U.S. Geological Survey, Branch Of Acquisition and Federal Assistance, Box 25046, Denver Federal Center, Denver, CO 80225-0046

B -- COAL RECOVERABILITY ANALYSIS DUE 070797 POC Sandie Williamson, Contract Specialist, (303) 236-5900, ext. 332 E-MAIL: USGS, CR, Acquisitions & Federal Assistance, slwillia@usgs.gov. Mining engineers and geologists with the ability to furnish the services described herein are requested to give written notification (including telephone number for a point of contact)to the procuring office above within forty-five calendar days from the date of this synopsis. The coal resource recoverability evaluations emphasis will be on selected areas in the Appalachian and Illinois Basins, but may include the Cretaceous and Tertiary Coal Fields of the western U.S. A B.S or B.A degree in mining engineering or geology or related field is requried. Concerns must have excellence in research, training, and carrying out coal availability and recoverability analysis through the methodologies described in US Geological Survey (USGS) circular 1055 and US Bureau of Mines (USBM) Information Circular 9368; because of the use of confidential information, research and analysis will be carried out at the USGS, Central Energy Teams's Geographical Information System (GIS) laboratory on Sun/Unix computer workstations; coal recoverability analysis will be determined exclusively by employees utilizing the former USBM and USGS's Geographical Resources Analysis Support System(GRASS)/GIS operations with the Unix-based MINEPLAN program and the interactive mine-costing program, COALVAL, so that previous research and results may be integrated with the new research and results and to determine the amount of recoverable coal in a given study area and to determine the mining costs relative to present-day coal market conditions. The employee must be familiar with coal mine costs and production rates to accurately modify COALVAL when necessary; employees must be able to import, modify, and utilize databases designed for Unix and PC -- GIS operations, modify the GRASS GIS operation-based MINEPLAN program on an as-needed basis to account for new geologic and mining environments, and for modification of technical, environmental, and social restrictions to mining; previous experience with the USGS's coal availability and coal recoverability program calculations and analysis are absolutely necessary to eliminate project delays; availability of relevant literature and resources, both in-house and through a major North American research library; construct isopach, restriction, and mineplan maps, produce digital files and spreadsheets, and write summary reports of each study area analyzed; normal production will be 2 to 5, 7.5 minute quadrangle evaluations or 1 to 2 multiple quadrangle evaluations, dependent upon the study area complexity, per year, per contract employee. The study areas will be chosen prior to Septmeber 1st of each contract year but may be modified if the USGS NCRA or CARS projects have other needs. Ability to communicate with all factions of the coal and energy industry through an established site on the World Wide Web (www);must have e-mail access and voice mail access;availability of pre-eminently qualified staff directly involved in research and analysis of coal availability and recoverability. Based on the informationavailable at this time, and in accordance with 41 U.S.C. 253 (1), implemented by FAR 6.302-1, the Government considers the itme specified as a sole sorce from DST & Associates, Lakewood, CO, and proposes to negotiate a contract with that firm on that basis. However, should additional sources be identified, they will be considered. Firms who feel that they can furnish the required item (based on the criteria specified herein) are invited to submit in writing an affirmative response to this announcement. An affirmative response would include literature, brochures and such materials which correspond to the required items stated herein. This information will be evaluated and used to determine if competitive opportunities exist. Since no solicitation document exists, requests for such documents without accompanying information will be considered non-responsive to this request without further consideration. This notice may represent the Government's only official notice of this procurement. See Note 22. (0140)

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