140L0623Q0001_Q_A_Responses_0003.pdf

Solicitation 140L0623Q0001 Pipeline and Wellfield Operations

Q&A Responses:

1. Can the location services be done on a Time and Expense basis?

We could provide an hourly rate and mileage rate.

2. Are all repairs on a T&M basis?

Generally speaking, repairs would be considered T&M.

3. Is there a Pricing Sheet or line item basis sheet that we need to fill out?

For T&M materials the contracting officer would request a proposal. For items related to preventative maintenance would be considered as Firm Fixed Price elements.

4. Are we pricing each line item on the spreadsheet "Pipeline_ITM_Study"?

No, items that are classified “BOTH” (Federal and Private) need to be included in your response.

5. How long is the contract for? Base year plus option years?

Base Period: Date of Award – September 30, 2023

Option Period 1: October 1, 2023 – March 31, 2024

Option Period 2: April 1, 2024 – September 30, 2024

Option Periods are not guaranteed and will be exercised at the discretion of the government. A notice of intent will be issued at least 30 days prior to contract expiration date.

6. Is there a buyer selected currently to take over the Helium reserve?

No.

7. Pipeline Serviceability and Assurance of Mechanical Integrity ¶4.1.b: “…inspected, tested, maintained, and documented in accordance with…” Please provide BLM CHS documentation/requirements (if any) for inspection, testing, maintenance, and documentation for covered pipeline and equipment items.

See new amended scope of work.

8. Mainline Valves ¶4.1.b: “…inspected, tested, maintained, and documented in accordance with…” Please provide BLM CHS documentation/requirements (if any) for inspection, testing, maintenance, and documentation for covered pipeline and equipment items.

9. ALL ¶4.1: Is the BLM requesting inspection, testing, maintenance, and documentation of work performed on gas analyzers and analysis equipment? If so, what does the covered equipment inventory consist of? What BLM CHS documentation/requirements (if any) for inspection, testing, maintenance, and documentation for covered pipeline and equipment items currently exists?

Gas analyzers and analyzer equipment is not included in the scope. Please review paragraph 4.

Contractor Responsibilities for more clarification

10. ¶4.2.b.i. What are the minimum requirements for the “detailed report?” Does the BLM desire

NDT inspection of areas susceptible to internal corrosion, or is an external physical examination an adequate supplement to the operability inspection?

11. ¶4.2.c. “…inspected, tested, maintained, and documented in accordance with…” Please provide

BLM CHS documentation/requirements (if any) for inspection, testing, maintenance, and documentation for covered wells, well piping, gathering lines, valving, and associated equipment.

12. ¶5.1. “The Contractor shall perform preventative maintenance… following… the OEM manuals…” Please provide OEM manuals or a detailed inventory of equipment items subject to this requirement.

See uploaded supporting documentation

13. ¶11. Applicable Regulations: Please provided a copy of “Appendixes 2 and 4” as cited in this paragraph.

14. “Operations – Schedule B continued:” Schedule B is not introduced prior to this. Is a SOW page missing after the List of Attachments on ¶18 with additional Schedule B items?

Included on Pg. 8 of SOW under Operations.

15. ITM Study: Please clarify which requirements of the ITM study – especially the ones labeled

“TBD” and “TDB” – apply to, 1) the crude helium pipeline system, 2) to the gathering pipeline system and wells, and, 3) which apply to the plants/facilities. (i.e. the Part 192 requirements may not apply to the crude helium pipeline system since it is an inert gas, but the Part 192 requirements probably do apply to the gas gathering system.)

The final ITM document has been posted to the solicitation. The “TBD” have been removed.

Please consider the requirements that apply to BOTH private entities and federal in your proposal.

16. ITM Study: Five procedures are identified for compliance. Please provide these procedures for review. If these procedures do not exist, please confirm if they should or should not be developed under this contract. The question previous to this will clarify if the procedures apply to the system as a whole or to a subsystem only.

The final ITM document has been posted to the solicitation. The “TBD” have been removed.

Please consider the requirements that apply to BOTH private entities and federal in your proposal.

17. ITM Study: Please provide an inventory and specifications for the existing gas analysis equipment, and the BLM CHS requirements for inspection, testing, maintenance, and documentation.

No requirement to service or repair gas analysis equipment. The final ITM document has been posted to the solicitation. The “TBD” have been removed. Please consider the requirements that apply to BOTH private entities and federal in your proposal.

18. ITM Study: Does the government hold any existing TX RRC and/or PHMSA permits for the pipeline systems? If not, should a P-5, T-4, or another permit request be filed?

TX RRC does not currently hold any regulatory and/or governing authority over the BLM. As such the awarded contractor will be acting on the behalf and in good faith for the government and therefore will not need to submit any P-5 documentation.

19. ITM Study: A contract for operation currently exists for the Cliffside facility. Does that contractor cover the requirement for monitoring and a 30-minute response as per 16 TAC 3 Rule

97.h.1 or does this requirement apply to the subject Work? Which other requirements identified in the ITM study are covered by the existing Operations Contractor and should not be duplicated under this work?

Refer to newly uploaded ITM Study for applicability.

20. ITM Study: Is a pipeline integrity assessment required as per 16 TAC 3 Rule 3.97.o?

The BLM is not directly governed by 16 TAC regulations. However, the BLM encourages industry best practices and recognizes, and encourages, industry recommendations on how to perform pipeline integrity assessment.

21. What does the BLM mean by "confined spaces" and "specialized equipment and training" requirements regarding the recessed wellheads?

a. As far as industry standard practices, the recessed wellheads are not a big deal at all to work on, but additional BLM requirements could add cost for training and/or compliance. Also,

b. Does the BLM own the "specialized equipment" that it makes reference to? What is the specialized equipment?

The BLM has classified the recessed wellheads as confined spaces. The contractor would be required to implement appropriate hazard controls to protect their workforce, as required by 29

CFR 1910, Subpart J. The specialized equipment included required rescue equipment, atmospheric testing equipment, and ventilation equipment - standard requirements for confined space entry. The BLM will not be furnishing this equipment.

Other asks:

Can any of the following information be made available to vendors?

• Material Test Reports

The BLM will not be able to provide this requested documentation.

• Major maintenance activity records o Any ILI tool run data o Pressure test records (pneumatic, or hydrostatic) o Any CIS, ECDA and additional Annual CP Surveys other than the latest ones that were shared.

o History of upset conditions on the pipelines o Pipeline failures and repairs information, if applicable

The BLM will not be able to provide this specific requested documentation.

• The KMZ files for the pipeline system

Please see newly uploaded KMZ Files