Sol_140G0220R0023.pdf

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DENVER CO 80225-0046

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USGS OAG DENVER ACQUISITION BRANCH

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08/28/2020 1500 MT

07/30/2020

303-236-9321Jennifer Rollin (No collect calls)

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4. ORDER NUMBER3. AWARD/ 6. SOLICITATION

140G0220R0023

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SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

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ITEM NO.

Period of Performance: 09/04/2020 to 09/03/2021

00010 Services, non-personal to provide all plant, equipment, labor and materials (unless otherwise provided herein) necessary to conduct an airborne magnetic total-field radiometric survey in The Wet Mountains, South Central Colorado to provide digitally recorded and processed airborne data in accordance with the attached statement of work and terms and conditions.

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SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

19.

ITEM NO.

Survey line kilometers magnetics and radiometrics of BASE CORE area: 8,471 line kilometers

00020 Optional "add-on" line kilometers, magnetic and radiometric, to augment the Core area into the

EXPANSION #1 investigation area.

NOT TO EXCEED 7,530 line kilometers.

(Option Line Item)

08/31/2020

00030 Optional "add on" line kilometers, magnetics and radiometrics, to augment the Core plus the

Expansion #1 area into the maximum investigation area.

NOT TO EXCEED 17,340 line item kilometers.

(Option Line Item)

08/31/2020

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66 2 of

Performance-based Work Statement (PWS) Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QSAP) Clauses 52.252-2 Clauses Incorporated by Reference. (FEB 1998) 52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders - Commercial Items. (JUL 2020) 52.217-7 Option for Increased Quantity -- Separately Priced Line Item (Mar 1989) DOI ELECTRONIC INVOICING Electronic Invoicing and Payment Requirements - Invoice Processing Platform (IPP) (April 2013) GS1131 Unilateral Deobligation of Unexpended Funds (MAY 2013) GS1440 Wage Determination Incorporation. (JUL 2001) GS0231 Technical Liaison-Technical Direction (JUL 2018 GS0199 Prevention of Malicious Code (JUN 2018 GS0339 Green Acquisition (JUL 2018) GS0919 Legal Holiday (JAN 2002) GS0925 Unscheduled Closures – Fixed Price (MAR 2003) Notice to Contractors – Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (DEC 2015) GS1332 Contractor’s Representative (JUL 2001) GS1348 Accident Reporting (APR 2003) GS1364 NonPersonal Services and Supervision of Contractor (SEP 2017) GS1371 Availability of IT Security Standards, Guides and Other Publications (JUL 2018) GS1396 Release of Information (JUL 2001) GS1399 Ownership of Photographic Materials (JUL 2001) GS1406 Confidentiality of Data (OCT 2005) 1452.228-71 Aircraft and General Public Liability Insurance Department of the Interior (MAR 1989) Provisions 52.252-2 Clauses Incorporated by Reference. (FEB 1998)

ADDENDUM TO PROVISION 52.212-1

52.204-20 Predecessor of Offeror (JUL 2016) 52.209-7 Information Regarding Responsibility Matters (OCT 2018) 52.212-2 Evaluation - Commercial Items. (OCT 2014) GS2102 Incurring Costs. (JUL 2001) GS2127 Deviations or Alternate Approaches. (AUG 2001) GS2160 Technical Proposal Instructions. (SEP 2008) Proposal Submission Question Cutoff

Performance-based Work Statement (PWS)

Airborne Magnetic Total-Field and Radiometric Survey in The Wet Mountains, South- Central Colorado

VISION STATEMENT

Map geophysical properties related to lithology and structure of concealed igneous rocks and exposed geology in the Wet Mountains and surrounding region, south-central Colorado, USA.

1 INTRODUCTION

The USGS requests airborne radiometric and total-field magnetic data covering parts of the Wet Mountains and surrounding region in south-central Colorado as part of the Earth Mapping Resource Initiative (Earth MRI). Earth MRI is planned as a partnership between the U.S.

Geological Survey (USGS), the Association of American State Geologists (AASG), and other Federal, State, and private-sector organizations. The goal of the effort is to improve our knowledge of the geologic framework in the United States and to identify areas that have the potential to contain undiscovered critical mineral resources.

A magnetic system is required that can image concealed structures and small intrusive bodies that will help investigate the subsurface extent and genesis of several mineral systems associated with critical minerals in the Wet Mountains and surrounding region, south-central Colorado. Primary targets of interest are Cambrian alkaline igneous complexes that intrude Proterozoic metamorphic rocks (the largest are McClure Mountain, Gem Park, and Democrat Creek). They include mafic and ultra-mafic phases and are associated with veins and dikes that are generally enriched in Rare Earth Elements (REE), thorium, Nb, and other critical minerals. The region also has potential for buried Climax-type mineral systems. A radiometric system is required to image surface radioelements associated with shallow to exposed igneous rocks that will help identify different igneous petrologies. Detailed, high-resolution radiometric data will test whether veins known to be enriched in Th can be identified from airborne surveys. The magnetic data are intended for rigorous interpretation of the 3-D geometry and lithology of the igneous rocks and for discriminating igneous bodies from the Proterozoic metamorphic fabric. It is expected that the most subtle anomalies present will be critical to the ultimate interpretation, so very high resolution and low noise data are critical, as well as consistency between the heights of adjacent flight lines.

