SOLICITATION NOTICE
B -- Broad Agency Announcement: Minerals Management Service, Technology Assessment & Research (TA&R) Program, Oil Spill Response Research
- Notice Date
- 5/25/2006
- Notice Type
- Solicitation Notice
- Contracting Office
- MMS Procurement Operations Branch 381 Elden Street, MS 2100 Herndon VA 20170
- ZIP Code
- 20170
- Solicitation Number
- 0106BA39801
- Response Due
- 6/30/2006
- Archive Date
- 5/25/2007
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- The U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, MINERALS MANAGEMENT SERVICE (MMS), solicits White Papers of not more than five (5) pages in length, for specific areas of interest to the Minerals Management Service (MMS) Technology Assessment and Research (TA&R) Program, Oil Spill Response Research (OSRR). For your information, the MMS web site has descriptions of OSRR activities, the scope of MMS interests, and past projects. The web site address is www.mms.gov/tarphome. Interested parties are encouraged to view the information presented on the site when considering submitting White Papers. BACKGROUND: Oil Spill Response Research sponsored by the MMS through the TA&R Program is directly integrated into MMS's offshore operations and is used in making regulatory decisions pertaining to permit and plan approvals, safety and pollution inspections, enforcement actions, and training requirements. MMS proposes to expand its existing OSRR program consistent with our statutory responsibility and the provisions of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990. As oil and gas industry activities increase in the deep water of the Gulf of Mexico and the and ice-infested Beaufort Sea of Alaska, research must be broadened to address unknown factors concerning mechanical equipment performance and reliability, as well as alternative countermeasures, including chemical dispersants, in situ burning and viscous oil pumping. The principal objective of this request for White Papers is to address innovative or technological advancements among topics of current interest to the MMS. As a result of the White Papers submitted in accordance with the terms of this announcement, selected proposals will be requested. Projects selected for eventual funding by the MMS shall receive funding from FY 2007 funds. The MMS anticipates a total of $500,000 to $800,000 may be available for the initiation of new research proposals addressing OSRR topics in FY 2007, with projects being identified through this announcement. Typical projects envisioned to address the topics set forth below may require up to one man-year effort and cost up to $250,000. Prospective offerors shall bear this in mind when responding to this request. NOTICE: The MMS may share the White Paper submissions with other organizations for review. Potential contractors should let MMS know if they do not want the White Paper shared outside the MMS. The MMS anticipates awards resultant to this announcement will be made on a firm fixed-price basis. OBJECTIVES: The topics for the FY 2007 OSRR activities include ONLY research related to the following: 1. Innovative Mechanical Oil Spill Containment and Recovery Technologies for the Open Ocean - new or innovative technologies that will facilitate the cleanup of spilled oil (both light and high density) in the open ocean. A subject of particular interest is response techniques and equipment for removing heavy oils (crude oil as well as fuel oil) and emulsions from the sea surface. MMS seeks White Papers to performance test and evaluate full-scale prototypes and non-commercially available technologies at Ohmsett - the National Oil Spill Response Test Facility, located in Leonardo, New Jersey and/or through a series of field tests, including experimental oil spills. American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) testing standards will be used, as applicable, in these evaluations. 2. Innovative Mechanical Oil Spill Containment and Recovery Technologies for Cold Water/Broken Ice Conditions - new or innovative mechanical technologies that will facilitate the containment and recovery of spilled oil in cold water/broken ice conditions. MMS seeks White Papers to performance test and evaluate full-scale prototype, non-commercially available technologies, and/or adaptations of existing technologies to contain and recover oil in a range of conditions that could include broken ice. White Papers should focus on the types of broken ice typically found in the Alaskan Beaufort Sea, where oil exploration activities are currently taking place or are planned. Tests could be conducted at Ohmsett - the National Oil Spill Response Test Facility, located in Leonardo, New Jersey and/or through a series of field tests, including experimental oil spills conducted in the Arctic environment. ASTM testing standards will be used, as applicable, in these evaluations. 3. Technology for the Separation of Oil and Ice - new and/or innovative technologies that will facilitate the separation of oil, ice and water when responding to oil spills in ice-infested waters. MMS seeks White Papers to performance test and evaluate new or innovative technologies for the separation of oil, ice and water related to oil spill response in ice-infested waters. Tests could be conducted at Ohmsett - the National Oil Spill Response Test Facility, located in Leonardo, New Jersey and/or through a series of field tests, including experimental oil spills conducted in the Arctic environment. ASTM testing standards will be used, as applicable, in these evaluations. 