693JK3211RA0001 Questions and Answers.xlsx
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- 693JK3211RA0001
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Sheet1
| Number | Question | Response |
| 1 | Could you please tell me if the Combined Synopsis/Solicitation posted as solicitation number 693JK3211RA0001 will be a follow-on requirement to any work performed currently or in the past, or will this be a new requirement? | This RA is a stand alone opportunity. However, follow on work is welcomed as long as a submitted proposal fully addresses the solicited topic in this RA. |
| 2 | How is cost share calculated? | Cost share is determined as a percentage of the total value of the project. |
| 3 | We would like to inquire regarding the Materials-(General Knowledge) Review of Alternative Materials for Non-Steel or Alternative Steel Pipeline Systems (i.e., Composite, Steel Reinforced Plastic, or Reinforced Fiber Plastic Pipe) research topic: Is there any consideration for materials as it relates to transportation of hydrogen or renewables natural gas in higher concentrations outside of typical acceptable concentrations included in natural gas streams today, or is this research topic restricted to the transportation of current gas fuels that are comprised of majority methane? Based on the statement in the Attachment #7, “PHMSA is seeking a feasibility study to review the safety, material, and design requirements needed under 49 CFR Parts 192 and 195 (emphasis added) for non-steel or alternative steel pipeline systems.,” the assumption is no, but we would like to clarify. | |
| The solicited topic was written around the Parts 192 & 195 requirements for natural gas and hazardous liquid systems. PHMSA anticipates hydrogen based research topics in future research solicitations. | ||
| 4 | Do you have any guidance for the size of proposals you are looking for. We can only find information available funding which is $5.4 million and that you are looking for multiple awards. Are you looking for $0.5 million, $1.0 million, $1.5 million or $2.0 million projects? | Project costs were estimated as compared to historical work of a common reference. The review of project costs is about technical appropriateness. Meaning, the review panel will look at the proposed costs and possibly comment about how well it matches to the level of work being proposed. A project having costs well below or above the stated estimate could be seen as not aligned to the stated topic. It is highly recommended offerors fully describe how well their propose costs match the proposed scope. |
| 5 | Can the Title Page be single-spaced? | The title page should be just a title page having the usual info on it. It should have no body of the proposal content on it. It also does not count toward the proposal page limit. You are free to format as you see fit. |
| 6 | What documents should be included in Appendix A? We interpret the RA to say; Resumes. | This is correct. |
| 7 | What documents should be included in Appendix B? We interpret the RA to say; 1) Letters of Commitment, 2) Prime Indirect Rate Approval Letter, 3) Prime Accounting System approvals (i.e. copies of audit reports) and 4) Consultant Supporting Documentation (i.e. Two invoices reflecting hourly or daily rates charged to customers other than the Government, Statement signed by the consultant certifying his or her availability and salary)? | This is correct. |
| 8 | What is the definition of a Consultant and what is the definition of a Subcontractor? Or in other words, what is the difference between a Consultant and Subcontractor? | Consultant services are those services rendered by persons who are members of a particular profession or possess a special skill and who are not officers or employees of the contractor. A subcontractor is any supplier, distributor, vendor, or firm that furnishes supplies or services to or for a prime contractor or another subcontractor. |
| 9 | If a research project brings past Intellectual Property into the PHMSA research, would the Intellectual Property be protected? (i.e., not become public property) | Existing intellectual property would be protected, but any information resulting from a project funded under this announcement would be subject to section #22 of the Terms and Conditions (Attachment #8). |
| 10 | Which entity owns Intellectual Property developed under this Research Announcement? | This question is addressed in section #3 of attachment #8 of the announcement. |
| 11 | Could privately completed work be used as part of the cost sharing? If yes, are there timing restrictions on how long ago the work was completed? | Yes, completed work may be used as part of cost sharing provided it can be directly tied to the project proposal. There is no explicit timing restriction on how long ago the work was completed. |
| 12 | Could you define “technology research” vs. “non-technology research”? | Technology research largely addresses the development of a tool, product or software. Non-Technology research largely addresses the development of knowledge based outputs such as recommended practice and guidelines. |
| 13 | Are DOE FFRDCs eligible to apply as subrecipients? | Yes. |
| 14 | Are non-profit entities subject to the mandatory cost share requirements? | Yes. |
| 15 | Are international sources of cost sharing acceptable as long as they are non-federal sources? | Yes. |
| 16 | Can foreign entities such as overseas EPC companies, tank builders and consultants be part of the team if the research project is led by a US entity? | Yes. |
| 17 | Can a foreign entity lead the research work with support from US entities? | Yes. |
