SOW Sonic Core Drilling and Shallow Diamond Core Drilling Final.pdf

STATEMENT OF WORK

Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

Bureau of Geological Survey Scientific Sediment Sonic Core Drilling and Diamond Core Drilling Services

I. SCOPE OF WORK:

The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), Bureau of Geologic Survey (BGS), hereafter designated “the Department,” requires the services of a contractor to provide drilling services to extract intact sediment and bedrock core from the shallow subsurface to support geologic research conducted by the Bureau of Geological Survey.

Any questions concerning the technical aspects of this statement of work should be directed to Aaron Bierly at 717-702-2034 or aabierly@pa.gov . Questions concerning the contracting or bidding procedures should be directed to Michelle Pritts at mpritts@pa.gov or 717-772-0299.

Bidders should only complete and return the required documents listed in Section XII. BID AWARD in this Statement of Work (SOW). Bidders should NOT attach any vendor quotes, Terms and Conditions, or documents other than those requested in Section XII. Bid submissions may be negated if additional attachments are submitted with the bid response. The Commonwealth's Terms and Conditions are the only terms accepted for this procurement.

II. CONTRACT TASKS:

A. Department Responsibilities Department will communicate project-specific tasks to Contractor via work orders issued by email. Work orders will include the following details:

1. Location of the project site(s) (including a map)

2. Type of drilling required

3. Access limitations and site conditions

4. Location of anticipated borings and depths

5. Approximate depth of critical sampling intervals (if known)

6. Approximate thickness of overburden material

7. Known abnormal geological conditions - Abnormal geological conditions include, but are not limited to, gravel zones, dense fractures, and/or presence of subsurface voids (mines or solution features)

8. Location of local water sources (hydrants or natural water features)

Department will hold a pre-mobilization meeting to review the task scope with Contractor. A site inspection will be made available to the Contractor prior to commencing work at the Contractor’s request. Contractor may raise concerns regarding scope and/or site conditions during the pre-mobilization meeting or during the site inspection.

The Department is responsible for securing all permissions required to access drill sites. While efforts will be made to select drilling locations on Commonwealth-owned properties, if drilling is required on privately owned properties, the Department will secure any permission or right-of-way agreements in writing and mailto:aabierly@pa.gov mailto:mpritts@pa.gov provide copies of any agreements to the Contractor.

Department will provide core boxes and drilling oversight, including borehole logging.

B. Contractor Responsibilities Contractor must meet the following qualification standards:

• Ability to mobilize throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

• Ability to conduct both sonic and traditional diamond coring to at least 200 feet below graded surface (bgs)

• Ability to conduct dry-drilling techniques for sonic coring

• Ability to collect at least a 4 -inch, intact core in sediment

• Ability to collect at least NX, intact core in bedrock

• Ability to work in off-road and remote conditions

The awarded Contractor is solely responsible for performing all aspects of this Statement of Work.

Subcontracting any of the tasks or deliverables described in this Statement of Work is prohibited.

Additionally, pursuant to Executive Order 2021-06, Worker Protection and Investment (October 21, 2021), the Commonwealth is responsible for ensuring that every Pennsylvania worker has a safe and healthy work environment and the protections afforded them through labor laws. To that end, contractors and grantees of the Commonwealth must certify that they are in compliance with all applicable Pennsylvania state labor and workforce safety laws. Such certification must be made through the Worker Protection and Investment Certification Form (BOP-2201) and submitted with the bid, proposal or quote. Failure to submit a completed Worker Protection and Investment Certification Form may render your submission as non-responsive.

III. DELIVERABLES:

A. Pre-Mobilization

Contractor will acknowledge receipt of the work order via email. If desired, contractor may request a site inspection once the work order is received. Additionally, Department and Contractor will schedule a pre-work meeting at this time to review the scope of work and address any concerns raised by Contractor. Work shall begin no later than 45 days following the issuance of the work order.

It is Contractor’s responsibility to inspect drill site(s) before mobilization. The Contractor can reject a site prior to mobilization if conditions are deemed unsuitable. If the Contractor rejects drill site(s) after mobilization to that site, that mobilization/demobilization cannot be charged to the Department.

Contractor must address concerns related to site conditions and/or scope of work in writing to the Department. If the Department and Contractor cannot come up with a reasonable solution to Contractors concerns, the Contractor may reject that drill site.