4. Alternative Technologies for Oil Spill Response in Open Ocean or in Cold Water-Broken Ice Conditions - new or innovative technologies/methods that will facilitate oil spill response in open ocean and/or cold water/broken ice conditions. MMS seeks White Papers to test and evaluate alternative technologies and/or adaptations of existing technologies to respond to oil spills in open water and cold water/broken ice conditions. White Papers addressing cold water/broken ice conditions should focus on the types of broken ice typically found in the Alaskan Beaufort Sea, where oil exploration activities are currently taking place or are planned. Tests could be conducted at Ohmsett - the National Oil Spill Response Test Facility, located in Leonardo, New Jersey and/or through a series of field tests, including experimental oil spills conducted in the Arctic environment. ASTM testing standards will be used, as applicable, in these evaluations. 5. Remote Sensing, Detection and Tracking of Spilled Oil in the Open Ocean - Increased offshore exploration, development and production are planned for the Gulf of Mexico. Methods for the remote sensing, detection and tracking oil in the open ocean need to be investigated. MMS is seeking White Papers on new and innovative equipment and technologies for the remote sensing, detection and tracking of oil in open water. The equipment shall be able to locate and accurately map the location of the oil. Maps shall be ARCGIS compatible. MMS seeks proposals to test and evaluate these technologies in a range of conditions including during experimental oil spills. Tests could be conducted at Ohmsett - the National Oil Spill Response Test Facility, located in Leonardo, New Jersey and/or through a series of field tests, including experimental oil spills. ASTM testing standards will be used, as applicable, in these evaluations. 6. Remote Sensing, Detection and Tracking of Spilled Oil In and Under Ice - Increased offshore exploration, development and production are planned for the Beaufort and Chukchi Sea's. MMS is seeking White Papers on new and innovative equipment and technologies for the remote sensing, detection and tracking of oil in and under ice. This equipment shall be able to locate and accurately map the location of the oil. Maps shall be ARC/GIS compatible. MMS seeks White Papers to test and evaluate these technologies in a range of conditions that could include broken and solid ice conditions. White Papers addressing cold water/broken ice conditions should focus should be on the types of broken ice typically found in the Alaskan Beaufort Sea, where oil exploration activities are currently taking place or are planned. Tests could be conducted at Ohmsett - the National Oil Spill Response Test Facility, located in Leonardo, New Jersey and/or through a series of field tests, including experimental oil spills conducted in the Arctic environment. ASTM testing standards will be used, as applicable, in these evaluations. 7. Detection and Tracking of Submerged Oil- MMS is seeking White Papers for new and innovative equipment and technologies for the remote sensing and surveillance of submerged oil. This equipment shall detect, track, and accurately map the location, distribution and amount of submerged oil. MMS seeks proposals to test and evaluate these technologies. Tests could be conducted at Ohmsett - the National Oil Spill Response Test Facility, located in Leonardo, New Jersey and/or through a series of field tests, including experimental oil spills. ASTM testing standards will be used, as applicable, in these evaluations. 8. Airborne Thickness Measurement of Oil Slicks on the Open Ocean - MMS is seeking a reliable airborne oil slick thickness sensor. This sensor/equipment shall be able to locate and accurately map the actual thickness of the oil slick on the water and be able to send/fax an ARC/GIS compatible map of the oil slicks to responders, while airborne. MMS seeks White Papers to test and evaluate these technologies. Tests could be conducted at Ohmsett - the National Oil Spill Response Test Facility, located in Leonardo, New Jersey and/or through a series of field tests, including during experimental oil spills. ASTM testing standards will be used, as applicable, in these evaluations. 