B08_RFP_140M0122R0005_released_28Apr22.pdf

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Solicitation No. 140M0122R0005

SECTION B

SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS

B.1 GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

The United States Department of the Interior, Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) on behalf of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), is issuing this solicitation in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 15, Contracting by Negotiation, for the project titled “Impact of Abandoned Oil and Gas Wells on Air and Water Quality in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM)”.

B.2 CONTRACT LINE ITEM NUMBER (CLIN)

The specific details and description of the Contract Line Item Number (CLIN) is described below:

ITEM NO. SUPPLIES/SERVICES TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED AMOUNT

00010 Scientific and Technical support services for the effort as described $ * in Section C, Statement of Work

CLIN 00010 is a time-and-materials (T&M), not-to-exceed (NTE) line item that if exceeded, is at the contractor’s own risk. Reference Clause 52.232-7, Payments under Time-and-Materials and Labor-Hour Contract for details related to the ceiling amount.

B.3 AUTHORIZED BILLING RATES

The following table contains the authorized supplies and services that may be billed under the contract. All unit prices are fully-loaded (i.e., inclusive of all direct costs, indirect costs, and profit/fee,).

Labor Category Unit of

Measure

Fully Burdened Hourly Rates

[* = Offeror shall provide these dollar amounts in the Business/Cost Proposal.]

B.4 TRAVEL COSTS

The Contractor may be required to travel during performance of the contract and will be reimbursed for actual, allowable, and reasonable travel costs incurred, exclusive of any fee.

Advance written approval must be obtained from the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) prior to incurring any costs for travel. Travel will be reimbursed in amounts not to exceed the limitations of the Federal Travel Regulations (41 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Chapters 300 through 304). The Federal Travel Regulations may be found at the following web site:

http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/104790 http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/104790

SECTION C

DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK

Impact of Abandoned Oil and Gas Wells on Air and Water Quality in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM)

C.1 INTRODUCTION

The mission of the Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is to manage the responsible development of America’s offshore energy and mineral resources.

The bureau promotes energy independence, environmental protection and economic development through responsible, science-based management of energy and mineral resources on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). The BOEM needs to determine whether there are abandoned oil and gas wells leaking in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM). Oil and gas activities are authorized under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) and leakage could have long-term impacts to the human and marine environment. According to OCSLA (42 U.S.C. § 1346), BOEM must conduct assessments of environmental impacts related to oil and gas development.

The data collected from this study would be used in environmental analyses, prepared pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), because potential leaks would be identified and measured to examine the environmental risks to the water and air quality. This would also support the Executive Order 14008 Sec. 208 (“Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad”), issued January 27, 2021, and Secretary’s Order No. 3399, issued on April 16, 2021 (“Department-Wide Approach to the Climate Crisis and Restoring Transparency and Integrity to the Decision-Making Process”). Furthermore, this information would support BOEM’s emission inventories and Tribal Consultation responsibilities. Native American Tribes have voiced concerns about the potential for oil leaks from abandoned wells to contaminate coastal areas, including archaeological sites and other resources.

C.2 OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this study are to:

• Investigate the air and water quality at abandoned oil and gas wells in the Gulf Mexico through scientific measurement and characterization.

• Use the scientific data collected from the sampled abandoned oil and gas wells to determine if they are leaking in the Gulf of Mexico and, if so, to what extent.

Specific research questions include:

• How does the air and water quality data compare between the control sites and abandoned oil and gas wells?

• How does the air and water quality data compare between the sampled abandoned oil and gas wells?

• Are there any visual observations from the imaging that could suggest why there might be differences in the air and water quality data?

• If leaking, are there any visible indicators of leakage from the sampled abandoned oil and gas wells?

• If leaking, is there a correlation between the age of well and potential for leakage?

• If leaking, do the leaks affect water quality in the vicinity of the well? If so, to what extent from the well?

• If leaking, do the leaks contribute to air pollution at the sea surface?

• Do the metocean conditions explain any differences in the measurements?

• What brief conclusions can be made from the biodiversity observed during imaging around the sampled abandoned oil and gas wells?

C.3 SCOPE OF WORK

C.3.1 TASK 1. Project Management Plan

C.3.1.1 Subtask 1.1: Project Management Plan

The Contractor shall prepare a draft Project Management Plan (PMP) based on the accepted Project Management Strategy from the technical proposal. In the draft PMP, the Contractor shall clearly and concisely describe project responsibilities; sampling and laboratory procedures; any proposed subcontracting arrangements; communication and coordination; record keeping; and scheduling of all tasks, subtasks, meetings, and deliverables. The Contractor shall discuss its procedures for managing the project, criteria for assuring quality and acceptability of the deliverables, and details regarding the schedule and coordination of this project. The Contractor shall also discuss plans for ensuring successful completion of individual tasks on time, on budget, and of the highest quality. The Contractor shall hold a post-award meeting with the government. At the Post-Award Meeting, the tasks shall be reviewed, and remaining technical or managerial issues shall be resolved.

