National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Pittsburgh Research Laboratory, Disaster Prevention Response Branch intend to negotiate on a sole source basis with Foundation Coal Company's Emerald Coal Resources LP for the drilling of three experimental boreholes on the surface above longwall B3 prior to undermining. The purpose of the cooperative effort is to obtain specific reservoir, geomechanical and lithological data for ongoing numerical modeling efforts which are designed to predict methane emission levels into the underground environment prior to mining. BACKGROUND As part of its mine safety research program, NIOSH’s Pittsburgh Research Laboratory has initiated a reservoir modeling effort to better understand the interaction of the various geotechnical factors influencing methane flow within the underground longwall mining environment. Numerical models can offer the coal mining industry versatile solutions for their methane-related problems and answer specific questions related to methane control without exposing the work force to potentially hazardous methane concentrations. This methane prediction technology is complex and needs to be created through extensive research and development. One critical aspect of this modeling approach is that the models require real, accurate input data and calibrations based on monitoring data to achieve reliable predictions of methane movement and emission. The developed modeling scenarios can be somewhat site-specific where a model developed for one mine may not be readily used in another mine, unless some changes in the input data are made. During the last 10 years of NIOSH collaboration with Foundation Coal (formerly RAG, Inc.) in methane control research, an extensive database was created. The proposed borehole monitoring experiment is part of a numerical modeling initiative to develop the ways to better control methane for an enhanced underground workplace safety. Therefore, specifically for modeling research, the proposed study is critical for enabling NIOSH researchers to obtain vital parameters that cannot be obtained otherwise. These data will help them to further improve their modeling techniques and the predictive capabilities of the final products which will ultimately be widely applicable, once the research model is sufficiently developed. Performing this experiment on Foundation Coal’s property is essential for making this research a continuation of previous field and modeling studies. This announcement is being issued for informational purposes only; a request for quotation is not available. To consider this effort for competition, another organization would need to demonstrate that they would have data available and a mining location for boreholes that would provide a proper environment for predicting methane emission levels prior to underground mining. Responses shall be submitted to Margaret Mooney at
[email protected] and responses must be received within 15 days of the posting of this notice. If any responses are submitted in response to this presolicitation notice and the agency determines to compete this requirement, a RFQ will be issued solely to the responders of this notice. A subsequent presolicitation notice will not be issued. This acquisition is being processed under FAR Part 12, Commercial Procedures.