DTSC_RFI_-_Unexploded_Ordnances_Support_Services.pdf

Printed on Recycled Paper https://dtsc.ca.gov/

April 30, 2025

Request for Information – Unexploded Ordnances Support Services

You are invited to review and respond to this Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) Request for Information (RFI). DTSC is seeking information about unexploded ordnance (UXO) contractors who are able to provide specialized support on project technical matters pertaining to munitions and explosives of concern (MEC), in particular

UXO.

1. Introduction

The Department of Defense (DoD) implements several types of specialized procedures for munitions response, including performance of geophysical surveys, classification of geophysical survey data to identify subsurface geophysical anomalies that may indicate subsurface MEC, estimation of potential MEC quantities, risk assessment, and removal of subsurface MEC. "Classification" consists of collecting precise geophysical data on a subsurface object and then using that data to determine (classify) if the object is likely to be hazardous munitions and explosives of concern (MEC) and, if possible, identify the type of munition.

2. Objective

To engage with a UXO Contractor who will assist DTSC in their oversight activities at munitions response sites across California by providing specialized technical and scientific knowledge related to munitions response. The UXO Consultant will provide munitions response support to DTSC including but not limited to the following services: Quality Control (QC) evaluation of munitions response geophysical data collected by others; evaluation of munitions response Remedial Investigation (RI) and removal action (RA) workplans, field implementation, and reports; and evaluation of geophysical data and data usability assessment reports.

The Contractor will provide expert personnel to support DTSC’s project managers and UXO technical support staff in fulfilling their regulatory responsibilities.

A. DTSC shall:

i. Coordinate scheduling of work activities and field visits;

ii. Provide Contractor with deliverables to be reviewed and/or produced; and

iii. Provide Contractor with meeting agendas/rosters and logistical information, in advance of site meetings.

B. Contractor shall:

i. Provide technical munitions expertise on current and historical military munitions practices;

ii. Review the munitions risks and hazards reports;

iii. Provide technical oversight for MEC investigations;

iv. Provide technical consulting service to assist with the evaluation of classification and evaluation of geophysical surveys for subsurface MEC;

v. Provide technical oversight for munitions removal actions performed by DoD contractors and evaluate hazards of subsurface MEC encountered by DoD contractors; and

vi. Identify military munitions, including possible fuzes and their condition, armed or unarmed, such as bombs, projectiles, rockets, pyrotechnic items, explosives and demolition materials, grenades, and submunitions.

3. Key Action Dates/Proposed Schedule

Listed below are the Key Action Dates and time by which actions should be taken or completed. If DTSC finds it necessary to change any of these dates, an Addendum to this RFI will be posted on the State’s California State Contract Register (CSCR) at www.Caleprocure.ca.gov.

Key Action Date Time

RFI Published April 30, 2025 3:00PM PDT

Last Day to Submit Questions regarding RFI

May 7, 2025 3:00 PM PDT

Last Day to Submit RFI responses

May 13, 2025 3:00 PM PDT

4. Minimum Qualifications

A. At a minimum, the Contractor must meet the following minimum qualifications (MQs):

i. Contractor shall adhere to DTSC’s conflict of interest policy by not performing UXO site characterization or removal work for the Department of Defense (DoD), any of the component military services, and/or their contractors at military sites.

ii. Contractor’s staff shall include Project Managers who possess certifications as Senior UXO Supervisor (SUXOS) in accordance with the criteria required in the Department of Defense Explosives Safety Board (DDESB) Technical Paper (TP 18).

iii. Contractor shall have more than ten years of business experience providing field oversight at munitions sites to ensure that DoD Contractor(s) adhere to the Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) requirements of approved plans, work plans and Quality Assurance Project Plans (QAPPs).

iv. Contractor’s staff must include Geophysicist(s) who possess the following qualifications:

a. A four (4) year degree in geophysics, geology, geological engineering, or a closely related field;

b. A minimum of 10 years of professional experience directly related to geophysical mapping, detection, and discrimination of buried military munitions;

c. Experience collecting and processing geophysical field data with the EM61-MK2, EM31-MK2, or advanced electromagnetic induction (EMI) sensors including APEX and MetalMapper 2x2;

d. Prior professional experience as a Munitions Response Quality Control (QC) Geophysicist. The Munitions Response Quality Control (QC) Geophysicist will provide technical review of geophysical data collected for munitions response projects using digital geophysical technology and advanced geophysical classification (AGC). The Munitions Response QC Geophysicist will have advanced knowledge in the use of geophysical mapping techniques and current technologies available in the munitions response industry. The Munitions Response QC Geophysicist will have 10 or more years of experience with the deployment of AGC and Digital Geophysical Mapping (DGM) data collection platforms at munitions response sites with experience that includes data processing, geophysical survey design and management, and data usability assessments;

e. A minimum of ten years of full-time professional experience deploying, processing, and interpreting data collected using traditional Digital Geophysical Mapping (DGM) and Advanced Geophysical Classification (AGC) processes and sensors (APEX, Metal Mapper, MPV, Ultra TEM, etc.);

f. A minimum of ten years of full-time professional experience in the design and placement of the Instrument Verification Strip (IVS) and QC seeds;

g. A minimum of ten years of full-time professional experience using Oasis- Montaj, Geosoft UX-Analyze, and Visual Sample Plan (VSP);

h. Working knowledge of the Munitions Response QAPP (MR-QAPP) Toolkit Modules and other applicable industry guidance documents and instructions related to the design and implementation of geophysical characterization and removal actions for munitions of explosive concern (MEC); and

i. Accreditation by the DoD Advanced Geophysical Classification Accreditation Program (DAGCAP).

v. Contractor’s staff must include Project Managers/SUXOS who are experienced reviewing the following types of documents for adequacy, completeness and compliance with standards, guidance and regulations:

a. Munitions Response QAPPs;

b. Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study work plans and reports;

c. DGM and AGC Geophysical data sets;

d. Geophysical reports and Data Usability Assessments; and

e. Removal Action Work Plans and Removal Action Completion Reports.

5. Requested Information

DTSC is requesting Respondents capable of delivering the services defined above to respond to this RFI. DTSC requires interested parties to respond with a Cover Letter describing how the interested party meets the minimum qualifications and can perform the work described above.

To submit a response to DTSC or learn more about the RFI, please email contracts@dtsc.ca.gov and reference “RFI – Unexploded Ordnances Support Services” in the subject line. DTSC requests that we receive your proposals by 3:00 PM PDT on May 13, 2025.

6. Disclaimer

This RFI is issued for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation. A response to this RFI is not an offer and cannot be accepted by the State to form a binding contract.

Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI.

Sincerely, Jana Taylor Contract Development Analyst Department of Toxic Substances Control