Traverse lines shall be east-west and spaced 150 m apart. Tie lines shall be north-south and spaced 1000 m apart. The nominal terrain clearance shall be 80-100 m, although it is understood that greater terrain clearances may be required in several places. Large terrain clearances over populated areas and deep canyons, like Royal Gorge, may need special planning, which is considered in Task 3.1b.

Towns near the area of investigation include Westcliffe/Silver Cliff, Cañon City, and Walsenburg. Large airports within 75 km include Pueblo and Colorado Springs. The proposed survey area is at high elevation and includes low-relief to mountainous areas that reach over 3,000 m ASL.

1.1 Mission

The goal is to provide high quality airborne radiometric and magnetic data that will be used for geological framework studies and mineral resource research.

1.2 Background

The currently available magnetic and radiometric data within the proposed survey area are from vintage 1970’s National Uranium Resource Evaluation (NURE) surveys with 1.6 km to 4.8 km line spacings. These data are inadequate to map the detail required to contribute to the geologic framework and its implications to the exposed and concealed mineralization in the area.

1.3 Scope

The Contractor shall furnish all travel, mobilization, labor, materials, aircraft and aircraft facilities, and demobilization, except as otherwise specified herein, required for conducting a magnetic and radiometric survey. The contractor shall provide digitally recorded and processed airborne data in accordance with the terms, conditions and specifications set forth in this contract.

1.3a Flight Lines The government has a definite requirement for and plans to award a minimum of 8,471 line km for item number one (Table 1).

Optional “Add-On” line kilometers may also be awarded at the time of contract award, in part or all, or later upon issuance of modification, or they may not be awarded at all. The government plans to make one (1) contract award for the area listed.

For optional “Add-On” line km and/or areas, the government may require the delivery of the numbered line item identified in the schedule as optional “Add-On” line kilometers and/or areas, in part or all, at the price stated in the schedule. The Contracting Officer may exercise the option once or multiple times by written notice to the contractor. These written notices may be issued at any time from date of award through contractor demobilization. The Contracting Officer may order all or any portion of the options’s estimated quantity through the issuance of one or more written notifications up to the estimated quantity stated in the schedule.

Table 1. Description of Supplies/Services and Prices

Item No. Quantity Unit Price Amount

1. Survey line kilometers, magnetics and radiometrics of the CORE area 8,471 line km $_____ $_____

2. Optional “add on” line kilometers, magnetics and radiometrics, to augment the Core area into the EXPANSION #1 investigation area, not to exceed 7,530 line km $_____ $_____

3. Optional “add on” line kilometers, magnetics and radiometrics, to augment the Core plus the Expansion #1 area into the MAXIMUM investigation area, not to exceed 17,340 line km $_____ $_____

NOTE: Offeror’s must quote pricing, in U.S. dollars, for all line items to be considered for an award.

NOTE: All quantities are estimated- no quantities are guaranteed.

1.3b Area(s) to be flown The Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) geographical coordinates of the core and optional add-on areas are listed in Table 2 and shown in Figure 1. Survey boundaries are approximate.

NOTE: Any variations from the required survey specifications listed in the Performance Requirements section shall be discussed in the proposal along with their anticipated effect on survey results.

Figure 1. Airborne magnetic and gamma-ray survey areas with Core area (line item 1, in royal blue), Expansion #1 outline (line item 2, in cyan), and Maximum survey area (line item 3, in red) shown. Approximate coordinates for each polygon shown are provided in Table 2. Nearby towns include Cañon City, Westcliffe/Silver Cliff, and Walsenburg, CO.

Table 2 (2 pages). Vertices for the Core (blue outline), Expansion #1 (cyan outline), and Maximum (red outline) proposed survey areas and their approximate UTM coordinates, as labeled on Figure 1.

All coordinates are WGS84, UTM Zone 13. Note that some vertices are shared between polygons.

Vertice Label

CORE

Survey Area

UTM X

UTM Y

1 447440.5 4245576.2

2 456198.4 4254039.7

3 470402.4 4253892.5

4 488875.0 4233800.9

5 488875.0 4222025.5

6 448544.5 4222246.3

7 447072.6 4224969.4

EXPANSION #1

Outline

8 445302.2 4254697.3

9 459373.1 4269478.8

10 470142.7 4269478.8

11 476206.3 4261243.1

12 478141.8 4251476.5

4 488875.0 4233800.9

13 488967.0 4209023.8

14 455572.0 4209204.8

15 445164.4 4228391.1

Table 2 - continued. Vertices for the Core (blue outline), Expansion #1 (cyan outline), and Maximum (red outline) proposed survey areas and their approximate UTM coordinates, as labeled on Figure 1. All coordinates are WGS84, UTM Zone 13. Note that some vertices are shared between polygons.

