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

B -- DEEPWATER PHYSICAL OCEANOGRAPHY REANALYSIS AND SYNTHESIS OF HISTORICAL DATA SOL 1435-01-98-RP-30910 DUE 031098 POC Jacqueline S. Callas, Contracting Officer, (703) 787-1359 E-MAIL: Contracting Officer e-mail, Jaci.Callas@mms.gov. The Department of Interior, Minerals Management Service (MMS) intends to competitively award a contract to conduct a study entitled "Deepwater Physical Oceanography Reanalysis and Synthesis of Historical Data". PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE NOTICE CAREFULLY AS IT CONSTITUTES THE ONLY NOTICE THAT WILL BE ISSUED. The basic objectives of this study are: (1) Create an inventory and compile this information into a single database on CD-ROM of physical oceanographic data located at MMS, universities, other Federal and State agencies, national laboratories, and the oil and gas industry; (2) Conduct analysis and interpretation of these data based on analytical solutions to identify physical processes, estimate temporal and spatial scales, amplitudes, and phase relationships through these physical mechanisms; (3) Produce a climatology of these physical processes from available data and analyses; and (4) Provide design criteria and constraints for future field and numerical modeling efforts. In order to compete for this contract, the offeror must demonstrate they are qualified to perform the work by providing, NOT LATER THAN 10 MARCH 1998, a capabilities statement detailing: A. The Offeror's ability to furnish personnel with the abilities for: (1) Data Inventory and Collection -- Contact other Federal and State agencies, academic institutions, laboratories, and industry to identify and create an inventory of existing data on: hydrographic (T, S or C, O, D), current meters, drifters, ADCP, XBTS and XACP, IES, and output of selected numerical models. Make necessary arrangements to acquire ancillary data such as river discharge, meteorological and storm conditions, coastal sea level data, and satellite images to aid in data analyses. Collect the data identified at which point the data will be subjected to pre-approved QA/QC protocols and incorporated into a database after it is deemed acceptable. The database will include, at a minimum: data source, type of data, name of program, contact, period covered in the data, location of data collection, water depth, depth of sensors, quality code, and corrections or transformations of the data, if any, and the data itself. After completing the database, the offeror shall make it available trough CD-ROM and accompany it with a technical report discussing all data QA/QC procedures and corrections or adjustments made to the data and any concerns regarding specific datasets or qualifiers of data quality. All data collected in the course of this study shall be subjected to data processing and data reduction techniques which are both standard and accepted procedures in oceanography. All data shall be displayed graphically/mapped and contoured using standard procedures. (2) Data Analysis and Synthesis -- The analytical procedures shall attempt to resolve and identify physical processes present in the data. A series of analytical solutions shall be applied based on reasonable assumptions to generate estimates of temporal and spatial scales, amplitudes, variability and seasonal changes, etc. through the entire water column. Processes to be examined shall include, but not be limited to, penetration of eddies, subsurface currents, generation and evolution of wave motions and their interaction with bottom topography, etc. This task shall also prioritize these physical processes in terms of importance for understanding the slope and subsurface circulation according to criteria which may include energy content, frequency of occurrence, EOF analyses, correlations, present understanding or data availability, etc. (NOTE: This is the predominate task and the purpose of the study.) (3) Develop criteria for field study and numerical modeling -- Using the results from (2) above, the contractor shall develop design criteria for deploying mooring arrangements on the slope off Louisiana and the northwest corner of the Gulf. The designs shall be capable of measuring the physical processes identified and to be included in numerical modeling efforts. These designs shall be analyzed and evaluated in terms oftheir detection capability of the physical processes identified, signal-to-noise ratio, resolution of known temporal and spatial scales, and other criteria accepted in the oceanography community. The results of this project shall be applied to skill assessment of numerical models. (4) Information/Data Synthesis and Technical Reports -- Interpretations of the results from (1),(2), and (3) shall be pursued and compared to results from previous regional studies from either the Gulf or other similar regions. The contractor shall synthesize the study's results with previous knowledge aiming at producing hypothesis, conceptual or quantitative models of the hydrography and circulation of the deepwater and slope. Technical Reports and scientific publications shall be prepared to disseminate and communicate the findings, results, and advances produced by this study. (5) Scientific Review Board (SRB) -- The offeror shall also provide the names and resumes of anticipated members to serve on a which shall not exceed three (3) members and be subject to approval by MMS. A Program Management Plan shall detail the mechanisms by which the SRB will effectively review the progress and scientific value of the study, interact with the Program Manager, attend periodic SRB meetings, evaluate reports, make recommendations for program improvement, and inform MMS of their activities and recommendations. B. Your organization's experience with this type of work and a description of your facilities; and three (3) specific references (including project identifier and description, period of performance, dollar amount, client name and telephone number for previous work of this nature that your personnel or organization is currently performing or has completed within the last three years. (REFERENCES WILL BE CHECKED). Following review of the Capabilities Statements, a list of those deemed most qualified to perform the work will be established and those firms will be notified and provided additional proposal instructions and contract requirements. Proposals will essentially consist of an oral technical presentation, brief written technical summary, program management plan and cost/business proposal. Offerors shall submit their Capabilities Statement in original and two (2) copies to J.S. Callas, Contracting Officer at Minerals Management Service, Procurement Operations Branch, 381 Elden Street, Mail Stop 2500, Herndon, Virginia 20170-4817 not later than 12:00 PM (noon) Eastern Standard Time. Four additional copies shall be sent to Dr. Alexis Lugo-Fernandez, Minerals Management Service, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard, MS 5430, New Orleans, LA 70123-2394. Timeliness of receipt of submissions will be determined by the time received in the Procurement Operations Branch, Herndon, VA. The period of performance for the resultant contract will be thirty (30) months with an estimated value of $725,000 to $750,000. Your capabilities statement will be evaluated based on (1) Key Personnel (including the SRB) will be evaluated on their education and expertise in oceanographic analysis and synthesis. (2) the currency, quality of depth of experience of individual personnel in working on similar projects ("similar projects" is meant to convey similarity in size, dollar value, duration, and complexity); (3) quality and depth of education and experience of personnel to perform each task; experience on other projects which may not be similar enough to include in response to (1) above but may be relevant; and publication history (e.g. peer reviewed literature of Key Personnel and SRB); (4) organizations history of successful completion of projects; history of producing high-quality reports and other deliverables; history of staying on schedule and within budget; (5) the project manager who will be evaluated on the level and quality of education, experience, abilities and demonstrated leadership in the disciplines and technical fields required for completion of the tasks; (6) consideration of the proposed relationship between the offeror and MMS and the oil and gas industry; and (7) lists of potential contacts in the Federal, State, academic, industrial and laboratory arenas. Questions should be faxed to (703) 787-1387 or e-mailed to with the RFP NUMBER IN THE SUBJECT LINE as soon as possible to Jaci.Callas@mms.gov. Each question should include the RFP number, your full name, address, phone and fax numbers. Requests or questions by telephone will not be accepted. (0043)

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