Attachment_6_Questions_Answers_0002.pdf

MT, UMRBNM GAS WELL BORES P&A

Solicitation No: 140L0626Q0002 – Amendment 0002 Questions & Answers

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

REFERENCE | SECTION QUESTIONS | ANSWERS

General

Q1: We’ve never done a Surety bond, we’ve only done Irrevocable letter of

Credit from our bank using our CD’s for P&A’s for State of MT & So Dakota

Is this something we can do for this bid?

A1: Yes, they may submit an irrevocable letter of credit in lieu of a surety bond, provided it complies with the solicitation requirements and the applicable provisions of FAR 28.204.

General

Q2: Can a timeline extension be granted to complete the contract next year?

Reason:

Wells of concern - 29-15, 22-28, and 30-1

The lease roads and 2 trail roads are extremely bad.

Areas of the 2 trail road leading to the area of the wells needs to be constructed to allow for overweight (+-80,000 pounds), top heavy, long wheelbase equipment (+-70’ long). There are some areas with steep cliffs, sharp uneven turns, and washouts that follow the tire trail. Having heavy equipment drive in on these tracks can cause the rearends to drag on the rocks and start fires.

The 29-15 lease road into location can only be walked. There are numerous vertical sink holes and wash outs that expose the pipeline and appear to have voids that follow the pipeline horizontally underground. There is approximately

250’ of road that is prone to caving in.

A2: No. The period of performance remains as stated in the solicitation. Any extension of the contract period after award would only be considered if determined necessary by the Contracting Officer in accordance with the contract terms.

Attachment 1 Statement of Work, Reclamation, Page 8

Q3: In reference to the following: No new roads will be built; only existing access roads will be used. Existing roads may be improved or upgraded, if necessary, to move equipment in and out of the well locations. Any improvements or upgrades to accommodate safe passage of vehicles or equipment will require reclamation after the completion of the plugging procedures. Reclamation, as applicable, could include pulling in berms, recontouring, restoring drainages to original grade, installing/constructing soil stabilization measures, re-seeding, and/or other measures as directed by the

Authorized Officer.

To safely install a rig / drive trucks with equipment to location, severe modifications will be required on road for install. Is contractor able to modify road in a different path such that rig can safely be driven to location? For example, mostly utilize existing road on Lone Pine Ridge Rd, but divert as required from a safe path perspective?

A3: No. The Statement of Work requires the use of existing access roads.

Existing roads may be improved or upgraded as necessary to safely access the well locations, but construction of new road alignments or permanent reroutes is not authorized unless approved in writing by the Contracting

Officer. Any approved improvements shall be reclaimed in accordance with the Statement of Work

Attachment 1 Statement of Work, Reclamation, Page 8

Q4: Is reclamation for the road after work is completed required on both BLM land and private land?

A4: Yes. Any temporary improvements or disturbances associated with access required to perform the contract shall be reclaimed to pre-existing conditions or as otherwise directed by the Authorized Officer, regardless of land ownership, unless otherwise authorized in writing.

Attachment 1 Statement of Work, Reclamation, Page 8

Q5: Does the BLM have approvals / contracts with private land owners for right of way / modifications of roads?

A5: The Government has secured the access necessary to perform the work identified in the Statement of Work. Contractors shall coordinate all work through the Contracting Officer and COR. Any additional access requirements or contractor-requested modifications beyond the scope of the solicitation shall require Government approval.

General

Q6: Will concessions be required for existing landowners? If they are required, would that be considered as a modification of SOW / change order?

A6: Contractors shall perform the work in accordance with the Statement of

Work. If circumstances arise requiring work outside the scope of the contract due to landowner requirements directed by the Government, the

Contracting Officer will determine whether a contract modification is appropriate.

Attachment 1 Statement of Work, Reclamation, Page 8

Q7: For the sink holes it is noted that "Prior to disturbance, the borrow area will require inspection and clearance by the NCMD archaeologist." If significant modifications are required to the access road, will NCMD archaeologist approval be required prior to access road modification? If so, what would target timing be for a response after approval is requested? Is NCMD archaeologist approval required on both BLM and private land?

A7: Any required cultural resource review or archaeological clearance will be coordinated by the Government where applicable. Contractors shall not disturb previously undisturbed areas without prior Government approval.

The Government cannot guarantee a specific review timeframe.

General

Q8: Can maps be provided showing private landowner boundaries for the roads, along with contact information?

A8: A map can be found here. Landowner addresses can be found here.

General

Q9: Please define BLM / surface owner relationships. Have there been issues in the past for requesting access including American Prarie?

A9: The Government has identified the access necessary to perform the contract. Historical discussions or relationships with individual landowners are outside the scope of this solicitation and are not relevant to contract performance.

General Q10: Can contact information be provided for land owner of Federal 22-28?

A10: Contract awardee will be provided contact information for land https://www.blm.gov/sites/default/files/UMRBNM_Transportation_Map_EHalf%20508%20COMPL.pdf https://svc.mt.gov/msl/cadastral/?page=Map owners. Alternatively, all ownership data is public record.

General

Q11: Can sign in list be shared from the site visit?

A11: Sign in sheet will be provided via forthcoming amendment 0002.

Attachment 1 Statement of Work, Reclamation, Page 8

Q12: Can the BLM provide a native seed source to purchase?

A12: No. The contractor is responsible for furnishing all materials necessary to complete reclamation in accordance with the Statement of Work. Any seed mix used shall meet the requirements of the Authorized Officer.

General

Q13: Due to the remote location and limited space at the well sites, will the

Government identify or provide any approved staging areas for equipment and materials during performance? If not, is the contractor responsible for independently coordinating any staging area access with local landowners?

A13: Staging areas located on BLM-administered lands may be approved by the Authorized Officer on a case-by-case basis. If a staging area is required on private property, the contractor is responsible for coordinating access and obtaining permission directly from the applicable landowner.

General

Q14: The project documents state that operations are weather-dependent and must be performed during dry weather and dry surface conditions. If precipitation or wet ground conditions make the project area impassable and prevents work from continuing, will the period of performance be adjusted for documented weather or access delays?

A14: The period of performance remains unchanged. Any request for a time extension submitted during contract performance will be evaluated in accordance with the terms and conditions of the resulting contract and the facts then existing.

General

Q15: If access improvements are needed to safely move equipment into the well locations, should those access improvements be included in the contractor’s quote, and are they expected to be reclaimed after completion?

A15: Yes. Contractors shall include the cost of any access improvements necessary to perform the work in their quotation. Any temporary access improvements or disturbances shall be reclaimed in accordance with the

Statement of Work upon completion of the project.

General

Q16: May a vendor submit pricing that identifies separate amounts for well plugging, disposal, and reclamation portions of the work while still providing one total price for the complete project?

A16: Contractors shall complete and submit Attachment 3 – Quote Schedule in the format provided. Pricing shall be submitted in accordance with

Attachment 3 and shall not be modified or supplemented with an alternate pricing format for evaluation purposes.

https://svc.mt.gov/msl/cadastral/?page=Map