SOURCES SOUGHT
B -- Oil Spill Response Research & Decommissioning - BAA FY 2009
- Notice Date
- 7/17/2008
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 541690
— Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
- Contracting Office
- Department of the Interior, Minerals Management Service, Procurement Operations, MMS Procurement Branch, HQ381 Elden Street, MS 2102HerndonVA20170-4817US
- ZIP Code
- 00000
- Solicitation Number
- M08PS00094
- Response Due
- 8/18/2008
- Archive Date
- 9/17/2008
- Point of Contact
- Bridge, Debra M. 703-787-1070, debra.bridge@mms.gov
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- The U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, MINERALS MANAGEMENT SERVICE (MMS), solicits White Papers, of not more than five (5) pages in length, for specific areas of interest to the MMS Technology Assessment and Research (TA&R) Program, Oil Spill Response Research (OSRR). The MMS web site has descriptions of OSRR activities, the scope of MMS interests, and past projects. The web site address is www.mms.gov/tarphome. Interested parties are encouraged to view the information presented on the site when considering submitting White Papers. BACKGROUND: The OSRR and Decommissioning Research sponsored by the MMS through the TA&R Program is directly integrated into MMS's offshore operations and is used in making regulatory decisions pertaining to permit and plan approvals, safety and pollution inspections, enforcement actions, and training requirements. MMS proposes to expand its existing OSRR program consistent with our statutory responsibility and the provisions of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990. As oil and gas industry activities increase in the deep water of the Gulf of Mexico and the ice-infested Beaufort Sea of Alaska, research must be broadened to address unknown factors concerning mechanical equipment performance and reliability as well as alternative countermeasures that include chemical treating agents including dispersants, in situ burning and submerged oils. The principal objective of this request for White Papers is to address innovative or technological advancements among topics of current interest to MMS. As a result of the White Papers submitted in accordance with the terms of this announcement, selected proposals shall be requested. Projects selected for eventual funding by MMS shall receive funding from fiscal year (FY) 2009 funds. Note that funding is not currently available for the project. The MMS anticipates a total of up to one million dollars ($1,000,000) may be available for the initiation of new OSR research proposals addressing OSRR topics and $200,000 may be available for decommissioning in FY 2009 with projects being identified through this announcement. Typical projects envisioned to address the topics set forth below may require up to one man-year effort and cost up to $250,000. Projects spanning multiple years will also be considered. Prospective offerors shall bear this in mind when responding to this request. NOTICE: The MMS may share the White Paper submissions with other organizations for review. Potential contractors should let MMS know if they do not want the White Papers shared outside the MMS. The MMS anticipates awards resultant to this announcement will be made on a firm fixed-price basis. OBJECTIVES: The topics for the FY 2009 OSRR activities include ONLY research related to the following: Topic 1: Less Destructive Shoreline Flushing TechniquesOne of the goals in spill response is to minimize harm to the environment and shorten the time for recovery. Past experience has shown that aggressive shoreline flushing methods can harm the environment and slow recovery. The MMS is seeking White Papers on new and/or innovative technologies that will improve existing shoreline flushing equipment techniques and methodologies so that they are more effective, less invasive, and minimize destruction to the environment. This could include full-scale prototypes, non-commercially available technologies, and/or adaptations of existing technologies. Topic 2: In Situ Burn Residue CleanupPhysical properties of burn residues depend on burn efficiency and oil type. Efficient burns of heavy crude oils generate brittle, solid residues. Residues from burns of thick crude oil slicks are more likely to sink than residues from burns of thin slicks of the same crude oils, because higher-molecular weight compounds concentrate in the residue as the burn progresses. Results of laboratory tests suggest the possibility that, for about 40 to 60% of crude oils worldwide, burn residues may sink. Only a very short time window is available for surface recovery of residues that eventually sink, but this recovery option could be effective, since residues are readily recovered either manually or with sorbents. Once the residue sinks, recovery options are few, logistics-intensive, and ineffective. The MMS is seeking White Papers that would use laboratory scale or meso-scale experiments, spills of opportunity, or other innovative methods to develop new or improve existing equipment, techniques or methodologies to improve the collection and recovery of in situ burn residue. Topic 3: Characteristics, Behavior, and Response Effectiveness of Spilled Dielectric FluidsThe Alternative