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

B -- SYNTHETIC BASED MUD SEAFLOOR MONITORING PROGRAM SOL 1435-01-99-NSLGM9905 DUE 073099 POC Alexis Steen, Contracting Officer, 202-682-8339 E-MAIL: Contracting Officer's E-mail address, steena@api.org. THIS MODIFICATION IS ISSUED TO PROVIDE THE CONTINUATION OF THE SYNTHETIC BASED MUD SEAFLOOR MONITORING PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT, AS FOLLOWS: Task 5. Sediment toxicity testing. Sediment samples taken from benthic locations corresponding with the in situ benthic community studies will be collected, stored, and shipped to shore for laboratory solid phase testing using specified protocols and benthic species (probably crustacean species). The offerors team should include competent marine toxicologists and appropriate laboratory support structure for conducting and interpreting the described bioassays with the natural marine sediments. Task 6 (Spring [or fall] 2000 sampling cruise). The first major cruise will: 1) Collect samples for physical and chemical measurements of sediment conditions at all sites. 2) Collect samples for definitive biological analyses at 3 shelf sites. 3) Collect physical survey or video observations of sediment conditions at deepwater sites. The will visit 10 platforms: 7 shelf locations(from among the 12 visited in the Scouting Survey) divided between the 100-300 m and the 300-500 m depth ranges, and 3 locations in the >500 m depth range. The results of the Spring 2000 Sampling Cruise will be used to: 1) Contribute to definitive assessment of accumulation of SBM based fluids in sediments at shelf and deepwater sites. 2) Initial assessment of zone of biological effects at selected shelf sites. Proposals should provide for the collection of physical survey data by a dedicated survey vessel at each site to be sampled shortly before sediment-sampling operations occur. The PROJECT TEAM will decide, based on the experience from the Scouting Survey and the Screening Cruise, whether or not to proceed with physical survey data collection using a dedicated vessel for the Fall 2000 Cruise. The advantage of conducting a physical survey prior to each major cruise (assuming cuttings deposition can be determined by instrumentation) is that a week or so prior to the cruise, any accumulations can be identified and site specific sampling can be pre-planned if desired. The seafloor patterns of accumulation could change between cruises depending on weather and oceanographic events, as well as any subsequent drilling and discharge by the platform. The Spring (or fall) 2000 Sampling program should consider the results of the Screening Cruise in selecting the number of samples to be collected, the locations of sampling stations, the sample collection methods, and the analytical techniques to be used. Bidders are referred to the specifications for Task 3 for information on physical and chemical measurements to be made on sediment samples and issues to be addressed in proposals for the conduct of Spring 2000 Sampling Cruise. Task 7 is basically a repeat of Task 6, which was the first definitive cruise. The same sampling scenario will be followed, but will represent conditions one year later. Task 8. Final Report -- Interpretation and Synthesis of Results. Proposals should provide for the preparation of a final report presenting an interpretation and synthesis of the results of this program. The PROJECT TEAM envisions that the report will be prepared in nominally three volumes. All reports should follow report style guidelines used for API reports. (1) An Executive Summary Volume, 10-20 pages in length, that clearly and succinctly summarizes the objectives, scope, findings, and conclusions of the study. (2) A Technical Report that clearly and completely presents the study's design, statistical approach, findings, and conclusions. The preparation of this report should draw on the existing literature, including a review now being prepared under the sponsorship of the Minerals Management Service, and the results of this program to provide an assessment of the ecological effects of SBM cuttings discharges under conditions that exist in the Gulf of Mexico. The Technical report should also compare and contrast results from the Gulf of Mexico with results from studies of SBM environmental effects in other parts of the world. (3) An appendix volume or volumes (as appropriate) that presents the data generated from the field operations and selected photographs taken during the field operations. The data appendices should be prepared as revisions of the post-cruise data reports. Task 9. The contractor will be required to prepare and deliver presentations to various groups (industry, sponsors, and regulatory agencies) during and at the conclusion of this project. There will also be a requirement to prepare some of the final project data for technical meeting presentation and for submission to a peer-reviewed technical journal(s). HOW TO RESPOND: To compete for this contract, an offeror must demonstrate that they and their subcontractors are qualified to perform the work by providing a CAPABILITIES STATEMENT, describing in detail: (A) KEY PERSONNEL with the expertise and experience to conduct the described multi-disciplinary program. Particularly relevant are their expertise in the