NC26-83 Zion Migration Phase VI, Archaeological Survey, WRI 7898 (Multiple Award for Archaeology)

The State of Utah Division of Purchasing, in coordination with the Wildlife division, is soliciting archaeological survey services for private land under Solicitation NC26-83, titled Zion Migration Phase VI, Archaeological Survey, WRI 7898, which operates as a multiple award contract for archaeology. This Invitation for Bid is restricted exclusively to vendors on the State of Utah’s Approved Vendor List (AVL) for Archaeology, and only responsive and responsible bidders from this list will be considered. The contract is intended to conduct an intensive archaeological survey as part of a habitat improvement project along the North Fork of the Virgin River, partnering with the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Utah Division of Forestry, Fire, & State Lands, and the Watershed Restoration Initiative. The primary objectives include creating a cultural resource inventory, assessing the distribution and significance of cultural resources, and ensuring protection of eligible historic properties from ground-disturbing activities. Fieldwork must adhere to strict technical requirements including a literature review within the project area and a half-mile buffer, documentation of unsafe terrain using GPS and photography, and no placement of physical datums. All deliverables must be submitted digitally in compliance with BLM and State Historical Preservation Office standards, with no paper reporting permitted. The award will be made to the highest scoring, responsive, and responsible vendor based on a 1,000-point evaluation system composed of a SOW Cost Point Award (700 points) based on lowest bid and a non-negotiable Best Value Score (300 points) previously determined in RFP AS24-114. The proposed fieldwork must be completed by August 21, 2026, with the draft deliverables due September 11, 2026, and final deliverables by September 25, 2026. Pricing is to be guaranteed through the full project lifecycle, and payment follows a milestone-based schedule: 10% pre-field, 50% upon fieldwork completion, 30% upon draft deliverables, and the final 10% contingent on full acceptance by the Agency Archaeologist. Invoices must be submitted within 30 days of delivery, include the Purchase Order number 202634 and DWR contract number, and are payable within 30 days of receipt; late payments may accrue interest under the Utah Prompt Payment Act after 60 days. Contractors must maintain insurance coverage including $1 million per occurrence commercial