Energy/Alternative Use program includes the placing of potentially dozens of Electrical Service Platform (ESP) on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf. Electrical cables run from individual wave, current, wind, or other type of alternative energy generation devices to the ESP where the electricity is changed in voltage by large transformers. Each of these transformers contains thousands of gallons of dielectric fluid, often a mineral oil, sometimes other types of fluids such as those made from soy beans. There is no specific knowledge of the response options available to cleanup a spill of dielectric fluids on the marine environment. The MMS is seeking White Papers that will provide a literature review and scientific information (including European sources) on the characteristics, behavior (once spilled) and window of opportunity for using all response options for cleaning up spilled dielectric fluids in the marine environment. Recommendations shall include a test program including different wave conditions to study the behavior of spilled dielectric fluids and their ability to be contained with boom and recovered mechanically, recovered using existing sorbents, their ability to be dispersed using existing chemical dispersants, and their ability to be removed through the use of in situ burning. Topic 4: Identification of Window of Opportunity for Chemical Dispersants on Outer Continental Shelf Crude OilsIn a previously MMS funded research project entitled: Identification of Window of Opportunity for Chemical Dispersants on Gulf of Mexico Crude Oils http://www.mms.gov/tarprojects/595.htm, the objective was to develop best-fit correlations between readily available fresh oil properties and the window of opportunity for successful chemical dispersant use using data from Gulf of Mexico (GOM) crude oils. Two models were developed that predicted the window of opportunity for dispersant use for 1,000 and 10,000 barrel spill scenarios. The MMS is seeking White Papers that will validate both models using oil property data from sources outside of the US GOM and/or from new analyses of crude oils from the US GOM to verify that the trends identified in this study are valid when applied to data independent from those used to develop the correlations. Ideally, data on oil behavior and dispersibility of oils from large tank tests or field spills should be used to validate both the spill modeling results and the oil dispersibility criteria used in this study. Topic 5: Equipment to Less Destructively Access Marsh EnvironmentsOne of the goals in near shore oil spill response is to minimize harm to the environment and shorten the time for recovery. Past experience has shown that oil spill response operations in marsh lands can harm the environment and slow the recovery process. The MMS is seeking White Papers on new and /or innovative technologies that will provide access to isolated marshy areas without damaging or destroying the environment. This could include full-scale prototypes, non-commercially available technologies, and/or adaptations of existing technologies. Topic 6: Chemical Treating Agents and Dispersants for Use in Fresh and Brackish Water The MMS is seeking White Papers that will provide a literature review and scientific information (including European sources) on the use of chemical treating agents and dispersants in fresh and brackish water. Topics 7-9 Relate to Ohmsett - The National Oil Spill Response Test FacilityOhmsett - the National Oil Spill Response Test Facility located in Leonardo, New Jersey. Ohmsett is a large outdoor above ground concrete test tank that measures 667 feet long by 65 feet wide by 11 feet deep. It is filled with 2.6 million gallons of crystal clear salt water, has a wave generator capable of generating 3-foot high waves and a moveable bridge that spans the tank capable of towing equipment at speeds of 6.5 knots, while state-of-the art data and video date is collected above and below the waters surface. Information on Ohmsett can be found on the website at www.ohmsett.com. It is the intention of the MMS to reserve a block of time at the Ohmsett test facility to test the technologies and/or devices in the below topics. The MMS is in effect, looking for `self-nomination of technologies and/or devices to test during these time frames. The MMS will pay for all the expenses associated with operation of the Ohmsett facility. Owners/operators would be responsible for any additional expenses. Topic 7: Ohmsett Testing of Technologies to Detect, Locate and/or Recover Submerged and Sunken OilSeveral large sills have occurred in rivers and the open ocean over the past few years that involved thousands of gallons of submerged and sunken oil. The MMS is seeking White Papers on new and /or innovative technologies that will detect, locate, and/or recover submerged and sunken oil. This could include full-scale prototypes, non-commercially available technologies, and/or adaptations of existing technologies. The MMS seeks to test and evaluate these technologies on a simulated ocean bottom that will be constructed at Ohmsett. American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) testing standards will be used, as applicable, in these evaluations. Topic 8: Ohmsett Testing of Mechanical Technologies to