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 1435-01-00-RP-31077 DUE 072400 POC Michael W. Hargrove, Contracting Officer, 703-787-1367/Rhonda Fernandez, Procurement Technician, 703-787-1348 E-MAIL: Contracting Officer and Procurement Technician e-mail, michael.hargrove@mms.gov and rhonda.fernandez@mms.gov. DESC: SUBJECT: A -- WHITE PAPERS SOUGHT FOR PROPOSED RESEARCH TO SUPPORT THE TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT AND RESEARCH PROGRAM concerning the area of Operational Safety and Engineering Research -- 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 as 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 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 2001 funds. The MMS anticipates a total of $885,000 to $1,200,000 may be available for the initiation of new research proposals addressing OSER topics in FY 2001 -- 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 proposed objectives for the FY 2001 OSER activities include -- but are not limited to research related to the following: (1)reliability of pressure safety lows (PSLs) in detecting pressure drops caused by leaks on single phase (oil or gas) and multi-phase flow pipelines; (2)state-of-the-art of leak detection for single and multi-phase flow pipelines; (3)assessment of effects between production measurement equipment and the performance of mass balance leak detection systems for single and multi-phase flow conditions;(4)general topics on deep water pipeline damage, repair, and integrity;(5)current technology and a risk assessment of subsea separation systems throughout their life-cycle; (6)technical assessment of the current industry capabilities to inspect, maintain, and intervene in the operation of subsea production systems; (7)current and possible future technologies for monitoring casing annuli for pressure in subsea wells; (8)platform removals using improved explosive technology and test advanced engineered explosive charges of low weight to sever facilities; (9)improved cementing methods for shallow casing strings during drilling operations and the prevention of sustained casing pressures during production; (10)crane operations, focusing on the relationship between offshore crane accidents and human operations and what can be done to prevent accidents; (11)standard physical properties of methane and H2S including an assessment of how the physical properties of the mixed gas might effect the classification under National Electrical Code Article 500 Classifications; (12)deepwater facilities assessments to include the integrity of deepwater moorings and structures, for such facilities as TLP's, SPARS, FPSO's, etc.; (13)aging offshore infrastructure including integrity assessment and repair methodologies for damaged or older structures as well as corrosion control and/or remediation measures; (14) the integrity of advanced materials such as composites and how they may improve offshore safety and pollution prevention; (15)human and organizational factors and operational aspects of offshore oil and gas operations. 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 24, 2000, 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 USING THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA: (1)feasibility of the approach or solution; (2)the offerors understanding of the technical issues; (3)the offerors ability to implement the proposed approach; (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; (5)the offeror's experience; and (6)past performance. 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 obtain an 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 E-mail addressed to BOTH Michael.Hargrove@mms.gov AND Rhonda.Fernandez@mms.gov or faxed on 703-787-1387. 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. A separate White Paper shall be submitted for each study on which 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 until July 24, 2000, 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 06/23/00 (W-SN468050). (0175)

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