Prior to mobilization, contractor is required to submit a PA 1 Call (811) ticket for the drilling site(s). A copy of the submission and utility responses must be provided to Department before commencing work.

B. Mobilization

Contractor shall mobilize all equipment, materials, and labor to the project area to complete the task outlined in the work order. This includes, but is not limited to, a drill rig appropriate for the task and terrain of the project area, all required drill tooling, extra consumable materials (core bits, water, fuel, etc.), water handling and storage equipment, and sufficient personnel on site to complete the drilling task effectively. Delays incurred due to understaffing by Contractor will not be eligible for stand by time billing.

A project “area” is defined as the general location in which drilling tasks will occur. Within project areas, there may be multiple boreholes included in the scope of work; however, mobilization shall only be charged for Contractor to arrive at and depart from the project area. The location of individual boreholes are “drill sites.”

C. Drilling Task Execution

Unless otherwise stated in work orders, sonic coring will be continuous from surface to the target depth identified in the work order. If bedrock is encountered, drilling shall transition from sonic coring to traditional diamond core drilling at the direction of the Department.

Department reserves the right to terminate boreholes at shallower than anticipated depths if scientific objectives are met prior to reaching target depths or if extenuating geological conditions will prevent scientific objectives from being met. Department may request that the Contractor drill deeper than anticipated to achieve scientific objectives. Contractor may deny requests to drill deeper if the depths requested are beyond Contractor’s capability.

D. Sediment Coring

Since the boreholes advanced under this contract are of the upmost importance for Department research, Department expects core recovery to be the top priority of Contractor. Contractor is expected to follow best practices to ensure maximum core recovery. These practices include, but are not limited to, monitoring down pressure and drill rig response, cleaning and maintaining coring equipment, replacing worn tooling, and modifying drilling rates based on anticipated rock types communicated to Contractor by Department. Department requires sonic core recovery to be as high as possible given the geologic conditions and shall be no less than 80% through the entire sediment profile (i.e. the average recovery for an entire borehole within the sediment portion may be no less than 80%). If recovery is poor (<50%) in a sand or gravel layer, the Department representative may request that the casing be retracted and a second attempt to re-core the interval be performed. This will be done to obtain more sample prior to advancing tooling beyond the interval of poor recovery. Re-coring will be at no additional cost to the Department.

Since scientific research of the sediment may require natural subsurface conditions, dry drilling techniques (i.e. no added water or bentonite) will be expected unless directed by the Department elsewise. Dry drilling is only expected for the sediment profile (i.e. water and bentonite may be used in the bedrock profile).

E. Bedrock Coring

Since the boreholes advanced under this contract are of the upmost importance for Department research, Department expects core recovery to be the top priority of Contractor. Contractor is expected to follow best practices summarized in PennDOT Publication 222 to ensure maximum core recovery. These practices include, but are not limited to, monitoring down pressure and drill rig response, including additives to drilling fluid, cleaning and maintaining coring equipment, replacing worn tooling, and modifying drilling rates based on anticipated rock types communicated to Contractor by Department. Department requires core recovery to be as high as possible given the geologic conditions and shall be no less than 90% through the entire cored bedrock profile (i.e. the average recovery for an entire borehole within the bedrock profile may be no less than 90%). Abnormal geologic conditions (as defined in Section 3.1) that prevent optimal recovery will not factor into assessment of poor recovery at the discretion of the onsite Department representative. If recovery fails to meet expectations in the absence of abnormal geological conditions as defined in Section 3.1, Department reserves the right to require contractor to offset from the boring location and re-drill in order to recover sample. If boring offset is required, drilling back to the depth at which the previous boring was abandoned will be completed at the Contractor’s expense – re-drilling offset boreholes may not be billed as footage and are exempt from standby time.

Department expects Contractor to be able to conduct a minimum of NX diameter coring based on Department objectives and subsurface conditions. Contract must have capability to core in bedrock at depths of at least 200 feet below graded surface (bgs) .

F. Water Hauling

Contractor is responsible for hauling water to the site. If feasible, water may be withdrawn from a local water source. Department will notify Contractor if local water sources can be expected in work orders.

