Heritage Survey at Rabbit Ears Manganese Mine

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is the Pre-CERCLA Screening Checklist/Decision Form for the Rabbit Ears Manganese site in Jackson County, Colorado. It is used to document the completion of a Pre-CERCLA Screening (PCS) and to make a decision on whether the site should be added to the Superfund program's active site inventory for further investigation.

• Site Information: Includes EPA Region, State, Site Category (Draining Mines), Date and Time of Site Visit (August 12, 2025, 11:11).
• Preparer and Site Contact Information: Details for Brittany Lease (EPA) and Nathan Williams (USFS).
• Site Details: Preliminary information on the site name, location (Latitude: 40.40357, Longitude: -106.60953), and description (Approximate Center of Site).
• Preliminary Assessment - Historical Data: Information on CERCLA 105d Petition, RCRA Subtitle C Site Status, Ownership Type (USFS), Site Type (Abandoned Mine Site), and Site Sub-Type (Hard Rock Mining).
• Site Description - Physical Setting: Details on the site being an abandoned mine, presence of waste piles, safety hazards, accessibility, and terrain.
• Site Description - Land Use: Information on roads, human activity, recreational use (hiking, biking, camping), and ecological activity.
• Site Surface Description: Details on waste piles, potential airborne release of fine material/dust, surface water, wetlands, and forested areas.
• Site Description - Other: Information on groundwater seeps, previous investigations, cleanup activities, and regulatory actions.
• Survey Form: A checklist of questions to determine if the site warrants further CERCLA action, with "Yes" answers for questions regarding actual or potential release, and possible targets impacted by contamination.
• Preparer's Recommendation: Recommends not adding the site to the Superfund active site inventory, but refers it to the USFS for consideration due to its location on USFS land and recommends institutional controls.
• EPA Regional Review and Pre-CERCLA Screening Decision: Concurs with the recommendation not to add the site to the Superfund active site inventory and refers to USFS for implementation of institutional controls.

This document provides a comprehensive overview of the environmental assessment conducted at the Rabbit Ears Manganese site. It details the site's history, physical characteristics, land use, and the results of sampling for heavy metals. While it concludes that the site does not warrant inclusion in the Superfund active inventory, it highlights the presence of heavy metal contamination (particularly manganese and arsenic) in mine waste and soil, and elevated manganese in the lower retention pond. This information is relevant for understanding the site's environmental condition and potential future actions or considerations by the USFS.

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

To remediate historic mining activity associated with the Rabbit Ears Manganese Mine site, specifically to remove contaminated materials from the 1950s manganese mine.

• Conduct a Class III, intensive pedestrian cultural resource inventory of approximately 22 acres, with transects at 15-meter intervals.

• Perform Recordation/National Register Evaluation of the Rabbit Ears Manganese Mine Site, including determining the mine's boundary and researching its history for eligibility.

• Identify and record all archaeological resources observable on the surface and in exposed subsurface profiles within the Area of Potential Effect (APE).

• The site is located on USFS land in Jackson County, Colorado, and has heavy recreational use.

• XRF field screening identified heavy metal contaminations (Arsenic, Manganese) in small portions of the former mine site.

• GIS shapefiles or populated GDB to be delivered within one week after field survey, showing cultural resource sites, isolated finds, and field observation locations.

• Maps must be legible, include quad name, archaeological property locations, township and range, legend, and USFS land status.

• Draft Report and GIS Shapefiles due 60 days after field survey completion.

• Final Deliverables due 30 days after COR acceptance of Draft, including a digital copy of the final report and completed site forms, and geospatial data.

• Final Report must incorporate COR comments on the draft report.

• Final site forms must be submitted as described in Attachment 1 Task 2.

• GPS data must be collected using NAD83 and UTM Zone, post-processed, and correction files provided.

• Contractor must notify COR immediately upon discovery of human remains, funerary objects, sacred objects, or objects of cultural patrimony.

• Field inventory estimated to take two days.

• Fieldwork to be completed within 60 calendar days starting from June 1, 2026.

• Draft report due at least 60 days prior to the end of the contracting period.

• Final report due 30 days after COR acceptance of draft.

