B01_BAA_FBO_Announcement_Oil_Spill_Detection_1.pdf

Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) Number: 140E0122R0004 for Proposed Research on Oil Spill Detection under Ice and on Seafloor

DESCRIPTION:

The U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) solicits White Papers of not more than five (5) pages in length in specific areas of interest to BSEE’s Oil Spill Response Research (OSRR) Program on Oil Spill Detection under Ice and on Seafloor. For a summary of research previously completed, as well as currently/recently performed, visit https://www.bsee.gov/what-we-do/oil-spill-preparedness/oil-spill-response-research-osrr . Interested parties are encouraged to review the website information when considering submitting white papers.

BACKGROUND:

The BSEE requests that White Papers be submitted in accordance with the terms of this announcement. After BSEE’s review, authors of selected White Papers will be requested to submit full proposals for further consideration.

NOTICE: BSEE may share the White Papers with other organizations for review. Potential contractors shall notify BSEE if they do not want their White Papers/proposals shared outside of BSEE. BSEE anticipates awards resultant to this announcement will be made on a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) basis.

OBJECTIVES:

Responses to this announcement are limited to the following topic:

Oil Spill Detection Under Ice and On Seafloor – Remote detection and characterization of oil slicks is a required first step for oil spill response. In the Arctic environment, however, oil spill detection under ice and on seafloor is a complex and challenging task. Sea ice conditions keep changing and oil can be found on, in, or under sea ice. Although remote sensing technologies have been advanced especially for airborne and spaceborne sensors, it is still challenging to detect oil under/encapsulated in ice as well as on seafloor because airborne and spaceborne remote sensors have limited capability to detect oil under ice and on seafloor. Therefore, it is critical to develop/advance underwater platforms and sensors to overcome those limitations.

BSEE will publish a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) and anticipates further research in this area this year. Developing/advancing underwater platforms and sensors will be beneficial to oil spill response community for oil spill response in the Arctic.

The objectives of this project are to:

• Investigate and advance the current underwater technology to detect and measure thickness of oil under ice, encapsulated in ice and/or on the seafloor https://www.bsee.gov/what-we-do/oil-spill-preparedness/oil-spill-response-research-osrr https://www.bsee.gov/what-we-do/oil-spill-preparedness/oil-spill-response-research-osrr

• Conduct testing at Ohmsett or CRREL to characterize the sensitivity of remote sensors for detecting and characterizing oil under ice, encapsulated in ice, and/or oil on the tank floor (if feasible)

• If deemed feasible, perform technical demonstration in the field (e.g., Alaska).

The full system including all the related parts acquired for this project will be owned by BSEE at the end of the project.

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, Tae-Won Eum at Tae- Won.Eum@bsee.gov, no later than 2:00 PM, Eastern Time on April 04, 2022. The Solicitation/ BAA number 140E0122R0004 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. 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 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 in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov).

WHITE PAPERS SHALL BE EVALUATED USING THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA:

White Papers 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 Tae-Won.Eum@bsee.gov not later than 2:00 p.m., Eastern Time on March 18, 2022. The Solicitation/BAA number, 140E0122R0004, MUST be referenced in the subject line of the E-mail. Questions shall include the Solicitation/BAA number 140E0122RXXXX, your full name and title, your organization, complete physical address, email address and telephone number. Telephone inquiries WILL NOT be accepted.

POINT OF CONTACT: Tae-Won Eum, email: Tae-Won.Eum@bsee.gov mailto:Tae-Won.Eum@bsee.gov mailto:Tae-Won.Eum@bsee.gov mailto:Tae-Won.Eum@bsee.gov mailto:Tae-Won.Eum@bsee.gov