A -- DEVELOPMENT OF A COMPOSITION DATABASE FOR SELECTED MULTICOMPONENT OILS

Notice Date

August 17, 2001

Contracting Office

U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Contracts Management Division (MD-33), Attention: OARSC, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711

ZIP Code

27711

Solicitation Number

UKE072

Point of Contact

Phillip R. Fields (919) 541-4556

E-Mail Address

Contract Specialist (fields.phillip@epa.gov)

Description

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with Environment Canada, Environmental Technology Advancement, Emergencies Science Division, Tech Center, Ottawa Ontario K1A OH3 for Development of a Composition Database for Selected Multicomponent Oils. These multicomponent composition data are required as inputs for simulations to be run with the EPA Research Object-Oriented Oil Spill (ERO3S) model. These data are unavailable in the literature due to the complexity and expense of making the measurements. Environment Canada (Environmental Technology Centre, Ottawa, Canada) has developed a physical property database for about 420 crude oils and petroleum products. The database includes properties (density, viscosity, surface tension) of fresh oils and after significant amounts of weathering. These data have been selected by EPA as standard inputs to the EPA Research Object-Oriented Oil Spill (ERO3S) model. Additional data beyond that available in the database is needed by EPA to advance the state of the art of oil spill modeling. The data that are required are detailed data on the composition of the oils. Primarily these consist of the identify of the individual chemicals that compose the oils and their amount in the oil. The compositional data, however, must be compatible with physical property data for use in simulations. Because of the unique nature of the physical property database, Environment Canada is the only known offerer who can supply compositional data that matches the physical property database. U.S. EPA is developing models for application to environmental problems associated with accidental spills and releases of petroleum hydrocarbons and other multicomponent oils (collectively denoted "oils" hereafter). Properties of the oils may be dependent upon the oil phase composition and as such may change during weathering. It is recognized that much effort must be expended to generate the data requested below and it is expected that, if possible, the majority of the data will come from prior analyses. It is also recognized that complete characterization of petroleum oils is not possible. Therefore it is expected that the characterizations supplied will be as complete as practicable, but some chemicals will not be identified and/or quantified. The required databases shall be provided as a single Microsoft Access database file, unless prior agreement of EPA is obtained. The U.S. EPA shall have the royalty-free right to use, distribute, combine with software products, add-to or modify the databases. The scope of work includes four products: Product 1) Quality Assurance Plan. Develop a Quality Assurance Project Plan as described . The plan shall be submitted to the US EPA for comments before any work is commenced under this project. Product 2) Database of Chemical Constituents Provide a database of chemical constituents of crude oils. Existing, unpublished data shall be compiled and extended where necessary to provide the required degree of detail on oil composition. The eight oils of immediate interest to the EPA are: Alaska North Slope, South Louisiana, Arabian Light, Bunker C, No. 6 Fuel Oil, No. 2 Fuel Oil, West Texas Intermediate, Orimulsion 400, Gasoline, and Alberta Sweet Mixed Blend. Compositional data shall be provided for each evaporation volume % given in the existing EC database. The intent is to obtain both the physical properties and composition for the same conditions of weathering of the oil. The composition information shall include the Geographical name of the crude (or name if a fuel), sample date, production method, laboratory performing analysis, methods of analysis, accuracy of determinations, fraction of total identified, generalized composition (fraction aromatic, alkane, branched alkane, etc. ), density ( at specified temperature(s), if available) and viscosity (at specified temperature(s) if available). For each individual chemical: name, CAS#, weight percent, accuracy, detection limit. Product 3.) Written Report. Provide a written report describing work done to complete products 1 through 3. The report shall include an introduction, description of objectives, analytical methods used, the results (including data in a tabular form), discussion, conclusions and references. The discussion section shall include a discussion of the limitations of the results with specific focus on the completeness of the compositional data for each oil. Product 4) Web Site. Prepare a web site or amend an existing web site to include compositional data to the public. After completion of the database for all oils listed in product 2, the data shall be made available to the public. Delivery is required in September, 2002, fob destination to Athens, GA. EPA believes that Environment Canada is the only vendor capable of satisfying the requirement. The circumstance permitting "Other than full and open competition" is FAR 6.302-1, "Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements". All interested parties who believe they can provide the required items should submit a Statement of Capabilities, including details on the approach to be taken to accomplish Products 1, 2, 3, and 4, within 15 days from the date of this announcement. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code 514199 , which has a size standard of $5,000,000 to qualify as a small business, is applicable. The intent of this notice is to determine if any other source(s) exist, and therefore, no solicitation (RFQ) is available. Consequently, any response failing to provide the aforementioned data but instead choosing to merely submit a routine letter requesting a copy of the RFQ will be ignored. Submit response to U.S. EPA, Attn: Phillip R. Fields (MD-33), Contracts Management Division, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711. .

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010821/ASOL006.HTM (W-229 SN50V2W7)