SOLICITATION NOTICE
A -- BAA for Proposed Research on Oil Spill Response Operations in the U.S. OCS
- Notice Date
- 12/18/2013
- Notice Type
- Presolicitation
- NAICS
- 541990
— All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Contracting Office
- BSEE HQ PROCUREMENT381 Elden StreetHerndonVA20170
- ZIP Code
- 20170
- Solicitation Number
- E14PS00011
- Response Due
- 1/20/2014
- Archive Date
- 2/19/2014
- Point of Contact
- HERMA J. BANKS
- E-Mail Address
-
herma.banks@bsee.gov
(herma.banks@bsee.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) Number: E14PS00011 for Proposed Research on Oil Spill Response Operations in the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf DESCRIPTION: The U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) solicits White Papers of not more than five (5) pages in length, for specific areas of interest to the BSEE Oil Spill Response Research (OSRR) Program on Oil Spill Response Operations in the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). When appropriate, the research shall be conducted consistently with prior research. For a summary of research previously completed and recently performed, visit visit http://www.bsee.gov/Research-and-Training/Oil-Spill-Response-Research/Master-List-of-Oil-Spill-Response-Research.aspx. Interested parties are encouraged to view the information presented on the site when considering submitting white papers. BACKGROUND: The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), Oil Spill Response Research (OSRR) Program is requesting White Papers to be submitted in accordance with the terms of this announcement. After review by BSEE, authors of selected White Papers will be requested to submit full proposals for further consideration. Proposals selected for funding by BSEE shall receive funding via FY 2014 allocations. The BSEE anticipates that $7,000,000 may be available for the initiation of new research and/or studies addressing topics identified through this announcement. The BSEE does not anticipate any one award exceeding $900,000. NOTICE: The BSEE may share the White Papers with other organizations for review. Potential contractors shall notify the BSEE if they do not want their White Papers/proposals shared outside of BSEE. The BSEE anticipates awards resultant to this announcement will be made on a Firm Fixed-Price (FFP) basis. OBJECTIVES: Responses to the FY 2014 OSRR projects under this announcement should be limited to the following topics: 1. Catalog OSRR Funded Research Recommendations and Key Findings that may have an Impact on BSEE Regulations. Produce a summary report of research performed under the BSEE OSRR. The study will review OSRR deliverables produced since 1997 to summarize their work, accomplishments, findings, and future research recommendations. To maximize the value of the results, the findings and recommendations will be input into a searchable database utilizing a subject matter title methodology that will allow users easy and accurate access to obtain the necessary information. 2. Scientifically Based Planning Standards for Dispersant Effectiveness and Usage Rates. Develop best practices and planning standards which can be used to predict the effectiveness of surface and subsea dispersant use in various types of environmental conditions. Additionally, develop a method that evaluates and predicts the best usage rates for these environmental conditions. Reference 30 CFR 254.27 for current requirements. 3. Scientifically Based Planning Standards for Burn Boom Effectiveness and Usage Rates. Develop planning standards for the amount of oils in various weather conditions that could be contained and burned. Standards should include a discussion of various products available and the burn rate or degradation rate of various burn booms. Reference 30 CFR 254.28 for current requirements. 4. Oil Spill Detection and Analysis Using Remote Sensing Technologies. Perform an independent assessment of the various oil spill detection systems available for offshore oil and gas operations. The assessment shall identify what systems are available or being developed, the potential they have to improve notification of a spill and the resulting response operations, and any limitations they may have. Additionally, the study shall include an assessment of the current mounting and delivery options available for identified sensor packages. For all practical configurations, please discuss areas of potential improvement, level of human involvement needed to successfully operate, and potential costs associate with the hardware and operations. 5. Subsea Oil Spill Detection Sensors. Investigate and develop sensor technologies which could be used to detect oil leaks in a subsea environment. Leak scenarios may include abandoned wells, pipeline leaks, subsea leaks during drilling operations, and leaks from subsea production facilities. 6. Mechanical Recovery Capability of Chemically Treated Oil. Investigate the capability of various skimming devices to recover non-dispersed oil which has been in contact with chemical response tools but have not dispersed. Determine if subsea dispersant applications has any impact on the mechanical response to any resulting surface slick. 7. Solidifying the Scientific Capabilities of Ohmsett Quantifying Mixing Energy. Determine a scientifically sound method to quantify the mixing energy in the tank due to wave conditions typically used under normal test conditions. Mixing energy is a key parameter which is quantified in small and intermediate scale testing such as EPAs baffled flask test. Quantifying such a measurement would allow one to bridge across scales, and to address issues associated with scaling-up. Wave types may include sine waves, breaking waves, open ocean conditions, and others as determined to be appropriate. 