REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR ACID DRAINAGE TECHNOLOGY INITIATIVE - METAL MINING SECTOR PROJECTS, WESTERN UNIVERSITY RESEARCH CENTER, AND UNIVERSITY RESEARCH NETWORK MEMBERSHIP INTRODUCTION The Acid Drainage Technology Initiative (ADTI) was initiated in 1995 by the Office of Surface Mining, the National Mining Association, and the Interstate Mining Compact Commission and consists of coal and metal mining sectors. The objectives of the ADTI Metal Mining Sector (ADTI-MMS) are to identify, evaluate, develop, disseminate information on, and to promote understanding of cost effective and practical methods and technologies to manage drainage quality from mining and related metallurgical materials for abandoned, active, and future mining and mining related operations. This is a technical initiative, as opposed to a regulatory or policy initiative. Drainage quality issues to be considered include those for ore and waste, as well as those for alkaline, neutral and acidic conditions in the mining and related metallurgical processing environment. Activities will be coordinated with other related national and international organizations with similar interests and will be carried out using voluntary consensus standardization procedures. Funding to date for the ADTI-MMS has been limited. It is likely that funding for the three survey research projects described below will be obtained in the near future. Furthermore, longer term funding is being pursued. Once funding is established, research will be conducted to attain the aforementioned objectives. This research will coordinated by the ADTI-MMS University Research Center and conducted by the Research Center, as well as other universities. This RFP addresses the three survey research projects and establishing a structure for future research and other activities relevant to the objectives of the ADTI-MMS. SECTION I. STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES. The Acid Drainage Technology Initiative, Metal Mining Sector (ADTI-MMS) is soliciting proposals from universities for three separate tasks. A. Initiate three literature survey research projects on specific aspects of mining related water quality, with potential for funding in the immediate future. B. Serve as the University Research Center, to assist in coordinating ADTI-MMS research. C. Participate in the ADTI-MMS University Research Network and, thereby, be contacted to respond to future Requests for Proposals. Universities are invited to submit proposals for one or more of the tasks described below. All proposals must be submitted by 4 October 1999. A. Survey Research Projects. It is anticipated that the ADTI- MMS will soon have resources to fund the following three survey research projects. 1. Field Validation Study for Metal Mining States. Produce a report identifying available data describing the effectiveness of mine waste drainage quality prediction and remediation techniques which have been implemented. A survey will be conducted to identify the availability and extent of geochemical data on rocks and tailings deposits, and governmental files on water quality data from mine sites at which confidentiality agreements are not prohibitive. These data would be compiled state by state. This would be the initial phase of a project to build a data base on the effectiveness of prediction methods and mitigation techniques. 2. Metals Loading and Deposition Model for Streams and Reservoirs. Conduct a search to identify literature and locations of sources of information (including USGS data) that would lead to the development of a model describing metal loadings from mining areas to streams and reservoirs, as well as areas of metal deposition. In a subsequent project, the information identified would ideally be used to target areas for the dual purposes of remediation of metal contamination and resource recovery. 3. Passive Treatment Flow Chart. Produce a report extending the passive treatment "flow chart" concept that the USBM developed for coal mining ARD/AMD to apply to metal mining situations with variable chemistries and weather conditions. B. University Research Center. The ADTI-MMS is seeking a University Research Center to conduct research on environmental mine waste management; implement demonstration projects; administer ADTI-MMS projects and agreements; assist in technology transfer among members of government and industry; participate in ADTI-MMS; assist in obtaining joint funding; and coordinate activities with other groups involved in ADTI research. 1. Conduct research to determine methods of managing mine wastes to mitigate adverse impacts of their drainage on water quality. 2. Conduct research to determine methods of remediating waters and ecosystems impacted by drainage from mine wastes. 3. Implement projects demonstrating the efficacy of mine waste management practices to reduce adverse impacts of mine waste drainage on water quality. 