B01_-_BAA_Announcement_2.pdf

BAA 140M0123R0002 Page 1 of 4

Broad Agency Announcement (BAA)

140M0123R0002

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 soliciting white papers to inform

BOEM of methods and technologies to mitigate environmental impact of renewable facilities on the

Outer Continental Shelf and exploration of development alternative renewable energy sources currently in development in the United States and abroad.

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:

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:

1. Title: Sediment Mobility Rates in the Atlantic OCS

Exposed cables on the ocean floor pose a serious risk to fishing activities and navigation. In areas where significant sediment mobility exists, there are increased risks to achieving target cable burial depths for transmission cables.

Objective:

• BOEM seeks to understand the sediment mobility rates in the Atlantic OCS and how areas of high sediment mobility could impact the planning, design, and installation of offshore export cable routes for renewable energy projects.

• BOEM seeks additional analysis on sediment mobility as it pertains to cable burial risks. BOEM would like a better understanding of how sediment mobility can impact essential fish habitats and other benthic resources.

2. Title: Alternate renewable energy technologies on the OCS

BOEM has jurisdiction of all renewable energy facilities installed on the OCS. To date, all proposed commercial projects submitted to BOEM for permitting and environmental review have consisted of https://www.bsee.gov/what-we-do/research/tap https://www.boem.gov/Technology-Assessment/

BAA 140M0123R0002 Page 2 of 4 offshore wind farms. Understanding the potential impact of alternative renewable energy technologies is critical to BOEM and BSEE in their regulatory role for these types of projects is also sought.

BOEM is aware of new technologies under development in the U.S and abroad. Areas of interest to

BOEM are marine kinetic energy (MKE) and other renewable energy technologies including offshore solar farms, offshore floating algae ponds, and offshore storage technologies. This knowledge would aid the determination of what types of alternate renewable energy facilities may be suitable for the

OCS and potential facility designs.

Objective:

• BOEM would like to identify and fill gaps in its knowledge of the development of alternate renewable energy technologies for the OCS and their potential environmental impact.

3. Title: Floating Offshore Wind Platform Secondary Marine Species Entanglement

Hazards

Derelict fishing gear and marine debris is found to be ensnared in mooring chain, cables, and other structures and conclusions. Early detection of entangled fishing gear and marine debris could allow for removal actions aimed at reducing entanglement risks to marine species.

Objective:

• BOEM seeks to identify methods and strategies to mitigate entanglement hazards for floating wind farms. Areas which BOEM seeks further understanding are:

o The potential risk of secondary entanglement of marine species from construction of platforms that will be required for floating offshore wind farms.

o The feasibility of employing devices, such as remote or direct sensors, to detect the presence of “ghost fishing gear” that is entangled on floating offshore wind turbine platform mooring chains, transmission cables, and other structures. Detection through passive and active acoustic means could be considered.

o The feasibility of using technologies, such as robotic systems, to remove and retrieve entangled fishing gear and marine debris from offshore wind turbine mooring lines and transmission cables.

o If devices could be configured to detach/cut loose entangled marine debris and then capture the debris for subsequent retrieval and disposal.

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, Jennifer Moreci at Jennifer.Moreci@bsee.gov , no later than 2:00

PM, Eastern Time on July 21, 2023. The Solicitation/ BAA number 140M0123R0002 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 mailto:mailt:Jennifer.Moreci@bsee.gov

BAA 140M0123R0002 Page 3 of 4 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.

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 Jennifer.Moreci@bsee.gov not later than 2:00 p.m., Eastern Time on

June 30, 2023. The Solicitation/BAA number, 140M0123R0002, MUST be referenced in the subject line of the E-mail. Questions shall include the Solicitation/BAA number 140M0123R0002, your full name and title, your organization, complete physical address, email address and telephone number.

Telephone inquiries WILL NOT be accepted.

POINT OF CONTACT: Jennifer Moreci, email: Jennifer.Moreci@bsee.gov mailto:Jennifer.Moreci@bsee.gov mailto:Jennifer.Moreci@bsee.gov