B08_Attachment_1_Performance_Work_Statement-PWS_2August2023_0003.docx

Groundwater Well Inventory Survey, Two Years of Groundwater Monitoring Events, and Well Instrumentation Cost-Estimating, for Groundwater Wells in Eight Major Groundwater Basins of SE California

Contents PWS 1.0 Background on the Government’s Requirement PWS 2.0 General Scope of Work PWS 3.0 Overall Objective(s) PWS 4.0 Specific Tasks PWS 5.0 Delivery / Performance Schedule PWS 6.0 Government-Furnished Property, Materials, Services PWS 7.0 Security and Administrative Matters PWS 8.0 Technical Exhibits and Definitions Exhibit 1: Well Site Photographs, Eight Examples Exhibit 2: Performance Requirements Summary (PRS) Exhibit 3: Table of Additional Well Details

PWS 1.0 Background on the Government’s Requirement

BLM-California is interested in establishing a baseline groundwater monitoring program for a portion of its Southern desert lands, to help improve land and water management and decision-making ability in areas where groundwater and aquifer data are limited. This is expected to be a two-year project.

There is significant uncertainty as to the number and types of groundwater wells currently present on BLM Lands in the eight groundwater basins listed in Table 1 below. Part of the project involves a field-based well survey inventory and inspection program. Subsequent phases of the project include two rounds of measuring water levels, collecting water quality data, and a cost analysis for instrumenting certain wells with salinity and water level data loggers (submersible sensors).

PWS 2.0 General Scope of Work

Services include:

1) Locating and documenting characteristics of up to 150 wells mainly on BLM Lands in eight groundwater basins of the general eastern Mojave and Sonoran Desert regions of Southeastern California (all in eastern San Bernardino and Riverside Counties). Currently, 116 wells have been documented, but it is likely that other undocumented wells will be discovered in the field. Currently there is some interest from land-owners adjacent to some BLM lands who have interest in taking part in this survey. Most wells appear to be water supply wells -- either active, inactive/abandoned, or destroyed/decommissioned, but little data exist for many of the wells. State-of-California well completion and Groundwater Ambient Monitoring and Assessment (GAMA) data for this area are known to be problematic and incorrect in many places. This step involves ground truthing well locations and measuring and recording common well parameters and identifying any unexpected wells encountered on BLM Lands in the eight basins listed in Table 1. Therefore, the contractor will need constant field awareness of BLM land boundaries and adjacent land-owner parcels.

2) Conducting two annual rounds of groundwater level and water quality monitoring for any wells identified as monitoring wells or abandoned water supply wells without pumps (estimated at approximately 30 wells in number total).

3) Performing a feasibility study and cost estimation effort regarding sensor and data transmission instrumentation for an unknown number of monitoring and abandoned supply wells identified as good candidates for transducer/sensor deployment (approximately 30 or fewer).

4) Preparing one report combining the results of both the survey and first monitoring event and another report combining the results of both the second groundwater monitoring event and the sensor feasibility analysis and cost estimate

All work, including all reporting shall be completed by 30 Sept 2025.

At least ten of the wells are within or very near to active mining areas (know mining areas are in bold italics in Table 1 and Exhibit 3). Therefore, appropriate certification by the Mine Safety & Health Association (MSHA) to work independently (without escort and supervision) within an open surface mine is required for field staff working on the project. At the start of the period of performance the appropriate MSHA certifications for field staff working on the project as define in 30 CFR part 46 and 48. Because the wells are in the extreme climate of the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts, where temperatures in excess of 120 degrees are common, and because in many times well areas are very remote, acute attention shall be paid by the contractor to personnel health and safety and Health and Safety Plans (HASP) shall be prepared to industry standards for all of the fieldwork planned to be conducted.

Place of Performance:

The groundwater well survey will be conducted in San Bernardino and Riverside Counties. Well locations are plotted in blue below in Figure 1 and their coordinates are listed below in Table 1 and Exhibit 3. Wells in bold italics are identified as either in or very close to active mining areas. Additional well details are provided in Exhibit 3.

