Fieldwork to assess mining activities in afghanist

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Florence Bascom Geoscience Center has a requirement for field studies to quantify and characterize informal mining activity occurring throughout Afghanistan. This project will document artisanal and small-scale mining activities in specified areas of the country using ground observations with data collection. The areas of interest are generally located in Kabul, Badakhshan, Zabul, Ghazni, the Doshi-Shibar Highway corridor, and Takhar, and other areas of the country. Detailed in-person ground observations should be made at each selected location regarding the artisanal mining that occurs there, and the relationship between mining activity and the local community. This project is performed in coordination with Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GIRoA), the Afghanistan Geological Survey (AGS), and other cooperating agencies, with the goal to define a path to a more stable, legitimate mining sector. Reference the PWS Section B.2. and Map of Field Areas Appendix 1 for further detail.

This will be an Indefinite-Quantity contract, potentially multiple-award, with fixed-price items and an expected period of performance of three years. This is not a small business set-aside. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541690 (Other Scientific & Technical Consulting Services).

The best value determination will be made considering technical approach/capabilities/experience, past performance, and price. Submissions must provide enough detail to evaluate ability to the perform technical requirements. Vendors shall refer to Section E.4 Instruction to Offerors and Section E.5 Evaluation Criteria. Quote submissions are due on or before 01/18/2021.

All responsible sources may submit a quotation which shall be considered by the government. Vendors must be registered at https://www.sam.gov to be awarded the contract. All correspondence and quotes MUST be emailed to sruggles@usgs.gov.