Attachment 1

Question and Answer RFQ #140M0126Q0031 Page 1

Question Answer

Please clarify the quotation due date. The solicitation references both July 6 and July 13, 2026.

Quotes are due July 13, 2026 at 5:00 pm EDT as stated on the SF 1449.

We respectfully request BOEM consider extending the quotation due date. An extension would provide additional time to review the responses to questions and incorporate them within our solicitation response.

You may submit questions until June 24, 2026 however the due date for quotes will not be changed.

Could BOEM please provide electronic GIS shapefiles associated with Figures 1, 2, and 3 in

B08_Addendum-_final_SAM_gov.pdf? Access to these files would assist in developing more accurate cost estimates.

Available GIS data may be accessed through MMIS at the link provided. BOEM used ShoalMate to generate investigatory areas; however, newly acquired Florida data will be used for final selection. Final investigation areas will be refined in coordination with BOEM in accordance with the

SOW

https://gis.boem.gov/server/rest/services/BOEM_BS

EE/GOA_Layers/MapServer

Will the scope include a single investigation area to be evaluated under the geophysical and geotechnical program, or multiple discrete investigation areas? If multiple areas are anticipated, are there expected minimum or maximum extents for each?

Multiple discrete investigation areas are anticipated.

The extent of the areas should correspond to the shoals indicated in the RFQ figures and will be refined in coordination with BOEM under Task 2 https://gis.boem.gov/server/rest/services/BOEM_BSEE/GOA_Layers/MapServer https://gis.boem.gov/server/rest/services/BOEM_BSEE/GOA_Layers/MapServer

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The solicitation specifies that Boomer and

Sparker surveys should image approximately

150 feet below the seabed, while vibracore collection is limited to approximately 30 feet.

Please confirm the 150-foot depth imaging requirement, as no ground truthing could be completed below the vibracore depth.

Multiple discrete investigation areas are anticipated.

The extent of the areas should correspond to the shoals indicated in the RFQ figures and will be refined in coordination with BOEM under Task 2

Please clarify whether a magnetometer survey or gradiometer survey is required, or if either methodology is acceptable for meeting the solicitation requirements.

A magnetometer or gradiometer survey is acceptable, provided the data are sufficient to clear proposed core locations and meet the RFQ data-delivery requirements.

Are there specified line spacing requirements for the sub-bottom profiler and magnetometer surveys? Is there a target size for the magnetometer surveys?

No specific line spacing or target size is prescribed.

The survey shall be sufficient to delineate the resource and support archaeological and core-location clearance required by the SOW.

The Statement of Work references ASTM

D4648 for Field Miniature Vane Shear Testing.

Would measurements obtained using a pocket shear vane (Torvane) be considered acceptable?

Yes, measurements obtained using a pocket shear vane/Torvane are acceptable when consistent with the applicable testing requirements in the SOW

Does BOEM have a preferred database format or software platform for submission of core logs and laboratory data (e.g., gINT or

OpenGround)?

gINT is acceptable. An Excel-compatible database/file is also acceptable for laboratory data and core-log tabular information

Section 2.4.5.1(f) on page 11 of

B08_Addendum-_final_SAM_gov.pdf does not include sieve analysis. However, sieve analysis is included in Table 1. Please clarify how many samples will be analyzed via sieve analysis versus LPSA. Are both methods required for every sample (Table 1)?

The RFQ is clarified as follows: samples shall be analyzed using either sieve analysis or LPSA, as appropriate for the sample type. Critical mineral samples shall include LPSA.

Section 2.4.5.1(h) on page 11 of

B08_Addendum-_final_SAM_gov.pdf references a core description template located in Appendix

A. However, Appendix A does not appear to be included with the solicitation. Could you please provide this appendix or clarify where it can be obtained?

The Government will provide the core description template after award. Alternatively, the Contractor may use its standard core description template if it includes the information required by the SOW and is accepted by BOEM.

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Section 2.4.5.1(j) on page 11 B08_Addendum-

_final_SAM_gov.pdf states that finalized vibracores shall be stored and that delivery and storage shall be coordinated with the BOEM

GOAR Representative. Could you please clarify the anticipated storage location and delivery requirements for the vibracores?

“It is anticipated that the Florida State Geological

Survey will store the cores in Tallahassee. Final delivery and storage instructions will be coordinated with BOEM in accordance with Section 2.4.5.1(j)

Section 2.4.5.2 mentions XRF, XRD, SEM/QEM or SEM/TIMA testing for critical minerals. Do you anticipate completing all three testing procedures on the 75 sub-samples? Will

BOEM be selecting the preferred subset of samples or will this be at the discretion of the study team?

“For planning purposes, elemental and bulk mineralogical analyses are anticipated for the selected critical mineral samples, with a subset selected for more advanced analysis such as

SEM/QEM or SEM/TIMA. The subset will be selected in coordination between BOEM scientists and the study team

Under Section 1.2.1 it is noted that, “To assist the Government in assuring that efficient methods and effective cost controls are being used, the Contractor shall notify the Contracting

Officer's Representative (COR) in advance of significant changes (>10%) to labor hours, subcontracts, or material from its proposal, that arise during the performance of the contract.”

The RFQ requirement remains unchanged. The

Contractor shall notify the COR in advance of significant changes greater than 10% to labor hours, subcontracts, or material from its proposal.

