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

B -- WHITE PAPERS SOUGHT IN SUPPORT OF THE TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT & RESEARCH (TA&R) PROGRAM IN THE AREA OF OPERATIONAL SAFETY AND ENGINEERING RESEARCH (OSER) SOL 1435-01-99-RP-31020 DUE 073099 POC Michael W. Hargrove, Contracting Officer (703)787-1367 E-MAIL: Contracting Officer's E-mail address, Michael.Hargrove@mms.gov. SUBJECT: A -- WHITE PAPERS SOUGHT FOR PROPOSED RESEARCH TO SUPPORT THE TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT AND RESEARCH PROGRAM concerning the area of OSER -- DESCRIPTION: This announcement solicits White Papers, of not more than five (5) pages in length, for specific areas of interest to the Minerals Management Service (MMS) Technology Assessment and Research (TA&R) Program, Operational Safety and Engineering Research (OSER). The MMS web site has descriptions of OSER activities, the scope of MMS interests, and past projects. The web site address is http://www.mms.gov/tarp/safety.htm. We encourage interested parties to view the information presented on the site when considering submitting white papers. BACKGROUND: Research sponsored by MMS through the TA&R Program is used to acquire basic engineering information needed to oversee the orderly development of offshore oil and gas operations. New challenges and informational needs arise as companies use new equipment or procedures based on technological changes or operations expand into new or different environments -- such as the deep water areas of the Gulf of Mexico. The principal objective of this request for White Papers is to address innovative or technological advancements among several general topics of particular current interest to MMS. As a result of the White Papers submitted in accordance with the terms of this announcement, selected proposals will be requested. Projects selected for eventual funding by MMS will receive funding from FY 2000 funds. The MMS anticipates a total of $800,000 may be available for the initiation of new research proposals addressing OSER topics in FY2000 -- with projects being identified through this announcement and additional avenues. Typical projects envisioned to address the topics set forth below may require one quarter to one man-year effort; prospective offerors should bear this in mind when responding to this request. The proposal objectives for the FY 2000 OSER activities include -- but are not limited to -- the following: (1) performance of deepwater blowout preventer (BOP) equipment during well control events; (2)blind-shear ram capabilities and use in surface BOP stacks; (3) lessons learned from the commissioning of new drilling units; (4) technology assessment of drilling extended reach and multilateral wells in the offshore environment; (5) technology assessment of controlling deepwater well blowouts; (6) studies of Cathodic Protection (CP) of pipelines including their use in deepwater and possible interference at pipeline crossings; (7) assessments of possible methods that might be used for monitoring casing pressure of subsea wells; (8) studies concerning shut-in procedures for subsea wells with emphasis on the safety ramifications of the amount of time required for shut-in; (9) studies of the reliability of tubing connections used for chemical injection at subsea production facilities; (10) appraisals of the reliability of electronic safety devices used to monitor offshore production facilities (PSH, PSL, etc.) and evaluations of MMS testing requirements for production safety devices; and (11) a study of the effectiveness of protection measures that could be used to prevent fishing nets from snagging on subsea wellheads, casing stubs, pipeline valves or other potential obstructions generated by offshore oil and gas development. 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, and only efforts directly relevant to the technical issues listed above will be considered under this request. Multi-year funding of projects is acceptable. HOW TO RESPOND: White Papers, not more than five (5) pages in length, must reference the area of interest under which it is to be considered and an ORIGINAL PLUS TEN (10) copies submitted to U.S. DEPRATMENT OF THE INTERIOR, MINERALS MANAGEMENT SERVICE, 381 ELDEN STREET, HERNDON, VIRGINIA 20170-4817, not later than July 30, 1999, 04:00 PM, Eastern Standard Time. ELECTRONIC COPIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED (e.g. via e-mail attachments, telefaxes, etc.). White Papers should define the proposed research scope and include the level of effort. NOTE THAT COST ESTIMATES 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 a Request For Proposal (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. White Papers will be evaluated on the following criteria, in order of importance: (1) feasibility of the approach or solution; (2) the offerors understanding of the technical issues; (3) the offerors ability to implement the proposed approach; and (4) Innovative or creative approaches or solutions including 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), where appropriate. Proposal objectives that we are interested in joining JIPs include: 1 and 3. SMALL DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS (SDB)REGULATORY CHANGE NOTICE: The Federal Acquisition Regulation authorizes the use of price and evaluation credits in industries where SDB prime contractors and subcontractors have been underutilized. We ask that you inform your SDB subcontractors that they should contact SBA's Office of Certification and Eligibility at 800-558-0884 to obtainan application, or to log on to SBA/s Website (www.sba.gov/sdb). If you are an SDB prime contractor who is not SBA-certified, we also ask that you apply for certification. Effective October 1, 1999, certified SDB prime contractors were eligible for a price credit when bidding on Federal prime contracts. Effective January 1, 1999, prime contractors who subcontract with SBA-certified or self-certified SDBs are eligible for evaluation credits. Please note that prime contractors may continue to rely on self-certification of their SDB subcontractors through June 30, 1999. For solicitations issued on or after July 1, 1999, prime contractors must use SDB-certified SDB subcontractors in order to be eligible for evaluation credits. QUESTIONS should be faxed or e-mailed as soon as possible to 703-787-1387 or e-mail addressed to BOTH Michael.Hargrove@mms.gov AND Lane.Donley@mms.gov. The RFP number MUST be in the subject line of the e-mail. All questions should 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, address, telephone and facsimile numbers. Responses will be accepted ONLY through July 30, 1999 (04:00 p.m., EST). If offerors desire to hand deliver their White Papers, they are informed that this is a secure office complex and they 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 06/30/99 (W-SN349115). (0181)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0014 19990702\B-0005.SOL)