SPECIAL NOTICE
F -- 12444122F0132 Seniard Creek NRHP Archeological assessment
- Notice Date
- 8/9/2022 12:11:32 PM
- Notice Type
- Special Notice
- NAICS
- 541620
— Environmental Consulting Services
- Contracting Office
- USDA FOREST SERVICE SAINT PAUL MN 55108 USA
- ZIP Code
- 55108
- Solicitation Number
- 12444122F0132
- Response Due
- 8/12/2022 2:00:00 PM
- Point of Contact
- Scott Ashcraft
- E-Mail Address
-
, Anthony.Ashcraft@usda.gov
(, Anthony.Ashcraft@usda.gov)
- Description
- NAICS Code: 541620 �The U.S. Forest Service, under the authority of the FAR Subpart 13.5 authority of 41 U.S.C. 1901; (modified FAR 6.302-1), intends to issue a firm fixed price, BPA Call order to NUTTER & ASSOCIATES for Archeological assessment for fire suppression damages and associated site context evaluations within the Seniard Creek Wildfire affected areas, Pisgah Ranger District, Pisgah National Forest, Henderson County, North Carolina. NO SOLICITATION OR REQUEST FOR QUOTE IS AVAILABLE. Contractor selected is capable of supplying the requirements because of their experience within this field of study and have the necessary skills to adequately provide these services. Contractor selected also has explicit and intimate knowledge of the specific project for which those services are required. Notwithstanding, interested parties who believes they are capable of meeting Forest Service requirements as stated herein may submit a response that shows clear and convincing evidence that competition would be advantageous to the Government in future procurements. This notice is not a request for competitive proposals or a solicitation of offers. A determination not to compete the proposed Purchase Order based upon the responses is solely within the discretion of the Government. All questions should be directed to David Easter via email to david.easter@usda.gov no later than 11:59 am CST 5 calendar days after the date of this announcement. Telephone inquiries are discouraged. Justification & Approval Natural Resources and Environment (NRE) Mission Area United States Department of Agriculture Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 6.3 or 13.5, 41 U.S.C. 1901 1.� Identification of the agency and the contracting activity.� USDA, USFS, NFsNC, Pisgah National Forest 2. The nature and/or description of the action being approved. The USDA, USFS, NFsNC, Pisgah National Forest proposes to enter into a negotiated sole source, firm fixed-price contract for specialized archaeological investigations and reporting with TRC Companies (Paul Webb) cultural resource division. Proposed contractor: TRC Companies, Cultural Resources Program Paul Webb, Program Director 3. �A description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency�s needs (including the estimated value). Archaeological assessment for site damage and cumulative contexts:� NRHP Archeological assessment for fire suppression impacts and associated archaeological site damages including cultural resource site context evaluations and possible new artifact assemblage assessments within the Seniard Creek Wildfire affected areas, Pisgah Ranger District, Pisgah National Forest, Henderson County, North Carolina.� Subsequent, National Register of Historic Places (NRHP)� report-of-findings documentation including the determination of eligibility for cultural resources identified during project processes, management recommendations, fieldwork and analyses conclusions including research design assessment statements and recommendations for future investigations if pertinent.� Rendering of deliverables to the Pisgah NF including NRHP and otherwise contributing documentation and artifacts/geological samples.� Estimated value:� $289,890 4. �The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition.� 8.405-6(b 5. �A statement demonstrating the unique qualifications of the proposed contractor or the nature of the action requiring the use of the authority.� A recently unanticipated discovery archaeological phenomena on slopes within the Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests is producing evidence that challenges the NFsNC cultural resource predictive landuse/site model and cumulative archaeological survey strategies and specifications as currently described.� These models/specifications represent a significant component of Programmatic Agreement NHPA Section 106 processes applied in coordination with the NC SHPO and several Tribal THPOs, that guides how much fieldwork and reporting is required prior to project implementation.� Absent this predictive model, a dramatic increase in field surveys would likely result including significant growth in costs for baseline project level archaeological assessment.�� Prompt identification and long-term resolution is essential for the Forest�s administration of NEPA/NHPA resource management directives and yearly project progression. In consultation with the NC SHPO and consulting Tribes, an integrative approach to archaeological investigations, assessments and subsequent management recommendations for unanticipated discoveries can mitigate and reduce fieldwork requirements that otherwise result with significant management delays and substantial expenses to the Agency/Public.� Without efforts to identify and describe the new archaeological findings, consulting Agencies/Tribes may choose to void the existing PA and default for 100% survey recommendations.��� As these slope-site discoveries have developed, the Pisgah National Forest has thus worked closely with two NC based consulting firms that possess the staffing/expertise and infrastructure needed for an intensive scientific assessment and interpretation for poorly documented and new/unique archaeological discoveries on slope environments within the southern Appalachians.� This developing skillset includes the ability to render new methods for lithic analyses and problematic artifact identification along with the significant adjustments with slope-side survey methods and logistics.� The above proficiencies represent a large sum of cumulative work, instruction and training, and direct field experience that cannot be easily or efficiently reproduced without considerable public expenditures and project delays.�� The two consulting firms are TRC Companies and New South Associates (NSA).� Long-term and constructive relationships with local Tribes and consulting governmental agencies are critical for successful project coordination and implementation and these relationships cannot be replicated without years of effort, interaction and attention to detail.