In the draft PMP, the Contractor shall:

a) Identify the statistical selection method to be used in Task 3 to select the control sites and abandoned wells to study in the Gulf of Mexico in the Central and Western Planning Areas (Shapefile for Planning Areas can be found at https://www.data.boem.gov/Main/Mapping.aspx).

The statistical selection method shall be random sampling or a different statistical selection method that reduces bias. The Contractor shall utilize the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) Data Center (https://www.data.bsee.gov/) in selecting the abandoned wells to study. The abandoned wells must be permanently abandoned (PA). The 30 Code of Federal Regulations §§ 250.1715 and 250.1716 prescribes the requirements for permanent well plugging (https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/cfr/2020/title30).

b) Identify the method (e.g. magnetometer surveys or a towed camera system) to use in Task 4 for surveys on the abandoned wells, and if needed the alternative abandoned wells.

c) Discuss the techniques for the water and air quality data collection in Task 5.

d) Identify the research and/or laboratory method in Task 6 for analyzing the water column samples.

e) Identify the research and/or laboratory method in Task 7 for analyzing the air/surface water samples.

https://www.data.boem.gov/Main/Mapping.aspx https://www.data.bsee.gov/ https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/cfr/2020/title30

f) Identify the statistical testing method(s) for analyzing the water and air quality data collected, as appropriate, from Tasks 5–7.

After the post-award meeting, the Contractor shall prepare the final PMP. The Contractor shall adhere to the final PMP as reviewed by the government following the post-award meeting.

C.3.1.2 Subtask 1.2: Data Management Plan

The Contractor shall prepare a Data Management Plan (DMP) to be included in the draft PMP that shall include Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) procedures and the following:

a) Formatting Requirements. All products generated by this contract shall be submitted in accordance with Section F. The BOEM report formatting specifications can be found at https://www.boem.gov/Environmental-Stewardship/Environmental-Studies/Environmental- Studies-Program-Report-Specifications.aspx.

b) Access of Digital Reports by Individuals with Disabilities. 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. Deliverables such as electronic reports (e.g., PDF files) to be placed on the web (either on the agency’s web server or the company’s), video footage, or other electronic data such as CD-ROMs to be distributed are subject to Section 508 guidelines. 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 HTML, PDF, or word processor files must be accessible.

c) Data Control and Utilization. The Contractor shall develop a DMP that ensures all data are processed, stored, and can be made available as needed. The Contractor will submit both Decimal Degrees NAD27 and NAD83 geo-referenced spatial and tabular data and supporting descriptive information. The Contractor shall consider and include metadata for all data types and formats.

For example, non-geographic metadata could include field and data analysis manuals. For geographic data, the Contractor shall conform to the Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata (FGDC-STD-001-1998) as published on May 1, 2000, by the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) or to any format that supersedes it as determined by the FGDC (https://www.fgdc.gov/metadata/csdgm/). Profiles and extensions to the standard that have been endorsed by the FGDC shall be used if they are applicable to the data or data products. The metadata records shall contain any and all elements, including those that are considered optional, wherever applicable to the data or data product. The metadata record shall contain sufficient detail to ensure the data or data product can be fully understood for future use and for posterity.

The metadata records shall be delivered free of errors in both content and format as determined by the metadata parser (mp) program developed by the United States Geological Survey or an equivalent. The metadata and records will be subject to review and approval prior to the final acceptance by the Government.

C.3.2 TASK 2. Peer Reviewers

The Contractor shall have peer reviewers in place. The peer reviewers shall attend the post-award meeting to provide advice on science issues and program modifications. The peer reviewers shall comment and review the draft PMP and draft report (in Section F as Deliverable https://www.boem.gov/Environmental-Stewardship/Environmental-Studies/Environmental-Studies-Program-Report-Specifications.aspx https://www.boem.gov/Environmental-Stewardship/Environmental-Studies/Environmental-Studies-Program-Report-Specifications.aspx

J). Each peer reviewer shall each provide advice as an individual, not as part of a group or panel.

C.3.3 TASK 3. Sample Selection of Site Locations

The Contractor shall select the control sites and abandoned wells to be studied within the 1st year of the contract. These control sites and abandoned wells must be in the Gulf of Mexico Central and Western Planning Areas (Shapefile for Planning Areas can be found at https://www.data.boem.gov/Main/Mapping.aspx) and all water depths must be considered. The Contractor shall utilize the BSEE Data Center (https://www.data.bsee.gov/) in selecting the abandoned wells to study. The abandoned wells must be permanently abandoned (PA). The 30 Code of Federal Regulations §§ 250.1715 and 250.1716 prescribes the requirements for permanent well plugging (https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/cfr/2020/title30).

Based on the statistical selection method in the final PMP, the Contractor shall select the following:

• An appropriate number of control sites

• 10 or more abandoned wells

• Alternative abandoned wells, if a selected well cannot be located

Once the Contractor selects the control sites, the Contractor must report the corresponding latitudes and longitudes, area and block in the upcoming monthly report. Once the Contractor selects the abandoned wells, the Contractor must report the corresponding latitudes and longitudes, area and block, and well identification number of the wells in the upcoming monthly report.

