B08_-_140E0125Q0032_RFQ.pdf

RFQ No. 140E0125Q0032 | Commingle Study Page 1 of 56

SYNOPSIS:

PLEASE READ THIS NOTICE CAREFULLY AS IT CONSTITUTES THE ONLY NOTICE

THAT WILL BE ISSUED. This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This solicitation is a Request for Quote (RFQ). This RFQ is an Unrestricted Competitive Solicitation. The solicitation and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through the Federal Acquisition Circular 2025-03 effective

01/17/2025.

The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement

(BSEE), has a requirement for “BSEE Study for Downhole Commingling Paleogene Reservoirs in the Gulf of America.” The estimated period of performance for this requirement is a 6-month base period plus a 1-year option period.

The purpose of this combined synopsis/solicitation is to solicit quotes as described in the attached solicitation. The Government anticipates awarding a firm fixed purchase order. This procurement is being conducted in accordance with FAR Part 13.5, "Simplified Acquisition

Procedures – Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Products and Commercial Services" and FAR Part 12, “Acquisition of Commercial Items”. The North American Industrial

Classification Systems (NAICS) code is 541330, Engineering Services, with a small business size standard of $25.5 Million. This solicitation is being issued on an unrestricted basis.

All potential quoters must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM)

(www.sam.gov) in order to receive Government contracts.

The point of contact for this procurement is William Rilee, Contracting Officer, BSEE, Acquisition Operations Branch, 45600 Woodland Rd., Sterling, VA 20166. Responses to this solicitation must be submitted electronically via email to William.Rilee@bsee.gov no later than the closing date and time referenced in the solicitation. All email correspondence must reference

“RFQ No. 140E0125Q0032” in the subject line.

mailto:William.Rilee@bsee.gov

RFQ No. 140E0125Q0032 | Commingle Study Page 2 of 56

SECTION 1

PRICING

1.1 GENERAL

This acquisition is conducted under the authority of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part

13.5, " Simplified Acquisition Procedures – Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Products and Commercial Services" and FAR Part 12, “Acquisition of Commercial Items”. The North

American Industrial Classification Systems (NAICS) code is 541330, Engineering Services, with a small business size standard of $25.5 Million. The Bureau of Safety and Environmental

Enforcement (BSEE) intends to award a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) and Labor Hour (LH) purchase order for the requirement specified under Section 2 Statement of Work.

1.2 LINE ITEM/PRICING

The specific details and description of the contract Line Item Number (CLIN) is described as follows

(Quoter shall provide * information as part of their quotation):

CLIN DESCRIPTION QTY UNIT UNIT

PRICE

TOTAL

PRICE

00010 Tasks 1 through 4 as detailed in section 2

Firm Fixed Price

1 Job * *

00110 Optional Task 5: Provide Support for Peer

Review of Deliverables

Labor Hour

35 Hourly

Rate

1.3 Partial Delivery Payment Schedule for CLIN 00010

Payment will be made to the Contractor based upon delivery and acceptance of tasks performed as proposed and agreed to by the Government, in accordance with FAR Clause 52.232-1. The payment arrangement based upon partial deliverables whereby payments are made for distinct portions of the work completed by the Contractor and accepted by the Government is detailed below:

CLIN 00010

Payment No. Deliverable(s) / Milestone (s) Payment Amount

1 [To be proposed by Quoter] $TBD*

2 $TBD*

3 $TBD*

TOTAL CLIN VALUE $TBD*

* = TBD. This amount is to be determined upon award based upon the price accepted by the

Government.

RFQ No. 140E0125Q0032 | Commingle Study Page 3 of 56

SECTION 2

SPECIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS

DESCRIPTION/STATEMENT OF WORK

BSEE Study for Downhole Commingling Paleogene Reservoirs in the Gulf of America

2.0 BACKGROUND

The Paleogene (commonly referred to as Wilcox) reservoirs are currently the most prolific frontier developments being pursued by major energy companies operating in the Gulf of

America (GOA) with eight fields online and several more proposed over the next few years. At present, approximately 12% of GOA oil production is allocated to deepwater Wilcox reservoirs– increasing to an anticipated 40% within the next decade. The most common development strategy for GOA Wilcox consists of downhole commingling (DHC) of two or more reservoirs within each well. BSEE seeks to determine whether current internal policies for DHC should be updated for the Wilcox. BSEE’s intent is that any policy updates would be supported by real world data and indicate the best DHC methodology that maximizes ultimate recovery of the resource.

The Resource Conservation (RC) Section in BSEE’s Office of Production & Development reviews operator requests and determines whether the requests to DHC hydrocarbons produced from multiple reservoirs within a common wellbore maximizes recovery. Several long-standing policies regarding completion design, zonal pressure differential, reservoir size, and drive mechanism are all considered when determining if DHC will be approved, but the fundamental regulatory authority is based on the ability to demonstrate that DHC will maximize ultimate recovery of the reservoirs (30 CFR § 250.1158). Current DHC policies and workflows of the RC section reference findings from the 2010 MMS-contracted research study “Downhole

Commingling Research” by Knowledge Reservoir. This study considered fields and reservoirs in the GOA in addition to international offshore waters; however, the Wilcox was not yet on production during this time. The reservoir characteristics in the Wilcox differ from the case-studied reservoirs reviewed in the 2010 MMS-contracted study such as notably large vertical thicknesses, lower permeability, multiple reservoir-units, low reservoir heterogeneity, large drawdown pressures, low gas-oil-ratios, low viscosity, and long, steady production rates.

