Attachment_1_-_Statement_of_Objectives_El_Vado_Road_Closure.docx

Statement of Objectives (SOO) for El Vado Dam Road Closure Traffic Control

1. PURPOSE

The purpose of this effort is to provide road closure services on New Mexico State Road (NM) 112 in a safe manner for both workers and the traveling public. The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) will be completing investigatory drilling at El Vado Dam along state road NM 112 which will involve equipment needing to be staged on the roadway, requiring closure of NM 112 across the crest of the dam. Figure 1 reflects the location of roadway across El Vado Dam. Closure will be required for the safety of both workers and the traveling public.

Figure 1: El Vado Dam Roadway

2. BACKGROUND

Active investigatory drilling around El Vado is required in the summer of 2026 and several drilling sites are only accessible from the roadway across the dam. Drilling methods will include several drill holes along NM 112 that cannot be performed within a single lane and therefore require complete closure of the road due to equipment and road size. Discussions with New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) and local emergency response agencies will be necessary to ensure that emergency vehicles have alternate routes in place in the event that an emergency occurs during the work. The closure is estimated to be required 24-hours a day, seven days a week for 14 weeks.

3. SCOPE

The scope of this effort includes all services and equipment provided by the selected contractor to achieve road closure on NM 112 in a safe manner for both workers and the traveling public. It is anticipated that drilling will require road closure along the crest road for the duration of the drilling investigation; the closure is estimated to be required 24-hours a day, seven days a week for 14 weeks. The scope of this requirement includes acquisition of a permit from NMDOT and completing the associated Traffic Control Plan (TCP) design and approval, providing labor for installation and maintenance of devices identified in the TCP, and supply of NMDOT and Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) compliant traffic control devices such as signage, barriers, and message boards necessary for the duration of road closures. Daily flaggers will not be required as vehicular traffic across the dam will not be allowed. Emergency response vehicles will not be able to cross the dam and will need to utilize an alternate route to access communities on the western side of the reservoir. Reclamation drilling equipment will remain on the crest of the dam throughout the closure and vehicular barriers will need to be sufficient to prevent public access when drill crews are not present. Conceptual Traffic Control Plans are attached to this document for reference, but final stamped plans will be the responsibility of the selected contractor to provide and submit for acquisition of NMDOT permits, including any necessary revisions.

4. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The road is expected to be closed from May 27th, 2026, to September 4th, 2026. In addition, Variable Message Signs (VMS) will be placed 10 days prior to the commencement of work on the roadways and permits will need to be obtained prior to placement.

The fourteen-week roadway drilling schedule is an estimate based on best available information, however, given the unknown underground conditions, work duration is difficult to predict. In addition, summer weather conditions may impact the speed of activity and travel to and from the site. Contractors will be asked to provide costs for a contract Option to extend services by one month. It is unknown at this time if this Option will be utilized.

The contractor must recognize that timely and accurate performance of these services is a requirement of the purchase order. Therefore, on-time performance of this work is required. There will be a short turnaround time between contract award and submission of the TCP due to NMDOT requiring 45 days to process permit applications. A mandatory Post Award Conference will be scheduled within 3 days after award and held virtually via Microsoft Teams within 7 days after award date.

5. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

The primary place of performance will be El Vado Dam, New Mexico, along state road NM 112. El Vado Dam is located in Rio Arriba County. Placement of signage will be at locations to be determined, likely along NM 112, NM 322 and highways NM 64, and 96. Figure 2 shows the location of the dam, and configuration of adjacent highways.

Figure 2: Location of El Vado Dam and Surrounding Highways

6. PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES

a) Road closure on both the north and south end of the work area along NM 112.

b) Work and procedures to occur in accordance with New Mexico State and NMDOT highway laws.

7. OPERATING CONSTRAINTS

Coordination with stakeholders in the area will be important to the project’s success. This includes acquisition of a NMDOT permit for the road closure and associated design, review, and approval of a TCP, which will be designed and submitted by the selected contractor. Public notices for closure dates and any changes to the anticipated schedule will be provided by the Bureau of Reclamation and stakeholders will be asked to share the information with their constituents.

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