Mine Emergency Preparedness and Response: Risk and Readiness Assessment Models for MSHA and Industry

Mine Emergency Preparedness and Response: Risk and Readiness Assessment Models for MSHA and Industry MSHA is looking to identify an expert contractor who can develop theoretical concepts for risk and readiness assessment into simplified models and tools that can applied by MSHA and Industry for use at operational levels in mining operations. MSHA anticipates awarding a contract in the near future, subject to the availability of funds, for the purpose of developing the models and performing the tasks associated with testing the models over a 12 month period of time. The goals of this effort are to: 1. Develop a risk assessment model for mine operators to use to prevent major mine emergencies 2. Develop a Model for Assessment of Preparedness of Mines for Emergency Response. 3. Develop a model and methodology to assess the readiness of mine rescue teams 4. Develop a model to assess the readiness of responsible persons at active mining operations to respond to mine emergencies 5. Develop a model and methodology to assess the readiness of government and industry to respond to mine emergencies. The person selected will also develop a model to assess the preparedness of mines for emergency response. The resulting model and associated tools should be relatively easy train personnel to use and implement. MSHA is seeking a contractor to develop a Mine Emergency Risk Assessment Model which can be implemented by mine operators to identify risks at their operations and methods for them to eliminate or control such risks in a systematic manner. The resulting Model and associated tools should be relatively easy to apply at diverse mining operations and produce quantitatively measurable improvements relative to mine emergency preparedness and response. The resulting model will also examine the readiness and competency of mine rescue operations. In addition, the model shall address readiness and competency of responsible persons; the overall readiness of both government and industry to respond to coal mine emergencies; and whether the proper equipment, training, knowledge, and abilities to perform competently are present. Test trials for each task/model will be conducted at a minimum of 4 coal mines which should represent a diverse cross section of mining conditions and geographic areas. Tools will be tested at the mines and feedback will be used to make improvements in the model and associated tools. Work shall be performed at the contractor's place of business, at operating coal mines, government facilities, and other locations in the United States that are approved by the COTR. Government furnished equipment and information shall be in the form of Government reports, papers, publications, and other available data, including the Job Task Analysis for Mine Rescue Teams developed by MSHA. The contractor will complete a thorough literature review, covering information pertinent to all tasks involved in this contract. Published papers, periodicals, other publications, and all pertinent data sources shall be utilized. Travel to MSHA offices, operational coal mines, libraries, and other sites will authorized by the COTR once a contract is established. Persons responding to this request for information must be extremely knowledgeable in the areas of mining engineering, risk assessment, development of assessment models and tools, mine rescue teams, responsible persons, and have a vast knowledge relative to all government mining regulatory and research agencies. Ideally, the contractor will have several years of actual underground coal mining experience; have the ability to think conceptually, and the ability to develop practical assessment tools that can be utilized by both government and the mining industry. Interested parties shall submit a statement of capabilities along with a current resume to the Contracting Officer listed below. If you are affiliated with a university, or research organization please provide information on the organization. All interested parties must submit their response in MS WORD 2003, or ADOBE 9. No facsimile transmissions will be accepted. All responses must be sent to cooper.darrell@dol.gov by 3pm EST November 19, 2010.