Archeologist for Cultural Resource Surveys for BPA Funded Screen and Passage Sites.

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) is issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP) for archaeological services to conduct cultural resource surveys for Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) funded screen and passage sites. The project involves Phase I Archaeological Investigations at twenty-six locations across Grant, Wallowa, and Wheeler counties, focusing on fish screen, passage, and habitat structures at irrigation diversions. Professional archaeologists meeting the Secretary of the Interior's standards are required to perform comprehensive cultural resource surveys, including literature review, pedestrian survey, and subsurface exploratory probing across approximately 0.5-acre areas at each site. Key deliverables include a detailed archaeological report with site forms, artifact catalogues, and determinations of National Register of Historic Places eligibility. The RFP was released on June 3, 2025, with proposals due by June 24, 2025, and the contract anticipated to be executed around July 14, 2025, with work to be completed by December 31, 2025. Evaluation criteria will encompass 100 points, with components assessing proposer experience, understanding of services, approach, DEI values, and a 25-point pricing evaluation.

The RFP does not explicitly mention specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. The contract will be a cost reimbursement agreement with a maximum not-to-exceed compensation amount, though the exact total contract value is not specified in the provided documents. Contractors must conduct tribal outreach and obtain necessary archaeological permits, with particular attention to identifying potential historic properties, especially sites 50 years old or older. The archaeological team will be responsible for comprehensive documentation and compliance with State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) guidelines. While no incumbent vendors are listed, the project requires demonstrated experience in the Columbia Plateau cultural area. The work is specifically funded by the Bonneville Power Administration and involves cultural resource investigations across multiple Oregon counties, with a focus on supporting fish habitat and passage infrastructure improvements.