� Good Tribal relationships can be especially critical when complex and sensitive resource issues are at play.� Both TRC Companies (Paul Webb, Tasha Benyshek and Michael Nelson) and NSA (Shawn Patch) have developed constructive Tribal relationships and trust with the three Cherokee Tribes and Muscogee Creek Nation requiring consultation on the Pisgah NF.� Paul Webb (TRC Companies) is one of a few WNC archaeologists who has received the Principal Chief Leon D. Jones Award for Archaeological Excellence bestowed by the Eastern Band Cherokee Tribal Historic Preservation Office. Intensive Market research for the Seniard project was progressing with the above firms when New South Associate�s Shawn Patch notified Pisgah National Forest Zone Archaeologist Scott Ashcraft that specific personal and company-wide circumstances/logistics were increasingly prohibitive for their firm�s consideration of the proposed Seniard Creek Fire archaeological project.� Shawn Patch of NSA (Greensboro, NC Office) formally notified Ashcraft of their withdrawal from project consideration on June 1, 2022 via phone call.�� � A third potential contractor of interest, Noel Archaeological Consultants (Bob and Mary Noel), are currently being introduced to this new archaeological phenomenon, are a new and small start-up firm, and do not as yet have extensive relationships with Tribes or reviewing Agencies.� NAC dropped from consideration in May of 2022 when they accepted another long-term contract on the Pisgah NF and no longer expressed interest.� For the reasons stated above, TRC (Paul Webb) is thus considered the only consultant at present with the expertise, relationships, and capacity to successfully complete the complex archaeological investigations needed for the Seniard Creek project.� Resulting conclusions from this project will be critical during consultation and negotiation with SHPO and THPOs for survey methods and survey coverage moderation.� 6. �A description of efforts made to ensure offers are solicited from as many potential sources as is practicable.�� Extensive marketing research, interviews and assessment taking place over several months during the last year.� My current 30-year long career with the NFsNC and resulting knowledge and experience with local and regional archaeological consultants and professionals benefitted these processes of resource and contractor assessment.� I�ve been a trained COR for much of that career. All potential and reasonable firms were considered and evaluated on some level. 7. �A determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable.� Technical representation, Pisgah Zone archaeologist Scott Ashcraft worked closely with CO David Easter to identify project components, methods and the appropriate Federal contracting direction that included extensive market research and refinement for consultant review.��� 8.� A description of the market research conducted and the results or a statement of the reason Market Research was not conducted.� Previous Pisgah NF project experience with these new archaeological contexts was a requirement and therefore limited possible consultants to three potential firms: New South Associates (Shawn Patch), Greensboro NC Noel Archaeological Consultants (bob Noel), Asheville, NC TRC Companies (Paul Webb), Asheville, NC -Resulting Market research for these consultants included multiple discussions, interviews and scientific data sharing regarding the understanding and knowledge base for the newly discovered archaeological resources, artifact assemblage and their unique location on the landscape.� -Eash firm was also assessed for their capicity and infrastructure, and their ability coordinate and assemble a diverse group of expertixe to make up the appropriate research team and potential timelyness.� Two of the three firms (TRC, NSA) possessed the capacity and expertise to meet baseline project expectations. -Each firm was assessed for their existing Tribal relationships and with consulting review Agencies, and two of these firms (NSA, TRC) were discussed with Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and Muscogee Creek Nation THPO staff for their input. -Proximity to the project area- NAC and TRC with Asheville, NC office/lab locations and NSA�s office is in Greensboro, NC. -Firms were offered field visits and two firms (TRC, NAC) chose to make project site visits for more precise project assessment and budget projections.� -Potential expenses and relative market costs were assessed with all three firms. -Two firms (TRC, NSA) composed draft project proposels with cursury cost estimates for current market perspective. -Two firms either self recused or were eliminated from project award consideration (NSA, NAC) � 9.� Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition.� N/A 10.� A listing of the sources, if any, that expressed a written interest in the acquisition.� New South Associates (Shawn Patch), Greensboro NC. spatch@newsouthassoc.com (336) 379-0433 Noel Archaeological Consultants (Bob Noel), Asheville, NC. rvnrock@hotmail.com 828-606-9303 TRC Companies (Paul Webb), Asheville, NC PWebb@trccompanies.com 919-414-3418 11.� A statement of actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition if subsequent acquisitions are anticipated. Direct expertise with the archaeological resource, artifact type and identification, and slope location and working relationships with Tribes and review Agencies.� All contracting firms working within the Pisgah and Nantahala NF will gain experience with these new resources depending on project type and location. Certifications & Approvals Supporting data that form the basis for and included in this justification are certified accurate and complete. Scott Ashcraft, Pisgah National Forest Heritage Resources Program Manager and Archaeologist Technical Representative Joel Hardison, NFsNC Forest Archaeologist COR The information contained in this Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition is certified accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. David Easter Insert Name of Contracting Officer Contracting Officer
- Web Link
-
SAM.gov Permalink
(https://sam.gov/opp/828f2c1db5c741468a190583328d2c6f/view)
- Place of Performance
- Address: Pisgah Forest, NC 28768, USA
- Zip Code: 28768
- Country: USA
- Zip Code: 28768
- Record
- SN06419005-F 20220811/220809230115 (samdaily.us)
- Source
-
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