B11_COMPREHENSIVE_QA_PARK_CENTER_WELL_0006.pdf

21 August 2026

COMPREHENSIVE Q&A

• Is any chain-link fence, gate, post, rail, barbed wire, hardware, or accessory material being removed, replaced, modified, or reinstalled as part of this current project?

• Answer: There is a chain-link fence around the well head. The contractor is approved to remove the fence, or they can leave it up and use a crane/excavator; we will award based on the best comprehensive solution and are open to all ideas. The site must be restored to original condition once the work is complete. Example: If a contractor removes the fence to complete the work, they must then rebuild or reinstall the fence once the work is completed on the well.

Operating Pressure and Existing Well Conditions

• The Statement of Work identifies an operating pressure of 200 psi. Is this the flowing pressure or the shut-in pressure?

o Answer: The pressure is dynamic.

• Has a recent shut-in pressure test been performed? If so, please provide the measured pressure and the date of the test.

o Answer: Since the valves on the Christmas tree are stuck in the open position there is no way to perform this test.

• What inspections, repairs, or attempts to operate the existing master valve have been completed? Our understanding is that the valve was inspected and an attempt was made to operate it, but the stem may be broken. Please confirm whether this is accurate and provide any available inspection findings.

o Answer: The primary master valve was inspected, and operation was attempted;

however, the valve is inoperable and the valve stem appears to be sheared/broken.

The master valve remains fixed in the open position. No additional historical inspection logs or diagnostic reports exist beyond the descriptions provided in the solicitation and SOW. Contractors must perform their own field verification.

• Is the well currently performing normally? Is there any indication that the existing master valve is partially open or restricting flow?

o Answer: The primary master valve is in the open position, and the valve is not operational. Well water flows at this time and is being controlled by a water valve located in the roadbed. No valve on the Christmas tree is functional.

• Please confirm whether the well contains any internal tubing. If tubing is present, please provide its size, material, depth, and configuration.

o Answer: Refer to the well completion report/driller’s log attached to the solicitation for available downhole information. The Government has no additional record of internal production tubing or downhole configurations beyond what is documented in the driller’s log. Contractors are responsible for verifying existing conditions via non-destructive methods during site investigation.

Well Isolation and Kill Methods

• Would the Government consider either a hot-tap isolation method or a wellhead-freezing method acceptable for this work?

o Answer: it is up to the contractor to determine the best possible method. Both methods will require the contractor to obtain the proper permits from local, state and federal agencies

• Are there any restrictions, design requirements, or approval procedures associated with either method?

o Answer: There is a formal submittal process outlined within the statement of work and the solicitation.

• Well-freezing operations may involve bullheading a bentonite slurry into the wellhead and freezing the fluid to create a temporary plug. Would this procedure and material be acceptable?

o Answer: The contractor is responsible for selecting and executing the isolation method. Any proposed procedure must comply with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations. For all work occurring below grade or within the well casing, the contractor must obtain required approvals and utilize only fluids, slurries, and additives specifically authorized by the Colorado Board of Examiners of Water Well Construction and Pump Installation Contractors (2 CCR 402-2) and compliant with potable water standards. All required submittals must be approved by the Government prior to execution.

• What types of kill fluids, additives, or plugging materials are acceptable for this well?

o Answer: The contractor is responsible for selecting and executing the isolation method. Any proposed procedure must comply with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations. For all work occurring below grade or within the well casing, the contractor must obtain required approvals and utilize only fluids, slurries, and additives specifically authorized by the Colorado Board of Examiners of Water Well Construction and Pump Installation Contractors (2 CCR 402-2) and compliant with potable water standards. All required submittals must be approved by the Government prior to execution.

• Are there any prohibited fluids or chemicals?

o Answer: The contractor is responsible for selecting and executing the isolation method. Any proposed procedure must comply with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations. For all work occurring below grade or within the well casing, the contractor must obtain required approvals and utilize only fluids, slurries, and additives specifically authorized by the Colorado Board of Examiners of Water Well Construction and Pump Installation Contractors (2 CCR 402-2) and compliant with potable water standards. All required submittals must be approved by the Government prior to execution.

• What flushing, recovery, testing, and disposal procedures would be required after completing the isolation work?

o Answer: it is up to the contractor to determine the best possible method. Methods will require the contractor to obtain the proper permits and approvals from local, state and federal agencies.

Public-Water-System Material Compliance

The solicitation states that the artesian geothermal well serves as a water source for a public water system. It also establishes compliance requirements for piping components, lubricants, greases, and other materials that may contact the water.

• Please confirm the exact standards and certifications that apply, including NSF/ANSI/CAN 61, FDA 21 CFR 175.300, and NSF H1 requirements.

o Answer: The correct standards are within the specification.

• Does BLM maintain an approved-product list for this work?

o Answer: No.