MAXIMUM

Investigation area

16 442450.3 4272769.2

17 471509.6 4272682.0

18 478229.1 4261163.0

12 478141.8 4251476.5

19 482068.7 4251476.6

20 507844.9 4202992.5

21 507811.9 4170232.7

22 460514.2 4170232.7

23 460863.3 4173374.3

24 462488.7 4177797.1

25 464941.5 4180588.2

26 464434.0 4192513.5

27 442296.5 4233918.7

2 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

The Contractor shall furnish all labor, materials, and facilities, except as otherwise specified herein, required for conducting a magnetic/radiometric survey in the Wet Mountains, south-central Colorado. The contractor will provide digitally recorded and processed airborne data in accordance with the terms, conditions and specifications set forth in this contract.

In all cases of emergency during the course of this project if the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) is not available, the Contractor may contact the Technical Liaison (USGS-

TL)

2.1 Non-Personal Services

The Government shall neither supervise contractor employees nor control the method by which the contractor performs the required tasks. Under no circumstances shall the Government assign tasks to, or prepare work schedules for, individual contractor employees. It shall be the responsibility of the contractor to manage its employees and to guard against any actions that are of the nature of personal services or give the perception of personal services. If the contractor believes that any actions constitute, or are perceived to constitute personal services, it shall be the contractor's responsibility to notify the Procuring Contracting Officer (PCO) immediately.

2.2 Business Relations

The contractor shall successfully integrate and coordinate all activity needed to execute the requirement. The contractor shall manage the timeliness, completeness, and quality of problem identification. The contractor shall provide corrective action plans, proposal submittals, timely identification of issues, and effective management of subcontractors. The contractor shall seek to ensure customer satisfaction and professional and ethical behavior of all contractor personnel.

2.3 Contract Administration and Management

The following subsections specify requirements for contract, management, and personnel administration.

2.3.1 Contract Management

The contractor shall establish clear organizational lines of authority and responsibility to ensure effective management of the resources assigned to the requirement. The contractor must maintain continuity between the support operations at the location of the survey area and the contractor's corporate offices.

2.3.2 Contract Administration

The contractor shall establish processes and assign appropriate resources to effectively administer the requirement. The contractor shall respond to Government requests for contractual actions in a timely fashion. The contractor shall have a single point of contact between the Government and Contractor personnel assigned to support contracts or task orders. The contractor shall assign work effort and maintaining proper and accurate time keeping records of personnel assigned to work on the requirement.

2.3.3 Personnel Administration

The contractor shall provide the following management and support as required. The contractor shall provide for employees during designated Government non-workdays or other periods where Government offices are closed due to weather or security conditions. The contractor shall maintain the currency of their employees by providing initial and refresher training as required to meet the PWS requirements. The contractor shall make necessary travel arrangements for employees. The contractor shall provide necessary infrastructure to support this contract tasks.

The contractor shall provide administrative support to employees in a timely fashion (time keeping, leave processing, pay, emergency needs).

2.4 Subcontract Management

The contractor shall be responsible for any subcontract management necessary to integrate work performed on this requirement and shall be responsible and accountable for subcontractor performance on this requirement. The contractor shall manage work distribution to ensure there are no Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI) considerations with subcontractors. The contractor may add subcontractor(s) after notification to, and approval of the Contracting Officer (CO) or the Contracting Officer Representative (COR).

2.5 Contractor Personnel, Disciplines, and Specialties

The contractor shall accomplish the assigned work by employing and utilizing qualified personnel with appropriate combinations of education, training, and experience. The contractor shall match personnel skills to the work or task with a minimum of under/over employment of resources. The Contractor shall provide the necessary resources and infrastructure to manage, perform, and administer the contract.

2.6 Location and Hours of Work

Accomplishment of the results contained in this PWS requires work at the survey site area and at various contractor, subcontractor, and Government facilities (mainly in the continental United States).

2.7 Travel / Temporary Duty (TDY)

All travel and mobilization requirements shall be included in the Contractor’s price.

3 PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

NOTE: The contractor shall discuss in their proposal, the merits and possible disadvantages of these performance measures as well as any considerations which would require the modification of these performance measures.

Performance-based Flight Specifications. Failure to meet these specifications shall require additional flights by the Contractor, at no additional cost to the Government, until the specifications are fully met. The Contractor may not demobilize from the field until the USGS technical lead (USGS-TL) approves the preliminary data.

