99--The BLM, must secure physical hazards posed by 3 abandoned mines. The project requires installation of a bat-compatible gate across the entrance of an adit, and the permanent closure of 2 nearby mine shafts using polyurethane foam plugs.

The Bureau of Land Management, Needles Field Office (NFO) has a requirement to secure the physical hazards posed by three abandoned mine features located adjacent to Bonanza Spring. The purpose of this announcement is to obtain installation of a bat-compatible gate across the entrance of an adit, and the permanent closure of two nearby mine shafts using polyurethane foam plugs. This requirement is 100% Set-Aside for small businesses under NACIS 326150. Contractors must be registered at http://www.ccr.gov to be considered eligible for award. Facsmile proposals will be accepted at +1 (555) 000-0000. Point of Contact for technical questions: Heather McKenny +1 (555) 000-0000 or Alicia Rabas +1 (555) 000-0000. Point of Contact for contractual questions: Mack Blankenship +1 (555) 000-0000 Description of Work and Services: Primary access to the project site will be on Bonanza Spring Road, 7.2 miles W of Essex, CA on U.S. Rt. 66, across from Danby Road. Bonanza Spring is approximately 3.6 miles from Rt 66. Bonanza Spring Road is a designated route of travel that may be utilized by the general public for casual use. However, Bonanza Spring Road is in poor condition and will require high-clearance four-wheel drive vehicles to transport materials and tools to and from the general work site. There is no easy access to the mine features from the general work site. Access to the mine features is across extremely rough terrain that includes very steep topography and eroded drainages. Therefore, vehicles will not be able to access the mine features directly, and the project may require alternative modes of transportation for materials and tools (i.e. mule or hand-carry). The lower mine shaft is approximately 1250 feet from Bonanza Spring Road where the vehicles will be parked. The adit is approximately 1750 feet from the road, and the upper mine shaft is approximately 1900 feet from the road. NFO staff will work with the contractor to determine the most appropriate access route and means of transporting materials and tools. Bat-compatible Gate The gate must be constructed in accordance with the guidelines contained in Bats and Mines, Bat Conservation International, Inc., Resource Publication No. 3, 12/98. These guidelines meet our dual objects to conserve bat habitat and to protect the public from physical hazards posed by the mine adit. Bat-compatible gates are designed to maintaining proper airflow within the mine feature and to allow continued access to the mine by bats. Gates built and installed following the guidelines contained in Bats and Mines have also proven to be extremely successful in keeping unauthorized personnel out. The materials used in the gate will be as follows. The sill which the gate rests on will be 6" x 6" angle iron, 3/8" thick. The uprights will be 4" x 4" steel tubing, 3/8" thick. The bars will be 4" x 4" angle iron, 3/8" thick. The bat guards will be 4" plate, ?" thick. The pins will be #8 rebar in the entrance. The gate will include a removable bar to allow access to sites by authorized personnel following gating. This bar will be secured by grade 8 bolts with a machine head. The keys for these locks will be specific to the customer. The gate will be installed using new materials and sound industry practices. The gate parts will be welded on site with either the "stick" or MIG process. All materials and tools for this project will be supplied by the contractor. Polyurethane Foam Plug Polyurethane foam made by Foam Concepts will be used to permanently close the upper and lower mine shafts. The contractor will install the foam plugs using techniques supplied by the manufacturer of the foam. The foam plug will be approximately seven feet deep and will be covered by at least one foot of dirt/rock fill. NFO will specify where the fill can be taken from. The dirt/rock fill will be contoured to minimize the evidence of the existence of the shafts reducing the chance of people trying to gain access in the future. Time Frame The project must be completed within 90 days of the award of contract. Tortoise Conservation Measures Because the project is located within designated Desert Tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) Critical Habitat the project must be completed during tortoise inactive season (Mid-November to Mid-March or mid-June to Mid-September). Additional conservation measures will be implemented in order to avoid effects upon the federally threatened desert tortoise. The contractor will be apprised of, and will agree to follow these measures prior to commencement of the project. In addition, the work crew will be briefed before commencement of project activities on measures to protect the desert tortoise and its habitat. The NFO will have a qualified biologist present the program to all personnel. The program will include the distribution of the tortoise, general behavior and ecology of the tortoise, sensitivity to human activities, legal protection, penalties for violations of Federal or State laws, and project protective measures. Health and Safety The contractor will adopt the Needles Field Office General Field Project Health and Safety Plan. Mitigation for hazardous conditions created by the installation project that are not covered by the NFO Health and Safety plan must be properly addressed within the contract by the contractor. Transportation and Cleanup The contractor will be responsible for transporting all materials and tools to and from the work site. At the end of the project the contractor will be responsible for removing all traces of the installation effort. Nothing will be left on site that was not there on arrival. Accommodations The work crew, and pack animals if used, may need to remain on site for the duration of the project. NFO staff will determine the appropriate location for camping and for corrals prior to the commencement of the project and for remediation of the site following completion of the project. The contractor will be responsible for remediation of the site following completion of the project. Accommodations off-site will be the responsibility of the contractor. Minimum Qualifications " At least two years of experience in the design, fabrication, and installation of bat-compatible gates " At least two years of experience in the closure of abandoned mine openings using polyurethane foam " Completion of 40 hours of mandatory health and safety training, including annual refresher courses, as required under Public Law 91-173 as amended by Public Law 95-164 " Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) certification for working underground and in mine entrances " General liability insurance with limits of not less than $1 million " Current and active California Contractor License " Current CPR and first aid certificates " Certified welders