Department of the Interior, Minerals Management Service, Procurement Operations Branch, MS 2510, 381 Elden Street, Herndon, VA 22070-4817

A -- WHITE PAPERS SOUGHT FOR PROPOSED RESEARCH PROJECTS TO BE CONDUCTED IN SUPPORT OF THE TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT AND RESEARCH (TA&R) PROGRAM Sol RFP 3806, Due 111595, contact point: Maura Leizear, Procurement Assistant, 703-787-1354, Contracting Officer, Jane Carlson. White papers sought for proposed research projects to be conducted in support of the Technology Assessment and Research (TA&R) Program. This announcement is issued to solicit White Papers - no more than 5 pages in length - for specific areas of interest to the Minerals Management Service (MMS) TA&R Program to include both Oil-Spill Response and Operational Safety/Pollution Prevention research. The areas of interest are as follows: 1. Deepwater Operations to include operational safety issues and structural and pipeline integrity; 2. Aging Infrastructure to include integrity assessment and repair methodogies for damage to older platforms and pipelines; 3. Human and Organizational Factors to include assessment methodologies to mitigate concerns relative to offshore operations; and 4. Oil-Spill Mitigation Measures to include both clean up and containment technologies. Background: In the past, research sponsored by MMS through the TA&R Program was motivated by the need to acquire basic engineering requirements necessary to oversee the orderly development of offshore oil and gas operations. However, the emphasis on a Safety and Environmental Management Program (SEMP), performance-based regulations, and a continuing need to assure the public that offshore operations are conducted in a safe manner without harm to the environment has provided new goals and directions for research initiatives. The MMS is interested in research efforts relative to the subject areas noted above. As a result of the white papers, selected proposals will be evaluated and funded under the direction of the TA&R Program, and only efforts relevant to the scientific/technical issues listed below will be considered. The MMS anticipates an $800,000 total budget for these projects and a one-quarter to two-person year level of effort for each project selected; offerors should bear this in mind when responding to this request for white papers. Multiyear funding of projects is acceptable. Note that cost estimates are not to be included. The white papers will be evaluated only on technical merits. If selected, a proposal will be requested and th costs evaluated at that time. Projects will be selected for funding from all or part of the following issues depending on the interest and scope of the white papers received. Deepwater facilities that are being developed are based on totally new concepts, from both an operational viewpoint as will as to the type of structure employed, with which very little, if any, past experience exist to make technical or regulatory decisions. The TA&R Program seeks to support deepwater research initiatives to ensure that outstanding technical issues are adequately addressed for future operational decisions. Also, as the offshore infrastructure continues to age with platforms and pipelines functioning years beyond their design life, the Program seeks to promote appropriate research to assess and maintain the integrity of these facilities. The TA&R Program also seeks to maintain its leadership role in promoting research relative to Human and Organizational Factors (HOF) and how their contributions to accidents and pollution events may be mitigated. A continuing effort will be put forth to support HOF and other research initiatives to improve and assist SEMP. In addition, MMS is interested in evaluation and developing innovative oil-spill containment and recovery technologies. In particular, MMS is looking for technologies which will facilitate the containment and recovery of spilled oil in the open ocean and in the presence of ice or broken ice conditions. The MMS seeks to test and evaluate certain of these technologies at the Oil and Hazardous Materials Simulated Environmental Test Tank (OHMSETT) facility in Leonardo, New Jersey, using standard test protocols. These test protocols include testing containment booms and skimmers for response to wave stress and wave conformation. The Program is also interested in seeking technologies which will enhance or facilitate the in situ burning of spilled oil in the marine environment. This includes fire resistant booms, ignitors, smoke reduction agents, and tracking of burn residue. As part or in conjunction with these efforts, MMS is soliciting interest in the testing of oil-spill containment/clean up equipment or techniques, remote sensing devices, or to conduct training in oil-spill response at OHMSETT. The facility is available on a reimbursable basis to both private and public sectors as a research center where full-scale equipment can be tested under controlled conditions with oil, in varying wave conditions. Responses will be accepted through November 15, 1995. White papers shall reference the area of interest under which it is to be considered and an original and three copies submitted to the above address. White papers should define the proposed research effort to include the level of effort but not cost. The MMS will evaluate the responses, and those deemed to have merit will be furnished information to assist in the preparations of a complete proposal. This synopsis does not constitute an RFP or any kind of commitment by the Government, nor does it restrict the Government as to the ultimate acquisition approach. The Government will solicit those firms meeting the screening criteria in this synopsis. Respondents will not be notified of the results of the evaluation or the information submitted. Responses shall be evaluated on the following criteria in order for their importance: (1) Innovative or creative approaches or solutions; (2) feasibility of the approach of solution; (3) the offeror's understanding of the technical issues being presented for consideration; (4) the offeror's ability to implement the proposed approach as demonstrated by adequate detailed analysis and supported by specific accomplishments in the technical field to be studied; (5) the availability of qualified personnel with the requisite expertise to accomplish the study of proposed; and (6) the offeror's record of past performance. Telephone inquiries will not be accepted. Inquiries should be sent to the above office. A separate white paper shall be submitted for each study the offeror wishes to propose. The white papers shall identify clearly the offerors organization, point of contact, and phone numbers as well as addresses. (278)

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