• Location: Rabbit Ears Manganese site, east of Steamboat Springs, Jackson County, Colorado.

• Contractor must provide and abide by their own Health and Safety Plan.

• Contaminants of concern: Manganese and Arsenic.

• Contractor must obtain a Permit to conduct Archaeological Investigations on Forest Service System lands (form FS-2700-30).

• All GPS data must be collected using NAD83 and UTM Zone.

• Crew leaders must be qualified as per the Secretary of the Interior's Professional Qualification Standards.

• Contractor must record cultural resources using state-specific site forms.

• Site description must include number and types of artifacts, dimensions, features, topographic location, environmental setting, and any disturbances.

• Site boundaries must be accurately depicted on maps.

• Site maps must include spatial relationships of features and artifacts.

• Electronic site records must be in unprotected electronic format (PDF or Word).

• Compliance with the latest edition of the State specific Guidelines and Standards for Archaeological Inventory is required.

• Contractor must compile and load new data or legacy data into the National Resource Management (NRM) Forest Service Heritage database if included in the Call Order.

• Confidentiality: Site information must be kept in strict confidence and made available only to the COR or GTM.

• All site-specific records, photographs, and maps are USFS property.

• Contractor must follow all USFS Permit Stipulations and any required state-specific cultural use permits.

Amendment / Modification

• The offer due date has been extended to 5:00 PM MST on May 22, 2026.

• A revised Statement of Work (SOW) has been provided, including additional safety information.

• The pre-CERLCA report has been added.

• A detail map has been included.

• Statement of Work (SOW)

• Offer due date

• The deadline for submitting offers has been extended to May 22, 2026, 5:00 PM MST.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document provides a detailed location map for the Rabbit Ears Pass Manganese Site Remediation project. It is intended to visually represent the area of potential effect (APE) and specific locations within the site that have elevated metal concentrations.

• Project Title: Rabbit Ears Pass Manganese Site Remediation
• Project ID: R2026020603002
• Location: Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland
• Map Features:
  • Depicts the "Rabbit Ears Manganese mine."
  • Highlights an "Area of Potential Effect (APE)" covering approximately 22 acres, shaded in purple.
  • Identifies two specific "Area with Elevated metals concentration" points within the APE, shown as blue circles.
• Imagery Source: Google Earth

This map is crucial for bidders to understand the physical scope and specific areas of concern for the remediation project. It visually defines the boundaries of the work and the locations requiring particular attention due to elevated metal concentrations, aiding in the assessment of project complexity and resource allocation.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a project location map for the Rabbit Ears Pass Manganese Site Remediation project. It provides a visual representation of the project area within the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland.

• The map displays topographic contours, roads, trails, and the Forest Boundary.
• A specific area of potential environmental concern (APE) is highlighted with a purple polygon.
• It includes location details such as the USGS 7.5' Quadrangle Map (Rabbit Ears Peak, Colorado), NAD 1983 UTM Zone 13N, and scale (1:24,000).
• The map is dated 4/15/2026 and identifies the Hahns Peak/Bears Ears Ranger District.

This map is crucial for bidders to understand the geographical context and precise location of the remediation site. It helps in visualizing the terrain, access routes (roads and trails), and the boundaries of the project area, which is essential for planning and estimating resources for any proposed work.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is an Experience Questionnaire designed to gather information from potential bidders regarding their qualifications and past performance. It is intended to help the government evaluate a bidder's capability to successfully perform the work contemplated by the solicitation.

• Contractor Information: Name, address, telephone number, and business type.
• Experience: Years of experience in the relevant line of work, both as a prime and sub-contractor.
• Past Projects: Details of projects completed within the last three years, including contract amount, type of project, date completed, and owner/contact information.
• Current Commitments: Information on ongoing contractual commitments.
• Performance History: Questions regarding past failures to complete work or work completed by performance bond.
• Resources: Details on available employees (minimum/maximum, payroll status) and equipment.
• Principal Individuals: Experience of key personnel who will be involved in the contract.
• Certification: A statement certifying the accuracy of the provided information.