| 18 | Can we utilize experience and lessons learned from overseas projects such as those in Europe, Japan, Indonesia or Malaysia? | Any relevant experience and lessons learned from past events or research projects should be considered if they support the specific objective stated in the solicited research topic. |
| 19 | Proposals are expected to involve a broad team including pipeline and LNG operators. Would it be acceptable to include SMEs who were previously working for operators or do we need to include participants who are currently working for operators? | A broad team, that can include SMEs, assembled by the proposing researcher, should be diverse and include the most appropriate balance in order to convey confidence that the proposed research can solve the stated challenge. |
| 20 | Is there an expected cost / allocated budget for different research topics or would the total award amount be split equally between different topics? | There is not an allocated budget for each research topic area. |
| 21 | Is PHMSA planning to share pipeline inspection or other relevant data in a redacted format during execution of the research projects? | Upon request and for any awarded research project, PHMSA will share relevant available data that can support the project objective. |
| 22 | What is the planned award date of research projects? | It is anticipated the awards resulting from this RA will be issued by the end of the current fiscal year. |
| 23 | Is it possible to extend the proposal submission deadline? | No. |
| 24 | For the research topic “Developing Periodic External/Internal Inspection Requirements to Assess Low Temperature and Cryogenic Storage Tanks,” can you please clarify if the inspection for appurtenances, such as in-tank pumps, instruments, firefighting system, external piping, jib crane, etc. should be included in this research? | No, the scope of the project is limited to inspecting the LNG storage tank as specified in API 620 Appendix Q. |
| 25 | For the research topic “Developing Periodic External/Internal Inspection Requirements to Assess Low Temperature and Cryogenic Storage Tanks,” can you please confirm the scope of this research project is limited to LNG/LPG only? If other low temperature liquids need to be included in this research, please share the names of those. | Yes, the scope of the project is limited to the LNG storage tank. |
| 26 | For the research topic “Determine the Maximum Permissible Temperature Drops for Steel when Exposed to Cryogenic Liquid,” please confirm that the structures to be researched are platform on the tank, stairway/ladder, external pipe support, which are attached to outer surface of outer container, and the independent structures constructed in the dike area or impound basin are not included in the scope of this research topic. | This project is intended for all metals that could be exposed to cryogenic releases including those used for supporting structures. Platform on top of the tank and external pipe support are included. Independent structures within the dike of single-containment tank is included. There should be no structures in an impoundment basin, so it’s not applicable. |
| 27 | The bottom filling is the common approach to mitigate the stratification during light density LNG receiving. For the research topic “Evaluating/Demonstrating the Feasibility of LNG Storage Tank Operations Without Bottom Fill Capabilities,” can you please share the motivation for eliminating the bottom filling option from the tank design? Does the “process” mean receiving operation philosophy, such as “Do not receive the LNG when the density difference is greater than a certain percentage?” Or does the “process” indicate using means like jet nozzle, spray ring, etc. which may be installed in the tank? | PHMSA received a request from Ventura Global LNG, Inc. to eliminate the bottom fill lines in the LNG storage tanks at its LNG export Terminal. Alaska Gas Development Corp and Driftwood LNG LLC also expressed interest in eliminating the bottom fill lines. These LNG operators raised concerns with introducing superheated LNG from the liquefaction unit to the bottom of the tank, which could expedite the roll-over process. A process means is a terminology used in NFPA 59A-2019, and we think of process means as same-tank product recycle or inter-tank transfers. The project description requires identifying the process means and its limitation. The limitation would be the maximum density difference or maximum/minimum recycle flow rate. |
| 28 | Regarding the firm letter of commitment from non-federal sources, are there any requirements or specifics that need to be included in the letters? | |
| Letters of commitment should include the value of the cost sharing, the form of the cost sharing, and a breakdown of the cost sharing. | ||
| 29 | On the primis.PHMSA website link provided, under “Submission Details”: Could you provide further direction as to where on the website is the upload link for our proposals? | |
| Please return to the solicitation page where you can now register and upload your proposal(s). The required data fields within that process are now visible for your consideration to apply by the stated deadline. | ||
| 30 | Regarding the sample terms and conditions sections 14 and 15: “Generally Accepted Accounting Principles” is stated. Do you have more specifics you could provide to define that? | |
| Generally Accepted Accounting Principles is a standard accounting term. For the purposes of this announcement, it has the meaning specified in accounting standards issued by the Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB) and the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB). |
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