TASK 3.1 The Contractor shall acquire and process high-quality aeromagnetic data.

a) Line spacing and direction. Traverse line spacing shall be 150 meters in an east-west direction. Tie line spacing shall be 1000 m in a north-south direction, although an alternate tie line spacing will be considered if the contractor provides adequate justification. The spacing between flight lines shall not exceed 125% of the specified line spacing for more than 500 meters, unless required by a safety or FAA regulation consideration.

b) Terrain clearance of magnetometer/gamma-ray systems. Nominal terrain clearance shall be 80-100 m above the ground (draped survey). Deviations from this standard shall be acceptable for safety, legal, physical obstruction, and aircraft performance reasons only. The contractor shall obtain clearance(s) required for low-altitude flights as necessary. It is expected that the most subtle anomalies present will be critical to the ultimate interpretation, and geologic modeling of existing data in the region demonstrates the need to have a low terrain clearance for the broadest area possible. It is understood that, for fixed-wing flying, larger terrain clearances will be required over congested/populated areas. However, the contractor and USGS-TL, by mutual agreement, may elect to avoid flying over an area instead of flying at large terrain clearances. If this latter possibility is foreseen, the contractor should mention it in the proposal.

c) Special requirements for survey design. Low-altitude flying should be completely avoided over Wilderness Areas, including aircraft turns or other excursions that are not part of the final data area. It is envisioned that flight lines will be designed to fly as close as possible to Wilderness borders where feasible and maintain a buffer zone to allow for aircraft turns where turns are required. The contractor should state in the proposal how they will meet the needs of flying as close as possible to Wilderness borders while avoiding low flights over the Wilderness areas.

d) Pre-survey flight plan. Prior to mobilization, the technical lead (USGS-TL) shall be given a copy of the flight plan, including the planned drape surface, for discussion and approval.

e) Data recording rate. A nominal data recording rate of 0.1 seconds (10 Hz) or greater frequency shall be used for all systems.

f) GPS system. A real-time, dual-frequency-phase GPS system suitable for post-flight differential correction shall be used during flights for all areas. A local GPS base station shall be used. The horizontal accuracy shall be no worse than 1 meter with post processing and shall be reported to 0.00001 degrees. The datum shall be WGS 84, with final coordinates also presented in NAD83, UTM Zone 13N. A GPS receiver shall be mounted in or on the bird if being towed.

g) Data synchronization. All data acquisition systems in the aircraft, in the bird if being towed, and on the ground must be synchronized in real time. Digital recordings of all measurements shall be made at all times during the survey.

h) Altimeters. Barometric, laser, and radar altimeters shall be operated during all flights. Radar and laser altimeters shall be calibrated and accurate to within 0.5 meters for terrain clearances of 80 meters or more.

i) Airborne magnetometer. Total intensity magnetometers used to perform the survey shall have a sensitivity of 0.1 nT or better. Values shall be obtained along flight lines at intervals no greater that 10 meters. The error envelope due to turbulence and the internal magnetometer noise shall not exceed 0.1 nT for more than 10% of any flight line. If mounted on or in the aircraft, the magnetometer shall be compensated for errors caused by the magnetic field of the aircraft such that maneuver noise shall not exceed 3 nT for pitches or rolls of 20 degrees and heading changes shall not cause a variation of more than 1 nT in the magnetic reading. If mounted in a bird or a stinger, the magnetometer shall be compensated for errors that may be caused by the magnetic field of the aircraft, and other possible sources of errors, such as bird swing.

j) Base station magnetometer. One or more continuously recording ground magnetometers shall be located within 80 kilometers of all survey points. A total intensity magnetometer shall be used to monitor diurnal drift. A single location for each survey area shall be designated. The magnetometer shall have a resolution of 0.2 nT or better, have absolute control of 0.5 nT or better and a noise envelope of less than or equal to 0.1 nT. It shall be located so that sources of man-made noise such as vehicular traffic do not exceed 1 nT. It shall be sampled at less than or equal to 1 second intervals during airborne data acquisition. Digital recordings of the ground magnetometer made during times of airborne acquisition shall be available at all times during the survey. The digital data shall include the date, and absolute value of the magnetometer, and GPS time with accurate synchronization to the aircraft data acquisition system.

k) Magnetic storms. Magnetic survey data shall not be acceptable when gathered during magnetic storms or short term disturbances of the magnetic activity at the ground station used that exceed the following:

1. Monotonic changes in the magnetic field of 5 nT in any 5 minute period.

2. Pulsations having periods of 5 minutes or less shall not exceed 2 nT.

3. Pulsations having periods between 5 and 10 minutes shall not exceed 4 nT.

4. Pulsations having periods between 10 and 20 minutes shall not exceed 8 nT.

The period of a pulsation is defined as the time between adjacent peaks and troughs. The amplitude of a pulsation is one-half the sum of the positive and negative excursions from trough to trough or peak to peak.

l) Diurnal correction. The total field airborne magnetometer shall be corrected for diurnal variation and instrument drift.

m) Basic data processing. Lag, shift, and level corrections shall be applied to the magnetometer and navigation data as appropriate to properly determine outputs from each survey system and coordinates. Methods of determining and applying these corrections shall be clearly specified.

n) Leveling. Tie-line leveling shall be applied to the diurnally-corrected magnetometer data.

