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

B -- COLLECT AND SUMMARIZE INFORMATION ON ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS (EMS) AND INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS USED BY THE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY. SOL 0100RQ17113 DUE 060500 POC Anna DeGurse, Contract Specialist, 703-787-1369 or email anna.degurse@mms.gov E-MAIL: Contract Specialist, anna.degurse@mms.gov. DESCRIPTION: The Department of the Interior, Minerals Management Service intends to competitively award a purchase order to collect and summarize information on environmental management systems (EMS) and international environmental standards used by the offshore oil and gas industry. The contract period is nine (9) months from the date of award. The cost is estimated not to exceed $50,000. The following information describes the prospective efforts and advises potential offerors how to respond. PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE NOTICE CAREFULLY AS IT CONSTITUTES THE ONLY NOTICE THAT WILL BE ISSUED. BACKGROUND: The use of international standards or guidelines to develop environmental management systems is gaining wider acceptance in industry around the globe. In particular, ISO 14000 has momentum behind it, especially in the international arena. Both industry and government may benefit from an internationally recognized framework to measure, evaluate, and audit environmental programs. The number of industrial facilities becoming certified' to ISO 14000 is growing at a rapid pace overseas. While certifications in the U.S. are limited, the number is growing. Offshore, some facilities in the Gulf of Mexico are certified to ISO 14000 and more certifications are expected in the next couple of years. Most major oil companies have shown some level of interest in the ISO 14000 efforts. While there is no current definition of how ISO 14000 would fit into the United States environmental regulatory scheme on the OCS or elsewhere, EPA is devoting much energy and attention to the use of standards for developing environmental management systems for American industry. We (MMS) just recently began the process of evaluating the possible incorporation of an ISO design standard for subsurface safety valves into our operating regulations. OBJECTIVES: To collect and summarize information on environmental management systems (EMS) and international environmental standards used by the offshore oil and gas industry. This information will be used to educate appropriate personnel within MMS as to the potential applicability and usefulness of environmental management systems based on international standards, particularly ISO 14000. The study results will be used by MMS to better define the relationship between international environmental standards and environmental management systems and to help determine how they will be used in the regulation of offshore oil and gas activities. METHOD: Retain a consultant with expertise in both EMS/ISO 14000 and the offshore oil and gas industry to develop a report. Identify appropriate environmental personnel in headquarters and the regions to learn the ISO system and to participate in ISO and EMS activities affecting Offshore. Task 1: Prepare a draft and a final report including summary information and new information tied to real-world offshore examples. The report shall address the following: (1)The development of international standards and ISO; (2)The development of a specific ISO standard (e.g., the process and events that went into developing ISO 10432 for subsurface safety valves); (3)The development of ISO standards for a business process (e.g., quality); (4)Roles of technical committees work groups/sub work groups etc. in the ISO organizational structure; (5)The development of ISO 14000; (6)The application of international standards in the offshore oil and gas industry generally, and; (7)The application of ISO 14000 in the offshore oil and gas industry; (8)The status of offshore oil and gas industry use of EMS; (9)Growth of ISO 14000 certifications; (10)Comparison of U.S. involvement to Western Europe and the rest of the world; (11)Comparison of existing ISO 14001 compliant EMS and MMS regulations. The report shall also answer the following questions including a thorough explanation, a conceptual framework, a hypothetical example and two actual real-world examples: Why should a company go "beyond compliance"? What is the prognosis for continued growth of ISO 14000 particularly in the United States and in the offshore oil and gas industry? What aspects of the U.S. offshore regulatory regime encourage or discourage the application of the ISO 14000 standards? How transferable are the EMSs for offshore facilities in other countries? Who are the major players? Are there disproportionate impacts on large operators vs. small operators for compliance to 14001? What is the Role of 3rd party auditors especially in relation to regulatory controls of a sovereign nation? Task 2: Prepare a summary paper for conference presentation suitable for inclusion in proceedings. Task 3: Present subject paper at FY 2001 International Standards Conference. A detailed list of anticipated deliverables will be available upon request. In order to compete for this contract, an offeror must submit a KEY PERSONNEL. Describe in detail the qualifications and specific experience of the key personnel who will have the primary responsibility for performing and managing the project. Descriptions of key personnel should include their familiarity andunderstanding of