Archeologist for Survey of Highland Dam area

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) has issued Request for Proposal S-63500-00013972 for an Archaeologist to support the Highland Ditch Dam Removal and Irrigation Efficiency Project in Douglas County. The project involves removing a low-head concrete diversion dam and intake infrastructure in the active stream channel of Cow Creek, installing a new fish-friendly screened water intake approximately one mile downstream, and implementing approximately four miles of pipeline for irrigation water delivery to 13 landowners. The archaeological services require a professional meeting the Secretary of the Interior's standards for Archaeology with demonstrated experience in the Columbia Plateau cultural area. Specific deliverables include conducting background research, performing archaeological fieldwork, evaluating cultural resources, and producing a comprehensive report following Oregon State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) guidelines. The project evaluation will distribute 100 total points across categories including cover letter (5 points), proposer experience and qualifications (25 points), understanding of services (15 points), statement of work (25 points), DEI values and practices (5 points), and price (25 points). The RFP was issued on May 28, 2025, with proposals due on June 19, 2025, and the contract anticipated to be effective from the date of last signature through December 31, 2025.

The procurement encourages participation of certified small businesses, specifically targeting disadvantaged, minority-owned, woman-owned, service-disabled veteran-owned, and emerging small businesses. The project is funded through in-kind and funding assistance from the Partners for Fish and Wildlife program, with the Bureau of Reclamation providing additional funding and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service serving as the Lead Agency for National Historic Preservation Act Section 106 compliance. While a specific contract value was not explicitly stated, the sample contract indicates a maximum not-to-exceed compensation amount, with payments made only for completed and accepted deliverables. The contractor will be required to obtain various insurance coverages, including workers' compensation, commercial general liability, automobile liability, and professional liability insurance. The archaeological investigation will focus on an 8-acre area of potential effects, with specific attention to documenting and evaluating cultural resources, particularly the existing diversion ditch and dam, while ensuring minimal impact to potential historical sites. The state reserves the right to increase, decrease, or remove amounts to meet budgetary constraints, and proposers must meet strict responsibility criteria including financial stability, past performance, legal compliance, and ethical business practices.