SOURCES SOUGHT
A -- Sources Sought - Integrated Ocean Drilling Program
- Notice Date
- 11/15/2002
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- Contracting Office
- National Science Foundation, Division of Contracts, Policy, and Oversight, CPO, 4201 Wilson Boulevard Room 475, Arlington, VA, 22230
- ZIP Code
- 22230
- Solicitation Number
- Reference-Number-RFI
- Archive Date
- 1/15/2003
- Point of Contact
- Mark Jesten, Contract Specialist, Section I, Phone (703) 292-4581, Fax (703) 292-9140/9141, - Steven Strength, Section Head, Section I, Phone (703)-292-4567, Fax (703) 292-9140/9141,
- E-Mail Address
-
mjesten@nsf.gov, sstrengt@nsf.gov
- Description
- The Division of Ocean Sciences, National Science Foundation is seeking information to determine potential sources for a System Integration Contractor (SIC) to provide a non-riser drilling ship and associated scientific support for the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP). This will be a successor to the Ocean Drilling Program contract between NSF and Joint Oceanographic Institutions, Inc. The ship is expected to be a conversion of an existing commercial vessel that will operate under contract charter. The SIC will manage vessel selection, acquisition and conversion for scientific drilling, as well as subsequent vessel operations and science support activities. The SIC will also provide shipboard and shore-based technical staffs to support drilling, laboratory and other scientific activity of 25-30 person scientific teams sponsored separately by the IODP members. Since existing drilling vessels are not routinely equipped to meet the requirements for a scientific research program, the major focus of the conversion will be modifications to provide laboratory spaces for geochemical, geologic and biologic analysis of samples and data. The conversion effort will also require emphasis on efficient recovery of complete coring sections. Habitability and endurance enhancements to comfortably accommodate cruises up to 2 months duration are also a key area of importance. The United States Science Advisory Committee has undertaken a detailed study of vessel requirements based on science objectives of the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program Initial Science Plan, and the results of that study are available on the web at (www.joi-odp.org/USSSP/cdc/default.html). The converted vessel should be consistent with the required drilling platform characteristics identified therein, and have a useful scientific lifespan of 10 years or greater. In addition to acquiring and managing resources necessary for basic ship operations in compliance with recognized safety and classification standards, the SIC will provide on-board scientific services including: - Procedures and equipment for core/sample handling, including basic description, sampling, storage and shipping - Procedures and equipment for evaluation of safety of drilling operations, including hydrocarbon and gas monitoring - Laboratory space and equipment for core/sample measurements of paleomagnetics, physical properties, sediment and pore fluid chemistry, paleontology, petrology/hard rock analyses, geochemistry, and microbiology - Computer capability for data capture, analysis of data and word processing - Supplies and operational support for instrumentation and laboratory operation - Facilities and equipment for limited site survey activity to locate/identify drilling sites - Facilities/capability for downhole logging activity - Special downhole tools for sampling or physical measurements - The maintenance/replacement of equipment to maintain/upgrade operations to meet evolving scientific requirements during IODP. The SIC will also be required to provide shore-based science support capabilities that include: - Facilities for storage and distribution of samples and data - Publication of appropriate reports and informational material - Required support facilities for seagoing operations - Support for legal requirements of operation, including identification of pertinent national and international regulations and acquisition of necessary permits for drilling activities - Support for business management and planning, including identification of procedures to develop detailed plans for drilling activities, schedules and shipboard services, and their oversight and supervision, in response to recommendations of an international science planning organization - Identification of required engineering and technical development initiatives - Assumption of responsibility for certain Ocean Drilling Program equipment and scientific assets including certain shipboard drilling equipment, scientific laboratory equipment, and curation, distribution of ODP cores, samples and data - Science outreach and education to communicate IODP activities to the public, and to encourage awareness and interest in the scientific results of the program Ship acquisition and refurbishment activities are expected to be completed by early CY 2005. Vessel operations and program support activities on a global basis are expected to begin in 2005. This is not a Request for Proposals (RFP) nor an announcement of solicitation. Current plans include release of a formal, best value, competitive RFP during 2003, with award anticipated in late CY 2003, but this planning will be subject to the outcome of future NSF budget appropriations. The NSF is considering an acquisition strategy with the first stage resulting in award of the SIC contract, followed by government participation with the successful SIC in the reimbursable post-award selection, conversion planning and shipyard subcontracting process. An initial contract performance period of five years, with an option for an additional five years, is anticipated. Potential interest and capabilities information is sought from potential sources to assess capabilities available within the marine and scientific communities, to refine the acquisition strategy and approach, and to further validate feasibility of the required drilling platform characteristics identified by the United States Science Advisory Committee. Comments are requested within 45 days from date of publication of this RFI to allow sufficient time for consideration and inclusion, as appropriate, in the acquisition planning process. It is expected, when and if an RFP is released, that it would be synopsized and posted on the FedBizOpps web-site and on the NSF web-site as well. Written (and mailed) comments only should be addressed to the following: National Science Foundation 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Room 475 Arlington, VA 22230 Attn: Mark Jesten Contracting Officer
- Record
- SN00206009-W 20021117/021115213527 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps.gov Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)
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