REQUEST FOR STATEMENT OF INTEREST
Number W9126G-21-2-SOI-4655
Project to be initiated in 2021
Applicants must be a member in one of the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU):
Colorado Plateau Region
Great Plains Region
Rocky Mountain Region
Project Title: Cultural Resources Program Technical Assistance for AFCEC/CZ
Responses to this Request for Statements of Interest will be used to identify potential investigators for a project to be funded by Air Force Civil Engineer Center (AFCEC), which provides professional and technical support for Hill, F.E. Warren, Malmstrom, Minot, and
Peterson Air Force Bases, in order to facilitate successful implementation of the 16 USC 670c-1 Sikes Act. $255,162.00 is expected to be available to support this project during the 6-month base period. Additional funding may be available for follow on work for up to 6 subsequent fiscal years to the successful Recipient/Awardee, subject to the availability of funds.
Background:
The Department of the Air Force (DAF) manages lands in all 50 states and territories in accordance with all appropriate environmental laws and regulations, including the Sikes Act, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), and
the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), and other requirements. The AFCEC Environmental Directorate (AFCEC/CZ) requires technical support at AFCEC for the Cultural Resources and NEPA programs to ensure that DAF, federal, state, and local resource regulations are met while minimizing the impact of DAF activities on the environment. The cooperative agreement (CA) establishes a cost-effective, time-efficient, and flexible capability to support AFCEC programs.
The DAF has benefited greatly from the expertise and experience of non-Department of Defense (DoD) practitioners in the development and implementation of DAF policy concerning environmental compliance, Sikes Act issues, cultural resource regulations, and Executive Orders
(EO). Extensive experience in environmental management, natural and cultural resource management (conservation), environmental compliance, and environmental law have proven to be instrumental in guiding DAF decision makers and DAF policy to make clear and sound legal
decisions that benefit the needs of the DAF and the environment. Comprehensive support for the DAF natural and cultural resources and NEPA programs aids in efforts to partner with federal and State agencies along with external stakeholders, which in turn contribute to ensuring that the DAF mission is not impacted.
This work requires an onsite support person located at an installation location with the Midwest Region of the United States (e.g. Hill AFB, Petersen AFB) and at their home office. The work involves travel to: Areas of Responsibility within the Midwest Region of the United States and San Antonio, TX.
Type of Award:
This project will be awarded under the authority of the Sikes Act (Sec. 103A [16 USC 670c-1]) “the Secretary of a military department may enter into cooperative agreements with States, local governments, Indian Tribes, non-governmental organizations, and individuals, ….” This project is in support of the Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan, as directed in the Sikes Act, and as a result, it is anticipated that a cooperative agreement through the CESU program will be awarded. Such awards may be administered through a CESU only upon mutual agreement and official authorization by both parties of the acceptance of the application of the CESU Network IDC rate (17.5%).
Note: Must be a non-federal partner in one of the CESU Units, referenced above, to be qualified for considered.
Brief Description of Anticipated Work:
Planning and Decision Support: Planning and decision support to contribute to making sound decisions regarding land use, cultural resource management, military training impacts, project siting, etc. Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) and Environmental Reviews (ER) are
routinely necessary on public, Native American reservation, and military lands prior to initiating testing and training exercises, implementation of various resource management plans, siting projects and construction activities. Such assessments and statements require large amounts of supporting data, information, and analysis.
Planning and decision support will include NEPA and NHPA Section 106 analyses that are required prior to initiation of implementation of resource management plans, project siting, or construction activities when such actions are to be completed using federal funds. NEPA and
NHPA analysis requires collection and evaluation of large amounts of supporting data and services to be provided under this agreement, including the collection and analysis of data; preparation of required documents; and facilitation of all aspects of the NEPA process, to include public meetings and Native American consultations. Planning and decision support will include programmatic and technical expertise for AFCEC/CZ NEPA and the Cultural Resources Programs authorized by the NHPA, NEPA, and NAGPRA.