Contain and Recover Oil Spills in Broken IceExploratory, development and production drilling will continue to increase in the Arctic. Mechanical containment and recovery of oil spills is the primary response option in U.S. territorial waters. It is important that the MMS know the window of opportunity for the use of mechanical response equipment in broken ice conditions to effectively review oil spill response plans. The MMS is seeking White Papers on new and /or innovative technologies that will contain and/or recover oil in broken ice conditions. This could include full-scale prototypes, non-commercially available technologies, and/or adaptations of existing technologies. The MMS seeks to test and evaluate these technologies in a simulated broken ice environment that will be constructed at Ohmsett. Tests could be conducted in static and advancing modes. ASTM testing standards will be used, as applicable, in these evaluations. Topic 9: Ohmsett Testing of Wave Energy TechnologiesThe MMS is seeking White Papers on new and /or innovative technologies for wave energy systems. These include point source buoys that capture energy from wave movement. Another general type of device is a tethered or moored segmented serpentine system known as a wave attenuator. This type of device undulates in passing waves, whereby energy is captured at the joints of the segments. Included also are devices that extract energy from water currents. These devices usually employ some type of turbine or paddle wheel and operate at of near the surface. Ideally, these would be devices whose dynamic reaction can be reasonably modeled by towing. The MMS seeks to test and evaluate these technologies in a wave environment at Ohmsett. ASTM testing standards will be used, as applicable, in these evaluations. Topic 10: Decommissioning: Fixed and Floating Oil and Gas Platform Removal and DispositionReview the state of the art for removal of Gulf of Mexico U.S. Outer Continental Shelf oil and gas facilities in over 600 feet water depth. Focus research on the technical capabilities and practicality of removing the large facilities and the various disposition alternatives. Include the potential to reef portions, such as spar hulls that had no hydrocarbon storage, either in place or in designated planning areas. Include the decommissioning costs. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: The MMS is interested in research initiatives relative to oil spill response, safety and pollution practices related to offshore operations. As a result of the White Papers, selected proposals will be sought and evaluated for funding. Efforts to be considered should be to the above stated issues. Multi-year funding of projects is acceptable. HOW TO RESPOND: White Papers of not more than five (5) pages in length, an original, plus five (5) hard copies, and one (1) electronic copy in.PDF format on CD shall be submitted to U.S. Department of Interior, Minerals Management Service, 381 Elden Street, Herndon, Virginia 20170-4817, ATTN: Debra Bridge, not later than 2:00 p.m. E.T., Monday, August 18, 2008. WHITE PAPERS SENT VIA E-MAIL AND FACSIMILE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. White Papers should define the proposed research scope and include the level of effort. NOTE: COST ESTIMATES ARE NOT TO BE INCLUDED. The White Papers shall be evaluated only on technical merit. If your White Paper is selected for further evaluation, a proposal shall be requested and you will be required to submit a cost proposal at that time. Projects shall be selected from all or part of the technical issues listed depending on the interest and scope of White Papers received. The MMS shall evaluate the responses, and those deemed to have merit will be furnished information to assist in the preparation of a complete proposal. This announcement constitutes a Request for Proposal (RFP), but does not obligate the Government to consummate the award. Respondents SHALL NOT be notified of the results of the evaluation of the information submitted. WHITE PAPERS SHALL BE EVALUATED USING THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA: (1) feasibility of the approach or solution; (2) the offeror's understanding of the technical issues; (3) the offeror's 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 interest exists, (where appropriate); (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 debra.bridge@mms.gov. The RFP number M08PS00094 MUST be in the subject line of the e-mail. All questions shall include the RFP number, your full name and title, your organization, complete address, and telephone and fax numbers. Telephone inquires WILL NOT be accepted. A separate White Paper shall be submitted for each study on which the offeror wishes to propose. The White Paper shall clearly identify the offeror company/organization, point of contact, address, telephone and facsimile numbers. Responses will be accepted ONLY until 2:00 p.m., E.T., Monday, August 18, 2008. If the offeror desires to hand deliver their White Paper, they are informed that MMS is a secure office complex and they must not enter the building beyond the lobby. You MUST contact Debra Bridge at (703) 787-1070 and you will be met in the lobby to accept the White Paper.
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