Reallocations that do not exceed that threshold, do not affect key personnel, do not change the technical

Question and Answer RFQ #140M0126Q0031 Page 5

For purposes of this notification requirement, would the Government consider the greater-than-10% threshold to apply at the task-level cost/ceiling amount, rather than strictly at the proposed labor-hour level by labor category? As a small business, we may need to adjust the distribution of hours among qualified personnel based on availability and project needs, while still remaining within the proposed task-level cost and overall ceiling price. Please confirm whether such labor-hour reallocations, without an increase to the applicable task price or total ceiling price and without changes to key personnel or technical approach, would require advance COR notification.

approach, and do not increase the ceiling price do not require advance notification under this provision

Subtask 2.4.5.1 (PDF Page 10)

The scope states:

“For longer cores >30 ft, a rotary boring will be used to the depth agreed upon.”

Could BOEM please clarify the anticipated number of locations requiring investigation beyond 30 feet below the seafloor? Specifically:

• Of the approximately 75 proposed vibracore/boring locations, how many are anticipated to require advancement beyond 30 feet?

• Does BOEM envision these deeper investigations being completed at selected existing vibracore locations or as additional borings?

• What maximum investigation depth should proposers assume for planning and cost-estimating purposes?

30-foot cores are preferred and cores shall be advanced until 30 feet is reached or refusal is encountered. A 20ft core may be acceptable where the base of the resource or refusal is encountered and documented.

Subtask 2.4.5.1 (PDF Page 10)

Could BOEM please confirm the minimum required vibracore diameter to be assumed for this investigation?

Either a 3-inch or 4-inch vibracore diameter is acceptable

Question and Answer RFQ #140M0126Q0031 Page 6

Subtask 2.4.5.1 (PDF Page 10)

Based on our experience conducting offshore sand resource investigations in Southwest

Florida, vibracores of approximately 20 feet have frequently been sufficient to characterize potential borrow areas. In many cases, these investigations have successfully identified the base of the sand resource through the encounter of underlying silts/clays or hardbottom materials.

Given the specialized equipment requirements, reduced production rates, and significantly increased costs associated with acquiring 30-foot vibracores, would

BOEM consider a reduced target vibracore length of 20 feet?

30-foot cores are preferred and cores shall be advanced until 30 feet is reached or refusal is encountered. A 20ft core may be acceptable where the base of the resource or refusal is encountered and documented

Task 4.5 (PDF Page 30)

Would BOEM consider extending the question submission deadline to allow offerors additional time to coordinate with key subcontractors, vessel operators, drilling contractors, and specialty vendors? Additional coordination would help identify and mitigate technical, logistical, and pricing risks, resulting in more accurate proposals and reduced project execution risk.

You may submit questions until June 23, 2026 however the due date for quotes will not be changed.

I have downloaded the documents for this opportunity from Sam.gov SAM.gov, but

Attachment 4 is missing. Can you help, please?

It is the last page of the file titled

B08_Addendum_final_SAM_gov.

Please provide the shapefiles for the 3 Maps in

Attachment 1, as the distances to the survey area need to be considered for vessel transit times, estimation of days, and shoreside logistics.

It is unclear what is meant in the RFP by:

“BOEM will provide maps of the area of interest after evaluation of newly acquired bathymetric data

Please see the attached replacement figures. Rather than provide shapefiles, please see the following list of rest services that were used to generate the maps:

Gulf SSRA blocks:

https://geoseas.boem.gov/server/rest/services/MMP/

PlanningandAdministration/MapServer/7

Sand Resources:

PlanningandAdministration/MapServer/5 https://geoseas.boem.gov/server/rest/services/MMP/PlanningandAdministration/MapServer/7 https://geoseas.boem.gov/server/rest/services/MMP/PlanningandAdministration/MapServer/7 https://geoseas.boem.gov/server/rest/services/MMP/PlanningandAdministration/MapServer/5 https://geoseas.boem.gov/server/rest/services/MMP/PlanningandAdministration/MapServer/5

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Core Samples:

EnvironmentalSamples/MapServer/0

Tracklines:

SurveyMeasurements/MapServer/1

Modeled Shoals:

Modeled_Shoals/MapServer/0

SLA Boundary:

https://gis.boem.gov/arcgis/rest/services/BOEM_BS

EE/GOA_Layers/MapServer/4

Please see jpgs files below

Confirm proposal Due Date is July 13

SF 1449 and Sam.gov is July 13, 2026

Consistent with SF 1449 and Sam.gov, the due date for quotation is July 13, 2026 5:00 pm https://geoseas.boem.gov/server/rest/services/MMP/EnvironmentalSamples/MapServer/0 https://geoseas.boem.gov/server/rest/services/MMP/EnvironmentalSamples/MapServer/0 https://geoseas.boem.gov/server/rest/services/MMP/SurveyMeasurements/MapServer/1 https://geoseas.boem.gov/server/rest/services/MMP/SurveyMeasurements/MapServer/1 https://geoseas.boem.gov/server/rest/services/MMP/Modeled_Shoals/MapServer/0 https://geoseas.boem.gov/server/rest/services/MMP/Modeled_Shoals/MapServer/0 https://gis.boem.gov/arcgis/rest/services/BOEM_BSEE/GOA_Layers/MapServer/4 https://gis.boem.gov/arcgis/rest/services/BOEM_BSEE/GOA_Layers/MapServer/4

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