Subsequent microleveling may be applied as necessary.

o) IGRF removal. The International Geomagnetic Reference Field (IGRF) shall be removed from the leveled magnetic data. IGRF values shall be computed at precise XYZ positions of observed field measurements. At a minimum most leveling shall be completed prior to IGRF removal so that the IGRF can be replaced by the Definitive Geomagnetic Reference Field in future years without having to relevel the data. The correction shall be documented.

p) Aircraft type. Proposals for both fixed-wing and helicopter platforms are acceptable, although adequate documentation must be provided to assure the capabilities of the aircraft to accomplish the high-altitude drape flying that is required. The magnetometer mounted in a stinger fixed to the aircraft is preferred over a towed bird.

q) Camera. A downward-looking camera is not required, and it is preferred that such a camera not be included on the aircraft.

TASK 3.2. The Contractor shall acquire and process high-quality radiometric data to meet or exceed the following quality standards:

a) Line spacing and direction. Line spacing and direction shall be governed by the specification put forth in Task 3.1.

b) Radiometric System - The minimum specifications for an aerial gamma-ray spectrometer are as follows. Alternate configurations and sensor specifications may be proposed but must be accompanied by documentation (ideally peer-reviewed and non-commercial) that data of equal or higher quality can be achieved.

(1) 1000 cubic inches of thallium doped sodium iodide detectors, or alternate detector that has been documented to provide data of equal or better quality.

(2) At least 256 channels measured using a multi-channel analyzer and covering the energy range of approximately 0 to 4 MeV of gamma-ray energies. For reasons of minimizing the system deadtime, the analyzer may use a threshold of as much as 200 KeV.

(3) A radar altimeter, air temperature and pressure sensors, and appropriate digital recording equipment.

(4) An upward-looking detector for measuring effects of atmospheric radon. Uranium window counts must be recorded from the upward-looking detector.

(5) The spectrometer must either be self-stabilizing or be temperature stabilized and thermally insulated in order to minimize drift.

(5) The gamma-ray detectors must be positioned in the aircraft such that shielding of the detectors by the fuel tanks is minimal.

(6) The recorded spectral data produced by the system must be suitable for processing using the NASVD method, which requires that the Poisson nature of the recorded channel counts be retained to ensure correct spectral component analysis.

c) Weather. Production flights shall avoid timing when snow, ice, or standing rainwater will degrade the quality of the radiometric data. Where practical, surveying is to be avoided in areas of recent rainfall or snowfall. Flights will be suspended for three hours in areas of the survey tract that have experienced recent precipitation. Some of the locations where radiometric data are wanted may have small areas where snow and recent meltwater are present year-round, which cannot be avoided.

d) Spectrometer calibration. The gamma-ray spectrometer shall be appropriately calibrated to enable the Contractor to make the necessary background and Compton stripping corrections. The equipment should also be calibrated to permit conversion of the corrected count rates for potassium, uranium, and thorium to concentration units of percent K, parts per million (ppm) eU, and ppm eTh. The Contractor shall provide complete information in the final report on all of the procedures and equations used to calibrate and process the gamma-ray data.

Major calibrations are described below, and procedures should be described in the proposal:

(1) Cosmic Calibration: A series of high-level lines must be flown to relate the cosmic-ray window to the combined cosmic and aircraft background counts in each radioelement window.

The flying time at each altitude should be a minimum of 10 minutes. If upward detectors are used, the time should be increased to 15 minutes.

(2) Radon Calibrations: The Offeror must be able to remove radon background using either upward-looking detectors or the spectral ratio technique.

(3) Calibration Pads: The airborne spectrometer system must be calibrated on an approved set of calibration pads for the measurement of stripping ratios.

(4) Sensitivity and Height Attenuation Calibrations: A series of flights must be made over an approved calibration range to determine aircraft system sensitivities and height attenuation coefficients. The calibration range must be surveyed with a calibrated 256 channel portable spectrometer on the same day as the calibration flights.

(5) Re-calibration Requirements: If any significant change has been made to the gamma-ray spectrometer, or the aircraft has been changed since any of these calibrations were performed all the calibrations must be repeated. The tenderer must demonstrate, through the use of the thorium source tests, that the equipment sensitivity has not changed since the last calibrations, otherwise all calibrations must be repeated.

e) Daily and flight-by-flight spectrometer tests. Daily spectrometer test and measurements to be made pre-flight and post-flight:

The energy resolution be confirmed daily using 137Cs or by a daily on-the-ground spectral stabilization procedure. These daily results must be recorded either in tabular form or as a spectrum of at least 256 channels, as part of the contractor’s reports. Using the 662 keV photopeak of 137Cs a total system resolution better than 12% must be maintained. With the 208Tl photopeak at 2615 kev a resolution of better than 7% is required. If the resolution of the selected photopeak peak degrades to worse than 12% or 7%, as described above, the system resolution must be restored. An unresolved substantial change in the resolution will require a re-calibration.