4. Implement projects demonstrating the efficacy of technologies to reduce adverse impacts of mine wastes drainage on water quality. 5. Administer competitive research proposal cooperative agreements for ADTI-MMS research projects and other ADTI-MMS programs as required by the ADTI-MMS Steering Committee. 6. Assist with workshops for technology transfer of ADTI- MMS compilations on sampling and monitoring, prediction, remediation, and modeling; field validation information exchange; abandoned mine lands environmental restoration; and other technologies identified through the efforts of the ADTI programs. 7. Provide a member to the ADTI-MMS Operations Committee which will also serve on the Metal Mining Sector Steering Committee as the Academic Representative or as a Metal Mining Sector Committee Chair (Technology Transfer Committee). 8. Assist ADTI-MMS in obtaining joint funding through the Congressional budget process. 9. Coordinate activities of other universities receiving funding from the ADTI for ADTI-MMS projects, West Virginia University, and Coal Sector Research programs. C. ADTI-MMS University Research Network The ADTI-MMS will fund future projects on the environmental management of mining wastes and mining related products. Universities interested in receiving RFPs for such projects will be included in the ADTI-MMS University Research Network. SECTION II. TO BE PROVIDED BY ADTI-MMS. ADTI-MMS will provide overall direction and guidance to ADTI- MMS Universities that have secured project funding through the ADTI-MMS Steering Committee, with approval from the ADTI Operations Committee. SECTION III. STRUCTURE OF RESPONSES. A. Individual schools may respond 1) to proposals for survey research projects, 2) with an interest in serving as the University Research Center, or 3) to be included in a network of universities to be contacted with future RFPs for specific projects. 1. With regard to items 1 - 3 under Survey Research Projects, interested schools should submit costs, schedules, and deliverables for the proposed projects. Limited funding for 1999 may be available for these projects. The ADTI-MMS is anticipating receiving resources to fund each of these projects at a level of approximately $10,000. Please indicate the amount of funds needed, how they would be used for each project, and describe the deliverables and project timing from the date of funding. 2. With regard to items 1 - 9 under University Research Center, schools are asked to submit responses that: a) detail their technical competence to meet the stated objectives (e.g. resumes and publications of key staff, description of research facilities available); b) describe their technical approach to meet those objectives; and c) list the administrative overhead charges required to complete any identified tasks. The proposal should include rates for personnel, including faculty, other staff and graduate students. 3. With regard to the ADTI-MMS University Research Network, The ADTI-MMS will fund future projects on the environmental management of mining wastes and mining related products. Universities interested in receiving RFPs for such projects will be included in the network. Interested universities will submit the following information: a) key faculty; b) publications relevant to environmental mine waste management; c) environmental mine waste management research in progress; d) facilities available; e) existing funding proposals and f) potential fund matching programs available at the university. C. Technical competency will be evaluated by the ADTI-MMS Steering Committee based on the following criteria: 1. A demonstrated interest in research on abandoned non-coal mines (including past experience as well as existing and proposed programs); 2. Technical capabilities conducive to performing such research (including expertise in mining, mineral processing, geology, geochemistry, engineering practices related to prevention and remediation [e.g. covers, water treatment], laboratory and field research facilities, analytical facilities); 3. A structure for administering the research program within the University and through the ADTI-MMS University Network; 4. Capacity for information dissemination (working relationships with governmental agencies and industry). D. Technical Approach and Price Proposals. Responders shall provide an explanation of representative administrative overhead charges for administration of any proposed ADTI-MMS project work. SECTION IV. ADTI CONTACTS. Prospective responders having questions regarding this RFP may contact: David Williams (David_Williams@mt.blm.gov; 406/494-5059) Bureau of Land Management P. O. Box 3388 Butte, MT 59702 SECTION V. SUBMISSION OF PROPOSALS. No later than 4 October 1999, all proposals must be sent to: Charles Bucknam Newmont Metallurgical Services 10101 East Dry Creek Road Englewood, CO 80112 Selection will be finalized at the ADTI-MMS meeting 14-15 October 1999.