Standard industry practice for the Wilcox is to rely less on reservoir management and instead rely on chemical tracers and geochemical analyses, reservoir modeling and simulation, well test and pressure transient analyses, and subsequent drilling and completion data to determine whether recovery is maximized.

In the past few years, BSEE has seen an increase in applications requesting significant deviations from existing policies regarding the DHC of Wilcox reservoirs. Now that there is over a decade of geologic and petroleum data and over 40 producing wells across eight fields, the Wilcox is confirmed to be a proven play with large deepwater projects coming online today and sanctioned projects being developed and leading to production in the coming years. Therefore, it is important that BSEE considers the impacts of uncontrolled DHC versus sequential production of two or more economic Wilcox reservoir units (greater than 200 psi static pressure difference) to

RFQ No. 140E0125Q0032 | Commingle Study Page 4 of 56 maximize ultimate recovery and establish necessary parameters and/or conditions which maximize ultimate recovery from each economic reservoir unit within a well. Further, are there alternative development opportunities (e.g., smart well equipment and/or technology which allows for allocation to individual reservoir units) which are commercial and provide better reservoir management and indicators to understand which reservoirs are contributing to production of the well in a DHC configuration?

2.1 STUDY OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study is to determine if current BSEE policies regarding DHC in the Wilcox remain applicable or if there is an opportunity to update DHC policies specific to these developments.

The DHC policy is largely based upon the 2010 MMS-contracted study “Downhole

Commingling Research” Study by Knowledge Reservoir LLC (https://www.bsee.gov/research-record/tap-667-downhole-commingling-research). The receiver of this project shall determine whether the conclusions from this study are applicable to Wilcox reservoirs developed in the

GOA. As the study concludes:

1. Intelligent completions (e.g. Intelligent Well Systems capable of controlling individual reservoir(s) flow) are “the standard requirement when operators request to produce in a commingled fashion.”

2. If the cost of the intelligent completion is uneconomic, the following should be stipulations for approval:

a. Demonstration that intelligent completions are uneconomic,

b. Operator provides evidence that reservoirs are lower rate and in decline phase,

c. [Reservoirs to be DHC] Have compatible fluid properties and drive mechanisms,

d. [Reservoirs to be DHC] Are located in the same reservoir complex within 200’ of one another,

e. [Reservoirs to be DHC] Have depth-adjusted static pressure within 200 psi of one other.

3. If indication of crossflow occurs, the operator should be required to take steps the expeditiously remedy the problem.

The project will involve the collection and evaluation of available data in the Wilcox or analogous fields to compare the impacts to ultimate recovery for each economic reservoir unit in the well for sequential versus DHC production scenarios. Perform a literature review and identify advantages and disadvantages of uncontrolled DHC at both virgin reservoir conditions (1st phase development) and some period of time after first production (2nd phase development with infill wells) where depletion has occurred. Assess and compare global developments, similar or analogous to Wilcox GOA developments and deliver findings related to development strategies and resource recovery. Further information on the tasks is in Section 2.4.

The project deliverables shall include a report documenting and reporting the study scope and objectives, all methodologies, findings, conclusions, and recommendations. The information in https://www.bsee.gov/research-record/tap-667-downhole-commingling-research https://www.bsee.gov/research-record/tap-667-downhole-commingling-research

RFQ No. 140E0125Q0032 | Commingle Study Page 5 of 56 this report will be used by BSEE to support policy, workflows, and decisions for requests to

DHC multiple economic Wilcox reservoir units.

The Contractor shall coordinate with BSEE SMEs throughout the process to ensure the deliverables maximize usefulness to the agency’s needs and identify future information needs.

2.2 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1. Are BSEE’s current DHC policies applicable to Wilcox reservoirs in the GOA?

2. Did DHC increase ultimate recovery as proposed in operators’ DHC requests for certain

Wilcox fields in the GOA? Under what conditions does DHC effectively deplete the

Wilcox? What qualitative assessments can be early indicators of whether DHC is increasing the ultimate recovery from reservoirs?

3. What risks are there to maximizing ultimate recovery associated with uncontrolled cross flow of DHC reservoirs within GOA Wilcox completions? What reservoir conditions may adversely affect ultimate recovery?

4. How were reservoirs with similar characteristics to GOA Wilcox reservoirs developed and did a commingled strategy maximize recovery?

2.3 RELEVANCE AND IMPORTANCE OF THE RESEARCH

The results of this study will be used to determine if current BSEE policies regarding DHC remain applicable in the Wilcox or if there is an opportunity to update DHC policies specific to these developments. In the past few years, BSEE has seen an increase in applications requesting significant deviations from existing policies regarding the DHC of Wilcox reservoirs. Now that there is over a decade of geologic and petroleum data and over 40 producing wells across eight fields. At present, approximately 12% of GOA oil production is allocated to deepwater Wilcox reservoirs– increasing to an anticipated 40% within the next decade.

