B01 - 2021 BAA Announcement Wind Power Structure Research_1.pdf

Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) 140M0121R0006 for Proposed Safety and Technology Verification Research Projects

DESCRIPTION:

The U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), on behalf of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is hereby soliciting White Papers of not more than five (5) pages in length, for specific areas of interest to BOEM Technology Assessment Program (TAP) on Offshore Wind technology for the topics identified below. When appropriate, the research shall be conducted consistently with prior research.

For a summary of research previously completed and recently performed, visit https://www.bsee.gov/what-we-do/research/tap and https://www.boem.gov/Technology- Assessment/. Interested parties are encouraged to view the information presented on the site when considering submitting white papers.

BACKGROUND:

The BSEE on behalf of BOEM is requesting White Papers to be submitted in accordance with the terms of this announcement. After review, authors of selected White Papers will be requested to submit full proposals for further consideration. A total of $500,000 may be available for initiating new research and/or studies addressing the topics identified through this announcement.

NOTICE: BSEE/BOEM may share the White Papers with other organizations for review.

Potential offerors shall notify BSEE/BOEM if they do not want their White Papers/proposals shared outside of BSEE/BOEM.

The BAA Topics are limited to Offshore Wind Power Structure Research as follows:

TOPIC 1: Offshore Wind Hydrogen Production

Objective: To assess the role of BOEM on proposed offshore wind projects for development of hydrogen.

Hydrogen production capability tied to offshore wind sites is a potential supplemental market that avoids the complexities with grid interconnection and opens additional markets served by offshore wind energy. This concept is currently being studied in Europe and would be within the regulatory authority of BOEM OREP. This study would assess how the role and actions of BOEM would be affected by this alternative use if it were to be proposed by a lessee on the OCS. This would include how technical reviews would need to be conducted, what expertise would be required for the review. It would define potential environmental and safety hazards and what standards and best practices should apply to design. This is not meant to be a feasibility assessment of offshore wind hydrogen production but should focus on how the role of BOEM would be affected.

https://www.bsee.gov/what-we-do/research/tap https://www.boem.gov/Technology-Assessment/ https://www.boem.gov/Technology-Assessment/

TOPIC 2: Analyze the use of Corrosion Protection inside enclosed spaces of large diameter monopile structures

Objective: To determine if BOEM should recommend corrosion protection measures inside monopile offshore wind foundations.

Field observations from European support structures in the North Sea reveal a litany of corrosion issues due to original assumptions made in the design process. One legacy issue includes the need for Corrosion Protection for the inside spaces of large diameter monopile structures. The principle method for addressing this corrosion includes the use of Cathodic Protection (CP) within the “wet” areas. The use of Cathodic Protection inside enclosed spaces potentially leads to other harmful (gasification) or deleterious effects (acidification of the entrapped water). Designers have proposed methods of venting gases and perforation of the monopile to allow for water exchange. One major area of existing codes that is not fully developed is the problem of water exchange. No existing documents quantify the water replenishment rate or specify the acceptable pH range. The corrosion protection of monopile interiors is a topic where the requirements could be more specific and well defined. A rigorous look at the problem and recommendations as to the calculations required to ensure adequate water exchange and safe venting of the gasses would benefit the industry and help BOEM to ensure our mission.

TOPIC 3: Desk Top G&G Study for Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico OCS

Objective: To provide a general Desk Top Study for the entire Atlantic and GoM OCS for future Wind Energy Area Planning and Development

This study includes collecting and analyzing all available existing geophysical and geotechnical data on geology and sediments from the entire Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Outer Continental Shelf and does not included performing any actual surveys. It could be used for lessees to begin the preparation of a ground model for a project and provide the basis for preparing scopes of work for geophysical and geotechnical surveys. The study would include a broad characterization of the seabed and an assessment of potential geologic hazards to development including seismic risk, boulders, hard bottom, landsliding, and any others identified. It will help BOEM in identifying geohazards and constraints that are considered during the evaluations of new and proposed lease areas, and also provide data to support prospective developers in bidding on leases by providing information that can be used to get a jump start to their planning process once a lease is awarded.

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TOPIC 4: Submarine Cable Burial Methodology

Objective: To assess the best practices and specific methodologies for achieving appropriate submarine power cable burial depths for offshore wind projects in the OCS.

The initial wind farm projects in the US have seen significant problems with achieving design burial depths of export cables resulting in disruptions to service and potential fishing and navigation hazards. The methodology of achieving adequate export cable burial and proper and timely documentation to BOEM needs improvement. This study would expand on previous TAP studies on cable design and spacing taking into account current regulatory issues and stakeholder concerns. Among the issues to assess are burial risk assessments (when they should be performed, and what is the appropriate level of risk), how to provide timely as built documentation for cables for BOEM review, improvements to cable protection systems to reduce fishing hazards. A Cable Burial Risk Assessment Methodology Report was prepared in 2015 by the Carbon Trust as a guidance for the preparation of cable burial depth of lowering specification for offshore wind projects in the UK. This document should be reviewed and assessed to whether it is suitable for the OCS or if a separate or revised guidance document is needed, focusing on the US site conditions and environmental issues including Atlantic, Pacific and Gulf of Mexico regions.

HOW TO RESPOND:

White Papers of not more than five (5) pages in length, shall be submitted to the U.S.

Department of the Interior, Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, Acquisition Operations Branch, VIA EMAIL to the Contracting Officer, Rebecca Kruse at Rebecca.Kruse@bsee.gov , no later than 2:00 PM, Eastern Time on 8 March 2021. The Solicitation/ BAA number 140M0121R0006 MUST be referenced in the subject line of the email along with the due date and the name of the Offeror submitting the White Paper.

Multiple white papers or proposals addressing different research areas, within the purview of the announcement, may be submitted by each offeror. White papers should have one-inch margins, single spacing, and Times New Roman 12-point font. White Papers shall define the proposed research scope, including background, problem, proposed solution, and feasibility of solution. COST ESTIMATES SHALL NOT TO BE INCLUDED IN THE WHITE PAPER. White papers will be selected from all or part of the topics listed depending on the interest and scope of White Papers received. The BSEE/BOEM will evaluate the responses on technical merit and those deemed to have merit may be selected for a full proposal. In cases where a white paper is selected for further consideration, a technical and cost/business proposal may be requested from your organization by the BSEE Contracting Officer. This announcement constitutes a Request for White Papers, but does not obligate the Government to consummate award. Respondents WILL NOT be notified of the results of the evaluation on the information submitted. BSEE shall evaluate the responses, and those deemed to have merit shall be furnished information to assist in the preparation of the complete proposal. Any response that is selected, the contractor must also be registered and active in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) at the time of submission.

mailto:Rebecca.Kruse@bsee.gov

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WHITE PAPERS SHALL BE EVALUATED USING THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA:

The White Paper shall be evaluated to determine if it has merit. Merit will be determined by the feasibility of the approach or solution and the offerors ability to implement the proposed solution.

IF ANY OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT ARE NOT MET, THE

WHITE PAPER WILL NOT BE EVALUATED.

Questions shall be e-mailed to Rebecca.Kruse@bsee.gov not later than 2:00 p.m., Eastern Time on 18 February 2021. The Solicitation/BAA number, 140M0121R0006, MUST be referenced in the subject line of the E-mail. Questions shall include the Solicitation/BAA number 140M0121R0006, your full name and title, your organization, complete physical address, email address and telephone number. Telephone inquiries WILL NOT be accepted.

POINT OF CONTACT: Rebecca Kruse, email: Rebecca.Kruse@bsee.gov

DESCRIPTION: