SOLICITATION NOTICE
B -- Deepwater Program: Understanding the Processes that Maintain the Oxygen Levels in the Deep Gulf of Mexico
- Notice Date
- 3/11/2002
- Notice Type
- Solicitation Notice
- Contracting Office
- Minerals Management Service, 381 Elden Street, MS 2510, Herndon, VA
- ZIP Code
- 00000
- Solicitation Number
- 0102RP85080
- Response Due
- 3/29/2002
- Archive Date
- 4/30/2002
- Point of Contact
- Bill Thomas, Contract Specialist, 703-787-1009 fax
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- With increasing oil and gas activities in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico, a greater understanding of the environment below 400 meters is necessary for the Minerals Management Service (MMS) to make decisions concerning the protection of the marine environment. Of interest for this study is the distribution of oxygen and the processes that control its distribution, since discharges from oil and gas activities consume oxygen during degradation. Data from the early 1960s indicates that the deep Gulf is homogenous with constant temperature, salinity, and relatively constant oxygen. Data collected during a 2000 cruise for the Northern Gulf of Mexico Continental Slope Habitats and Benthic Ecology study confirms that the deepwater Gulf of Mexico has a relatively constant oxygen concentration of 5 ml/L. Since the effective sill depth of the source water is 1600-1800 meters and the deepest part of the Gulf is approximately 3800 meters, the flushing time of the deep Gulf is an important element for understanding the impacted environment. As a first step, this study will address what is already known through a data search and synthesis of all oxygen measurements in the entire Gulf of Mexico basin. With this information, the Contractor will develop a box model that identifies the inputs and outputs of oxygen to the deep Gulf. The model will be used to evaluate inputs from oil and gas activities to determine the effects of cumulative impacts on oxygen levels. From the model information, data gaps should be identified and a program to fill those data gaps proposed. The objective of this study is to understand the types and rates of processes occurring in the deep Gulf of Mexico that affect the levels of oxygen in deepwater and the balance that maintains this level. The objective will be addressed by: (1) conducting a data search, synthesis, and reanalysis of all oxygen data collected from water depths greater than 400 meters throughout the entire Gulf of Mexico basin; (2) developing of a simple box model describing the sources and sinks of oxygen in the deep Gulf; (3) identifying data gaps including an evaluation of the quality of the data and its representativeness of the Gulf's basin environment; (4) proposing methods for filling the data gaps which could include field work. The performance period of this study shall be twenty-four (24) months. The location of the study area will be the deepwater (greater than 400 meters) of the entire Gulf of Mexico basin. Cost of this study is estimated to be between $170,000 to $230,000. This study consists of three (3) main tasks: (1) Oxygen data that has been collected within the Gulf of Mexico basin will be synthesized for this report. Along with the data, the methodology for collecting the data will be identified. All data shall be checked for quality (assess sample collection and analysis methodology) and flagged, if determined to be in question. The proposed study is defined as including the deep basin greater than 400 meters, however, if deemed necessary for a full evaluation of processes, additional data should be collected. Data from the Yucatan Channel and Florida Straits should be included. Trends in the data, such as differences between eastern and western basins, should be discussed in the analysis. A statistical analysis of the data should be included. Any studies that have determined the flushing rates of the Gulf of Mexico should also be included in the review; (2) A simple box model should be constructed that represents all inputs to and outputs from the deep Gulf of Mexico basin. The box model should adequately address the complexity of the distribution of oxygen and include the oxygen minimum zone and the eastern and western basins of the Gulf of Mexico. The model should be used to estimate the flushing time of the Gulf of Mexico. Estimates of the potential impacts on dissolved oxygen in the water column and in surficial sediments from oil and gas activities should be included in the model or in additional calculations; (3) From the box model and data synthesis, information gaps should be identified. Options for filling those data gaps should be included. To Respond: In order to compete for this contract, interested parties must demonstrate that they are qualified to perform work by providing Capabilities Statements by 3/29/02 Detailing: (1) Your key personnel, scientific and technical, (those who would have the primary responsibility for performing and/or managing the project) with their qualifications and specific expertise and experience. Particularly relevant is their expertise in the fields of physical and chemical oceanography; (2) Your organization's experience with this type of work and a description of your facilities; and (3) Specific references (including project identifier/contract number and description, period of performance, dollar amount, client name, and current telephone number) for work of this nature that your personnel or organization is currently performing or has completed within the last three years. Also, please include any negative references and your rebuttal explaining your side of the story. All references will be checked to validate the information provided. Offerors shall submit an original and two (2) copies of the Capabilities Statement to Bill Thomas, Contracting Officer, Minerals Management Service, Procurement Operations Branch, 381 Elden St., MS 2510, Herndon, VA 20170-4817. Six (6) additional copies shall be submitted to Ms. Connie Landry, Minerals Management Service, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard, MS 5431, New Orleans, Louisiana 70123-2394. It is the responsibility of the Offeror to ensure that the Capabilities Statements are received by the dates and time set forth above. Timeliness of receipt of submissions will be determined by the time received in the Procurement Operations Branch, Herndon, Virginia. Your capabilities statement will be evaluated based on: (1) Past performance which includes: adherence to schedules and budgets, effectiveness of cost control, the acceptability of previous products delivered, effectiveness of program management, and the Offeror's willingness to cooperate with the customer in both routine matters and when confronted by unexpected difficulties. (2) The degree of comparability of past projects to the current project, including number, complexity, and size; (3) The experience and expertise of all scientific and technical Key Personnel. Evaluation factors include the length and quality of experience for each person assigned to perform specific tasks, their experience and expertise in the fields applicable to the performance of this study. (4) Your Project Manager's demonstrated ability and experience with managing a research project and ability to control costs and to keep project performance and document preparation on schedule. The Principal Investigator may serve as Project Manager. Following Step (1) which is the review and evaluation of all Capabilities Statements, only those determined from the evaluation factors described above to be most qualified to successfully perform the effort will be invited to Step (2) and provided a detailed Request for Proposal. All offerors will be contacted after Step (1) by telephone. Offerors are strongly discouraged to use the telephone numbers submitted below to receive answers to their questions but written, E-mail or faxed inquires are strongly encouraged. Please send questions as soon as possible to Bill Thomas (703)787-1009. Please include your RFP Number 1435-01-00-RFP-85080, as well as your full name, organization name, address, phone and FAX numbers. If it is necessary to call for information contact Bill Thomas between the hours of 8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. EST Monday-Friday at (703) 787-1365 or by FAX on 703-787-1009.
- Record
- SN00039181-W 20020313/020311213409 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
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