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

B -- DEEPWATER PROGRAM: GULF OF MEXICO DEEPWATER INFORMATION RESOURCES DATA SEARCH AND LITERATURE SEARCH SOL RFP 3196 DUE 033198 POC Sandra McLaughlin or Jenny Taylor at 703-787-1354 WEB: Click here for general information about MMS and its programs., http://www.mms.gov. E-MAIL: Click here to send e-mail to the Contracting Officer., Sandra.McLaughlin@MMS.gov. The Minerals Management Service (MMS) intends to contract for performance of a study entitled "Deepwater Program: Gulf of Mexico Deepwater Information Resources Data Search and Literature Synthesis." Please read this notice carefully, particularly the section HOW TO RESPOND, as it constitutes the initial solicitation. This planned 18-month effort will develop an information base by conducting a comprehensive search and integration of existing environmental and socioeconomic information. The study area will include the Deepwater Gulf of Mexico, including the Western, Central, and Eastern Outer Continental Shelf. For purposes of this project, "Deepwater" is defined as depths greater than 1,000 feet or 305 meters, and extending outward to the United States Exclusive Economic Zone. The primary study product will be a computer-searchable information base, incorporating literature, relevant data, and ongoing research pertaining to the physical, geological, chemical, biological, and socioeconomic processes inthe deep Gulf. A syntheses document will be generated to summarize available information by topic. The framework for the information syntheses will describe the study area ecosystem, dominant processes at work, biologically sensitive pathways of the processes, and socioeconomic activities found in the area. For this study, particularly relevant disciplines or areas of expertise include: Deepwater ecology; biology; physical, geological, and chemical oceanography; socioeconomics; and knowledge of current technological developments in the Deepwater Gulf of Mexico. The scope is expected to be in the range of $300,000-$400,000. 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 3:00 pm Eastern, Tuesday, March 31, 1998, 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 with similar projects and relevant facilities; and (3) specific references (including contract number & project description, period of performance, dollar amount, client identification with point of contact & telephone number) for previous work of this nature that your key personnel or organization have performed within the last two years. (References will be checked). Following review of all Capabilities Statements, a list of those deemed most qualified to perform the work will be established and the qualifiers will be provided additional proposal instructions. Proposals will essentially consist of an oral technical presentation (either live, by video conference, or taped, as yet to be determined), written cost/business proposal, and program management plan. Further details of proposal requirements and logistical considerations for presentations will be provided at a later date. Your Capabilities Statement will be evaluated based on your key persons' skills, abilitiesand 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 posted electronically to "http://yack.dn.net/doieps", or e-mailed to "Sandra.McLaughlin@ mms.gov". If using e-mail, please include with your question(s) your full name, the RFP number (RFP 3196) & title, your organization, complete address, and phone number and e-mail address. If using the electronic posting system, you will also be prompted for this information. Telephonic questions or requests are strongly discouraged, and may not necessarily be acknowledged. (0064)

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