B01_Synopsis_1.pdf

This Notice is issued in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 5.2, Synopses of Proposed Contract Actions. The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), Acquisition Operations Branch, is the contracting office for this procurement. The purpose of this Notice, being issued on behalf of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), is to announce the Government’s intent to negotiate a sole source purchase order with Ohio State University (OCU) to continue advancement of the project titled “Gulf of Mexico Gas Hydrate Mapping and Interpretation Study Phase 2”, based on the contractor’s demonstrated unique capability in accordance with (FAR) 13.106(b) soliciting from a single source. This requirement will utilize FAR Part 13 acquisition procedures.

In an effort to develop a thorough understanding of more detailed, prospect-level methane hydrate accumulations, BOEM contracted a Phase 1 study with Ohio State University (OSU) in 2019 to identify, characterize, and assess resources in potential hydrate accumulations in five project areas on the GOM slope under Purchase Order 140M0119P0041. This understanding of the distribution of methane gas hydrates at the prospect level in the Gulf of Mexico benefits BOEM in that it informs future methane hydrate resource assessments and assists with evaluating future exploration and development plans in the event that methane hydrates become economically recoverable. The Phase 2 study is designed to fill in the gaps between the five Phase 1 project areas, providing continuous coverage across the majority of the GOM slope.

Market research efforts have indicated that only OSU is capable of providing 3D Seismic mapping data for wellbore information on methane hydrate volumes available. OSU owns the database that can provide the information in the level of detail BOEM needs, in addition to the level of expertise with the interpretation of the products. Therefore, OSU is the only contractor capable of providing the mapping and interpretation needed by BOEM for this requirement.

This is not a request for competitive quotes; however, all interested sources that believe they can meet the requirements may submit a capability statement no later than the date and time stated below, to the point of contact for this notice. Information received as a result of this notice will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement and will be at the sole discretion of the Contracting Officer.

All submissions in response to this notice must be submitted in writing via email to the Contracting Officer, Lisa A. Algarin at lisa.algarin@bsee.gov no later than 4/5/2022 at 12:00 PM ET. Any email must reference in the subject line the RFQ number 140M0122Q0013. Telephone calls regarding this matter will neither be accepted nor returned.