Consideration and Approval of Contract: This contract with SWCA will implement heritage surveys required for prescribed fire clearance across priority areas of the Flagstaff Ranger District, Coconino National Forest. 
 

1. Staff recommends City Council approve this contract with SWCA with payment not to exceed $1,210,591.00.
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary documents.

Prescribed fire on federal lands requires heritage surveys as part of compliance with federal laws, including the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). These surveys identify and evaluate cultural resources to ensure they are protected from potential damage caused by fire. This contract with SWCA will implement heritage surveys and other cultural resources work needed to prepare priority areas across the Flagstaff Ranger District for prescribed fire operations.

This City of Flagstaff will be reimbursed for costs associated with this contract via US Forest Service Supplemental Project Agreement (SPA) 22-PA-11030400-174. This SPA was approved by Council on January 3rd, 2023. 

Prescribed fire is important in Flagstaff to reduce the severe and escalating risk of catastrophic wildfires to both the community and the surrounding watersheds across the Coconino National Forest. The area's forests have naturally adapted to frequent, low-intensity fire, a process that has been disrupted for over a century by fire suppression and exclusion policies.
 

Project Name: Fireshed Heritage Support
Cost: $1,210,591.00
Account Number Budgeted: 070-03-052-6366-2-4208
FY Budgeted Amount: $1,300,000
Grant Funded:$1,300,000.00
Funding Source: USFS Supplemental Project Agreement 22-PA-11030400-174
 

No previous discussions regarding this contract have occurred.
This City of Flagstaff will be reimbursed for costs associated with this contract via US Forest Service Supplemental Project Agreement (SPA) 22-PA-11030400-174. This SPA was approved by Council on January 3rd, 2023. 
 

Approving this contract will allow this work to begin in a timely manner.
Not approving the contract will cause unplanned delays and possible cost increases.

The Purchasing Section has reviewed the competitively solicited cooperative purchase options available and confirmed that the Arizona Department of Administration conducted a competitive and open procurement process through a formal Solicitation that resulted in a Contract with SWCA Environmental Consultants. This underlying agency contract, CTR066941 has been verified as valid and appropriate for the purchase of the specified services and presents the best value to the City of Flagstaff.

1. High Performing Governance: Implement innovative local government programs, new ideas and best practices; Be recognized as a model for others to follow
2. Safe and Healthy Community: Ensure the built environment is safe through the use of consistent standards, rules and regulations, & land use practices
3. Environmental Stewardship: Promote, protect & enhance a healthy, sustainable environment & its natural resources; Strengthen Flagstaff's resilience to climate change impacts on built, natural, economic, health, & social systems

Environmental Planning & Conservation -- Vision for the Future: In 2013, the long-term health and viability of our natural resource environment is maintained through strategic planning for resource conservation and protection.
Policy E&C.3.3 -- Invest in forest health and watershed protection measures.
Policy E&C.6.1 -- Encourage public awareness that the region's ponderosa pine forest is a fire-dependent ecosystem and strive to restore more natural and sustainable forest composition, structure, and processes.
Policy E&C.6.3 -- Promote protection, conservation, and ecological restoration of the region's diverse ecosystem types and associated animals.
Policy E&C.6.6 -- Support collaborative efforts for forest health initiatives or practices, such as the Four Forest Restoration Initiative (4FRI), to support healthy forests and protect our water system.
Policy E&C.10.2 -- Protect, conserve, and when possible, enhance and restore wildlife habitat on public land.

HF-1: Protect existing forests, resources, and meaningful open spaces
HF-2: Restore and maintain the natural fire-adapted structure and pattern of the forests of the greater Flagstaff region through collaboration with partners.
HF-3: Educate the public on forest health and wildfire risk reduction.

3.2 Encourage neighborhoods, housing types, and building practices that increase health.

Reducing wildfire risk in the natural environment directly supports wildfire risk reduction in the built environment, as the intensity and likelihood of vegetation fire transitioning to a community structure fire is reduced.
 

Service Level Goals: Increase community outreach & Reduce risks through Prevention & WFM efforts
Standardization and Improved Partnership Goals: Advance Community Risk Reduction measures