This project has been categorized as influential scientific information based on OMB guidance and internal BSEE policy. As influential research, the final report will be peer reviewed to maintain scientific integrity. The findings of the peer review will be posted along with the non-proprietary final report and any non-proprietary data shared with the contractor or generated by the contractor after the peer review is completed for transparency. The contents of the releasable research report and data will not be proprietary.

2.4 TASKS

2.4.1 Task 1: Field Studies and Lookback

In order to achieve the objective of this study, the contractor shall review and compare data from

GOA Wilcox producers and perform an evaluation without reliance on simulation or reservoir modeling. This task is divided based on the level of information available to answer the questions.

i. Task 1.a.: Detailed Field Studies (Proprietary Info)

RFQ No. 140E0125Q0032 | Commingle Study Page 6 of 56

Perform geologic and engineering studies of multiple fields, as agreed upon by BSEE, focused on Paleogene-aged basin floor deposits in the GOA. Collect and analyze field data provided to BSEE (including but not limited to, Seismic, logs, available core and cuttings, surveys, production and pressure test, gauge, etc.) for Wilcox fields in the GOA that are most appropriate to determine whether DHC increased ultimate recovery as proposed in operators’ DHC requests.

Utilize all available technical data to determine the expected resource recovery within these completions. At a reservoir, well and field level, compare actual recovery to the proposed estimated recovery. Rank fields based on key recovery metrics and markers that identify successfulness of Wilcox development. Compare pre-production and post-production downhole commingled completions and determine whether significant static pressure deviations (> 200 psi) at time of subsequent staged well developments affected relevant factors (e.g., inflow performance, fracture effectiveness, skin, well performance, crossflow) and ultimately increased or harmed resource recoveries from the DHC reservoir units. Determine under which conditions DHC is effectively depleting the

Wilcox and list what commingling scenarios (e.g., reservoir parameters) this would apply.

ii. Task 1.b: Wilcox Lookback (Publicly available info)

Review available public technical and production data to determine effectiveness of

Wilcox completions (i.e., inability to isolate and/or choke DHC reservoirs) in the GOA.

Statistically compare both commingled and non-commingled (as defined by BSEE) completions from Wilcox fields for measures increasing ultimate recovery of the reservoirs (i.e. initial rate, cumulative oil and gas production, onset of water breakthrough, completion failure counts, etc.). Determine what qualitative assessments can be early indicators of whether DHC is increasing the ultimate recovery from reservoirs in each field. Provide mitigation actions that can be performed to maximize the ultimate recovery of the resource.

2.4.2 Task 2: Reservoir Risks

Perform a literature review to identify risks to maximizing ultimate recovery associated with uncontrolled crossflow of downhole commingled reservoirs within GOA Wilcox completions

(e.g., single trip frac systems, with and without mechanical isolation). Explore and document the effects of reservoir conditions that may adversely affect ultimate recovery, specifically, if unable to be isolated expeditiously or at all. Provide the benefits and limitations regarding reservoir management and resource recovery when using these types of completions.

Present DHC conclusions indicate that the significance of produced water and the implications of crossflow are a major concern; the literature review should find supporting evidence to determine if the risk of crossflow damage due to produced water is applicable to GOA Wilcox completions.

Recommend acceptable limits for individual flow units within downhole commingled completions for parameters such as but not limited to reservoir size, drive mechanisms, RFQ No. 140E0125Q0032 | Commingle Study Page 7 of 56 production indexes (PIs) for each flow unit, reservoir fluid parameter differentials (API, GOR, etc.), and differential pressure.

2.4.3 Task 3: Comparable Global Review

Perform a global review for similar reservoirs as compared to the Wilcox reservoirs in the GOA with specific mention of any comparable developments with similar characteristics (reservoir properties, water depth, logistics, economics, etc.) of the US GOA offshore environment.

Overall, determine how these fields were developed (Sequential, commingled, completion types, production tracers, etc.) and whether a commingled development strategy maximized recovery.

Questions to consider:

• How were recovered reserves allocated amongst the separate reservoirs within the completions?

• What are the pros and cons for DHC methods used and are there potential alternative methods to help maximize ultimate recovery of the resource?

• Could the resource have been maximized and still economic if produced differently? For example, how many of these reservoirs need to be commingled so that there is an economic completion? Describe the technical factors and economical limitations in further detail.

• How do other regulatory bodies handle DHC applications (or similar regulatory requirements) and what constitutes success for reservoirs comparable to the GOA Wilcox developments?

2.4.4 Task 4: Provide Recommendations for DHC Wilcox Reservoirs in GOA

Develop recommendations list for BSEE consideration that would maximize recovery in Wilcox reservoirs in the GOA. Determine whether existing policy is already sufficient for the Wilcox, or whether updates are necessary and would better allow for reservoir management. Discuss economic criteria considerations that should be considered in lieu of requiring more effective reservoir management completions (e.g., smart completions, additional take-points or producers).

2.4.5 Task 5 (CLIN 00110- BSEE OPTION): Provide Support for Peer Review of

Deliverables

The contractor shall provide support to BSEE by addressing inquiries from BSEE during the peer review process, actively participating in the close-out meeting, and revising the final report into a revised research product. The contractor's responsiveness and engagement play a crucial role in facilitating a smooth and effective peer review experience.

Peer Review Process:

BSEE requests up to 15 hours of ad hoc support to:

• Address any questions that arise promptly during the peer review process.