Contractor is responsible for obtaining permission to extract water from local sources. Cost for handling water while on site, transferring water from local sources to the drill site, and/or transferring water to the drill site from the Contractor’s headquarters following mobilization will be incorporated with the mobilization fee. It is the discretion of the Contractor to handle water logistics in the most efficient way possible.

G. Stand by Time

Delays in executing the scope of work incurred due to mechanical failure, lack of appropriate tooling or supplies (including extra consumable items), or inability to maintain proper staffing of the drill crew will be at Contractors’ expense. Department may elect to collect data from the borehole while drilling, including, but not limited to, collecting water samples. In these cases, idle time of the drilling crew will be at Department expense and Contractor will bill Department for standby time for these activities. The onsite Department representative will log all instances of downtime in field notebooks.

H. Intermediate Mobilization and Remobilization

Drilling tasks may include advancing boreholes at multiple locations. Contractor is expected to remobilize all equipment, materials, and labor to subsequent sites in order to complete the task outlined in the work order.

I. Demobilization and Borehole Decommissioning

Upon completion of drilling, contractor is responsible for removing all equipment and supplies from the drill site(s) and restoring drill site(s), access roads/trails, water access locations, or any other area impacted by drilling activities to its pre-work state. Department may elect to collect water samples, conduct geophysical logging, or other analysis upon completion of the borehole requiring Contractor to move the drill rig from the borehole for extended periods of time. In these instances, Contractor shall remobilize upon completion of these activities to properly decommission the borehole following methods summarized in PennDOT Publication 222.

The Contractor is required to properly decommission the borehole(s) following best practices defined in PennDOT Publication 222.

IV. DELIVERABLES DEFINITIONS

Primary Mobilization/Demobilization – flat rate cost per project for mobilization and demobilization. Cost to move the drill rig and all associated supplies, tools, and personnel from the Contractors’ headquarters to and from the project area. This cost also includes all associated supplies, tools, and personnel required to prepare the drill site for work (staging equipment, construction of pits, trenches, diversion ways, etc.) for erosion and sediment control associated with the drilling activities. Mobilization/demobilization may be charged for the first arrival and departure from the project area and for subsequent mobilizations, if required, for borehole decommissioning. While the Department will make a good faith effort to select sites that are accessible, Contractor is responsible for inspecting drill site(s) before mobilization. If the Contractor rejects drill site(s) after mobilization to that site, that mobilization/demobilization cannot be charged to the Department.

Intermediate Mobilization/Demobilization- cost per hour associated with moving the drill rig and all associated supplies, tools, and personnel between drill sites when multiple sites are included in the scope of work.

Sonic PQ core drilling -cost per linear foot to drill a core using sonic drilling techniques. The core diameter must be no less than PQ in size. At the driller’s discretion, larger borehole diameters up to 6-inch core are acceptable, however drilling cost per linear foot shall remain independent of borehole diameter. Sonic drilling will occur in both sediment and bedrock.

Diamond NX core drilling - cost per linear foot to drill a core using traditional diamond core techniques.

The core diameter must be no less than NX size. At the driller’s discretion, larger borehole diameters up to 6-inch core are acceptable, however drilling cost per linear foot shall remain independent of borehole diameter. Diamond core drilling will occur for bedrock only.

Grouting - the cost per linear foot to properly decommission and seal the borehole after drilling.

Contractor will properly cement and abandon the borehole per PennDOT Publication 222 (3-25).

Site restoration - hourly cost of supplies and personnel to return the drill site(s), water withdrawal site(s), and the area traveled to and from these sites back to their pre-drilling condition. Site restoration includes all activities required to return the drilling site to pre-drilling conditions. This includes, but is not limited to, filling in or leveling ruts, pits, or drainage channels, site grading, and seeding and strawing. If the drill site is located in a paved location, appropriate patching must be performed. Asphalt may be patched with cold patch if the borehole diameter is 12 inches or less. Cold patch repairs must be compacted to prevent settling. Any observed settling will be the responsibility of Contractor to repair at no additional cost to the Department. Concrete repairs may be made with appropriate premixed, bagged products so long as hydration rates specified by the manufacturer are followed.

Stand by Time – hourly cost for down time incurred at the request of Department as outlined in Section III - G. Standby Time.