• Does BLM currently have an approved, compliant grease that the contractor may use?

o Answer: NSF 60 and NSF 61 standards have approved product lists for potable water.

• If we submit the proposed equipment, lubricants, greases, and fluids before beginning work, will the Government review them for compliance?

o Answer: The contract requires submittals from the contractor. There is government review.

• What certifications, safety data sheets, technical data, or other supporting documentation must be included with that submittal?

o Answer: The contractor is required to submit the requested submittals as specified in the contract. Material cut sheets, permits obtained, SDS sheets, etc to describe the materials being used.

• What review and approval lead time should we incorporate into the project schedule?

o Answer: Please read the contract documents for the submittal procedures.

Maximum Service Interruption and Contingency Planning

• The contract indicates that the well may be out of service for no more than five continuous days. Please confirm whether this is a firm maximum.

o Answer: Yes, the five-consecutive-calendar-day outage window is a firm requirement to ensure continuity of water supply for downstream operations and users. Any planned outage must be coordinated in advance with the Contracting Officer Representative (COR).

• If unforeseen conditions prevent restoration within five continuous days, what notification, authorization, and contingency procedures would apply?

o Answer: If an unforeseen delay occurs, the contractor must immediately notify the Contracting Officer (CO) and the COR in writing with a detailed explanation of the cause, a recovery schedule, and a proposed mitigation plan. Formal authorization/extension remains at the sole discretion of the CO via a contract modification.

• Would a temporary water supply or bypass system be required during an extended interruption?

o Answer: If the outage exceeds the approved 5-day window due to contractor delay, performance issues, or proposed means and methods, the contractor shall be responsible for providing, maintaining, and funding an approved temporary water supply compliant with public health/potable water standards (e.g., hauled potable water or temporary bypass pumping) to maintain continuous service to the system.

• If temporary service is required, please clarify which party would be responsible for providing and maintaining it.

o Answer: The contractor is fully responsible for providing, funding, maintaining, and removing any temporary water supply or bypass system required as a result of contractor operations or failure to restore main service within the allowable 5-day timeframe.

Building Modifications, Gas Detection, and Heating

• The contract also appears to require building modifications, the installation of a gas-detection system, and the installation of a heater. Please confirm whether all these items are included in the contractor’s scope of work.

o Answer: Yes.

• Is the contractor responsible for designing, furnishing, installing, testing, and commissioning these systems, or will any portion be completed by the Government or another contractor?

o Answer: The contractor is required to provide a completed project. All designing, furnishing, installing, testing, and commissioning these systems are the contractor’s responsibility.

• Please provide the applicable performance criteria, power or fuel requirements, control and alarm requirements, and required submittals for these systems.

o Answer: This is the contractor’s responsibility, the SOW states that there is PV on site that will be required to be modified for the additional systems.

• Please also identify any applicable building, electrical, mechanical, fire-protection, or safety standards that must be followed.

o Answer: Current International Building Codes, To name a few as an example NFPA 101, NFPA 70, OSHA 1910, etc. It is the contractor’s responsibility to ensure all current building codes are met along with any local, state and federal permits are obtained.

• What size is your production casing that you flow from?

• Answer: Please refer to the drillers log provided. Most of the existing Christmas tree is 8”

• What size are your production lines that will be tying into the wing valve?

• Answer: 6”.

• Do you have a material preference? Stainless or Carbon Steel?

• Answer: If you refer to the SOW it calls for stainless steel. Please refer to the SOW for the exact material specification.

Priority & Project Urgency

• I spoke to Park Center and this work sounds urgent. Is that accurate?

• Answer: Yes, this work is urgent as the Park Center Well serves as a critical public water supply source for the Park Center Water District.

Water Discharge & Environmental Permitting Requirements

• The solicitation references permitting, but a USACE Section 404 permit can take years.

Why is this required for a short-duration (< 4-week) job located away from an active streambed?

• Answer: A USACE Section 404 permit is not required for this project, as no dredged or fill material is being placed into Waters of the United States.

• Why does the contractor need a separate discharge authorization if the well and property belong to the BLM and an existing permit exists?

• Answer: The BLM's existing discharge permit requires a 40:1 dilution ratio (ambient receiving stream flow to well discharge water). Due to current low-flow/drought conditions in Fourmile Creek, the receiving water cannot guarantee the required 40:1 dilution ratio during construction. Therefore, if the contractor’s proposed means and methods involve discharging well water into Fourmile Creek, the contractor is responsible for securing a temporary discharge authorization or emergency exemption prior to discharging.

Wellhead Submittals & Equipment Drawings

• What specific details are required for the "Christmas Tree" drawing submittal?

• Answer: The contractor must submit a detailed shop drawing/engineering layout detailing the proposed replacement wellhead assembly ("Christmas Tree"), including all valves, fittings, pressure ratings, materials, and tie-in points. This submittal must be approved by the government prior to installation.

