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

B -- DEEPWATER PROGRAM: NORTHERN GULF OF MEXICO CONTINENTAL SLOPE HABITATS AND BENTHIC ECOLOGY SOL 1435-01-99-RP-30991 DUE 021999 POC Jane M. Carlson, Contracting Officer, (703) 787-1364 E-MAIL: Contracting Officer's email address, Jane.Carlson@mms.gov. B -- The Department of the Interior, Minerals Management Service (MMS) intends to competitively award a contract to conduct a major deep-sea research program in the Gulf of Mexico. Numerous descriptive studies of the Gulf of Mexico shelf are available through the MMS and many other sources. In contrast, the topography, geology, geophysics, currents, hydrography, chemistry, and biota of the continental slope are less well known. One major MMS-sponsored field study, the Northern Gulf of Mexico Continental Slope Study (NGOMCS) concentrated on the geologic features, water circulation, chemistry and biologic communities of the northern Gulf from the 300m isobath to abyssal depths. The proposed study, the "Northern Gulf of Mexico Continental Slope Habitats and Benthic Ecology Study" will build on and supplement the information collected over a decade ago. Since the NGOMCS was planned and executed in the early 1980's, many newer scientific findings have been made on the slope, among the most important being the discoveries of chemosynthetic communities in 1982, and the collection of far better information on geological structural complexity and related biogeochemical processes. It is now generally conceded that the information available on the vast northern Gulf continental slope is inadequate in light of these new findings. In addition, technological and engineering advances and economic factors have fueled the rapid expansion of the oil and gas industry into slope waters. In April 1997, an MMS-supported workshop was convened in New Orleans to identify physical oceanographic, sociological, geological, and ecological data gaps, and to recommend new investigations to fill them. This Statement of Work reflects many of the issues, concepts, methodologies and approaches discussed at that gathering. The general purposes of this study are (1) to determine in greater detail the composition and structure of slope bottom biological communities, and to infer relationships with local conditions and major driving processes, and (2) to characterize the area as to its present health and function and compare and contrast the region with similar oceanic regions. The objectives of this study are: (A) To construct one or more conceptual models to serve as a guide for the design and overall conduct of the study and to develop specific hypotheses around which the model(s) is (are) constructed. The model(s) shall include representations of biological populations and processes to be measured to understand both the structure and function of benthic communities; (B) To obtain oceanographic data from existing data bases or ongoing programs with which an aggressive logistical and field sampling program will be designed and conducted; (C) To obtain conventional field collections to describe the distribution and structure of definable benthic and benthopelagic communities on the continental slope in the Gulf of Mexico and to elucidate possible functional interactions among them in known environmental settings; (D) To further characterize thehydrographic structure and measure the dissolved and particulate water column nutrient concentrations (nitrate, nitrite, silicate, organics, and phosphate), primary productivity, and chlorophyll a; (E) To characterize the sediments at selected stations in the study area, including grain size, high molecular weight hydrocarbons (HMWHC), trace metals, carbonate, and total organic carbon; (F) Characterize the basic attributes of benthic microbiota and meiofauna (biomass, counts and functional types for microbes and standing crop and numbers by major taxon for the meiofauna); (G) Characterize the soft bottom macro- and megafauna of the study area. This shall include basic determinations such as standing crop, taxonomy, diversity, and numerical abundance; (H) Relate variations in the benthic biota with sedimentary processes and bottom chemical and physical variables; (I) To define basic levels of animal and microbial activity and production, and describe general relationships and patterns of interaction between and among the benthic biota, the several ecological/biological compartments, and the abiotic environment; (J) Using all available historical and new information, to compare and contrast the Gulf of Mexico benthic environment and bottom communities with those in other North Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea basins at similar depth ranges and oceanic climates. SCOPE OF WORK: Field sampling stations will be restricted to waters of the Gulf of Mexico from 300m to >3,000m, totally or mostly in the Exclusive Economic Zone of the United States. This study shall have a maximum of a forty-eight (48) month period of performance following the date of contract award. The MMS anticipates that at least three (3) major oceanographic cruises will be conducted, one or more each in Years I, II, and III. Years I, II, and III shall be devoted primarily to field sampling, laboratory analyses, data management and analysis, and periodic reporting. The final synthesis year (Year IV) shall