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

B -- PREPARATION OF A PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT (EA) ON GEOLOGICAL AND GEOPHYSICAL (G&G) EXPLORATION FOR MINERAL RESOURCES ON THE GULF OF MEXICO (GOM) OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF(OCS) SOL 1435-01-99-RP-30987 DUE 012098 POC Jane M. Carlson, Contracting Officer, (703) 787-1364 E-MAIL: Contracting Officer's email address, Jane.Carlson@mms.gov. DESC: The Department of the Interior, Minerals Management Service (MMS) intends to competitively award a contract for the preparation of a programmatic Environmental Assessment (EA) on Geological and Geophysical (G&G) Exploration for Mineral Resources on the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). The MMS's objectives in initiating and conducting the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process and preparing an EA are, for the GOM OCS Planning Areas, to: (1)describe the types and range of G&G activities other than deep stratigraphic test holes and use of explosives, conducted specific to offshore mineral development; (2) identify potential impacts from these G&G activities on the marine, coastal, and human environments; (3) evaluate the significance of potential impacts from G&G operations and associated support activities; (4) determine reasonable alternatives or mitigating measures for any significant impacts identified; and (5) provide a summary NEPA document that will support future NEPA assessments of G&G activities. Specific Task to be Accomplished: The Contractor shall prepare a programmatic EA that will provide full and objective information to support the NEPA decisionmaking process. The EA shall address G&G activities presently listed as Categorical Exclusions (CE) by the MMS and also address new technology and environmental concerns not considered by the CE determinations conducted in 1984. Findings of the EA may reaffirm the CE list or lead to an EIS, if significant impacts are identified. This award and contracted task is solely for the completion of an EA. The contents of the draft EA shall follow those recommended under NEPA and more specific information provided in the MMS February 14, 1997 memorandum, Policy and Guidelines for Categorical Exclusion Reviews and Environmental Assessments. The draft EA shall contain appropriate background material, a description of the affected environment, a description of G&G activities, an evaluation of the potential environmental impacts associated with these activities, and an evaluation of possible measures to mitigate potential adverse environmental impacts. The analysis conclusions must clearly identify the type, severity, and duration of potential impacts. The final EA shall present revisions and updates in response to review comments from MMS and other reviewers. In order to compete for this contract, an offeror must demonstrate that they are qualified to perform the work by providing, not later than January 20, 1999, a Capabilities Statement describing in detail: (A) Key personnel with the expertise and experience to coordinate the NEPA process, assess the potential impacts to offshore and coastal environmental resources, and produce a high-quality document. A multi-disciplinary/interdisciplinary scientific/technical team shall include expertise on (1) the requirements of NEPA; (2) offshore oil and gas operations that will support an expert understanding of G&G exploration and evolving technology; (3) underwater pressure waves including physical properties and biological effects ranging from physical trauma to behavioral effects; (6) Gulf of Mexico endangered and threatened species that may be affected by G&G activities and associated support activities, including but not necessarily limited to marine mammals, sea turtles, and coastal and marine birds; (7) essential/sensitive marine and coastal habitats; and (8) editorial practices, document preparation, and publication management; (B) Your organization's expertise with this type of work and a description of your facilities and resources; and (C) Specific references (including project identifier and description, period of performance, dollar amount, and client name and phone number) for previous work of this nature that your organization or personnel is currently performing or has completed within the last three (3) years. REFERENCES WILL BE CHECKED. Section 1506.5(c) of the NEPA regulations requires contractors who are employed to prepare this EA to signa disclosure statement stating that they have no financial or other interest in the outcome of the process. Offerors evaluated as technically acceptable will be required to provide a disclosure statement regarding conflict of interest. Offerors shall submit their Capabilities Statement in original and two (2) copies to Jane M. Carlson, Contracting Officer, Minerals Management Service, 381 Elden Street, MS-2500, Herndon Virginia 20170-4817. Five copies shall be submitted to Dr. William Lang, Oceanographer, Minerals Management Service, Gulf of Mexico Region, 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard, New Orleans, LA 70123-2394. In addition, two copies shall be submitted to Maurice Hill, Minerals Management Service, Pacific OCS Region, 770 Paseo Camarillo, Camarillo, CA 93010 and two copies to Frank Wendling, Minerals Management Service, Alaska OCS Region 949 E. 36th Ave., Anchorage, AK 99508. Time of receipt of submissions will be determined by the time received in the Procurement Operations Branch, Herndon, Virginia. The period of performance of the resultant contract will be twelve (12) months. Your Capabilities Statement will be evaluated based on: (A) Environmental Specialists. (1) experience and expertise in conducting analyses of potential impacts on resources within their area of expertise, (2) knowledge of oil and gas operations for the purpose of analyzing potential impacts to resources withing their area of expertise, (3) expertise on sensitive environmental resources in the Gulf of Mexico region, (4) the currency, quality and depth of experience in working on similar projects (similar in size, scope, complexity, duration, and dollar value), (5) quality and depth of experience on other projects that may not be similar enough to include in (4) above, but that may be relevant, and (6) publication history; (B) Project Manager. (1) experience and demonstrated leadership ability required for the coordination of the NEPA process, (2) experience in managing a multi-disciplinary team and the interdisciplinary processes required for the development of an NEPA document, and (3) ability to control costs and to keep project performance and document preparation on schedule; and (C) Your organization's history of (1) successful completion of similar projects (similar in size, scope, complexity, duration, and dollar value), (2) producing high-quality documents, and (3) conducting similar projects on schedule and within budget. Questions should be faxed to Jane Carlson at (703) 787-1387 or e-mailed to Jane.Carlson@mms.gov. All correspondence should include the RFP number, your full name/company name, address and phone and fax numbers. Requests or questions by telephone are strongly discouraged. Posted 12/28/98 (W-SN283709). (0362)

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