Please note the large study area size, approximately 100 x 100 square mile, its few major highways, and that many of the wells are quite far from improved roads and are only accessible via very slow-going, four-wheel drive roads. It is possible that in some areas, only a very small number, such as one to three wells may be able to be visited in one workday. If more resolution is needed on well location and remoteness, for travel time analysis purposes, the well location table can be imported into a free online map viewer such as Google Earth.

Due to the remote, extreme environment, please make clear the key safety preparations and safety equipment that will be planned to be used during fieldwork.

In addition, because some coordination and meeting time will be required with BLM and possibly mining companies, for planning and safety training purposes, up to several days of work total is expected to take place indoors for field staff, at BLM and/or mine office space.

Table 1: Well Location Table. Coordinates are in WGS84 datum.

Period of Performance:

The period of performance from September 1, 2023, until September 30, 2025.

PWS 3.0 Overall Objective(s)

The objective of this work is to collect data to support sustainable groundwater management abilities for protecting water resources and groundwater dependent resources and land uses, such as groundwater dependent ecosystems and energy centric or ecosystem conservation centric land uses. Some specific goals include:

· Establishing a reliable data set of wells on BLM Lands in the eight groundwater basins listed in Table 1 and establishing a reliable data set of baseline groundwater conditions (water level and salinity).

· Remedying insufficient baseline groundwater data coverage for a significant portion of the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts on BLM Lands.

· Ascertaining a cost estimate for instrumenting a subset of wells (ie, monitoring and abandoned supply wells) with submersible sensors for automating the collection of continuous groundwater level and salinity measurements.

PWS 4.0 Specific Tasks

Task 1: Field survey of wells in Table 1 (116 wells) and potentially others yet identified, up to 150 wells total.

Attempt to physically locate each well in Table 1 and record an accurate, high resolution GPS location, quality photograph, and typical well construction and condition information, including inner and outer casing type, diameter, total depth, completion, stick up height, condition, approximate ground elevation, and any readily available well and pumping specifications documented on the well or at the well site. If unexpected wells are encountered on BLM Lands that are not listed in Table 1, the Contractor will assign a well name and treat the well as if it were a listed well. For example, well types may include monitoring, supply, or abandoned supply wells in new to poor shape, and some wells in Table 1 may be unable to be located, due to an incorrect or outdated listing in a state or federal database.

In many areas, wells are only accessible by four-wheel drive vehicles. In some cases, coordination with BLM will be needed for access to areas restricted to the public. In some cases, wells may not be reasonably accessible (e.g., a well located within a prison) and can be skipped.

The result of this task will be a reliable table of well location, construction information, and condition information, which will be incorporated into BLM-CA’s database of wells and shared with partner agencies. It is possible a limited number of wells outside of Table 1 will be provided to the Contractor during Task 1 or Task 2, up to a total of 150 wells maximum (room to add 37 wells to the program). All but five wells in Table 1 are located on BLM Lands. For any wells not located on BLM Lands, BLM will coordinate access.

Task 1a: Record water level and water quality data – year 1, round 1 For wells encountered during Task 1 without pumps (water level measurements are not wanted at wells with pumps, due to safety and liability issues), also collect water level and water quality measurements. Please note that many of the water levels and wells are many hundreds of feet deep and beyond the lift limits of many types of common submersible pumps. The deepest well expected is approximately 1350 ft with a water level depth potentially greater than 1000 ft.

For water levels, using a sounder and associated equipment as necessary, measure water level to the nearest hundredth of a foot relative to the top of casing. Please note the potential for water levels to be very deep.

For water quality sampling, use pumps or depth-discrete or conventional bailers and a calibrated water quality meter, and associated equipment as necessary to record at least electrical conductivity (EC), pH, and temperature of at least one groundwater sample (depth) from the well. When possible, attempt to collect the water sample at the depth of a known screened interval or from the approximate middle of the water column, based on the water level and total depth measurements, and with cost effectiveness in mind, attempt to collect water quality measurements from more than one discrete depth to better represent the water quality of the water column, if time and conditions permit. Record all depths from which water quality measurements were collected.