• Provide clarity and additional information as necessary.

• Ensure a thorough understanding of the research and address concerns raised by peer reviewers.

RFQ No. 140E0125Q0032 | Commingle Study Page 8 of 56

• The aim of this task is to ensure the continuous availability of the contractor to provide support to BSEE during the peer review process.

To address the concerns/comments of the peer reviewers, it may be necessary to add information or data to the report. BSEE requests up to an additional 20 hours to address peer reviewer comments.

Peer Review Close-Out Meeting Participation:

Close-out meeting is estimated to be two hours, the contractor will:

• Actively engage in discussions during the close-out meeting with peer reviewers.

• Share insights and contributions relevant to the peer review process outcomes, if asked.

2.5 Meetings

At a minimum, a kick-off meeting and a close-out meeting will be held. Periodic update meetings may be requested by BSEE.

All presentations should be checked for compliance with 508 Compliance for Accessibility. (For further information see section 2.8)

2.5.1 Kick-Off Meeting:

A presentation, agenda, and draft project management plan will be emailed to the Contracting

Officer (CO) and Contracting Officer Representative (COR) three (3) days prior to the meeting.

The kick-off meeting will be coordinated, scheduled, and recorded by the BSEE COR.

The draft Project Management Plan shall show milestones and detail a scheduled time frame for completion. A risk management plan with mitigation steps shall be included in the draft Project

Management Plan. The draft Project Management Plan shall be presented and discussed during the kick-off meeting. BSEE will provide any written comments within seven (7) days of the kickoff meeting.

The Contractor shall provide meeting minutes and final Project Management Plan no later than

14 days post meeting.

2.5.2 Periodic Update Meetings:

Upon request by BSEE, the contractor shall schedule and host via teleconference Periodic

Update Meetings at a time agreed to by the contractor and the COR. Upon request, the contractor shall provide a summary of the discussions to the COR no later than three (3) days following the meeting. The Periodic Update Meetings are held for Specific purposes, i.e., Issue mitigation, Management update, or other project-related topics.

2.5.3 Close-out Meeting:

A close-out meeting shall be scheduled at least 30 days in advance of the actual meeting date to ensure availability of required BSEE participants. The close-out meeting will be coordinated, scheduled, and recorded by the BSEE COR. A presentation and agenda will be emailed to the

RFQ No. 140E0125Q0032 | Commingle Study Page 9 of 56

Contracting Officer (CO) and Contracting Officer Representative (COR) seven (7) days (five (5) business days) prior to the meeting.

The presentation should, at a minimum, include an introduction of the topic (background information, research questions/objectives), description of tasks, methods/process used, analysis, results, findings, discussion, and recommendations.

The Contractor shall provide meeting minutes no later than seven (7) days post meeting.

2.6 Deliverables

• All deliverables must indicate a date of publication and contain a unique Digital Object

Identifier (DOI). A unique digital persistent identifier (ORCID) is required for all authors.

• All information (data, reports, presentations, etc.) provided to BSEE should comply with

508 Compliance for Accessibility. (For further information see section 2.8)

• All of the raw data collected by the contractor should be shared with BSEE as a deliverable (Excel and PDF) and must comply with 508 Compliance for Accessibility.

• The project deliverables shall include two final reports: one for internal BSEE use including proprietary data and one to be made publicly available after the projects is completed excluding all proprietary information. The reports should document and report the study scope and objectives, all methodologies, findings, conclusions, and recommendations.

• The non-proprietary version of the final deliverables will be made publicly accessible on the BSEE website.

2.6.1 Monthly Progress Reports:

Monthly progress reports will be emailed to the Contracting Officer and COR in a Microsoft

Word document.

These reports shall be in sufficient detail to describe all work accomplished and results achieved during the month and shall include a brief discussion of the planned actions for the succeeding month. These reports shall discuss challenges (i.e., unanticipated project completion impediments, recommended remedies, and effect on the projected completion date and final product) that were encountered and their mitigation (if any), as well as recommendations for improving the project or its deliverables. These reports will also include an updated copy of the

Gantt chart showing where activities are tracking against the plan.

2.6.2 Draft Final Report:

The Contractor shall provide a draft final report and technical summary of all results and findings for all tasks. The draft final report should have two versions: one for internal BSEE use including proprietary data and one to be made publicly available after the projects is completed excluding all proprietary information. Draft report may be provided via email. BSEE shall be provided with up to 30 days to review and comment on draft deliverables.

RFQ No. 140E0125Q0032 | Commingle Study Page 10 of 56

The Draft may have multiple reviews and edits. Upon resolving the review comments, the contractor staff shall incorporate the suggested changes, corrections, and additions into the final copy of the report.

The Draft Report should include at a minimum:

• An abstract

• Introduction to the scope of work, including the topic, background/literature review, research questions, and objectives

• The description of the tasks applicable to the report.

• Methods section describing the procedures, data collection, and analysis used to address the tasks.

• The results, findings, discussion, and recommendations.

2.6.3 Final Report:

The Final Report may have multiple reviews and edits. Before submitting the Final Report copy to BSEE, the contractor staff shall have a technical editor edit the Final Report. The final report deliverables shall include two versions: one for internal BSEE use including proprietary data and one to be made publicly available after the projects is completed excluding all proprietary information.