Wellhead Parts Sourcing

• Is the BLM sourcing the replacement wellhead parts, or does the contractor need to provide them? Some of these components are difficult to locate.

• Answer: The BLM will not supply wellhead components. The contractor is fully responsible for sourcing, furnishing, and installing all required parts and materials in accordance with the Statement of Work specifications.

• Does the bid require an exact wellhead configuration matching the “Christmas Tree” layout you described?

• Answer: Yes, configuration is shown for a standard Christmas Tree that is used in industry, this is mandatory.

• What are the specific requirements for the surface safety valve, the swabbing valve, and the choke?

• Answer: The Surface Safety Valve (SSV) on a Christmas tree is a critical automatic shut-off valve. It acts as a fast-acting fail-safe that instantly closes to isolate the high-pressure well during emergencies, equipment failures, leaks, or abnormal line pressures. The swab valve sits at the very top of a Christmas tree stack. Its main job is to give workers straight-line access down into the well.

Workers open this top valve to run maintenance tools straight into the pipe without shutting down the whole well system. The primary purpose of a choke valve on a Christmas tree is to regulate the flow rate of fluids and reduce high reservoir pressure to a safe, manageable level before the fluids enter downstream surface equipment. Acting as the "throttle" of the well, it prevents the high-pressure environment of the reservoir from damaging pipelines and processing facilities.

1. SSV per specification is to be set at 250 psi.

2. Swab Valve. – Inside bore diam to match well casing and primary and secondary master valves. (8” min).

3. Choke – throttling valve 6” valve to connect to existing piping.

• You show two main valves at the bottom (the lower and master valves) — should a “T” connection be used there instead of winged safety valves?

• Answer: The SOW provides the configuration of a standard Christmas tree that is used in industry. The government is requiring primary and secondary master valves at the top of the existing spool.

• Does all equipment need to be fusion-bonded coated on both the interior and exterior surfaces?

• Answer: The SOW refers to the classification of the valves and equipment. Please refer to section 5.4. The specification refers to all valves shall meet API 6A CC.

The API specification will determine the coating for the valve equipment.

Permit timing and discharge operations

• Because it takes so long to get a permit, will we still be able to operate under the BLM Discharge Permit?

• Answer: No, the contractor assumes the liability of any discharges and not the government.

Gate Valve Sizing

• Section 5.3 specifies removal of an 8″ gate valve, but field observations show a stamped ring size of 6 ¾″. Can you confirm the valve is 6 ¾″, not 8?

• Answer: Section 5.3 references flow control of the well and not the removal and replacement of the valves, 5.4 talks about the valve replacements. The new upper and lower master valves on the Christmas tree are required to be 8” the wing valve will be connecting to the existing 6” pipe.

• The schematic shows an 8″ valve bolted to the spool, but field inspection indicates we need a new 12″–8″ spool. With a proper 12″–8″ spool in place, would installation of a 3″ valve then be required—even though the diagram doesn’t show a 3″ valve?

• Answer: If you do not have the 3” valve how are you designing the hydraulic heating for the building? The SOW does not reference changing the spool.

Master Valve Configuration

• The current Christmas Tree diagram stacks an upper and lower 8″ master valve. Can we instead install an 8″ T with an 8″ gate valve above it, followed by a swab valve and surface safety valve? Or is it mandatory to follow the existing stacked-valve profile from the diagram?

• Answer: configuration is shown for a standard Christmas that is used in the industry, this is mandatory.

Wing valve schematic

• Is there a schematic available for the wing valve? It needs a full 8″ opening (as does the swab valve) to run a packer with a lubricator properly.

• Answer: The swab valve is used for maintenance of the well and the Christmas tree. It is required to be sufficiently sized by the contractor to allow all maintenance activities of the Christmas Tree and well. The wing valve will connect to the existing 6” piping in the building.

Section 5.4 – Radiant Heater and Discharge Routing

Radiant heater discharge

• The spec requires a radiant heater controlled via a 3″ valve. If the well isn’t currently in use, where is the discharged water from the heater expected to go?

• Answer: No discharge allowed; the heater is a closed loop system.

Valve Supply

• Do you have any approved or recommended vendors or sources for supplying the required valves?

• Answer: It is up to the contractor to determine their suppliers. The government will review the submittals of the material to see if it conforms to the specifications in the SOW.

Colorado Licensed Well Driller

• Is the contractor required to hold a Colorado well driller/pump installer license to perform this work, or can the project be overseen by a licensed individual?

o Answer: All work on the well must comply with Colorado Division of Water Resources regulations. While the contractor or field personnel on-site are not required to hold an individual license, all well construction, modification, and pump installation activities must be conducted under the direct supervision of a Colorado-Licensed Well Construction Contractor or Pump Installer. The designated licensed professional must assume full regulatory responsibility for the work, oversee compliance with state well standards, and sign off on all required technical submittals and official state reports.