Due to the anticipated average well size and depth, “grab” groundwater samples are permitted and well purging (until stabilization criteria are met or three casing volumes) is not required, but is encouraged when wells are considered as good candidates for efficient “low-flow” water quality sampling. All downhole equipment must be properly rinsed clean between wells due to the range of water quality expected.

Please provide in the quote detailed information on field methods and equipment planned to be used, including all power sources, key ground surface and downhole equipment, and any motor types or water lift methods.

Task 2: Reporting: groundwater well inventory report and first groundwater monitoring event Prepare a report that covers the results of both the well inventory field investigation and the first groundwater monitoring event (Task 1 and 1a). The report will be in Adobe PDF format, prepared to industry standards and reviewed and stamped by a State-of-California registered Professional Geologist (PG). Quality Assurance/Quality Controlled (QA-QC’d) spreadsheets in Microsoft Excel format of the monitoring data shall also be provided to BLM by the Contractor.

Task 3: Record water level and water quality data – year 2, round 2 Conduct another round of groundwater monitoring the following year, within 60 days or fewer apart from the year 1 monitoring event dates, targeting Table 1 wells and additional wells identified on BLM Lands during the initial monitoring event.

Task 4: Sensor installation feasibility study and cost estimate

Based on collected information from the well inventory and monitoring event(s) (e.g., well type, condition, equipment present at the well head, water level depth, salinity), hydrogeologic expertise, and observations from the field, analyze options for cost effective installation and maintenance of submersible data-logging sensors, including telemetry and non-telemetry versions, and solar power feasibility, for both water level and salinity.

Due to an expected large range of salinities and water depths, it is expected a variety of transducer/sensor types will be needed. Sensors are only desired for wells identified as monitoring wells or abandoned water supply wells, with or without pumps. Include estimates for safely deactivating and extracting downhole pumps from abandoned water supply wells, to make room for sensor/transducer deployment. It is expected many wells will be active supply wells that cannot accommodate transducers (or water level measurements).

Task 5: Reporting: second groundwater monitoring event and sensor installation feasibility study and cost estimate report

Prepare a report documenting both the results of the second year of groundwater monitoring (Task 3) and the feasibility analysis and cost estimate for submersible sensor installation and maintenance (Task 4). The report shall be in Adobe PDF format, prepared to industry standards, and reviewed and stamped by a State-of-California registered Professional Geologist.(PG). Quality Assurance/Quality Controlled (QA-QC’d) spreadsheets in Microsoft Excel format of the monitoring data shall also be provided to BLM by the Contractor.

PWS 5.0 Delivery / Performance Schedule

The contractor shall prepare two reports:

· Results of Task 1 and 1a – draft due 31 July 2024, final 30 Sept 2024

· Results of Task 3 and 4 – draft due 31 July 2025, final 30 Sept 2025. If desired by the contractor, the sensor feasibility report can be an individual report and submitted to BLM prior to the second groundwater monitoring event.

The contractor will provide reports electronically to the State Hydrologist at the BLM-California state office in Sacramento (currently David O’Connor – doconnor@blm.gov).

PWS 6.0 Government-Furnished Property, Materials, Services

General:

The Contractor shall furnish all personnel, materials, equipment, supplies, facilities, transportation, tools, materials, supervision, Health and Safety Supplies, and other items and non-personal services necessary to perform the work tasks defined in this Performance Work Statement, except for those items specified as government furnished. The BLM will provide site-specific information and facilitate coordination as necessary for access to certain sites which require travel on private or restricted access roads. This would include at least the 10 well sites located within or nearby to active mining operations. BLM will also share GIS files as needed of well locations and BLM property boundaries.

