B -- BIO-PRODUCTION OF HYDROGEN USING THERMOPHILIC BACTERIA PROJECT

Notice Date

September 12, 2001

Contracting Office

DOE/National Energy Technology Laboratory, P.O. Box 10940, MS 921-107, Pittsburgh, PA 15236-0940

ZIP Code

15236-0940

Solicitation Number

S0100941

Response Due

September 20, 2001

Point of Contact

Ms. Suellen Vanooteghem, Technical Representative -- 304-285-5443, Mr. Robert L. Mohn, Purchaseing Agent, -- 412-386-4963

E-Mail Address

mohn@netl.doe.gov (mohn@netl.doe.gov)

Description

DESC: This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR Subpart 13.5, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotations are being requested, and a written solicitation document will not be issued. This solicitation is a Request for Quotation (RFQ). This solicitation number S0100941 is issued as a Request for Quote (RFQ). Proposals are due September 20, 2001. This requirement is being issued as a Request for Quotation using Simplified Acquisition Procedures. The following items are to be purchased by the U.S. Department of Energy's National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), Pittsburgh, PA and is to be shipped to our site located in Morgantown, WV. The National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), Pittsburgh, PA has a requirement for the following. Statement of Work. Objective. The overall objective of this contract is to conduct a sensitivity study for the project: Bio-Production of Hydrogen using Thermophilic Bacteria. Based on existing and newly obtained data, this contract will assess the potential for the above research to produce a viable and cost-effective product (hydrogen). A complete cost/benefit analysis including but not necessarily limited to the following considerations is required: capital costs, projected feedstock costs, transportation, and storage costs relative to the projected amount and value of hydrogen produced shall be considered. Factual assertions and conclusions reported shall be supported by complete bibliographical references and be appropriately annotated in the body of the document. This effort shall be conducted in two phases. First an evaluation of the current biological process shall be made. Theories, likely to explain the observed phenomenon shall be provided to the government's COR for review and approval prior to the beginning of Phase II. The second phase shall not be undertaken and no Phase II costs shall be incurred until the first phase review has been completed, accepted and approved. It is anticipated that Phase I will require approximately sixty hours work by the principal investigator, and a visit to the Morgantown site. Phase I. This phase shall involve a thorough examination and analysis of the existing biological process for producing hydrogen. The experimentally observed catabolic processes shall be thoroughly studied with a view toward characterization of these processes as fermentative, respiratory, or some other type of process. Phase II. Task A. Capital Costs. (1) Determine most productive and cost-effective reactor configuration as dictated respectively by either fermentative processes vs respiratory processes. (2) Even if analysis suggests that the same type of reactor is best for both, provide an analysis of why one reactor type (CSTR, TBR, etc.) should be favored over another. (3) Determine the theoretical maximum size of the reactor vessel needed given the current state of the art that is capable of generating 2000kW power supply a fuel cell on a continuous basis. (4) Develop cost estimates for production facilities and probable target locations for such facilities. Task B. Operating Costs. Identify resources needed for hydrogen generation using Themotoga neapolitana (heat, water, feedstocks, salts, gases, etc.). The estimate should compare costs when resources are supplied at current costs vs costs when currently unused waste streams can be use. Task C. Hydrogen Production Costs. (1) Calculate relative cost of hydrogen produced per kW power produced. (2) Compare the cost of hydrogen produced by Thermotoga Neapolitana based on existing data with the cost using other methods of production (photobiological, electrochemical and physical) at the current state of the art for each technology and at the theoretical maximum efficiency. (3) Compare and calculate required batch costs vs continuous culture costs (including costs of down time, processing, and gas cleanup) to deal with elements such as hydrogen sulfide. Task D. Byproduct Utilization. (1) Develop a probable scheme for utilizing the biomass produced. (2) Determine potential uses of carbon dioxide generated. (3) Assume nitrates and nitrites are the oxygen acceptors in this process, what might be needed to recover and utilize this material as a fertilizer? (4) Consider potential schemes to cost-effectively recycle resources that might be reutilized (salts, water, gases, etc.). Payment for completed tasks under this contract shall be made only after acceptance of the required deliverables by the Contracting Officer's Representative. The period of performance for completion of the required tasks evaluations and firm fixed prices for each