On-line multi-channel spectrometric data can be analyzed to provide a FWHM resolution on the 208Tl 2615 keV thorium peak at intervals of 1000 seconds of acquired data. Energy calibration and resolution data will be recorded and available in a spreadsheet format for both periodic 137Cs checks or for line by line realtime checks.

Each day prior to commencing flying operations, a static test must be carried out to ensure overall system sensitivity is maintained. The best procedure is to record an on ground background spectrum for 5 minutes followed by a five minute spectrum with thorium source(s) placed at precisely repeatable locations These tests will also confirm the stability of the overall recorded spectrum. The aircraft must be parked at a precisely repeatable location for these tests.

A test line, near the survey location will be selected in consultation with the COR or USGS-TL.

The test line must be flown at the start and if possible, at the end of each flight in order to ensure that the overall sensitivity of the gamma-ray spectrometry system is maintained constant under operational conditions. This line must be long enough to permit the acquisition of at least 100 seconds of data while flying at normal survey speed and altitude. It should be located in an area of relatively uniform radioactivity, with physical features which permit re-flights which sample the same features precisely. Rough terrain should be avoided, as should be areas that would be susceptible to changes in surface water (swamps, etc.) during the course of the survey. The start and end points for every test run must be reproduced with the best possible precision using the real-time differential GPS navigation system. The average altitude for each test run must be within 10 m of the planned survey height. The data acquired over the test line should be corrected using available calibration constants during the fieldwork. This will permit the COR or USGS-TL to more fully test the reproducibility of the survey results since variations caused by changes in position, elevation, temperature and pressure well be eliminated.

Data acquired from flights over the test line will be recorded digitally and will form part of the archival data set. Digitally recorded temperature and pressure will be used to prepare test line data which will be converted to potassium, uranium, thorium and dose rate units using the best system calibration constants available at the beginning of the survey. During the survey, the operator should correct these test line data using the calibration information available at the start of the survey. This will ensure that test line comparisons are based on data with minimal variation caused by height and positional differences.

f) Data processing. All preliminary data editing and filtering shall be done in the field. Some preliminary processing shall also be done in the field to insure good quality control. Radiometric data processing shall follow the recommended procedures given in the International Atomic Energy Agency’s, “Airborne gamma-ray spectrometer surveying”, Technical Report Series No.

323.

4 SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

This section describes the special requirements for this effort. The following sub-sections provide details of various considerations on this effort.

4.1 Security and Safety

The Contractor shall include a Safety Plan with the proposal and adhere to the Safety Plan during performance of this PWS.

4.2 Quality Control Program (QCP)

The Contractor shall include a QCP with the proposal and shall adhere to the QCP while performing this PWS. The QCP shall, at a minimum, meet normal industry standards. The Contractor, as part of QCP, shall adjust and calibrate sensor equipment, and operate the equipment to meet specifications, and maintain the QCP to meet the interpretational procedures applied to the data.

4.2.1 The Contractor shall check, adjust, and calibrate all geophysical and navigational equipment according to manufacturer’s recommendations immediately before commencing data acquisition and within the time period specified by the manufacturer.

4.2.2 The Contractor shall describe and include as part of the final report, (5.A006):all data processing steps, models, and assumptions which correct, transform, alter, or change raw measured data in any way.

4.3 Government Furnished Materials

The Government will not furnish materials for this contract.

5 DELIVERABLES

The contractor shall provide deliverables as described. Format and delivery schedule for deliverables are outlined below:

5.A001: Geosoft database of aeromagnetic data. The database shall include the following channels:

• line number

• flight line direction

• survey flight number

• fiducial counter

• longitude

• latitude

• year and julian date

• time of day

• GPS elevation

• radar altitude

• laser altitude

• base station magnetometer reading

• uncorrected total magnetic intensity

• diurnal-corrected total magnetic intensity

• tie-line leveled total magnetic intensity

• microleveled total magnetic intensity (if required)

• IGRF

• total-field magnetic anomaly

• digital terrain model

5.A005 Total-field anomaly grid

5.A006 Geosoft database of radiometric data. The database shall include the following channels:

• Cosmic count (cps)

• Upward detector spectrum (256 channels)

• Main detector spectrum (256 channels)

• Upward crystal count (cps)

• Raw total count (cps)

• Raw potassium count (cps)

• Raw uranium count (cps)

• Raw thorium count (cps)

• Total air absorbed dose rate (nGy/h)

• Corrected potassium (pct)

• Corrected equivalent uranium (ppm)

• Corrected equivalent thorium (ppm)

• Ratio: equivalent uranium/equivalent thorium (ppm/ppm)

• Ratio: equivalent uranium/potassium (ppm/pct)

• Ratio: equivalent thorium/potassium (ppm/pct)

5.A007 Contractor's report. Report describing all aspects of data acquisition, processing, and details of all other deliverables.

