B--GROUNDWATER MODELING

The purpose of this amendment to the sources sought notice is to attach figure_1_contract_area.pdf. GROUNDWATER MODELING HYDRO DATA THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE ONLY FOR MARKET RESEARCH PURPOSES. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP), REQUEST FOR QUOTATIONS (RFQ) OR INVITATION FOR BID (IFB). NO FORMAL SOLICITATION IS BEING REQUESTED UNDER THIS NOTICE. This Sources Sought Notice is for market research purposes to identify parties having an interest in and resources to support this requirement for existing Indian Tribal streamflow and groundwater elevation hydrologic data collected from 1950 ¿ 2026 across the model area to support the model history matching process. The result of this market research will contribute to determining the method of procurement. The Government will review the information requested in this announcement based on the responses to this sources sought notice/market research, this requirement may be set-aside for small businesses or procured through full and open competition. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541360 (Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services) and the size standard is $28.5 million. The following is a brief description of services that are required to be performed but not limited to: A. Introduction: The Upper Midwest Water Science Center groundwater modeling team recently started a project through the EarthMRI program under the USGS Mineral Resources Program to utilize recently collected geophysics data to better understand groundwater resources near the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC). This modeling effort uses computer software to simulate the flow and elevation of groundwater across a model area as well as the interaction between the groundwater system and surface water bodies like streams and lakes. For this modeling effort looking at groundwater resources near KBIC, measured hydrologic data, including groundwater elevations and streamflows, are needed across the model area for the history matching process. Additionally, local knowledge of water resources can help define the model scope and assess model performance. This contract is for compilation of existing water data records across KBIC as well as collaboration on refining the model scope and assessing the reasonableness of the model predictions. B. Background: The Upper Midwest Water Science Center (UMID) is a water science center with various science teams focused on better understanding water resources across Wisconsin, Michigan, and Minnesota. The Groundwater and Watershed Modeling Team has conducted small and large-scale groundwater flow modeling projects across this region for several decades. A groundwater model divides a geographic area up into a three-dimensional grid covering a model area of interest and extending down into the earth to simulate groundwater flows at depth. Modelers assign various aquifer properties to each grid cell to represent the different geologic materials the groundwater is flowing through and information about the various model boundary conditions. The model properties are often uncertain because there is limited information about the sub surface. A process called history matching is used to compare modeled flows and elevations to measured values of things like groundwater elevations in wells and streamflow during baseflow conditions when the stream water is mostly derived from groundwater. C. Scope: The Contractor shall provide compiled existing tribal streamflow and groundwater elevation hydrologic data collected from 1950 ¿ 2026 across the model area to support the model history matching process. The Upper Midwest Water Science center groundwater modeling team already has access to existing USGS and State of Michigan data within the model area. This contract is for hydrologic data (streamflows and groundwater elevations) collected by the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community. At a minimum, this dataset should include available tribal hydrologic data within the KBIC L¿Anse Reservation and study basins shown on the included contract map: Sturgeon River, small Lake Superior Tributaries, Falls River, Silver River, Slate River, Ravine River, and Headwaters Michigamme Creek. Additionally, the contractor will participate in meetings discussing the modelers interpretation of the model results within the context of local knowledge of water resources. Local knowledge includes information known by living and working in an area like occurrence of wetlands that may not be mapped in state wetland maps, if streamflows are continuous or ephemeral, where there are flowing wells, etc. D. Applicable Documents: A map of the model area, the KBIC L¿Anse Reservation boundary, and the study basins is provided as figure_1_contract_area.pdf. E. Technical Requirements The Contractor shall: 1. Review previously collected Keewenaw Bay Indian Community streamflow and groundwater elevation hydrologic data that have been collected by KBIC to identify data that could be av