V. USE OF ROADS:

The Department does not guarantee the successful Contractor the use of roads maintained by the PennDOT, townships, or other agencies or owners.

The Contractor must contact the PennDOT-posted highway coordinator and/or officials of other roads needed for this project to inquire about possible restrictions, including weight limits, that would prevent or limit use.

The Contractor is responsible for obtaining all necessary Road Use Permits and/or any associated bonds from the PennDOT, townships, or other agencies or owners.

VI. DELIVERY OF RECORDS:

The Department will be responsible for logging the borehole(s) and surveying the borehole location(s).

Contractor will be responsible for submitting all relevant records to the Department upon completion of work.

VII. ESTIMATED QUANTITIES:

It will be understood and agreed that any quantities listed in the Contract are estimated only and may be increased or decreased in accordance with the actual requirements of the Commonwealth and that the Commonwealth in accepting any bid or portion thereof, contracts only and agrees to purchase only the materials and services in such quantities as represent the actual requirements of the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth reserves the right to purchase materials and services covered under the Contract through a separate, competitive procurement procedure, whenever Commonwealth deems it to be in its best interest.

VIII. POTENTIAL OF ADDITIONAL LINE ITEM(S)

Upon mutual agreement of the Department and the Contractor, items that are consistent with the overall scope of work of the Contract may be added, at a unit price mutually agreed to, upon receipt of a valid written quotation from the Contractor.

The Contract will then be amended to include the additional item(s).

IX. ISSUANCE OF PURCHASE ORDERS

The Department will issue Purchase Orders against this contract. These orders constitute the Contractor’s authority to deliver the services as described in the Purchase Order. All Purchase Orders received by the Contractor up to and including the expiration date of the contract are acceptable and must be performed in accordance with the order and the contract. Each Purchase Order will be deemed to incorporate the terms and conditions set forth in this contract.

X. CONTRACT TERM & ESCALATION CLAUSE

The contract will commence on January 1, 2027 and will terminate December 31, 2027.

Further, the parties may agree to renew this on contract up to four (4) additional annual terms, with the final termination date of December 31, 2031, upon the same terms and conditions set forth in the contract. The Department, based on past contractor performance, may negotiate an increase in the unit price(s) by a rate not to exceed 3%.

The Department will reach out to the Contractor no later than August 30th prior to the termination date to begin renewal discussions. Once the renewal terms are mutually decided, the Contractor will provide notification of the intent to renew, including the requested price increase if desired, to the Department no later than September 30th prior to the termination date. The renewal notice should be sent to the following individuals at the DCNR Bureau of Geological Survey:

Aaron Bierly at aabierly@pa.gov Christ Oest at coest@pa.gov Stephanie Evans at stephaevan@pa.gov Michael Perkins at miperkins@pa.gov

XI. INSURANCE:

The Contractor is required to have in place during the term of the Contract and any renewals or extensions thereof, the following types of insurance, issued by companies acceptable to the Commonwealth and authorized to conduct such business under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania:

Workmen’s Compensation Insurance for all of the Contractor’s employees and those of any subcontractor, engaged in work at the site of the project as required by law.

Public Liability and Property Damage Insurance to protect the Commonwealth, the Contractor and any and all subcontractors from claims for damages for personal injury (including bodily injury), sickness or disease, accidental death and damage to property including the loss of use resulting from any property damage. Which may arise from the activities performed under the Contract, or the failure to perform under the Contract, whether such performance or non-performance be by the Contractor, by any subcontractor, or by anyone directly or indirectly employed by either. The minimum amounts of coverage shall be $250,000 per person and $1,000,000 per occurrence for bodily injury, including death, and $250,000 per person and $1,000,000 per occurrence for property damage. Such policies shall be occurrence rather than claims-made policies and shall not contain any endorsements or any other form designated to limit and restrict any action by the Commonwealth, as an additional insured, against the insurance coverage in regard to work performed for the Commonwealth.

Prior to commencement of the work under the Contract and at each insurance renewal date during the term of the Contract, the Contractor shall provide the Commonwealth with current certificates of insurance. These certificates or policies shall name the Commonwealth as an additional insured and shall contain a provision that the coverage’s afforded under the policies will not be cancelled or changed until at least thirty (30) days written notice has been given to the Commonwealth.

mailto:aabierly@pa.gov mailto:coest@pa.gov mailto:stephaevan@pa.gov mailto:miperkins@pa.gov

The Commonwealth shall be under no obligation to obtain such certificates from the Contractor(s).