Tasks (Mandatory): Provide planning and decision technical expertise as described in Sections I; II listed above in support of the Air Force meeting its environmental requirements for the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD) EIS and NHPA, Sections 106 and 110. Technical
assistance tasks include:
* Oversee all Cultural Resources matters related to GBSD:
Interface between GBSD project offices, AFCEC, and contractor(s); gathering and facilitating frequent exchanges of information between GBSD; AFCEC/CZ offices, and contractors regarding all aspects of GBSD consultations with stakeholders, State Historic Preservation Offices (SHPOs), Tribal Historic Preservation Offices (THPOs), federally recognized American Indian Tribes (Tribes), the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP), and landowners, including:
* Functioning as a point of contact (POC) for all stakeholder outreach regarding cultural resources matters
* Work closely with Public Affairs Officers
* Participate in the GBSD Cultural Resources Core Team (CRCT)
* Participate in development of website and outreach materials related to cultural resources
* Conduct technical review of contractor deliverables (with CRCT support/reachback), EIS, ROD, survey plan, consultation letters, baseline archaeological reports, background research reference report, meeting presentations, websites and outreach materials, Public Affairs guidance documents, etc.
* Liaison between project and installation CRMs for execution of monitoring/mitigation plans
* Act as the primary POC for continuity as the AF Cultural Resources representative and liaison for stakeholders through to signing of the GBSD EIS ROD
* Participate in project meetings, develop agendas, take applicable minutes, and lead meetings, as needed, to include:
o The CRCT
o Integrated Project Team (IPT), Public Affairs group, and other GBSD meetings as needed
o Cultural resources portions/modules of tribal, stakeholder, and public scoping meetings, to include on-site support as/if needed
o Coordinating meetings with non-lead federal agencies
o Meetings with the ACHP, SHPOs, THPOs, Tribes, and other consulting parties.
* Assist NHPA, Section 110, to include:
o Liaison between GBSD and installation Cultural Resources Managers (CRMs) and other federal agencies for Section 110 National Register of Historic Places determinations of eligibility and concurrences for cultural resources evaluated during the project
* Assist with NHPA, Section 106, to include:
o Consultations with SHPOs, Tribes, and other consulting parties
o Development of a Project Programmatic Agreement, to potentially include tribal affairs communication plans
o Develop monitoring/mitigation plans
o Development of a NAGPRA Comprehensive Agreement for the Project
o Lead other individual Section 106 actions (if not covered by CA or PA)
* Assist with all other Tribal consultation activities, to include :
o All government-to-government consultation actions and inquiries
o Consultation/ascertaining capabilities regarding availability of tribal monitors/monitoring
o NAGPRA comprehensive agreement consultation efforts
o Consultation on monitoring and mitigation plans
* Supporting preparation of GBSD EIS
CONSIDERATION
1 Some tasks may require access to, or the review of material classified up to the Secret level. For this reason, support staff must have a final adjudicated Secret security clearance.
2 The Non-Federal Entity (NFE) may elect to sub award some of the work for other organizations (nonprofit, or for-profit entities as they see appropriate)
3 In addition, it is anticipated that the environmental support activities will require travel to attend meetings through the Midwest Region and in San Antonio, TX.
4 Estimated travel: two 1-week trips to San Antonio, TX (one person per trip); six 1-week trips within the Midwest Region (one person per trip).
Period of Performance. The base period of agreement will extend 6-months from award. Six optional periods extending for 12 months are anticipated pending availability of funds.
Materials Requested for Statement of Interest/Qualifications:
(Maximum length: 2 pages, single-spaced 12 pt. font).
1. Name, Organization, Cage Code, Duns number, and Contact Information (Email)
2. Brief Statement of Qualifications (including):
a. Biographical Sketch,
b. Relevant past projects and clients with brief descriptions of these projects,
c. Staff, faculty or students available to work on this project and their areas of expertise,
d. Any brief description of capabilities to successfully complete the project you may wish to add
(e.g. equipment, laboratory facilities, greenhouse facilities, field facilities, etc.).
Note: A full study proposal and proposed budget are NOT requested at this time.
Review of Statements Received: All statements of interest received will be evaluated by a board comprised of one or more people at the receiving installation or activity, who will determine which statement(s) best meet the program objectives. Based on a review of the
Statements of Interest received, an investigator or investigators will be invited to prepare a full study proposal. Statements will be evaluated based on the investigator’s specific experience and capabilities in areas related to the study requirements.
Please send responses or direct questions to:
Sandy Justman
Grants Specialist
USACE Ft. Worth District
Sandra.justman@usace.army.mil
Office: (817) 886-1073
J. Grant Harrison
Project Manager
USACE Ft. Worth District
Jason.G.Harrison@usace.army.mil
Office: (817) 886-1583
Cell: (817) 266-3001
Timeline for Review of Statements of Interest: The RSOI is required to be posted for at least 30 days prior to the Government making a decision and requesting full proposals.
Responses due by 5:00 P.M., Central Time, on 23 July 2021.
[End of RSOI]