from the Government’s review of the draft deliverables should be incorporated.

d. The contractor has the option of sending the COR a digital version of the final report and records for a quick review, prior to the deadline for the completion of Task 3 and submittal through ICRIS, to ensure all comments were incorporated and the Government is satisfied, before printing and sending hard copies. This is for the benefit of the contractor, and not required.

e. If the final deliverables are received and the Government’s comments are not incorporated, or there are grave errors, it is the responsibility of the contractor to rectify and re-submit the final deliverables.

These stipulations apply to this task order:

1. Each field crew must be supervised in the field by a qualified crew leader/field director (see Attachment B:

Evaluation Criteria). Qualified crew leaders must always be on site with no less than one crew leader per crew;

2. Sharing of photographs of artifacts, sites, or the project area advertising the nature of the work being done on social media (Facebook, Instagram, etc.) or through any other on-line outlets is not permitted;

3. The contractor must notify the COR and PIs, by telephone and with written confirmation, immediately upon the discovery of human remains, funerary objects, sacred objects, or objects of cultural patrimony (as per NAGPRA, defined in 43 CFR 10.2) and must immediately stop any activities connected with such discovery and make a reasonable effort to protect the discovered remains or objects;

4. If paleontological remains are encountered during field work, GPS coordinates will be recorded and plotted on a USGS 7.5', 1:24,000 scale topographic map. The contractor must notify the COR of the discovery and provide UTM coordinates of the finds.

a. Paleontological resources must be located according to the guidelines set forth in the BLM Handbook

H-8270-1, General Procedural Guidance For Paleontological Resource Management, Ch. II A(4) and Ch. IV P(1) and expressed in Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) North American Datum 1983 (NAD83) coordinates. Points may be used to identify discreet sites or isolates; lines or polygons may be used to delineate site or project boundaries.

5. 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 Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) and Project Inspector (PI) and must take whatever internal measures are necessary to ensure that confidential material is protected. All GIS data, site specific records, photographs, and maps generated during this contract, including original field notes, will be considered BLM property, and will be turned over to the COR upon completion of the project. The contractor’s Contract Manager will be responsible for ensuring that all excess site specific documents, maps, site forms, field maps, etc., (i.e., those not submitted as deliverables, internal review drafts, etc.) are properly disposed of upon completion of the project.

6. All BLM and State-specific Cultural Resources Use Permit (CRUP) stipulations will be followed. Applicants will be required to obtain a Field Work Authorization (FWA) through the Twin Falls District Fuels

Archaeologist prior to starting fieldwork. Applicants should display their ability to meet the standards for a CRUP under the BLM Manual 8150. A non-disclosure agreement will be required by all contractor employees.

DELIVERABLES: The inventory will be divided into four tasks/benchmarks and the contractor may invoice per task, by percentage of this task order, as summarized below. Additionally, deliverables should be submitted according to the guidelines below:

1. Task 1: Complete inventory, including records search and all fieldwork; and, BLM acceptance of GIS data.

• Benchmark for completion of Task 1 is the completion of all fieldwork.

• Within two weeks of the completion of all fieldwork, the contractor must provide the COR a finalized and corrected Idaho BLM Cultural Resources GDB with all resources identified, recorded, and/or updated during the inventory. The contractor is responsible for ensuring that the data is accurate and accurately represents the resource (i.e., polygons accurately represent the entire site boundary, not just loci) and that the domain values are complete and accurate following BLM guidance. Maps do not need to be included with the GIS data. This data needs to be QA/QC’d by the BLM and accepted BEFORE it can be used to populate resources records in ICRIS.

2. Task 2: Draft deliverables

• Draft deliverables must be delivered to the BLM outside of the ICRIS system. Benchmark for completion of Task 2 is the digital/electronic delivery of these draft materials:

o Single PDFs of each site record (newly recorded or updated) completed as part of the inventory and produced/populated through ICRIS; and, o Digital PDFs of the report, and any other attachments or appendices (can be separate PDF files if necessary).

o The finalized and accepted GIS data/GDB DOES NOT need to be re-submitted unless something has changed. In this instance, this needs to be clearly communicated to the BLM, so that the BLM can update their dataset accordingly.

