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

B -- REVISION OF THE OCS OIL-WEATHERING MODEL: EVALUATION SOL 1435-01-97-RP-30862 DUE 071197 POC Rhonda Watkins, Contracts Specialist, (703) 787-1386 or Jane Carlson, Contracting Officer (703) 787-1364 E-MAIL: Contract Specialist, Rhonda.Watkins@mms.gov or Jane.Carlson@mms.gov. The Department of the Interior, Minerals Management Service, intends to competitively award a contract to conduct a study to evaluate the existing OCS Oil-Weathering Model (OWM) and to recommend improvements in the model. PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE NOTICE CAREFULLY AS IT CONSTITUTES THE ONLY NOTICE THAT WILL BE ISSUED. Additional Study Details: The evaluation of the model will be in the context of MMS use of the model in the Alaska OCS Region and the Gulf of Mexico Region and other MMS needs. The evaluation will include (1) an examination of the ability and reliability of the current algorithms to model the crudes and refined oils currently used in the OCS oil industry; (2) new crudes and refined oils that may result from development in Gulf of Mexico OCS deep waters or offshore of the Alaskan Beaufort Sea; and (3)current input parameters used by the model compared to input data availability. Improvements that are recommended will be in the nature of more readily available input parameters and oil characterizations, more accurate algorithms for existing processes in OWM, or new input parameters and algorithms for significant processes not included in OWM. Recommendations will be based on the following criteria: 1) Reliability and accuracy of OWM simulations for MMS needs, in particular for the existing model uses by the Alaska OCS and Gulf of Mexico OCS Regions; 2) Oil weathering model literature review; 3) Evidence that any proposed changes are improvements; 4) Documentation that experimental and/or field data are available to further test whether proposed changes or additions of specific algorithms would improve model predictions; and 5) Guidance from a Scientific Review Board (SRB) and attendees at a technical evaluation meeting. Primary study products/events will include Teleconference with MMS Users, Literature Survey, Technical Meeting with SRB, Presentation Slide Sets, Draft and Final Report and Technical Summary, and Submission of a Journal Paper. The period of performance for this contract will be twelve (12) months. HOW TO RESPOND: In order to compete for this contract, interested parties must demonstrate that they are qualified to perform the work by providing BY 4:00 P.M. JULY 11, 1997, a Capabilities Statement detailing: (1) your key personnel (those who would have the primary responsibility for performing and/or managing the study) with their qualifications and specific experience; 2) your organization's experience with this type of work and a description of your facilities; and (3) specific references (including project identifier & description, period of performance, dollar amount, client name & current telephone number) for work of this nature that your personnel or organization is currently performing or has completed within the last two years. (References will be checked). In addition, the offeror shall identify three (3) individuals for participation on the Scientific Review Board. The personnel identified should be oil-spill modeling experts who are knowledgeable in the disciplines involved in this project and have received honors, awards, and special recognition of outstanding contribution to their respective fields. Offerors shall submit an original and five copies of Capabilities Statements to Ms. Rhonda Watkins, Contracting Officer, Minerals Management Service, Procurement Operations Branch, 381 Elden St., MS 2510, Herndon, VA 20170-4817. Your Capabilities Statement will be evaluated based on the skills, abilities, education, professional credentials and experience of your proposed key personnel; selection of a highly qualified and appropriately balanced membership for the SRB; experience and past performance of your organization, including number, size, location of projects, and complexity of similar projects completed by the proposed project team and your organization to determine your potential for success and contract award. Past performance 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. Following review of all Capabilities Statements submitted, those offerors judged most qualified to successfully perform the study will be provided additional written proposal instructions. The Technical Proposal will be primarily in the form of an oral presentation on how you will perform the work with a question and answer session to follow. Oral Presentations will take place in Herndon, VA. As stated above, additional written proposal instructions will be forwarded detailing the requirements for submission of the following documents prior to the oral presentations: (1) a written presentation summary; (2) a project management plan: and (3) a business proposal. Questions should be faxed to (703) 787-1009 or Emailed as soon as possible to Rhonda.Watkins@mms.gov. Please include the "RFP Number 1435-01-97-RP-30862" as well as your full name, organization name,address, phone and fax numbers. Requests or questions by telephone are strongly discouraged. (0170)

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