Failure by the Commonwealth to obtain the certificates shall not be deemed a waiver of the Contractor’s obligation to obtain and furnish certificates. The Commonwealth shall have the right to inspect the original insurance policies.

XII. BID AWARD:

Bidder must complete and return the following with their bid response:

A. The electronic Invitation for Bid to be found at www.pasupplierportal.state.pa.us.

B. A properly executed Worker Protection and Investment Certification Form.

Bidders should only complete and return the above documents in Section XII. A. and B. along with the electronic bid response. Bidders should not attach any other documents other than those requested here.

The bid will be awarded based on lowest total sum. In the event of a discrepancy between the unit price and extension of figures, the unit price will prevail.

Please note that the Department will only accept two (2) decimal points when entering your pricing.

The unit price must include the cost of all supplies needed, labor, insurance, superintendence, tools, equipment, all miscellaneous expenses, and any other items necessary for the completion of all tasks and deliverables included herein within the time frame specified.

The Department will provide core boxes and drilling oversight, including borehole logging.

XIII. CONTRACTOR REFERENCES:

After the bid opening and prior to awarding the contract, the Department has the right to request references (name, address, and telephone number) for similar work performed in the previous two (2) years as proof of qualifications to perform the work involved in this contract. Similar work is defined as advancing a boring using the sonic drilling technique in unconsolidated material such as soil and glacial deposits.

References are an optional tool available to the Department to help determine bidder capabilities. If any of these references are requested and the bidder cannot supply the necessary documentation and proof of compliance, the Department reserves the right to reject the bidder. The decision to both request references or reject bidders based on inadequate reference will be made solely at the discretion of the Department.

XIV. RECEIPT AND OPENING OF BIDS:

Bids must be submitted via the PA Supplier Portal, to be found at www.pasupplierportal.state.pa.us.

Faxed, emailed, and mailed bids will not be accepted.

No responsibility will be attached to any employee of the Department for the premature opening of, or http://www.pasupplierportal.state.pa.us/ http://www.pasupplierportal.state.pa.us/ the failure to open, a bid not properly addressed and identified, or for any reason whatsoever.

XV. PAYMENT TERMS:

Payment will be made to the Contractor for actual services performed upon satisfactory completion of analysis, and delivery of results.

This contract will be paid by Automated Clearing House (ACH), commonly referred to as direct deposit.

Contractor should review Section V.25 CONTRACT-016.2 Automated Clearing House (ACH) Payments of the Commonwealth’s Terms and Conditions for complete details and contractor’s responsibilities.

XVI. INVOICES:

Invoice format must be in accordance with the IFB – Invitation for Bid. Invoices should reflect line items as set forth in the purchase order. All invoices must be itemized to include the line item, quantity, and cost.

All invoices MUST contain the purchase order number, as well as vendor’s SAP Vendor Number. The name and address listed on the purchase order must also be the same as reflected on the invoice(s).

Failure to provide this information may result in a delay of payment

All invoices for this contract MUST either be:

Emailed to the following for a Paperless Email Invoice Option: Email a copy of the correctly executed invoice to: 69180@pa.gov.

For information regarding the Commonwealth’s E-Invoicing Program, visit:

http://www.budget.pa.gov/Programs/Pages/E-Invoicing.aspx.

Or Mailed to the following address:

Commonwealth of PA – PO Invoice P.O. Box 69180 Harrisburg, PA 17106

Please Note: Contractors are reminded to NOT include employer identification numbers, Social Security Numbers, bank account information, or other personally identifiable information on their invoices. That information is uniquely tied to your SAP Vendor Number and, for security purposes, should not be explicitly stated on an invoice.

XVII. BID RESULTS:

Bidders can obtain bid results by accessing www.emarketplace.state.pa.us/bidtabs.aspx. The bids will be posted as soon as practicable following the bid opening. The results are the apparent bidders, and all bids are under review until final award of the contract.

mailto:69180@pa.gov http://www.budget.pa.gov/Programs/Pages/E-Invoicing.aspx http://www.emarketplace.state.pa.us/bidtabs.aspx.