SOLICITATION NOTICE
A -- IODP SYSTEM INTEGRATION
- Notice Date
- 3/3/2003
- Notice Type
- Solicitation Notice
- Contracting Office
- National Science Foundation, Division of Acquisition and Cost Support, DACS, 4201 Wilson Boulevard Room 475, Arlington, VA, 22230
- ZIP Code
- 22230
- Solicitation Number
- DACS-03-00001
- Archive Date
- 4/1/2003
- Point of Contact
- Patrick Welsh, Contract Specialist, Phone (703) 292-4588, Fax (703) 292-9140/9141, - Steven Strength, Section Head, Section I, Phone (703)-292-4567, Fax (703) 292-9140/9141,
- E-Mail Address
-
pwelsh@nsf.gov, sstrengt@nsf.gov
- Description
- INTRODUCTION. The Division of Ocean Sciences, National Science Foundation is seeking a System Integration Contractor (SIC) to provide non-riser drilling ship capability and associated scientific support for the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP). This will be a successor to the Ocean Drilling Program contract between NSF and Joint Oceanographic Institutions, Inc. Budget constraints dictate a two-phased approach to the program effort. Phase 1 will support the contractor to provide an acceptable vessel capable of scientific drilling operations for the initial program years beginning in mid 2004 without significant government supported modifications. Phase 2 will require the contractor to acquire and convert a vessel to the enhanced scientific ocean drilling capability that has been identified by the scientific ocean drilling community. An international scientific advisory committee is reviewing proposals for specific drilling projects to be addressed during Phase 1. Information on these proposals can be found at (www.isas-office.jp/ ). Prioritization of these proposals is expected to occur in September 2003 and will be used in developing the Phase 1 drilling schedule. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS. The SIC will manage the selection, acquisition, and operation of the Phase 1 vessel, and the acquisition and modification of the Phase 2 vessel for scientific drilling, as well as subsequent vessel operations and science support activities. The SIC will also provide shipboard and shore-based technical staffs to support drilling, laboratory and other scientific activity of 25-30 person scientific teams sponsored separately by the IODP members. The United States Science Advisory Committee has undertaken a detailed study of vessel requirements based on science objectives of the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program Initial Science Plan, and the results of that study are available on the web at (www.joi-odp.org/USSSP/cdc/default.html). The converted Phase 2 vessel should be consistent with the required drilling platform characteristics identified therein, and have a useful scientific life-span of 10 years or greater. The major focus of the Phase 2 conversion will be modifications to provide laboratory spaces for geochemical, geological, geophysical and biological analyses of samples and data. The efficient recovery of complete coring sections is an essential capability. Habitability and endurance enhancements to comfortably accommodate cruises up to 2 months duration are also key areas of importance. Funding of the vessel conversion is expected to occur in CY 2005 and 2006, but will depend on future budget appropriations. SPECIFIC ON-BOARD REQUIREMENTS. In addition to acquiring and managing resources necessary for basic ship operations in compliance with recognized safety and classification standards, the SIC will provide on-board scientific services including: (1) procedures and equipment for core/sample handling, including basic description, sampling, storage and shipping; (2) procedures and equipment for evaluation of safety of drilling operations, including hydrocarbon and gas monitoring; (3) laboratory space and equipment for core/sample measurements of paleomagnetics, physical properties, sediment and pore fluid chemistry, paleontology, petrology/hard rock analyses, geochemistry, and microbiology; (4) computer capability for data capture, analysis of data and word processing; (5) supplies and operational support for instrumentation and laboratory operation; (6) facilities and equipment for limited site survey activity to locate/identify drilling sites; (7) facilities/capability for downhole logging activity; (8) special downhole tools for sampling or physical measurements; (9) the maintenance/ replacement of equipment to maintain/upgrade operations to meet evolving scientific requirements during IODP. SPECIFIC SHORE-BASED REQUIREMENTS. The SIC will also be required to provide shore-based science support capabilities that include: (1) facilities for storage and distribution of samples and data; (2) publication of appropriate reports and informational material; (3) required support facilities for seagoing operations; (4) support for legal requirements of operation, including identification of pertinent national and international regulations and acquisition of necessary permits for drilling activities; (5) support for business management and planning, including identification of procedures to develop detailed plans for drilling activities, schedules and shipboard services, and their oversight and supervision, in response to recommendations of an international science planning organization; (6) identification of required engineering and technical development initiatives; (7) assumption of responsibility for certain Ocean Drilling Program equipment and scientific assets including certain shipboard drilling equipment, scientific laboratory equipment, and curation, distribution of ODP cores, samples and data; (8) science outreach and education to communicate IODP activities to the public, and to encourage awareness and interest in the scientific results of the program. SCHEDULE. Phase 1 drilling operations are expected to begin in CY 2004. Phase 2 ship acquisition and conversion activities are expected to be completed by early CY 2006, with vessel operations and program support activities on a global basis expected to commence shortly thereafter. Anticipated release date of this solicitation is March 17, 2003. The NSF anticipates an acquisition strategy with the initial stage resulting in award of the SIC contract and the start of Phase 1 operations, followed by Government participation with the contractor in the Phase 2 vessel selection, conversion planning and shipyard subcontracting process. A contract performance period of ten years is anticipated. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS. One or more of the items under this acquisition may be subject to an Agreement on Government Procurement approved and implemented in the United States by the Trade Agreements Act of 1979. All offers shall be in the English language and in U.S. dollars. All interested suppliers may submit an offer. Based upon market research, the Government is not using the policies contained in Part 12, Acquisition of Commercial Items, in its solicitation for the described supplies or services. However, interested persons may identify to the Contracting Officer their interest and capability to satisfy the Government?s requirement with a commercial item within 15 days of this notice. A pre-proposal conference is tentatively scheduled for April 2003 and specific information will be provided in the RFP. The solicitation is being issued in an unrestricted basis and will include an SDB Price Evaluation Adjustment clause and an evaluation factor for SDB participation.
- Place of Performance
- Address: NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION, 4201 WILSON BOULEVARD, ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA
- Zip Code: 22230
- Country: USA
- Zip Code: 22230
- Record
- SN00268330-W 20030305/030303213554 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps.gov Link to This Notice
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