Department of the Interior, Minerals Management Service, Procurement Operations Branch, MS2500, 381 Elden Street, Herndon, Virginia 22070-4817

B -- PROFILERS AND DATA COLLECTION FOR THE BOUNDARY LAYER STUDY IN THE WESTERN AND CENTRAL GULF OF MEXICO SOL 1435-01-97-RP-30854 POC Wallace Adcox (703) 787-1354 WEB: Click here for general information about MMS, our mission, and the Offshore Research program., http://pipeline/indexa.html. E-MAIL: Click here to contact the Contracting Officer, wallace.adcox@mms.gov. The Minerals Management Service (MMS) of the Department of Interior intends to competitively award a contract for purchase of two (2) boundary layer profiler systems; maintenance for the systems; their installation on a pair of platforms in the Gulf of Mexico; data collection, data management, and routine reporting over the anticipated five years of this contract. PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE NOTICE CAREFULLY AS IT CONSTITUTES THE ONLY NOTICE THAT WILL BE ISSUED. BACKGROUND: For the Gulf of Mexico, present data sets poorly represent how temperature, winds, and mixing vary vertically over the atmospheric boundary layer and free troposphere. Estimates come from two sources; automated weather stations measuring meteorological variables in the surface layer, and observational satellites sampling the boundary layer and free troposphere at a few select altitudes. Because these techniques generally do not accurately or precisely measure for a range of altitudes, empirical constants and relationships are used to approximate vertical variations in temperature, winds, and other boundary layer properties. However, direct observations more accurately describe vertical variations because the cited estimates contain many assumptions and simplifications. Applications using these estimates exist, but they contain uncertainties stemming from the simplifications. The Minerals Management Service (MMS) applies such estimates in several ways when assessing changes in air quality from oil and gas production. The MMS assessments require meteorological inputs and theoretical analyses on the marine boundary layer. To reduce uncertainties in our environmental assessments, the MMS has an interest in collecting field observations of the vertical structure of the marine boundary layer. Direct observations more accurately describe the vertical structure of the marine boundary layer because such observations would reduce uncertainties in environmental assessments. Under this project, the MMS shall obtain field observations describing the vertical structure of the marine boundary layer over the Western and Central Gulf of Mexico for ongoing and future applications. To accomplish this, MMS will purchase two (2) boundary layer profiler systems and have them installed on offshore platforms for approximately five (5) years. The MMS requires two (2) boundary layer profile systems, their installation and maintenance on two platforms in the Gulf of Mexico (exact platforms are yet to be determined), data collection from the systems, data management, and routine reporting over the anticipated five-year life of this project. Each system shall use existing, well-established technologies and procedures. Both systems shall make minimal demands on platform resources and produce no hazards to platform personnel or offshore radio transmissions. This project will provide valuable information to the National Weather Service (NWS) operations as the boundary layer observations are collected in real time and distributed. An arrangement will be set up to permit NWS direct access to the observations. The NWS will also supplement quality control and archive the observations at the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC). Primary study products shall include a Field Plan, monthly status and data reports, annual summary reports, a series of draft and final reports (paper and electronic copies), and presentation slide sets. HOW TO RESPOND: In order to compete for this contract interested parties MUST demonstrate that they are qualified to perform the work by providing, TWENTY-ONE (21) DAYS FROM PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE, a Capabilities Statement detailing: (1) your key personnel (those who would have primary responsibility for performing and/or managing the study) with their qualifications and specific experience; (2) your organizational experience and facilities; and (3) specific references (including contract number & project description, period of performance, dollar amount, client identification with the point of contact & telephone number) for previous work of this nature that your key personnel or organization has performed within the last four years. (References will be checked). Following review of all Capabilities Statements, we will establish a list of those deemed most qualified to perform the work. Qualifiers will be notified and provided additional proposal instructions. Proposals will essentially consist of an oral technical presentation and written cost/business proposal. Further details of proposal requirements and logistical considerations will be provided at a later date. Your Capabilities Statement will be evaluated based on your key persons' skills, abilities and experience; your organization's experience and past performance (including number, size, and complexity of similar projects, adherence to schedules and budgets, effectiveness of program management, willingness to cooperate when difficulties arise, general compliance with the terms of the contracts, and acceptability of delivered products.) Questions should be faxed or E-mailed as soon as possibleto fax (703)787-1009 or E-mail "wallace.adcox@mms.gov." Please include with your question(s) your full name, the RFP number & title, your organization, complete address, and phone and fax numbers. Telephonic questions or requests are strongly discouraged. Note: Any conflict in the due dates shown in this notice shall be governed by this narrative (i.e. capability statements ARE due twenty-one days from publication of this notice.) (0086)

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