NC27-115 Cherry Fire, ESR Cultural Resources Inventory, WRI 8058

The State of Utah Division of Purchasing is requesting bids under IFB NC27-115 for archaeological survey and cultural resources inventory services across approximately 14,958.5 acres in Juab County affected by the 2026 Cherry Fire, with bids due September 30, 2026. This is an invitation-only procurement restricted to vendors on the State of Utah's approved vendor list for archaeology — a mandatory eligibility filter that disqualifies all others.

The scope spans intensive and reconnaissance-level pedestrian survey using mixed 15 and 30-meter transects on approximately 10,955.6 acres of Bureau of Land Management, private, and Trust Lands Administration land; comprehensive literature review and background research across the Area of Potential Effect; and revisit and update of previously recorded archaeological sites. All work must comply with current Utah State Historic Preservation Office and BLM standards. Fieldwork must commence within two weeks of award and conclude by February 1, 2027. Principal Investigators, Field Directors, and Crew Chiefs must hold current BLM Cultural Resources Use Permits and PLPCO Principal Investigator Permits.

This is a lump-sum contract with fixed pricing guaranteed for the entire project. Payment is structured in four milestones: 10 percent upon completion of pre-field literature review, 50 percent upon fieldwork completion with preliminary results, 30 percent upon draft deliverables due April 1, 2027, and final 10 percent upon acceptance of final deliverables due June 1, 2027. Rolling consultation reports are due within seven working days of each field session. Cost modifications and change orders based on unexpected or excessive findings will not be entertained.

Funding sources include Trust Lands Administration, Utah Division of Forestry, Fire & State Lands, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, and the Utah Watershed Restoration Initiative. The project qualifies as a federal undertaking under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and as a state undertaking under Utah Code. Vendors must guarantee pricing for the entire project duration and comply with State of Utah standard purchase order terms and conditions, including workers' compensation and commercial general liability insurance of at least $1 million per occurrence.