3. Task 3: Final Deliverables

• Benchmark for the completion of Task 3 is the physical delivery and acceptance of these materials:

o Single PDFs of each site record (newly recorded or updated) completed as part of the inventory and produced/populated through ICRIS.

o Digital PDFs of the report and any other attachments or appendices (can be separate PDF files if necessary).

o No hard copies or versions of the report on digital media (e.g., thumb drives; CDs) will be accepted.

PAYMENT SCHEDULE: The Contractor shall be paid a firm-fixed price for the services performed under this contract following the schedule below:

• 30% upon the completion of Task 1

• 30% upon the completion of Task 2

• 40% upon the acceptance of the final deliverables

GOVERNMENT FURNISHED MATERIAL: The Government shall make available or provide the Contractor with the following (to be delivered at the pre-work conference):

• GIS data with boundaries of inventory area/APE and survey area.

• GIS data of known previously recorded resources (Site polygons, site lines, isolates, and NBNR) within the inventory area/APE

• GIS data of previous inventory efforts and survey coverage being considered adequate for this undertaking.

• PDF site records of previously recorded resources within the inventory area/APE (if necessary and not complete through ICRIS)

• Idaho BLM Cultural GPS data dictionary

• Idaho BLM Cultural Resources Geodatabase (GDB) schema

PERFORMANCE TIMELINE: The performance timeline is summarized in Table 1, below. The pre-work conference shall be held within 5 calendar days from issuance of this delivery order. Fieldwork tasks can begin immediately once there are favorable conditions in the field and a Fieldwork Authorization has been obtained. All fieldwork must be completed by November 15, 2026.

The draft deliverables must be delivered to BLM no later than 120 calendar days after completion of all fieldwork, and preferably before. For all tasks, it is preferred by the BLM that they are completed prior to the dates outlined in Table 1. It is estimated that all services under this task order shall be completed by June 15, 2027, with a two-week buffer in the period of performance from the final deliverables’ due date for contract close out tasks.

Table 1. Thorn Creek and Carey-Kimama Fuel Breaks, Performance Timeline and Task Schedule

Task/Activity: Estimates Completion Date on or Before:

Pre-work Conference Within 5 calendar days after the issuance of this delivery order.

Task 1: Complete Inventory/Fieldwork November 15, 2026

- Finalized GIS data for BLM QA/QC Two weeks after the completion of fieldwork; or, December 1, 2026; whichever is earlier.

Task 2: Draft deliverables April 15, 2027

- Government comments on draft deliverables 30 days after submittal to Government; or, May 15, 2027;

whichever is earlier.

Task 3: Final Deliverables June 15, 2027

Attached:

- Attachment A: Project Area Maps

- Attachment B: Evaluation Criteria

No warranty is made by the Bureau of Land Management as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of this map or the data displayed for individual use or aggregate use with other data.

NAD 1983

Scale: 1:500,000 Date: 12/19/2025 Author: Riley McCormick

0 5 10

Miles

0 5 10 Kilometers

South Hills Fuel Break

Bureau of Land Management (BLM)

Bureau of Reclamation (BOR)

National Park Service (NPS)

National Wildlife Refuge

US Forest Service (USFS)

Military Reservation / Corps of Engineers

State

Private / Other

FID220-2026-06 South Hills Fuel Break Cultural Resources Inventory Area of Potential Effects Location

Project Location

ATTACHMENT A

No warranty is made by the Bureau of Land Management as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of this map or the data displayed for individual use or aggregate use with other data.

NAD 1983

Scale: 1:150,000 Date: 12/19/2025 Author: Riley McCormick

0 2 4

Miles

0 2 4 Kilometers

South Hills Fuel Break

Bureau of Land Management (BLM)

US Forest Service (USFS)

Military Reservation / Corps of Engineers

State

Private / Other

FID220-2026-06 South Hills Fuel Break Cultural Resources Inventory Area of Potential Effects Location

Project Location

ATTACHMENT A