QUESTIONS_AND_ANSWERS_0002.docx

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Solicitation 140L0322Q0005 Inventory of Abandoned Mining Features in New Mexico

Q. Please clarify if the BLM is supplying GPS units or if the contractor is to supply them.

A. The contractor is supplying GPS Units (Sub meter accuracy).

Q. What are the data dictionary categories i.e., the features that will be recorded? (Pits, shafts, adits, buildings, historic equipment, trash dumps, roads, etc.)

A. The data dictionary is already prepopulated with the list of features we collect and yes there are (adits, shafts, pits, structures, highwalls, mill, tailings, waste rock, equipment, and remediated features) we do not record roads.

Q. Will BLM provide examples of the maps that would be supplied?

A. The maps that will be supplied are maps depicting the Mining Districts to be inventoried. The Mining District boundaries are only a guide because there are mining features beyond the Mining District boundaries. The purpose of this inventory is for the contractor to go find the mining features because we do not know the full extent of mining across the State.

Q. How were the mining features identified, site visits or satellite imagery?

A. You can use whatever means to find the features, but the requirement is to Ground Truth the features on the ground and gather the information needed for the data dictionary while standing at the feature.

Q. Can we assume that mining sites are accessible with 4-wheel drive vehicles? Or will some be accessible only on foot?

A. Plan on most of the features to be only accessible by foot with hard hiking to reach them. There is only a small number of features that can be driven to.

Q. The title of the Evaluation Factors is different that the SOW title. Please confirm the Evaluation Factors are what BLM will use for the “Inventory of Abandoned Mining Features in New Mexico”.

A. Evaluation Factors is different from the SOW. The responsible party whose proposal is responsive to the Evaluation Criteria stated, which includes Factor’s 1, 2 and 3 will be used to select the contractor as the Lowest Price Technically Acceptable.

Q. Please confirm that field supervisor should have MSHA certification and can supervise field staff with OSHA certification.

A. All field going persons need to have both MSHA and OSHA certification It does no good if only the supervisor is the only one with MSH training while everyone is inventorying mining features.

Q. Does BLM require a map to be prepared for each mine site or will GIS database be the primary deliverable?

A. The GIS Database and final reports including spread sheet are the deliverables required. We do not require maps of each site visited. BLM will conduct occasional site visits to determine that all features are being collected.

Q. Due to the pandemic limiting opportunities over the past two years, will BLM consider extending the experience examples to go back 7 years?

A. The experienced requested of three projects in the last 5 years gives enough time to show ample experience.

Q. Attachment 1 header is labeled “Counties identified for DRUM Survey” – are all or some of the mining sites to be surveyed DRUM?

A. The counties of the attachment are still valid but there will be no DRUM sites visited and there will be no DRUM site data collected. All DRUM surveys have been completed.