PKAA, Wandering Prospector Project

The Colorado Department of Natural Resources, Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety is requesting documented quotations for mine closure and reclamation work on the Wandering Prospector Project across Lake, Chaffee, and Pitkin counties, with bids due July 2, 2026 (revised from June 23, 2026 per Amendment No. 1). A mandatory pre-bid meeting and site inspection was held June 4, 2026 at the Robert Emmet Mine in Leadville; failure to attend and sign in results in bid rejection. Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses registered with the U.S. Small Business Administration receive a 5% bid preference if properly certified.

The scope comprises closure of 21 mine features—16 shafts and 5 adits—using polyurethane foam plugs, concrete monolithic plugs, steel grating, native rock bulkheads, and hand backfill, with several features requiring bat gates for habitat preservation. Work locations span Lake, Chaffee, and Pitkin counties with UTM coordinates provided for each feature. Two features (WP-17 and WP-18) are located in wilderness areas prohibiting motorized or mechanized equipment; others require coordination with hiking trails and mountain bike parks. Materials include polyurethane foam (5–15 cubic yards per feature), concrete, rockfill, pressure-treated posts, and specialized drainage components. Contractors must submit a completed Bid Schedule, List of Equipment Offered, and SDVOSB certification if claiming the preference. Construction is scheduled July 27 through September 4, 2026, with 40 calendar days allowed for completion including 10 days mobilization.

Projects exceeding $150,000 require Performance and Labor and Material Bonds at 100% of contract value and 5% retainage. Insurance must include $1,000,000 commercial general liability, $1,000,000 auto liability, $1,000,000 pollution liability, and $5,000,000 aircraft liability if drones are used. Contractors must comply with Davis-Bacon prevailing wage requirements, Build America Buy America Act domestic-content standards, and Buy Clean Colorado Act emissions standards on eligible materials for projects exceeding $500,000. Liquidated damages are $400 per day for schedule delays. Funding sources include the Department of Interior Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE, Assistance Listing 15.252), U.S. Forest Service (Assistance Listing 10.693), and Colorado Severance Tax revenues. All contractors and employees must read, sign acknowledgment of, and comply with the Safety, Health, and Environmental Action Plan (SHEAP) covering Part 48 training, substance abuse screening, fall protection, White-Nose Syndrome decontamination protocols for mine access, and hantavirus mitigation during debris removal.