The Final Report deliverable shall be provided via email in digital formats (e.g., .docx, .xlsx) compatible with MS 365 and Adobe (.pdf) format.

The Final Report deliverable must comply with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act requirements per the contract Clause(s), and a report of 508 compliance must be delivered along with the final report.

Upon delivery to BSEE the final report will be the property of BSEE. BSEE has the right to modify the report, including to account for any input resulting from peer review of the research data, methodology, or conclusions, so long as the content of the research in the final report is fairly presented.

2.6.4 Revised Research Report:

The Revised Research Report will consolidate peer review feedback into the research report for the purposes of generating a single Final Research Product. The revised research product should contain a summary of the peer review process and findings. The revised research product shall not respond to peer reviewer feedback. This ensures that the final document reflects a high standard of quality and meets the expectations set forth during the peer review process.

The Revised Research Report should be completed within 30 days of BSEE providing the final

Peer Review report. This would be at the end of the one-year option period for assisting BSEE with the Peer Review.

RFQ No. 140E0125Q0032 | Commingle Study Page 11 of 56

2.7 Schedule of Meetings and Deliverables (not in order)

Deliverable Distribution Due Date

Kick Off Meeting

Presentation, Agenda

Deliverable 2.5.1

CO/COR – one (1) via email Meeting held within two weeks post award. Presentation and agenda provided to BSEE 3 days prior to meeting.

Kick Off Meeting

Minutes

Deliverable 2.5.1

CO/COR – one (1) via email 14 calendar days after Kick Off

Meeting.

Monthly Progress

Reports

Deliverable 2.6.1

CO/COR – one (1) via email Monthly Progress Reports shall be submitted via email by close of business (COB) on the 7th of the month to assist BSEE in reporting to senior staff.

Periodic Meeting

Updates and Meeting

Minutes

As scheduled with

COR and contractor

Deliverable 2.5.2

CO/COR – one (1) via email Meeting minutes will be sent within seven (7) days post meeting.

Draft Final Report

Deliverable 2.6.2

CO/COR – one (1) via email No later than two (2) months before the end of the period of performance.

Final Report

Deliverable 2.6.3

CO/COR – one (1) via email No later than one (1) month after receiving draft report comments from

BSEE.

Close-out Meeting

Deliverable 2.5.3

CO/COR/SME TBD – no later than two (2) weeks before the end of the period of performance.

Revised Research

Report

Deliverable 2.6.4

CO/COR – one (1) email No later than one (1) month after receipt of the Peer Review final report.

Addresses for CO and COR are found in Section 3.3.

RFQ No. 140E0125Q0032 | Commingle Study Page 12 of 56

SECTION 3

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

3.1 TYPE OF ORDER

The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) shall issue a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) purchase order.

3.2 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE/DELIVERABLE DATE

The Estimated Period of Performance (POP) of the base period is from 05/27/2025 – 11/26/2025 with optional task 5 being a period of 1 year starting at the end of the base period of performance.

3.3 ADMINISTRATION/ GOVERNMENT POINTS OF CONTACT

3.3.1 Contracting Officer (CO)

William Rilee

Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement

45600 Woodland Road, Mailstop VAE-AMD

Sterling, VA 20166

Email: william.rilee@bsee.gov

3.3.2 Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR)

[To be announced upon award]

Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement

45600 Woodland Road

Sterling, VA 20166

Phone: TBD

Email: TBD

3.4 INVOICING REQUIREMENTS

Invoices shall be submitted, after acceptance of deliverables by the Government, and in accordance with the instructions provided in Section 3.4.1 below. In addition, the Contractor shall submit invoices utilizing the CLIN structure contained in Section 1.2 and the Milestone Payments in Section

1.3.

3.4.1 ELECTRONIC INVOICING AND PAYMENT REQUIREMENTS –

INVOICE PROCESSING PLATFORM (IPP) (FEBRUARY 2021)

Payment requests must be submitted electronically through the U. S. Department of the

Treasury's Invoice Processing Platform System (IPP).

mailto:william.rilee@bsee.gov

RFQ No. 140E0125Q0032 | Commingle Study Page 13 of 56

"Payment request" means any request for contract financing payment or invoice payment by the

Contractor. To constitute a proper invoice, the payment request must comply with the requirements identified in the applicable Prompt Payment clause included in the contract, or the clause 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions - Commercial Items included in commercial item contracts. The IPP website address is: https://www.ipp.gov.

Under this contract, the following documents are required to be submitted as an attachment to the

IPP invoice:

• Documentation required by FAR 32.905(b)

• A copy of the Partial Delivery Payment Schedule in Section 1.3 of the contract with each invoice which cites what delivery payment schedule item they are invoicing for.

The Contractor must use the IPP website to register access and use IPP for submitting requests for payment. The Contractor Government Business Point of Contact (as listed in SAM) will receive enrollment instructions via email from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRBSTL) within 3 - 5 business days of the contract award date. Contractor assistance with enrollment can be obtained by contacting the IPP Production Helpdesk via email

IPPCustomerSupport@fiscal.treasury.gov or phone (866) 973-3131.

If the Contractor is unable to comply with the requirement to use IPP for submitting invoices for payment, the Contractor must submit a waiver request in writing to the Contracting Officer with its proposal or quotation.