Bidders must complete this questionnaire thoroughly and accurately. The information provided will be crucial for the government's evaluation of the bidder's experience and capability. Failure to provide complete information may impact the evaluation of the proposal. Bidders are encouraged to provide any additional information that demonstrates their ability to successfully complete the project.

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) requires a Class III, intensive pedestrian cultural resource inventory and a Recordation/National Register Evaluation of the Rabbit Ears Manganese Mine Site in Jackson County, Colorado. The goal is to identify and record archaeological sites and features associated with the historic mine to determine its boundary and eligibility for the National Register.

• Conduct a Class III cultural resource inventory of approximately 16.6 acres at 15-meter transect intervals.

• Record all newly identified archaeological sites according to CO OAHP Standards.

• Record all features associated with the historic mine to determine its boundary.

• Research the mine's history for eligibility determination.

• Identify and record archaeological resources observable on the surface and in exposed subsurface profiles.

• The contractor is responsible for obtaining permissions for accessing non-Forest Service managed lands.

• Cultural resource location data to be recorded with a mean error of +/- 5 meters or less, at a 95 percent confidence level.

• GPS data to be collected using NAD83 and the UTM Zone as defined by the unit.

• Site descriptions must include number and types of artifacts, dimensions, features, and environmental setting.

• Site boundaries must be accurately depicted on site and topographic maps.

• Field inventory estimated to take a couple of days.

• The project is located in Hahns Peak/Bears Ears Ranger District, Jackson County, Colorado, T5N, R82W Section 9 SW corner, Quad: Rabbit Ears Peak.

• Deliverables include corrected GIS shapefiles, draft report, final report, site forms, and GPS data.

• Draft report due 60 days after field survey; final deliverables due 30 days after COR acceptance of draft.

• Contractor must provide necessary materials, equipment, and supplies.

• Contractor must obtain access to the appropriate SHPO database.

• Contractor must notify the COR immediately upon discovery of human remains, funerary objects, sacred objects, or objects of cultural patrimony.

• USFS requires a Permit to conduct Archaeological Investigations on Forest Service System lands (form FS-2700-30).

• All site location and content information must be kept in strict confidence.

• All site-specific records, photographs, and maps generated are USFS property and will be turned over to the COR.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is a BPA Call Order solicitation for a "Land Management Integrated Resources BPA Call" issued by the USDA Forest Service. It requests a Class III, intensive pedestrian cultural resource inventory of approximately 16.6 acres and the recordation/National Register Evaluation of the Rabbit Ears Manganese Mine Site in Jackson County, Colorado. The goal is to determine the furthest extent of the mine's boundary and research its history for eligibility determination.

• Class III cultural resource inventory (16.6 acres, 15-meter transects).

• Recordation and National Register Evaluation of the Rabbit Ears Manganese Mine Site.

• Submission of a fieldwork report including corrected GIS shapefiles, cultural resource sites, isolated finds, and field observation locations within one week of completing the field survey.

• Submission of legible inspection forms.

• Contract Type: Single award call order under an existing BPA.

• Period of Performance: June 1, 2026, through November 30, 2026.

• Estimated Value: Not explicitly stated, but pricing is requested for specific items.

• Proposal Submission: Bidders must provide pricing for items listed in the Schedule of Supplies/Services.

• Evaluation Criteria:

  1. Technical Capability Statement: Brief description of technical capability and approach.
  2. Completed Experience Questionnaire: Past performance related to the scope of work.

• Evaluation Process:

  • Step 1: Pass/Fail evaluation of technical capability and past performance.
  • Step 2: Lowest price among acceptable quotes will receive the award.

• Key Deadlines:

  • Due Date/Time: 05/20/2026
  • Post Award Conference: Within 10 days after contract award (via TEAMS online meeting).

• Set-Aside: Small Business / Unrestricted (Bidders confirm business size).

• This call order will be sent only to current BPA Award Holders.

• All clauses and provisions in the base BPA award are applicable, but clauses/provisions in this Call Order take precedence.

• Attachments are incorporated by reference, including Statement of Work, Experience Questionnaire, Wage Determination, and FAR Class Deviations.

• The document includes several FAR and AGAR class deviations and updates, including those related to Executive Orders and Biobased Product Certification.