oceanographic processes (physical, chemical, and biological) of the continental shelf and slope regions of the Gulf of Mexico. They must show an understanding of the petroleum industries offshore operations, in particular, the drilling and discharge of drill cuttings and associated drill muds. They should also show an understanding of previous offshore environmental studies conducted in the Gulf of Mexico, and should have a demonstrated track record of having conducted studies and published in the topic areas of interest as described above in this project description. Team expertise should include a thorough understanding of Gulf of Mexico benthic conditions, both physically and biologically. This will include a demonstrated knowledge of sediment type (e.g, mineralogy, grain size and chemical composition). They should also demonstrate expertise in benthic biology relevant to the area, and a knowledge of previous benthic cause and effect studies designs and results. A qualified marine toxicology laboratory and toxicologist should be included in the CapabilitiesStatement relative to the sediment toxicity testing part of the proposed program (see Task 5). The offeror must also demonstrate a full range of knowledge and capabilities relative to oceanographic sampling equipment and techniques. This should include experience relative to the retrieval, handling, storage and shipping of sediment samples from both shallow and deepwater locations. Because of special requirements relative to deepwater sediment sampling, expertise relative to the use of alternate methods such as remote operated vehicles and submersibles should also be demonstrated. The successful team will also include a statistician who will be responsible for developing all statistical approaches prior to the commencement of final study design and field implementation. A demonstrated expertise must be shown to include all chemical analyses required of the described program, including both trace metals and organic analyses (relative to synthetic based muds), and mineralogical determinations. The principal scientists must collectively illustrate relevant experience in the key disciplines described above, through authorship in appropriate peer reviewed publications, and/or work history, and/or professional affiliations. The offeror should indicate which personnel assigned to the project will be assigned to which objectives or tasks of this offering. (B) PAST PERFORMANCE. Specific references (including project identifier and description, period of performance, dollar amount, and client name and phone number) for previous work comparable to that described in this announcement that your organization/team has performed in the past ten (10) years. REFERENCES WILL BE CHECKED. If there exists concern that the review will reveal derogatory information as a result of checking your Past Performance Record, please provide an explanation for same and any remedial action taken by your organization to rectify the problem. YOUR CAPABILITIES STATEMENT WILL BE EVALUATED BASED ON THE FOLLOWING: (1) the currency, quality and depth of experience of individual personnel who have worked on similar projects. ASimilar project@ is meant to convey similarity in topic, methodologies, dollar value, duration and complexity; (2) quality and depth of education; experience on other projects which may not be similar enough to include in response to (1), but may be relevant; and publication history; (3) organization=s history of successful completion of projects; history of producing high-quality reports and other deliverables; history of staying on schedule and within budget. Individual skills and experience will be evaluated based on the tasks to be performed. Offerors shall submit thirty (30) bound copies, and one (1) unbound copy of their CAPABILITIES STATEMENT to the Contracting Officer, Ms. Alexis Steen, American Petroleum Institute, 1220 L St., N.W., Washington D.C., 20005-4070, not later than 4:00 PM Eastern Standard Time on Friday, July 30, 1999. An original and two (2) copies of the CAPABILITIES STATEMENT should be sent to Dr. Mary Boatman, Minerals Management Service, 1201 Elmwood Park Blvd., Mail Stop 5433, New Orleans, LA 70123-2394. ELECTRONIC COPIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. Following the review of all Capabilities Statements submitted, the SBM Research Group will establish a list of respondents deemed most qualified to perform the prospective effort. This group of finalists will be provided a detailed Request for Proposal and will be invited to prepare and submit a written technical/cost/business proposal. Unsolicited Proposals will not be considered. Upon review of the detailed proposals, the most qualified offeror will be selected. Should their be similar offerings, or remaining technical explanation required, bidders MAY BE required to respond to specific questions and make an Oral Presentation. The period of performance of the resultant contract will be thirty-six (36) months from the effective date of contract award and have an estimated value of $2,300,000. QUESTIONS SHOULD BE EITHER E-MAILED TO steena@api.org or FAXED TO 202-682-8270. TELEPHONE REQUESTS OR QUESTIONS ARE STRONGLY DISCOURAGED. Posted 07/09/99 (W-SN352553). (0190)

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