3.5 NON-PERSONAL SERVICES CONTRACT

This is a non-personal services contract, as defined in FAR 37.101. The Contractor personnel rendering the services herein are not to be subject, either by the contract’s terms or by the manner of its administration, to the supervision and control usually prevailing in relationships between the Government and its employees. Contractor personnel shall be subject to the direction of the

Contractor’s Project Manager as described in the section above.

3.6 SECTION 508 OF THE REHABILITATION ACT

Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (found at 29 U.S.C. 794d) requires access to and use of information by individuals with disabilities. A deliverable such as electronic reports (ex:

Adobe® Portable Document Format [PDF] files) to be placed on the web (either on the agency’s web server of the company’s), video footage, or other electronic data such as CD-ROM

(Compact Disc, read-only-memory) to be distributed, are subject to Section 508 guidelines.

RFQ No. 140E0125Q0032 | Commingle Study Page 14 of 56

Simplified, this means that PDF files need to be formatted so that they are ”readable“ by assistive technology devices such as screen readers. Video footage must be closed captioned.

CD-ROMs which contain Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), PDF, or word processor files must be accessible.

3.7 STATEMENT OF DISCLAIMER

(a) The Contractor shall place the appropriate disclaimer clause on the first printed page of the draft final report and the final report.

(1) Draft Final Report. “This draft report has not been reviewed by the Bureau of

Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), nor has it been approved for publication.

Approval, when given, does not signify that the contents necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Bureau, nor does mention of the trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.”

(2) Final Report. “This report has been reviewed by the BSEE and approved for publication. Approval does not signify that the contents necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Bureau, nor does mention of the trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.”

(b) Acknowledgment of Sponsorship. In addition to the above information, the

Contractor shall acknowledge Federal sponsorship in the draft and final reports by placing the following statement on the title page of both reports:

“Study concept, oversight, and funding were provided by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, Washington, DC under Contract Number .”

3.8 DATA USE, DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION, AND HANDLING OF SENSITIVE

INFORMATION

The contractor shall maintain, transmit, retain in strictest confidence, and prevent the unauthorized duplication, use, and disclosure of information. The contractor shall provide information only to employees, contractors, and sub-contractors having a need to know such information in the performance of their duties for this project.

Information made available to the contractor by the Government for the performance or administration of this effort shall be used only for those purposes and shall not be used in any other way without the written agreement of the CO.

RFQ No. 140E0125Q0032 | Commingle Study Page 15 of 56

If public information is provided to the contractor for use in performance or administration of this effort, the contractor except with the written permission of the CO may not use such information for any other purpose.

If the contractor is uncertain about the availability or proposed use of information provided for the performance or administration, the contractor will consult with the COR regarding use of that information for other purposes.

The contractor agrees to assume responsibility for protecting the confidentiality of Government records, which are not public information. Each employee of the contractor to whom information may be made available or disclosed shall be notified in writing by the contractor that such information may be disclosed only for a purpose and to the extent authorized herein. If non-public Government information is needed, the Contractor shall contact the CO to obtain, sign and return a non-disclosure agreement (attachment 2), prior to the employee’s information access.

Performance of this effort may require the contractor to access and use data and information proprietary to a Government agency or Government contractor, which is of such a nature that its dissemination or use, other than in performance of this effort, would be adverse to the interests of the Government and/or others.

Contractor and/or contractor personnel shall not divulge or release data or information developed or obtained in performance of this effort, until made public by the Government, except to authorize Government personnel or upon written approval of the CO.

The contractor shall not use, disclose, or reproduce proprietary data that bears a restrictive legend, other than as required in the performance of this effort. Nothing herein shall preclude the use of any data independently acquired by the contractor without such limitations or prohibit an agreement at no cost to the Government between the contractor and the data owner that provides for greater rights to the contractor. All data received, processed, evaluated, loaded, and/or created as a result of this task order shall remain the sole property of the Government unless specific exception is granted by the CO.

3.9 DISPOSITION OF MATERIAL

Upon termination or completion of all work under this contract, the Contractor shall prepare for shipment, deliver Freight on Board (FOB) Destination, or dispose all materials received from the

Government and all residual materials produced in connection with the performance of this contract as may be directed by the CO, or as specified in other provisions of this contract. All materials produced or required to be delivered under this contract become and remain the property of the Government.

RFQ No. 140E0125Q0032 | Commingle Study Page 16 of 56

3.10 RELEASE OF NEWS INFORMATION

No news release (including photographs and films, public announcements, denial or confirmation of same) on any part of the subject matter of this effort shall be made without the prior written approval of the CO.

3.11 SCIENTIFIC INTEGRITY

Scientific integrity is vital to Department of the Interior (DOI) activities under which scientific research, data, summaries, syntheses, interpretations, presentations, and/or publications are developed and used. Failure to uphold the highest degree of scientific integrity will result not only in potentially flawed scientific results, interpretations, and applications, but will damage

DOI’s reputation and ability to uphold the public’s trust. All work performed must comply with the DOI Scientific Integrity Policy posted to http://www.doi.gov, or its equivalent as provided by their organization or State law.