9. Oil Spill Chemical Dispersant Research - MMS is seeking White Papers that will provide research data relating to the use of dispersants on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), including cold water/broken ice conditions. Specific areas of interest are: *Research on the oil spill response priority areas delineated in the National Academy of Science report "Oil Spill Dispersants: Efficacy and Effects." *Dispersant effectiveness on crude oils (weathered and emulsified) in cold water/broken ice. *Dispersant effectiveness of naturally weathered crude oil versus artificially weathered crude oil. *Dispersant research conducted during experimental oil spills. *New technologies and monitoring protocols for determining the factors that indicate "effective dispersion." *Research on the re-coalescence and re-surfacing of dispersed oil droplets. *Research that would identify which chemical/physical parameters produced crude oil should be tested for that would best determine it's dispersibility over time due to weathering and would give an idea of the anticipated window of opportunity for dispersant use, including criteria that should be used to make this determination. *Tests could be conducted at Ohmsett - the National Oil Spill Response Test Facility, located in Leonardo, New Jersey and/or through a series of field tests, including experimental oil spills. ASTM testing standards will be used, as applicable, in these evaluations.10. Oil-Mineral Aggregates (OMA) Formation. The MMS is seeking White Papers that will provide research data relating to the use of oil-mineral aggregates (OMA) formation to assess its feasibility as an oil spill countermeasure for use in the open ocean. Research should address both surface and subsurface releases of oil in experimental systems under controlled conditions to evaluate its potential effectiveness for the treatment of spills from shipboard and rig operations and/or deepwater blowouts. Since oil and gas behave differently under the high pressures and low temperatures found in deepwater when compared with those of shallow depths mathematical models should be used to provide fundamental information for the prediction of operational effectiveness and to support recommendations for future field validation studies. Tests could be conducted at Ohmsett - the National Oil Spill Response Test Facility, located in Leonardo, New Jersey and/or through a series of tank tests or field tests, including experimental oil spills. ASTM testing standards will be used, as applicable, in these evaluations. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: The MMS is interested in research initiatives relative to oil spill response, safety and pollution practices related to offshore operations. As a result of the White Papers, selected proposals will be sought and evaluated for funding. Efforts to be considered should be to the above stated issues. Multi-year funding of projects is acceptable. HOW TO RESPOND: White Papers of not more than five (5) pages in length, one (1) original, five (5) hard copies, and one (1) electronic copy in .PDF format on CD shall be submitted to the U.S. Department of the Interior, Minerals Management Service, 381 Elden Street, Herndon, VA 20170-4817, ATTN: Debra Bridge, not later 3:00 p.m., Eastern Time, Friday, June 30, 2006. WHITE PAPERS SENT VIA E-MAIL AND FACSIMILE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. White Papers should define the proposed research scope and include the level of effort. NOTE: COST ESTIMATES ARE NOT TO BE INCLUDED. The White Papers shall be evaluated only on technical merit. If your White Paper is selected for further evaluation, a proposal will be requested and you must also submit a cost proposal at that time. Projects shall be selected from all or part of the technical issues listed depending on the interest and scope of White Papers received. The MMS shall evaluate the responses, and those deemed to have merit will be furnished information to assist in the preparation of a complete proposal. This announcement constitutes a Request for White Papers, and does not obligate the Government to consummate an award. Respondents WILL NOT be notified of the results of the evaluation of the information submitted. WHITE PAPERS SHALL BE EVALUATED USING THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA: (1) feasibility of the approach or solution; (2) the offeror's understanding of the technical issues; (3) the offeror's ability to implement the proposed approach; (4) innovative or creative approaches or solutions, including the participation and/or funding by the oil and gas industry or other groups in the research industry where interest exists, (where appropriate); (5) past performance. If any of the requirements of this announcement are not met, the White Paper will not be evaluated. QUESTIONS must be submitted via e-mail or fax to Debra Bridge on or before June 2, 2006 [debra.bridge@mms.gov or Fax 703-787-1041]. The RFP number 39801 MUST be in the subject line of the e-mail or fax. All questions shall include the RFP number 39801, your full name and title, your organization, complete address, and telephone and fax numbers. Telephone inquires WILL NOT be accepted. A separate White Paper shall be submitted for each study on which the offeror wishes to propose. The White Paper shall identify clearly the offeror company/organization, point of contact, address, telephone and fax numbers. Responses will be accepted ONLY until 3:00 P.M., E.T. Friday, June 30, 2006. If the offeror desires to hand deliver their White Paper, they are informed that MMS is a secure building and they must not enter the building beyond the lobby. Contact Debra Bridge at (703) 787-1814 and set up an appointment 24 hours in advance of dropping off your White Paper. PHONE CALLS ARE STRONGLY DISCOURAGED.
- Web Link
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