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

A -- WHITE PAPERS SOUGHT FOR THE PROPOSED RESEARCH AND PROJECTS TO BE CONDUCTED IN SUPPORT OF THE TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT AND RESEARCH (TA&R) PROGRAM SOL 1435-01-99-RP-3995 DUE 030899 POC J.S. CALLAS, Contracting Officer or L. Donley, Procurement Assistant at (703) 787-1354 WEB: Minerals Management Homepage, http://www.mms.gov. This announcement is issued to solicit White Papers no more than 5 pages in length for specific areas of interest to the Minerals Management Service (MMS) TA&R Program=s Operational Safety and Engineering Research. The areas of interest are as follows: (1) Risk Assessment of Mechanical versus Hydraulic Cranes -- A number of recent accidents on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) have involved cranes on offshore oil and gas facilities. As a result, the MMS is interested in a technology assessment of operational risk factors associated with offshore operations of mechanical versus hydraulic cranes; (2) Supervisory, Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) Systems -- SCADA systems are used by the oil and natural gas production/pipeline companies to remotely monitor, control, close and restart specific wells, pipelines and process components. The MMS is interested in an assessment of the current state of technology and reliability of SCADA Systems as well as proposed recomendations to update current MMS policy for operators utilizing SCADA Systems for such purposes; (3) Assessment of Risks Associated with Carbon Monoxide Gas (CO) During Well Perforation -- Considerable credible evidence has been gathered over the past few years which establishes that CO is generated during certain well perforation operations. The presence of CO on the rig floor is a potentially serious personnel hazard. The MMS is interested in an assessment of the risks involved with CO during well perforation operations offshore including factors that are involved in the generation of the CO and potential mitigation measures; (4) Assessment of the Physical Properties of Mixed Gases -- Electrical equipment on offshore facilities must be suitable for the location and compatible with the physical properties of gases or flammable vapors that may contact that equipment. Extensive tests of the physical properties of natural gas (with the primary component being methane) have been conducted. The same has been done for pure hydrogen sulfide gas. The MMS is interested in having tests conducted on standard physical properties for mixtures of methane gas and hydrogen sulfide gas (H2S) and an assessment of how these the physical properties of the mixed gas might effect the equipment classification under the National Electrical Code Article 500 Classification; (5) Effectiveness of 50 Pound Bulk Charges in Cutting Platform Members -- Fifty pound bulk explosive charges are used in generic removal of offshore steel jacket oil and gas platforms. The MMS requests White Papers on the development and field testing of new or existing explosive cutting models to determine and/or assess the size and type of structural member that a 50 lb. bulk charge can sever. Information of this nature is needed to evaluate and assess platform removal applications. The White Paper shall address the cutting of steel jacket members (Pilings), steel caissons, and well casings at 15 feet below mud line and shall include grouted and non-grouted annular spaces between concentric and non-concentric members; (6) Temporarily Abandoned or Shut-in Wells -- Many OCS oil and gas wells are shut-in or temporarily abandoned because they are not producing hydrocarbons in paying quantities or for other reasons and, as such, may be reentered in the future. MMS is considering updating its policy addressing the length of time wells on the OCS can remain shut-in or temporarily abandoned. An assessment of shut-in and temporarily abandoned wells is desired which will include but not be limited to pollution potential and remedial or mechanical risks of waiting to plug and abandon the wells at a later date. The assessment shall also include an investigation of the economics of permanently plugging these wells as they are abandoned rather than at a future date. General recommendations shall be provided for wells shut-in or temporarily abandoned considering the risks associated with temporary abandonment verses the costs associated with permanent abandonment. FURTHER INFORMATION: The MMS is interested in research initiatives relative to the subject areas noted above. As a result of the White Papers, selected proposals will be sought and evaluated for funding under the direction of the TA&R Program, and only efforts directly relevant to the technical issues listed above will be considered under this request. The MMS anticipates a $400,000 total budget for these projects and/or a one-third to one man-year level of effort for each project selected. Offerors should bear this in mind when responding to this request for White Papers. Multi-year funding of projects is acceptable. HOW TO RESPOND: White papers must reference the area of interest under which it is to be considered and an ORIGINAL PLUS TEN copies submitted to the above address by MARCH 8, 1999, by 3:00PM, Eastern Time to our Herndon, Virginia office. ELECTRONIC COPIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED (e.g. via e-mail attachments, telefaxes, etc.). White papers should define the proposed research scope to include the level of effort. Note that costestimates ARE NOT to be included. The White Papers will be evaluated only on technical merits. If selected, a proposal will be requested and the costs evaluated at that time. Projects will be selected for funding from all or part of the technical issues listed depending on the interest and scope of White Papers received. The MMS will evaluate the responses, and those deemed to have merit will be furnished information to assist in the preparation of a complete proposal. This constitutes an RFP but does not constitute commitment by the Government to award nor does it restrict the Government as to the ultimate acquisition approach. The Government will solicit those firms meeting the screening criteria in this synopsis. Respondents will not be notified of the results of the evaluation or the information submitted. Responses shall be evaluated on the following criteria in order of importance: (1) Innovative or creative approaches or solutions; (2) feasibility of the approach or solution; (3) the offerors understanding of the technical issues being presented for consideration; (4) the offerors ability to implement the proposed approach as determined by adequate detailed analysis and supported by specific accomplishments in the technical field to be studied; (5) the offeror=s record of past performance with similar efforts; (6) the availability of qualified personnel with the requisite expertise to accomplish the study as proposed; and, (7) the participation and/or funding by the oil and gas industry or other groups in the research effort (may be conducted as a joint industry project (JIP) if significant industry interest exists). Questions should be faxed or Emailed as soon as possible to (703) 787-1387 or Email addressed to BOTH Jaci.Callas@mms.gov AND Lane.Donley@mms.gov. The RFP number MUST be in the subject line of the Email. All questions should additionally include your full name and title, RFP number, your organization, complete address, and telephone and fax numbers. Telephone inquires WILL NOT be accepted. Written inquires should be sent to the above office. A separate White Paper shall be submitted for each study the offeror wishes to propose. The White Paper shall identify clearly the offeror's company/organization, point of contact, and telephone number as well as addresses. Responses will be accepted ONLY through MARCH 8, 1999 (3:00p.m. EST). If offerors desire to hand deliver their capability statements, then they are informed that this is a secure office complex and MUST NOT enter the building beyond the lobby. There is a courtesy telephone near the elevators to which you must call extension 1354 for a procurement official to pick-up your submittal. Posted 02/01/99 (W-SN293306). (0032)

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