3.12 PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT OF 1995 (PRA) STATEMENT

Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501 et. seq.), a collection of information means, the obtaining, causing to be obtained, soliciting, or requiring the disclosure to an agency, third parties, or the public, of information by or for an agency by means of identical questions posed to, or identical reporting, recordkeeping, or disclosure requirements imposed on, ten or more persons. Collection of information includes any requirement or request for persons to obtain, maintain, retain, report, or publicly disclose information. Therefore, BSEE, or its designated representative, may not conduct or sponsor, and a person or company is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB Control

Number. Such collections require OMB approval regardless of whether it is mandatory, voluntary, or required to obtain or retain a benefit.

BSEE has determined that for this contract, the contractor shall NOT collect information using the same questions from ten or more persons.

A collection of information may be in any form or format, including the use of report forms;

application forms; schedules; questionnaires; surveys; reporting or recordkeeping requirements;

contracts; agreements; policy statements; plans; rules or regulations; planning requirements;

circulars; directives; instructions; bulletins; requests for proposal or other procurement requirements; interview guides; oral communications; posting, notification, labeling, or similar disclosure requirements; telegraphic or telephonic requests; automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques; standard questionnaires used to monitor compliance with agency requirements; or any other techniques or technological methods used to monitor compliance with agency requirements.

RFQ No. 140E0125Q0032 | Commingle Study Page 17 of 56

3.13 CONTRACTOR’S TECHNICAL PROPOSAL

The Contractor’s technical proposal may be incorporated by reference into the contract. Any inconsistencies or in the event of a discrepancy or conflict between the terms and conditions of the contract and the Contractor’s proposal arise, the contract terms and conditions shall take precedence.

3.14 DIAR 1452.201-70 AUTHORITIES AND DELEGATIONS (SEP 2011)

(a) The Contracting Officer is the only individual authorized to enter into or terminate this contract, modify any term or condition of this contract, waive any requirement of this contract, or accept nonconforming work.

(b) The Contracting Officer will designate a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) at time of award. The COR will be responsible for technical monitoring of the contractor's performance and deliveries. The COR will be appointed in writing, and a copy of the appointment will be furnished to the Contractor. Changes to this delegation will be made by written changes to the existing appointment or by issuance of a new appointment.

(c) The COR is not authorized to perform, formally or informally, any of the following actions:

(1) Promise, award, agree to award, or execute any contract, contract modification, or notice of intent that changes or may change this contract;

(2) Waive or agree to modification of the delivery schedule;

(3) Make any final decision on any contract matter subject to the Disputes Clause;

(4) Terminate, for any reason, the Contractor's right to proceed;

(5) Obligate in any way, the payment of money by the Government.

(d) The Contractor shall comply with the written or oral direction of the Contracting Officer or authorized representative(s) acting within the scope and authority of the appointment memorandum.

The Contractor need not proceed with direction that it considers to have been issued without proper authority. The Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer in writing, with as much detail as possible, when the COR has taken an action or has issued direction (written or oral) that the

Contractor considers to exceed the COR's appointment, within 3 days of the occurrence. Unless otherwise provided in this contract, the Contractor assumes all costs, risks, liabilities, and consequences of performing any work it is directed to perform that falls within any of the categories defined in paragraph (c) prior to receipt of the Contracting Officer's response issued under paragraph

(e) of this clause.

(e) The Contracting Officer shall respond in writing within 30 days to any notice made under paragraph (d) of this clause. A failure of the parties to agree upon the nature of a direction, or upon the contract action to be taken with respect thereto, shall be subject to the provisions of the Disputes clause of this contract.

(f) The Contractor shall provide copies of all correspondence to the Contracting Officer and the

COR.

(g) Any action(s) taken by the Contractor, in response to any direction given by any person acting on behalf of the Government or any Government official other than the Contracting Officer or the COR

RFQ No. 140E0125Q0032 | Commingle Study Page 18 of 56 acting within his or her appointment, shall be at the Contractor's risk.

3.15 INTERNET PROTOCOL VERSION 6 (JUN 2012)

1. Any system hardware, software, firmware and/or networked component (voice, video or data) developed, procured, or acquired in support and/or performance of this contract shall be capable of transmitting, receiving, processing, forwarding and storing digital information across system boundaries utilizing system packets that are formatted in accordance with commercial standards of

Internet Protocol (IP) version 6 (IPv6) as set forth in the USGv6 Profile (NIST Special Publication

500-267) and corresponding declarations of conformance defined in the USGv6 Test Program. In addition, this system shall maintain interoperability with IPv4 systems and provide at least the same level of performance and reliability capabilities of IPv4 products.

2. Specifically, any new IP product or system developed, acquired, or produced must:

1. Interoperate with both IPv6 and IPv4 systems and products, and

2. Have available contractor/vendor IPv6 technical support for development and implementation and fielded product management.

3. As IPv6 evolves, the Contractor commits to upgrading or providing an appropriate migration path for each item developed, delivered or utilized at no additional cost to the Government. The

Contractor shall retrofit all non-IPv6 capable equipment, as defined above, that is fielded under this contract with IPv6 capable equipment, at no additional cost to the Government.

4. The contractor shall provide technical support for both IPv4 and IPv6.

5. Any system or software must be able to operate on networks supporting IPv4, IPv6 or one that supports both.

6. Any product whose non-compliance is discovered and made known to the Contractor within one year after acceptance shall be upgraded, modified or replaced to bring it into compliance at no additional cost to the Government.