task required by this contract shall be proposed by the contractor. It is estimated that all evaluations can be completed within six months of the contract award. AWARD EVALUATION CRITERION. Contract Award: Bio-production of Hydrogen using Thermophilic Bacteria. A technical proposal explaining the proposed methodology that will be used to conduct the required evaluations shall be provided and approved by NETL's Contracting Officer's Representative prior to beginning work. The proposal must describe the methodology to be used in sufficient detail to provide assurance of the adequacy and thoroughness of the proposed effort. Prices proposed for each task shall be supported by a complete cost breakdown showing labor categories, labor rates, hours proposed, travel and/or other direct costs, indirect costs and bases of application, and proposed profit. EVALUATION CRITERION: A. Technical Approach: (45 points). A complete, unbiased, thorough, well planned and well reasoned work plan that provides an outline of the methodological approach that will be taken in performing this SOW shall be provided. B. CREDENTIALS: (30 points). (1) The proposed personnel shall have a professional background that involves both biochemistgry/biochemical processes and engineering/bioengineering. (2) The proposed personnel shall have demonstrated expertise taking biological/biochemical processes from laboratory scale to commercial scale. (3) The proposed personnel shall have demonstrated experimental and working knowledge of bacterial and thermophilic growth dynamics and biochemical processes associated with this growth. C. COST PLAN: (25 points). Although cost is not the most important evaluation criterion to be considered here, in the event of closely ranked technical and personnel scores cost may prove to be a deciding factor. FAR 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors -- Commercial Items (AUG 1998) is incorporated by reference and applies to this acquisition. Within FAR 52.212-1, an reference to "offer" is changed to read as "quote". The provisions at 52.212-2 Evaluation -- Commercial Items (JAN 1999) does not apply to this acquisition. Instead, the following information will be used for evaluation of offerors: An award shall be made to the responsible offeror submitting a technically acceptable quote and offering the lowest evaluated price. Evaluation is based on best value including cost and ability to meet stated requirements above. Offerors shall submit descriptive literature and drawings detailing features, technical capabilities and warranty data. Technical acceptability will be determined solely on the content and merit of the information submitted response to this provision as it compares to the minimum characteristics provided above. Therefore, it is essential that offerors provide sufficient technical literature, documentation, etc., in order for the Government evaluation team to make an adequate technical assessment of the quote as meeting technical acceptability. Price shall be the deciding factor among technically acceptable quotes. The offeror shall provide backup information to support the quoted prices (e.g. a copy of current catalog or established price list, etc.). FAR 52.212-3 Offeror Representation and Certifications -- Commercial Items, FAR 52.214-4 Contract Terms and Conditions -- Commercial Items, and FAR 52.2121-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required to implement Statutes or Executive Orders -- Commercial Items apply to this acquisition. FAR provisions and clauses including FAR 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Disabled Veterans and Veterans of the Vietnam ERA, it has ( ), has not( ) submitted the most recent report required by 38 U.S.C. 4212(d). (B) An Offeror who checks "has not" may not be awarded a contract until the required reports are filed. (31 U.S.C. 1354). ALL INTERESTED PARTIES SHALL SUBMIT OFFERS WITH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION: Federal Tax Identification (TIN); Dun & Bradstreet Number (DUNS); remit to address if different; and business size. EVALUATION: The following factors shall be used to evaluate offers in order or precedence: Technical compliance with the specifications of this RFQ and cost. 52.212-3, Offeror Representation and Certifications -- Commercial Items; and 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions. A Firm Fixed Priced Purchase Order shall be issued using the Simplified Acquisition Procedures FAR Part 13. The responses must convey the ability of the response to meet the stated requirements. The documentation shall include descriptive literature containing sufficient technical literature to establish a bonafide capacity of meeting these requirements. Responses may be mailed to the U.S. Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory, ATTN: Mr. Robert L. Mohn -- MS 921-110, PO Box 10940, 626 Cochrans Mill Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15236-0940 by the COB on September 20, 2001. Request for information shall be addressed to Mr. Robert L. Mohn, FAX 412-386-5770.

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010914/BSOL005.HTM (W-255 SN50X457)