SOLICITATION NOTICE
A -- Pipeline Safety Research and Development
- Notice Date
- 3/28/2002
- Notice Type
- Solicitation Notice
- Contracting Office
- Department of Transportation, Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA), Research and Special Programs Administration HQ, 400 7th Street, SW Room 7104, Washington, DC, 20590
- ZIP Code
- 20590
- Solicitation Number
- DTRS56-02-BAA-0003
- Response Due
- 5/6/2002
- Archive Date
- 5/21/2002
- Point of Contact
- Warren Osterberg, Contract Specialist, Phone 202-366-6942, Fax 202-366-7974, - Warren Osterberg, Contract Specialist, Phone 202-366-6942, Fax 202-366-7974,
- E-Mail Address
-
warren.osterberg@rspa.dot.gov, warren.osterberg@rspa.dot.gov
- Description
- U.S. Department of Transportation, Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA), Office of Contracts and Procurement, DMA-30, 400 7th Street, SW, Room 7104 Washington, DC 20590 Pipeline Safety Research and Development DTRS56-02-BAA-0003, due May 6, 2002, POC Warren D. Osterberg, Contracting Officer, Phone: 202-366-6942, Fax: 202-366-7974, Email: warren.osterberg@rspa.dot.gov CONTRACT INFORMATION: Through this Broad Agency Announcement (BAA), the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA) is soliciting information and descriptions (white papers) for cost-shared activities to address research that will complement and enhance pipeline safety. White papers are not to exceed five pages per project and must include the offeror's contact information: point of contact, telephone number, fax number and email address. Separate white papers must be submitted for each proposed project and multiple projects cannot be combined into a single white paper. In April 2002, RSPA's Office of Pipeline Safety (RSPA/OPS) will hold two (2) meetings to provide additional information on this BAA. Interested parties may obtain more details on the exact meeting dates and locations, register for the meetings, and submit questions they would like answered via the Internet Web site http://primis.rspa.dot.gov/rd/index.htm. Space will be limited and registration prior to the meetings is required. No on-site registration will be available. Meeting participants are encouraged to submit questions they would like answered at least one week prior to the meeting. A meeting summary and inquiries and comments from the meeting will be posted on above Internet Web site within 48 hours after the meetings are completed. SPECIAL NOTE: This announcement will be open through May 6, 2002, unless otherwise amended. The purpose of the BAA is to solicit research projects to assure the long-term integrity and security of the nation's gas and hazardous liquid pipeline network. A team of experts will review white papers submitted in response to this announcement and offerors will be advised accordingly as the evaluation is completed. SCOPE: In November 2001, a RSPA/OPS Research & Development workshop brought together government agencies (Federal, state, local and international), research institutions, pipeline companies and their associations, standards organizations, and public representatives to begin development of a national pipeline safety research agenda. The workshop and its conclusions are described further at the Internet web site http://primis.rspa.dot.gov/rd/index.htm. RSPA is now soliciting white papers for research projects in the first of three major research areas highlighted by the November 2001 workshop: Damage Prevention and Leak Detection: Activities should focus on improving non-destructive and non-intrusive monitoring technologies to detect unauthorized activity near the pipeline, pipeline damage at the earliest stages, and encroachments along the pipeline (whether accidental or intentional). Specific topics of interest include the following: o In-line inspection (ILI) for damage or defects - A variety of "smart" pigs and other in-line inspection technologies that can monitor for, detect, and measure corrosion, cracks, and other forms of damage to pipe walls. Examples of project interest include ILI for mechanical damage or corrosion, use of "magnetic telescopes" to identify corrosion areas, use of sensing coils that wrap around pipes to map corroded surface areas, and use of ultrasound or guided waves to inspect "unpiggable" pipeline. o Pipe location (steel and plastic) - Quick, accurate new location techniques for pipelines would save time and cost of maintenance and repair, as well as allowing accurate marking to protect against 3rd party damage. Examples of project interest include use of magnetic plastic pipe, ground penetrating radar, and 3-D underground utility location capabilities. o Real-time sensors attached to pipelines - Self contained sensors in physical contact with the pipe that can utilize acoustical or other readings to detect possible 3rd party contact, leaks, or other signs of damage. Examples of project interest include technologies to pinpoint exact locations of damage or intrusion, adaptation of leak detection technologies in multi phase flow conditions, and developing "acoustic libraries" to minimize false positives, and ensure that significant hits are identified. o Airborne chemical mapping - Approaches using aerial surveillance, either in remote regions or in high consequence areas (HCAs), with optical technologies for right-of-way monitoring and other pipeline safety concerns. Examples of project interest include use of satellites or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV's) to monitor pipeline conditions. As the level of resolution of cameras and sensors improve and become more practical, developing knowledge of encroachment, pipeline condition, spill seriousness with radar surveillance, infrared detection of gas loss are may be productive. o Real-time right of way monitoring without contacting pipelines - Fiber optic lines buried above, alongside, or inside a buried pipeline that can detect small movement or vibration in the ground