Representatives from BLM will be present and assist in some of the initial well site visits, to help kick off the project and to help with access into certain sites which require travel on private or restricted access roads, or to sites in or nearby sensitive areas, such as Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACECs).

PWS 7.0 Security and Administrative Matters

Regular Work Hours:

The performance period established for this contract is based upon all work being conducted during regular working hours between 7:00am and 4:00pm, Monday through Friday, excluding government holidays. If the Contractor desires to carry on work outside regular hours, including Saturdays, Sundays, and government holidays, a request must be submitted to the Contracting Officer in sufficient time to allow satisfactory arrangements to be made for access to the work site. Due to the extreme climate in much of the year, it is expected the contractor will prefer to begin work in the early morning for health and safety reasons. Access through private property must be obtained through property owner. The contract award does not grant access to Non-BLM lands.

Communications:

“Time” for communications received after 3:00pm, after 12:00 pm locally on Fridays, or after 12:00 pm locally prior to a holiday will not start until the next business day. All times are local Pacific Standard Time.

One crew lead must speak, read, and sufficiently communicate in English as to receive instructions, communicate with other resources/ supervisors, and relay critical instructions to non-English speaking module members in order to meet project objectives.

The COR will be notified and approve of any changes to key personnel with 14-day notice before changes are made. Contact information for key staff, including the crew lead who will be on-site daily shall be provided to the CO and COR.

Federal Holidays:

The following Federal Legal Holidays are observed:

Christmas Day

Fire Danger Season:

If the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) allows the Contractor to continue work during periods of declared fire danger or season, the Contractor shall comply with all applicable state laws relating to fire prevention and with all special conditions of work as directed by the COR.

PWS 8.0 Technical Exhibits and Definitions

Standard Definitions:

Physical Condition The Physical appearance of Federal equipment or facilities that considers cracks, chips, dents, abrasions, rust, corrosion, general cleanliness, vibration, operating temperature, and discoloration and other items as identified by the COR. Physical condition may be determined by visual as well as diagnostic means.

Contracting Officer (CO) The Secretary of the Interior or designated authorized representative who is the only agent capable of signing a federal award or obligating funds.

Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) The Contracting Officer’s designated representative as indicated in a delegation of authority letter.

Quality Assurance (QA) Surveillance of Contractor performance to determine performance requirements are met.

Performance Requirements Summary (PRS) (see Technical Exhibit below) The PRS identifies the key performance indicators of the Contract that will be evaluated by the Government to assure Contract performance standards are met by the Contractor.

Quality Control Those actions taken by the Contractor to control the production of goods or services so that they meet the requirements of the performance work statement.

Technical Exhibits:

EX 1: Well site photographs, 8 examples EX 2: Performance Requirements Summary EX 3: Table of additional well details

Technical Exhibits:

Technical Exhibit 1 Site photos, Mojave Desert Monitoring Well Locations, (8 examples)

North Bristol Dry Lake

1. G-4 (34.51663, -115.66808), recently decommissioned production well Showing road and power access, view S

2. TT-2 (34.48872, -115.72857), recently decommissioned production well

South Bristol Dry Lake

3. DH-1 (34.47038, -115.70082)

4. DH-2 (34.48536, -115.66762)

5. DH-5 and 6. DH-5A (34.48534, -115.74729)

7. DH-6A (34.49706, -115.75145), adjacent to fault spring with very brackish water

8. Gravel Pit Well (34.44399, -115.74649) with compressor pump

Performance Work Statement (PWS)

PWS Page 5

EXHIBIT 2: PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS SUMMARY (PRS)

Task(s) 1-3 Review Monitoring Plans and Assessment Strategies.

No more than 1 unsatisfactory review of field work or reporting per week.

For 2 unsatisfactory inspections, a 5% deduction from the invoice for that Period of Performance.

For 3 unsatisfactory inspections, a 10% deduction.

Performance Work Statement (PWS)

PWS Page 5 Exhibit 3 – Table of Additional Well Details

East of Aztec Mines

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