Arivaca Mines Survey

The Department of Agriculture Forest Service is soliciting proposals for a cultural resource survey to identify and evaluate historical sites across 60 abandoned mine features within the Arivaca Abandoned Mine Lands Remediation Project in Arizona. The contractor must conduct intensive archaeological investigation using 10-meter transects with a 50-meter buffer around each mine feature, document findings with GPS data collection, and prepare a comprehensive report evaluating the National Register eligibility of identified sites. Key contract requirements include completion of fieldwork and a draft report within 60 business days, with the government providing a 10-business-day review period and a final report due 10 days thereafter, for a total contract timeline of 140 calendar days. The evaluation will assess offerors' technical proposals demonstrating past performance, technical capability, and equipment and personnel qualifications, along with pricing on a firm-fixed-price basis. Proposals are due by December 19, 2025, at 1700 ET, and must be submitted via email to ernest.hernandez@usda.gov.

This solicitation is set aside exclusively for small businesses under NAICS code 541620 (Environmental Consulting Services) with a small business size standard of $19 million in revenue. No incumbent contractor is identified in the available documentation. The contract covers approximately 300 acres across five-acre survey areas at 60 separate mine locations in Santa Cruz and Pima Counties, with the Forest Service planning to remediate the features through polyurethane foam closure, bat-friendly grates and cupolas, or barbed wire fencing depending on the site. Work will be performed in Arivaca, Arizona (85601), located within the Coronado National Forest's Nogales Ranger District. Prospective offerors must maintain an active System for Award Management registration and meet all federal contracting certifications and representations, including those related to small business status and telecommunications equipment.