caused by the operation or large equipment near the pipeline. Examples of project interest include feasibility work on this and related technologies may be productive. o Encroachment monitoring - Reduction of damage to pipeline infrastructure and maintenance of pipeline services through encroachment monitoring technologies may have significant payoff. Examples of project interest include investigation of innovative approaches to pre-empt 3rd party damage to pipelines by detecting ongoing encroachment of pipelines and their rights-of-way. o Improved directional drilling - Refining the direction of the ongoing drilling process may have substantial potential, and should be investigated. Examples of project interest include new drilling techniques that can prevent accidental damage to existing pipelines. o Non-destructive evaluation (NDE) - New approaches or technologies that can be used for NDE of operational pipelines are of increasing interest. Examples of project interest include innovative application of ultrasonics, intelligent structures, nano-scale sensors and other techniques. In the next few months, RSPA will be soliciting white papers for research projects in the remaining research areas that were highlighted by the November 2001 workshop. These research areas include "Enhanced Operations, Controls, and Monitoring" and "Improved Materials Performance." Research for "Enhanced Operations, Controls, and Monitoring" will focus on improving technology for operating, controlling, and monitoring the integrity of pipelines. Topics of interest include stress corrosion cracking detection, corrosion control, and related risk assessment (e.g., standard methods of risk and reliability analysis to pipelines, understanding the key factors that influence the reliability of older pipelines, etc.). Research for "Improved Material Performance" will focus on improving pipeline materials to extend the integrity and lifetime of installed pipelines and their various components. Topics of interest include damage and defect resistant materials, higher grade/strength steel, higher pipe design pressure, welding and joining, composite pipe, and pipe coatings. WHITE PAPERS: RSPA is soliciting white papers on proposed research activities dealing with damage prevention and leak detection. Each white paper, not to exceed five pages including appendices and backup materials, must include sufficient information to evaluate the following areas: 1. Cost sharing contributions of at least fifty percent of the proposed project's cost; 2. Offeror's understanding of the "state of the art" in the research area they are proposing to address; 3. Demonstration of understanding of the need that the offeror intends to address and quantifiable metrics of how the proposed work will result in improvements over existing technologies; 4. Technical merit of the approach or concept to successfully address the need; 5. Time line to implement proposed technologies and concepts into practice in the pipeline industry (one to three years preferable); 6. Technical experience and capabilities of the offeror in federal research programs; 7. Feasibility & risk of the proposed work; and 8. Realism of cost estimate. All evaluation factors are of equal importance. GENERAL INFORMATION: This BAA can also be downloaded via the Internet at: http://www.rspa.dot.gov under Procurement Opportunities. In all correspondence to the RSPA Office of Contracts and Procurement, please reference the BAA No. DTRS56-02-BAA-0003. Early submission of white papers responding to this BAA is strongly encouraged. All white papers must be submitted via overnight mail (e.g., Federal Express, UPS) to Warren Osterberg, Research and Special Programs Administration, ATTN: DMA-30, 400 Seventh Street SW, Room 7104, Washington, D.C., 20590. Because of continued security concerns, do not send white papers via regular mail. Please submit ten (10) copies of each white paper. White papers must be received by the above office no later than May 6, 2002, at 4:00 PM, EDT. NOTE: All inquiries concerning this announcement shall be directed to the RSPA Office of Contracts and Procurement, ATTN: Mr. Warren D. Osterberg, Contracting Officer, telephone: (202) 366-6942; e-mail: warren.osterberg@rspa.dot.gov. BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT: This FedBizOps notice, in conjunction with further announcement details available from the RSPA procurement site Internet address identified above, constitutes the BAA as contemplated by FAR 6.102(d)(2). A formal Request for Proposals (RFP) or other type of solicitation regarding this announcement will not be issued. A total of approximately $2,500,000 worth of projects are anticipated to be awarded from this announcement and from two subsequent announcements addressing the other research areas, depending on the number and quality of final proposals received. No more than $500,000 in funding is expected to be awarded to any single research project. A technical evaluation panel will review all white papers received for responsiveness to the evaluation areas stated in this BAA. Offerors providing white papers deemed worthy of further consideration and meeting the criteria of this BAA will be notified with possible suggestions for change in scope and detailed guidelines for submitting full proposals. No discussions will be held between an offeror and the Government's technical staff after submission of a white paper without the Contracting Officer's prior approval. It is RSPA's desire to encourage the widest participation, including the involvement of individuals, corporations, non-profit organizations, small and small disadvantaged businesses, educational institutions, and state or local governments or other entities.
- Record
- SN00049622-W 20020330/020328213218 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps.gov Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)
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