5.1 Inspection and Acceptance

(a) Before mobilization, the Technical Liaison (USGS-TL) shall be given a copy of the flight plan including the preplanned flight surface for discussion and approval. The Government reserves the right to visit the contractor in the field to observe survey data acquisition and reduction procedures or to visit the contractor at the contractor's place of business to ascertain that proper procedures are being employed in compiling the data. Any data processing or field techniques that are deemed proprietary by the contractor will be maintained proprietary by the USGS inspector(s).

(b) During the course of the survey, the flight crew will maintain contact with the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR), the USGS-TL, or a designated scientist. Preliminary data shall be sent to the COR, USGS-TL, or designated scientist via overnight mail, e-mail, or computer network to a ftp site.

(c) Preliminary digital flight-line data, base station magnetics, and radar altimeter data shall be submitted at the time the flying is completed for each area via overnight mail, e-mail, or computer network to a ftp site. The flight crew will remain in the field while the preliminary data are reviewed. This review will take no longer than 24 hours after the COR, USGS-TL, or designated scientist(s) receives the data. Revised preliminary digital data shall be submitted within thirty

(30) days after the completion of flying. The Government will conduct its review of the revised set of the digital data within seven (7) calendar days after receipt of the revised data.

Failure to meet the standards specified in Task 3 shall require additional flights by the Contractor, at no additional cost to the Government, until the standards are fully met. The Contractor may not demobilize from the field until the USGS COR or TL approves the preliminary data.

(d) The contractor shall then have thirty (30) days to correct all errors or problems the Government may have found in its review of revised data (Item (c) above) and submit all final deliverables for each survey group as listed above, to the address in 5.5 Contract Delivery Terms, below.

(e) With the submittal of all final deliverables as listed above, the contractor shall have met all criteria as specified herein and shall have made all corrections required resulting from the Government. The Government reserves the right to review again the deliverables for compliance prior to acceptance by the Contracting Officer. Until final acceptance, deliverables may be returned to the contractor for compliance with corrections listed during the Government's review in Items (c) and (d) above.

The Government reserves the right to review again the deliverables for compliance prior to acceptance by the Contracting Officer. Until final acceptance, deliverables may be returned to the contractor for compliance with corrections listed during the Government's review.

5.2 Preservation, Packaging, Packing, and Marking

Preservation, packing, packaging, and marking for shipment of deliverable items called for by the contract shall be in accordance with the best commercial practice to assure acceptance by common carrier at the most economical rate(s).

Packages containing software or other magnetic media shall be marked on external containers with a notice reading substantial as follows: “CAUTION: SOFTWARE/MAGNETIC MEDIA

ENCLOSED. DO NOT EXPOSE TO HEAT OR MAGNETIC FIELDS.”

5.3 Inspection Period

Due to the complexity of items to be furnished hereunder, inspection and acceptance/rejection of deliverable items cannot be accomplished in 7 days. Accordingly, subparagraph (a)(6)(i) of the clause FAR 52.232-25, Prompt Payment, is hereby modified to increase the constructive acceptance period to fourteen (14) calendar days.

5.4 Place and Method of Delivery

(a) The delivery point for the supplies and services shall be:

U.S. Geological Survey Geophysics, Geology, and Geochemistry Science Center MS 973, Building 20 Box 25046, Denver Federal Center Denver, Colorado 80225 Attn: To be determined at time of award

(b) Prices shall be F.O.B. Destination.

5.5 Contract Delivery Terms

Deliveries under this contract shall be in accordance with the following:

(a) Final Deliverables

The Contractor shall complete the requirement to provide all drafts, make all required corrections, and submit all final deliverables to the points of acceptance by the Contracting Officer in accordance with the following schedule:

The USGS prefers that flight operations begin no later than sixty (60) days after contract award, unless there are compelling weather-related reasons for a longer delay.

All final products shall be delivered within sixty (60) calendar days after flying.

(b) Preliminary Copies

Preliminary digital flight-line data and/or grids shall be submitted at the time the flying is completed for the survey area.

6 SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

6.1 Indemnity

The contractor herein is an “independent contractor” and shall obtain all necessary insurance to protect himself from liability arising out of this contract.

The contractor hereby agrees to indemnify and hold the Government harmless in connection with, any loss or liability from damage to, or destruction of, property or from injuries to, or death of, persons (including the agents and employees of both parties) if such damage, destruction, injury or death arises out of, or is caused by performance of work under this contract, unless such damage, destruction, injury or death is caused solely by the active negligence of the Government, its agents or employees. The contractor agrees to include this clause, appropriately modified, in all subcontracts to be performed under this contract.