3.16 CONTRACTOR’S QUOTE

The Contractor’s quote may be incorporated by reference into the contract. Any inconsistencies or in the event of a discrepancy or conflict between terms and conditions of the contract and the

Contractor’s quote shall be resolved by giving precedence to the terms and conditions of the contract.

3.17 AVAILABILITY OF CLAUSES

3.17.1 Clauses Incorporated by Reference

In accordance with FAR 52.252-2, this order incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer

(CO) will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this address: https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far.

Clause Title

52.204-13 System for Award Management Maintenance (OCT 2018)

52.204-18 Commercial and Government Entity Code Maintenance (AUG 2020) http://www.nist.gov/itl/antd/upload/usgv6-v1.pdf http://www.nist.gov/itl/antd/upload/usgv6-v1.pdf https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far

RFQ No. 140E0125Q0032 | Commingle Study Page 19 of 56

52.204-19 Incorporation by Reference of Representations and Certifications (DEC 2014)

52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions - Commercial Items (NOV 2023)

52.227-1 Authorization and Consent (JUN 2020)

52.227-2 Notice and Assistance Regarding Patent and Copyright Infringement (JUN 2020)

52.227-14 Rights in Data—General May 2014 (DEC 2014)

52.232-1 Payment (APR 1984)

52.240-1 Prohibition on Unmanned Aircraft Systems Manufactured or Assembled by

American Security Drone Act-Covered Foreign Entities (Nov 2024)

52.244-6 Subcontract for Commercial Products and Commercial Services (JAN 2025)

3.17.2 Clauses Included in Full Text

3.17.3 FAR 52.212-5 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS REQUIRED TO

IMPLEMENT STATUTES OR EXECUTIVE ORDERS—COMMERCIAL

PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES (JAN 2025)

(a) The Contractor shall comply with the following Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) clauses, which are incorporated in this contract by reference, to implement provisions of law or

Executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial products and commercial services:

(1) 52.203-19, Prohibition on Requiring Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements or

Statements (JAN 2017) (section 743 of Division E, Title VII, of the Consolidated and Further

Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015 (Pub. L. 113-235) and its successor provisions in subsequent appropriations acts (and as extended in continuing resolutions)).

(2) 52.204-23, Prohibition on Contracting for Hardware, Software, and Services

Developed or Provided by Kaspersky Lab Covered Entities (DEC 2023) (Section 1634 of Pub. L.

115-91).

(3) 52.204-25, Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video

Surveillance Services or Equipment. (NOV 2021) (Section 889(a)(1)(A) of Pub. L. 115-232).

(4) 52.209-10, Prohibition on Contracting with Inverted Domestic Corporations (NOV

2015).

(5) 52.232-40, Providing Accelerated Payments to Small Business Subcontractors (MAR

2023) ( 31 U.S.C. 3903 and 10 U.S.C. 3801).

(6) 52.233-3, Protest After Award (AUG 1996) ( 31 U.S.C. 3553).

(7) 52.233-4, Applicable Law for Breach of Contract Claim (OCT 2004) (Public Laws

108-77 and 108-78 ( 19 U.S.C. 3805 note)).

(b) The Contractor shall comply with the FAR clauses in this paragraph (b) that the Contracting Officer has indicated as being incorporated in this contract by reference to implement provisions of law or Executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial products and commercial services:

[Contracting Officer check as appropriate.]

X (1) 52.203-6, Restrictions on Subcontractor Sales to the Government (JUN

2020), with Alternate I (NOV 2021) ( 41 U.S.C. 4704 and 10 U.S.C. 4655).

https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.203-19#FAR_52_203_19 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.204-23#FAR_52_204_23 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.204-25#FAR_52_204_25 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.209-10#FAR_52_209_10 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.232-40#FAR_52_232_40 https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/31/3903 https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/10/3801 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.233-3#FAR_52_233_3 http://uscode.house.gov/browse.xhtml;jsessionid=114A3287C7B3359E597506A31FC855B3 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.233-4#FAR_52_233_4 http://uscode.house.gov/browse.xhtml;jsessionid=114A3287C7B3359E597506A31FC855B3 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.203-6#FAR_52_203_6 http://uscode.house.gov/browse.xhtml;jsessionid=114A3287C7B3359E597506A31FC855B3 https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/10/4655

RFQ No. 140E0125Q0032 | Commingle Study Page 20 of 56

__ (2) 52.203-13, Contractor Code of Business Ethics and Conduct (NOV

2021) ( 41 U.S.C. 3509)).

__ (3) 52.203-15, Whistleblower Protections under the American Recovery and

Reinvestment Act of 2009 (JUN 2010) (Section 1553 of Pub. L. 111-5). (Applies to contracts funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.)

X (4) 52.203-17, Contractor Employee Whistleblower Rights (NOV 2023) ( 41 U.S.C.

4712); this clause does not apply to contracts of DoD, NASA, the Coast Guard, or applicable elements of the intelligence community—see FAR 3.900(a).

X (5) 52.204-10, Reporting Executive Compensation and First-Tier Subcontract

Awards (JUN 2020) (Pub. L. 109-282) ( 31 U.S.C. 6101 note).

__ (6) [Reserved].

__ (7) 52.204-14, Service Contract Reporting Requirements (OCT 2016) (Pub. L. 111-

117,…