8. Solidifying the Scientific Capabilities of Ohmsett Effect of Ambient Chemical Levels. The water of the Ohmsett test tank has chemical levels different than that found in the waters of the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf (Gulf of Mexico, Pacific, and Arctic). Some of these are required to maintain a clean test environment or to reduce corrosion; others may be a by-product of testing activities. Identify these differences and determine the effect they may have on dispersant effectiveness testing and how this may affect scaling from the EPAs Baffled Flask Test which uses synthetic sea water. 9. Development of Smart Skimming Technologies. a) Develop technology packages to aid in the automation and optimization of oil skimmer performance. Technologies should aim to ultimately remove the skimmer operator entirely in order to maximize and normalize oil recovery efforts and results. Areas of investigation should include oil thickness measurement devices that can independently control skimmer operation to meet encountered oil thickness demands without operator input. Thickness measurement devices can use any kind of practical technology and ideally be able to retrofit to at least one type of commercial skimmer. b) Develop technology packages for real-time measurement of oil and water recovery, real-time calculation and reporting of recovery efficiency. Technologies should aim to retrofit to existing commercial skimmers but not hinder flow rate. c) Develop novel power generation technology to use recovered oil from onboard storage of either skimmer or vessel of opportunity. Power generation should be readily adaptable for electric, mechanical, pneumatic and/or hydraulic outputs. d) Development of other innovative technologies that could lead to automation and optimization of oil skimmer performance. 10. Establishment of Technology Readiness Level (TRL) definitions for Oil Spill Response Equipment. Development of TRLs began in the mid to late 1970s at NASA as a way to assess different technologies to be incorporated into flight hardware. Since the development of early TRL models, many government and commercial entities have developed similar scales, for example the Department of Defense (DOD), the Department of Energy (DOE), and the American Petroleum Institute (API). Establish TRL definitions for typical oil spill response technology and a process to measure and quantify a technologys TRL. HOW TO RESPOND: White Papers of not more than five (5) pages in length, an ORIGINAL PLUS three (3) copies and one (1) electronic copy in PDF format, on a CD, shall be submitted to the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, Acquisition Operations Branch, 381 Elden St., Herndon, VA 20170-4817, ATTN: Ms. Herma J. Banks, not later than 2:00 PM, Eastern Time on Monday, January 20, 2014. WHITE PAPERS SENT THROUGH EMAIL AND FAXES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. White Papers shall define the proposed research scope and include the level of effort. NOTE THAT COST ESTIMATES ARE NOT TO BE INCLUDED IN THE WHITE PAPER. The White Papers shall be evaluated only on technical merits. IF YOUR WHITE PAPER IS SELECTED FOR FURTHER EVALUATION, A TECHNICAL AND COST/BUSINESS PROPOSAL WILL BE REQUESTED FROM YOUR ORGANIZATION BY THE CONTRACTING OFFICER. Projects shall be selected from all or part of the technical issues listed depending on the interest and scope of White Papers received. BSEE shall evaluate the responses, and those deemed to have merit shall be furnished information to assist in the preparation of the complete proposal. This announcement constitutes a Request for White Papers, but does not obligate the Government to consummate award. Respondents WILL NOT be notified of the results of the evaluation on the information submitted. WHITE PAPERS SHALL 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 industry, where appropriate; and (5) past performance. IF ANY OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT ARE NOT MET, THE WHITE PAPER WILL NOT BE EVALUATED. Questions shall be e-mailed to herma.banks@bsee.gov not later than 2:00 p.m., Eastern Time on Thursday, January 2, 2014. The Solicitation number E14PS00011 MUST be referenced in the subject line of the email. All questions shall include the Solicitation number E14PS00011, your full name and title, your organization, complete address, and telephone and fax numbers. Telephone inquiries WILL NOT be accepted. A separate White Paper shall be submitted for each topic on which the offeror wishes to propose. The White Paper shall identify clearly the Offerors company/organization, point of contact, address, telephone and fax numbers. If offerors desire to hand deliver their White Paper, they are advised that the BSEE facility is a secure office complex and offerors MUST NOT enter the building beyond the lobby. There is a courtesy telephone at the guard station to which you must call extension 7-1432 for Ms. Banks to meet and receive your submittal. You MUST contact Ms. Herma J. Banks at 703-787-1432 and set up an appointment 24 hours in advance of dropping off your White Paper. POINT OF CONTACT: Ms. Herma J. Banks, Contract Specialist, phone: 703-787-1432 email: herma.banks@BSEE.gov.
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