a) Through the issuance of task orders, the Consultant is expected to carry out a wide range of Cultural Resources Support Services related to the successful operation of Caltrans’ historic preservation and cultural resources management programs. b) The Consultant shall provide support services when Caltrans lacks the expertise or available resources. All tasks including, but not limited to, archaeological collections management, cultural resources data management, state-owned cultural resources inventories, coordination of Native American participation in cultural resources investigations, specialized cultural resources technical analyses, and assistance in the development of cultural resources-focused trainings, guidance material, and research contexts, may be assigned as work under the Agreement. c) The Consultant’s services are intended to support and enhance the tools and methods that Caltrans’ Cultural Studies Office (CSO), in the HQ Division of Environmental Analysis, has developed in collaboration with external partners to streamline the cultural resources compliance process for project delivery solutions. These services will: i. Permit Caltrans to develop project delivery solutions by providing additional technical expertise to meet project delivery schedules during peak workload periods. ii. Provide independent, third-party analysis, review and consultation that can help Caltrans maintain credibility with state and federal regulatory and resource agencies, other stakeholders, and the public. iii. Provide access to specialized expertise, equipment, and laboratory facilities that are not available within Caltrans. iv. Provide Caltrans with the ability to share required cultural resources information with partners, stakeholders, and the public in a more timely and efficient manner. v. Permit Caltrans to respond to changing regulations and protocols that may require updating Caltrans manuals, policies and procedures that are utilized for project delivery solutions.