environmental management systems and international environmental standards used by the offshore oil and gas industry. Key project personnel may also address any other topics considered to be pertinent to a demonstration of the knowledge, competence, and capability to perform this effort. TECHNICAL APPROACH: A written technical proposal, not to exceed 20 pages, plus an appendix for resumes shall describe the methodologies that will be employed in order to achieve the Objectives. This shall consist of a discussion: (1) of your understanding of the project i.e. the purpose, scope, and issues; (2) your approach to completing the project; and (3) the level of difficulty you anticipate in successfully completing this project, identifying any potential problems, and your intended solutions. The components of the Scope of Work should be described with consideration to environmental management systems and international environmental standards used by the offshore oil and gas industry. PROGRAM MANAGEMENT PLAN: Fully discuss your plans and procedures for managing the project, your criteria for quality assurance, and for ensuring the acceptability of the end products. Discuss your organization of the project team and plans for monitoring the activities of all project personnel. Indicate any positions necessary for contract performance that are presently not filled and the anticipated date of assignment or new hire. Provide information about the work you expect to subcontract or assign to consultants. Explain the criteria you use to select proposed subcontractors and/or consultants. PAST PERFORMANCE: This section will show: (1) the organization's experience with this type of work and a description of the facilities to be used and (2) specific references (including project identifier and description, period of performance, dollar amount, client name and telephone number) for previous work of this nature that the organization and/or key personnel has completed within the last two years or is currently performing. Also include any negative references and a rebuttal explanation. References will be checked to validate the information provided. EVALUATION FACTORS are listed in descending order of importance: KEY PERSONNEL: will be evaluated based on the following factors: (1)the skills, abilities, education, professional credentials and experience of the proposed key personnel; (2)Appropriate mix and balance of education and training. TECHNICAL APPROACH: (1)Documentation of specific methods and techniques, detailing how each task will be performed; (2)Demonstration of your understanding of the work, including creativity and thoroughness which supports the appropriateness of all proposed methodologies, analyses, etc. to be used in accomplishing the tasks; and (3)Anticipation of potential problem areas, and creativity/feasibility of proposed problem solution recommendations. PROGRAM MANAGEMENT PLAN: Evidence that there will be a Program Manager with sufficient management experience and resources and an adequate scheduling plan to ensure successful and timely completion of the project. PAST PERFORMANCE: (1)The experience and past performance of the organization, including number, size, location of projects and complexity of similar projects completed by the proposed project team and organization and (2)Past performance includes adherence to budgets and schedules, effectiveness of cost control, the acceptability of previous products delivered, effectiveness of program management and the offerors willingness to cooperate with customers in both routine and unexpected matters. COST PROPOSAL INFORMATION: The cost proposal shall include a statement that the offeror intends to comply with the Statement of Work. The cost proposal shall be broken down as follows: (1)Break down of direct labor cost by named person or labor category, including number of labor hours and current actual or average hourly rate: (2)The amount proposed for travel, subsistence, and local transportation supported with a breakdown which includes: number of trips anticipated, cost per trip per person, destination(s); proposed number of person(s) scheduled for travel, mode of transportation and mileage allowances if privately owned vehicles will be used; (3)Cost breakdown of materials and other direct costs including duplication/reproduction, meetings and conferences/workshops, postage, communication and any other applicable items; (4)If consultants are proposed, detailed data concerning proposed consultant costs should include: (a) names of consultant(s) to be engaged; (b) daily fees to be paid to each consultant; (c) estimated number of days of consulting services; (d) consulting agreements entered into between consultant(s) and the offeror, or invoices submitted by consultant(s) for similar services previously provided to the offeror; and (e) rationale for acceptance of consultants costs. We reserve the right to award without further discussion, so it is in your best interest to include your most favorable terms in your initial business proposal. However, the Government reserves the right to conduct discussions. HOW TO RESPOND: Offerors must submit by 5pm EST June 5, 2000, the above information in an original and six (6) copies to Ms. Anna DeGurse, Contract Specialist, Minerals Management Service, Procurement Operations Branch, 381 Elden Street, MS 2510, Herndon, VA 20170-4817. Questions may be faxed or emailed to 703-787-1387 or anna.degurse@mms.gov no later than May 19, 2000. Posted 05/03/00 (W-SN451047). (0124)

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