be devoted primarily to completing sample analysis; data analysis, management and interpretation; model refinement; and production of final synthesis reports. Field surveys in the study area shall be carried out to describe the biota (e.g. biomasses, abundances, diversities and distributions of the several components), the abiotic character of the shelf and upper slope, and the biotic and abiotic processes. Considerations for station selection are, among others, anticipated zonation, depth, and distance from shore; past sampling activity; abiotic variables, including local and regional physiography and topography, the likely geochemical environment, local physiography and topography; possible anthropogenic effects; proximity of major oil and gas production fields; and present and projected leasing trends. There are four study tasks (here greatly abbreviated: Task 1. Re-examination of Existing Data and Field Study Design. To identify, collect, and reexamine available scientific databases to select potential sampling sites for at least the first year of aphased, three-year sampling program. Task 2. Field Collections. To conduct a field program that can be refined in phases over the duration of the sampling program (three years suggested). This shall include water column sampling, descriptive hydrography and water chemistry, seafloor sampling and analyses (sediments, benthic and benthopelagic fauna, microbiota, meiofauna, macrofauna, and megafauna), and measurements of basic ecological processes. Task 3. Sample and Data Processing and Analysis. To analyze samples on shipboard or in land-based laboratories, including hydrography and water chemistry, sediments and benthic biota, and measurements of basic ecological processes from deployed instrumentation and samplers. Task 4. Data Interpretation, Synthesis and Reporting. To produce two narrative Interim Reports and a Synthesis Report that present the assessments of historic information, the body of data collected in the sampling program, descriptions of methods and analyses, interpretations of the analyzed information, and results and discussions of the findings. These shall contain refined models employing data from the field effort. These assessments shall be based upon the program analysis effort and interpretation effort synthesized with other available data to characterize the present state and health of the area and document the general condition and "health" of the continental slope. In order to compete for this contract, an offeror must demonstrate that they are qualified to perform the work by providing, not later than COB February 19, 1999, a Capabilities Statement describing in detail: (A) Key personnel with the expertise and experience to conduct the described multidisciplinary program. Particularly relevant is their expertise in the fields of deep-sea benthic ecology and oceanography, their familiarity and understanding of available Gulf of Mexico deep-sea information, their experience in the types of work proposed, demonstrated ability to do the work, and an understanding of the directed missions of the MMS. Principal scientists must collectively illustrate relevant experience in the scientific disciplines demonstrated through authorship in appropriate peer-reviewed publications, work history, and professional affiliations; (B) The 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. 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. Six (6) additional copies shall be submitted to Connie Landry, Procurement Coordinator, (MS 5430) Minerals Management Service, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard, New Orleans, LA 70123-2394. Time of receipt of submissions will be determined by the time received in the Procurement Operations Branch, Herndon, Virginia. Your Capabilities Statement will be evaluated based on: (A) Experience and expertise of all technical Key Personnel, (particularly in the fields of marine and deep-sea benthic ecology and multidisciplinary oceanography), their experience in the types of work proposed, and demonstrated ability to do the work. Scientific personnel must collectively demonstrate relevant experience in the scientific disciplines demonstrated through authorship in appropriate peer reviewed publications. "Key Personnel" will also include the lead technical personnel responsible for the supervision of laboratories, deck watches, and logistical activities; organization and handling of information; and the technical editing and production of documents. Evaluation factors include: (1) 1. The length and quality of experience for each person assigned to perform specific tasks; (2) The level and quality of formal education in the disciplines and technical fields necessary, examining the level of relevant education attained as well as, honors, awards, and recognition of previous work; (3) Experience on similar programs in the Gulf of Mexico or in similar areas zoogeographically and oceanographically; (B) The Project Manager shall have: (1) experience and demonstrated leadership ability required for the coordination of the study process, (2) experience in managing a large multi-disciplinary team and the interdisciplinary processes required for this study, 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 01/22/99 (W-SN290649). (0022)

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