A certificate or insurance company statement showing the “contractor” holds $1,000,000.00 liability insurance shall be included with the proposal.

6.2 Permits and Licenses -- General

In the performance of work hereunder, the Contractor shall obtain and maintain in effect all necessary permits, visas, and licenses required by Federal, State, or local government, or subdivision thereof, or of any other duly constituted public authority. At no separate or additional cost to the government, the contractor shall comply with all laws and regulations applicable to work to be performed hereunder, including any revised statutes or regulations effective during the life of the contract.

6.2.1 Applicable Regulations and Permits -- Aircraft Operations

(a) All aircraft used in the performance of the work under this contract shall be maintained and operated in accordance with all required Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations, including Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations Part 375 entitled, “Navigation of Foreign Civil Aircraft within the United States,” published 3/3/86.

Additional or separate charges may not be made under this contract for compliance with FAA regulations, including any revisions made since 1986 and during the life of the contract.

Certificates of airworthiness and registrations for the proposed aircraft shall be included in the proposal, including capabilities for flying at high altitude.

(b) When the project falls under controlled air space, the contractor shall contact the appropriate Air Route Traffic Control Center.

(c) If the project area includes all or part of a military installation or other classified area, the contractor must comply with all security regulations associated with taking, reproducing, or distributing photographs of these facilities, and must satisfy Department of Defense (DOD) security requirements specified in DOD 5220.22M, “Industrial Security Manual for Safeguarding Classified Information.” The contractor may be required to visit the installation to obtain necessary clearance from the military commander. Difficulty obtaining the necessary clearance should be reported to the Contracting Officer Immediately. All photographic materials resulting from photography of classified areas shall be handled, stored, and shipped in accordance with security regulations.

(d) Low-altitude flying should be completely avoided over Wilderness Areas, including aircraft turns or other excursions that are not part of the formal data collection, as detailed in Task 3.1c.

Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QSAP) Sections refer to the Performance Work Statement Sections 4.2 and 5.1

4.2 Quality Control Program (QCP)

The Contractor shall include a QCP with the proposal and shall adhere to the QCP while performing this PWS. The QCP shall, at a minimum, meet normal industry standards. The Contractor, as part of QCP, shall adjust and calibrate sensor equipment, and operate the equipment to meet specifications, and maintain the QCP to meet the interpretational procedures applied to the data.

4.2.1 The Contractor shall check, adjust, and calibrate all geophysical and navigational equipment according to manufacturer’s recommendations immediately before commencing data acquisition and within the time period specified by the manufacturer.

4.2.2 The Contractor shall describe and include as part of the final report, (5.A006):all data processing steps, models, and assumptions which correct, transform, alter, or change raw measured data in any way.

5.1 Inspection and Acceptance

(a) Before mobilization, the Technical Liaison shall be given a copy of the flight plan including the preplanned flight surface for discussion and approval. The Government reserves the right to visit the contractor in the field to observe survey data acquisition and reduction procedures or to visit the contractor at the contractor's place of business to ascertain that proper procedures are being employed in compiling the data. Any data processing or field techniques that are deemed proprietary by the contractor will be maintained proprietary by the USGS inspector(s).

(b) During the course of the survey, the flight crew will maintain contact with the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) or a designated scientist. Preliminary data shall be sent to the COR or designated scientist via overnight mail, e-mail, or computer network to a ftp site.

(c) Preliminary digital flight-line data, base station magnetics, and radar altimeter data shall be submitted at the time the flying is completed for each area via overnight mail, e-mail, or computer network to a ftp site. The flight crew will remain in the field while the preliminary data are reviewed. This review will take no longer than 24 hours after the COR or designated scientist(s) receives the data. Revised preliminary digital data shall be submitted within thirty (30) days after the completion of flying. The Government will conduct its review of the revised set of the digital data within seven (7) calendar days after receipt of the revised data.

Failure to meet the standards specified in Task 3 shall require additional flights by the Contractor, at no additional cost to the Government, until the standards are fully met. The Contractor may not demobilize from the field until the USGS COR or TL approves the preliminary data.

(d) The contractor shall then have thirty (30) days to correct all errors or problems the Government may have found in its review of revised data (Item (c) above) and submit all final deliverables for each survey group as listed above, to the address in 5.5 Contract Delivery Terms, below.

(e) With the submittal of all final deliverables as listed above, the contractor shall have met all criteria as specified herein and shall have made all corrections required resulting from the Government. The Government reserves the right to review again the deliverables for compliance prior to acceptance by the Contracting Officer. Until final acceptance, deliverables may be returned to the contractor for compliance with corrections listed during the Government's review in Items (c) and (d) above.

The Government reserves the right to review again the deliverables for compliance prior to acceptance by the Contracting Officer. Until final acceptance, deliverables may be returned to the contractor for compliance with corrections listed during the Government's review.

(End of PWS)

Clauses

52.252-2 Clauses Incorporated by Reference. (FEB 1998) This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text.