Department of the Interior, Minerals Management Service, Procurement Operations Branch, MS2500, 381 Elden Street, Herndon, Virginia 20170-4817

B -- SURVEY OF INVERTEBRATE AND ALGAL COMMUNITIES ON OFFSHORE OIL AND GAS PLATFORMS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SOL 1435-01-98-RP-30865 DUE 010698 POC Jane M. Carlson, Contracting Officer, (703) 787-1364 E-MAIL: Contracting Officer's e-mail, Jane.Carlson@mms.gov. The Department of the Interior, Minerals Management Service (MMS) intends to competitively award a contract to conduct a study entitled "Survey of Invertebrate and Algal Communities on Offshore Oil and Gas Platforms in Southern California." PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE NOTICE CAREFULLY AS IT CONSTITUTES THE ONLY NOTICE THAT WILL BE ISSUED. THIS IS A 100% SMALL BUSINESS SET-ASIDE. The Standard Industrial Code (SIC) for this procurement is 8731 -- Size standard -- 500 employees. The successful offeror shall perform 51% of the work on the resultant contract. The basic objectives of this study are to (1) conduct biological field surveys of invertebrate and algal communities on selected oil and gas platforms and adjacent natural reefs in the Santa Barbara Channel and Santa Maria Basin, and (2) describe community structure by determining abundance, density, and distribution of these species. The specific research objectives of the proposed study are (1) determine the abundance, density, and depth distribution/vertical zonation of invertebrate and algal communities on selected oil and gas platforms and adjacent natural reefs in the Santa Barbara Channel and Santa Maria Basin; (2) quantify biomass production estimates of invertebrate and algal communities on selected oil and gas platforms and adjacent natural reefs in the Santa Barbara Channel and Santa Maria Basin; (3) conduct the proposed research with methodologies similar to or complementary to ongoing studies being conducted by the University of California (UCSB) Marine Science Institute. These studies are entitled: (a) The Ecological Role of Natural Reefs and Oil and Gas Production Platforms on Rocky Reef Fishes in Southern California; (b) Ecological Consequences of Alternative Abandonment Strategies for POCS Offshore Facilities and Implications for Policy Development; and (4) make recommendations to MMS regarding invertebrate and algal communities on selected oil and gas platforms with respect to future decommissioning activities in the Santa Barbara Channel and Santa Maria Basin and the importance of these organisms to the general ecology of the region and local area. In order to compete for this contract, a small business must demonstrate that they are qualified to perform the work by providing, Not later than January 6, 1998, a capabilities statement detailing A. The Offerors ability to furnish personnel with the abilities to: (1) conduct marine biological field surveys (including sampling design, survey techniques, and species identification) for sampling invertebrate and algal communities on selected oil and gas platforms and adjacent natural reefs using, but not limited to, survey vessels, remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), other submersibles, and SCUBA divers, as appropriate; to prepare study maps with locations of selected oil and gas platforms and natural reefs (including schematics), contour lines, and coordinates; (3) to estimate abundance, density, and species composition of invertebrate and algal communities from existing oil and gas platform inspection survey videos prior to conducting the reconnaissance biological field surveys; (4) to develop protocols through MMS and the oil and gas industry to obtain access at the selected platforms in order to perform the required research; (5) to use existing research information on oil and gas platforms and natural reefs in designing the proposed study, and (6) to analyze marine biological research results in a sound statistical manner. The offeror shall also provide the names and resumes of anticipated members to serve on a Quality Review Board (QRB). The QRB shall be composed of three members, two of which shall have the appropriate expertise and professional background in, but not limited to the following scientific areas: marine benthic ecology, phycology, invertebrate zoology, taxonomy, population dynamics, benthic biological surveys, and statistical analysis, and one (1) member shall be an oil and gas industry representative. B. Your organization's experience with this type of work and a description of your facilities; and (3) Specific references (including project identifier and description, period of performance, dollar amount, client name and telephone number) for previous work of this nature that your personnel or organization is currently performing or has completed within the last three years. (REFERENCES WILL BE CHECKED). Offerors shall submit their Capabilities Statement in original and two (2) copies to Jane Carlson, Contracting Officer at Minerals Management Service, 381 Elden Street, MS-2500, Herndon, Virginia 20170-4817. Four additional copies shall be sent to Mr. Frank Manago, Minerals Management Service, Pacific OCS Region, 770 Paseo Camarillo, MS-7300, Camarillo, CA 93010. Timeliness of receipt of submissions will be determined by the time received in the Procurement Operations Branch, Herndon, Virginia. The period of performance for the resultant contract will be thirty-six (36) months with an estimated value of $ 375,000 -- $400,000. Your capabilities statement will be evaluated based on (1) Key Personnel (including the QRB) will be evaluated on their education and expertise in marine benthic ecology, phycology, taxonomy, statistical analysis experience,(2) the currency, quality and depth of experience of individual personnel in working on similar projects; "Similar project" is meant to convey similarity in size, dollar value, duration, and complexity; (3) quality and depth of education and experience of personnel to perform each task; experience on other projects which may not be similar enough to include in response to (1) above, but may be relevant; and publication history (e.g., peer reviewed literature of Key Personnel and QRB; (4) organization's history of successful completion of projects; history of producing high-quality reports and other deliverables; history of staying on schedule and within budget; (5) The project manager who will be evaluated on the level and quality of education, experience, abilities, and demonstrated leadership in the disciplines and technical fields required for completion of the tasks and (6) Included here is consideration of the proposed relationship between the offeror and MMS and the oil and gas industry. Questions should be faxed to (703) 787-1387 or Emailed as soon as possible to Jane.Carlson@mms.gov and should include the RFP number, your full name, address, phone and fax nos. Requests or questions by telephone are strongly discouraged. (0324)

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