C.3.4 TASK 4. Surveys of Abandoned Wells

The Contractor shall conduct surveys on the abandoned wells, and if needed the alternative abandoned wells, selected in Task 3 to confirm the location of the abandoned wells. The surveys shall be carried out using the approach identified in the final PMP. The Contractor shall utilize the BSEE Data Center (https://www.data.bsee.gov/) to aid in finding the exact location of the selected abandoned wells. The Contractor shall conduct these surveys within the first 2–3 years of the contract. Once the Contractor conducts the surveys, the Contractor must report the survey data in the upcoming monthly report. All imagining/raw data collected shall be submitted to the COR per Deliverable F in Section F.

The contractor shall file a Notice of Scientific Research with BOEM (Form 0327 https://www.boem.gov/boem-ocs-operation-forms) as appropriate.

C.3.5 TASK 5. Research Cruise

The Contractor shall conduct a research cruise within the first 2–3 years of the contract to study the control sites and abandoned wells selected in Task 3. The Contractor is responsible for leasing the research vessel and all equipment for the research cruise, proper handling and storage of collected samples, and data storage. The Contractor shall follow the equipment and sample handling standard operating procedures. If there is space availability, the BSEE/BOEM https://www.data.boem.gov/Main/Mapping.aspx https://www.data.bsee.gov/ https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/cfr/2020/title30 https://www.data.bsee.gov/ https://www.boem.gov/boem-ocs-operation-forms personnel may accompany the Contractor during the research cruise.

The Contractor shall be responsible for the proper archival, data quality control, and delivery of the data collected. Metadata is required for all data types and formats. No originals shall be mailed to the COR without generating backups first.

The Contractor shall hold a post-cruise meeting with the government to discuss the accomplishments from the cruise and prepare a meeting summary.

C.3.5.1 Subtask 5.1: Water Quality Data Collection

During the research cruise, the Contractor shall collect water quality data on the control sites (Task 3) by using the following techniques as necessary:

• standard acoustic doppler current profiler

• Sonde/conductivity, temperature, and depth (CTD) device to collect water column measurements including water temperature, pressure, depth, and conductivity;

• accessory sensors such as dissolved oxygen, turbidity, chlorophyll fluorescence, and/or

Ultraviolet fluorometer; and

• water sampler device to collect water column samples.

During the research cruise, the Contractor shall collect water quality data on the abandoned wells (Task 3) by using the following techniques as necessary:

• standard acoustic doppler current profiler

• subsurface cameras such as a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to collect video footage with corresponding latitudes and longitudes;

• Sonde/conductivity, temperature, and depth (CTD) device to collect water column measurements including water temperature, pressure, depth, and conductivity;

• accessory sensors such as dissolved oxygen, turbidity, chlorophyll fluorescence, and/or

Ultraviolet fluorometer; and

• water sampler device to collect water column samples.

During subsurface camera/ROV operations, the Contractor shall examine the abandoned well for any visible signs of leakage/gas bubbles, sheens, corrosion, and any additional observations that would provide valuable information to the BOEM’s studies program and the BSEE. If any signs of leakage or significant corrosion are observed, they must be reported to the COR at the post-cruise meeting. Also, the Contractor shall examine the area of the abandoned well for biodiversity.

The Contractor shall select an appropriate statistical testing method to analyze the water quality data collected, as appropriate.

All imagining/raw data collected shall be submitted to the COR per Deliverable F in Section F.

C.3.5.2 Subtask 5.2: Air Quality Data Collection

During the research cruise, the Contractor shall collect air quality data on the control sites and abandoned wells (Task 3) by using the following techniques as necessary:

• standard weather sensors

• flask/canister sampling and/or collecting surface water for headspace extraction methods.

The Contractor shall select an appropriate statistical testing method to analyze the air quality data collected, as appropriate.

All raw data collected shall be submitted to the COR per Deliverable F in Section F.

C.3.6 TASK 6. Water Quality Analysis

The Contractor shall analyze water column samples (from subtask 5.1) collected during the research cruise within the first 3 years of the contract. The Contractor shall measure benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes [BTEX], dissolved methane, and, if possible, metals and/or additional volatile organic compounds. The Contractor shall follow the equipment and sample handling standard operating procedures and/or established research/laboratory method. The Contractor shall select an appropriate statistical testing method to analyze the water quality data collected, as appropriate.

The Contractor shall be responsible for the proper archival, data quality control, and delivery of the data collected. Metadata is required for all data types and formats. No originals shall be mailed to the COR without generating backups first.

All raw data collected shall be submitted to the COR per Deliverable F in Section F.

C.3.7 TASK 7. Air Quality Analysis

The Contractor shall analyze the air and surface water samples (from subtask 5.2) within the first 3 years of the contract. The Contractor shall analyze the air and surface water samples (subtask 5.2) collected during the research cruise for methane concentrations, and, if possible, volatile organic compounds. The Contractor shall follow the equipment and sample handling standard operating procedures and/or established research/laboratory method. The Contractor shall select an appropriate statistical testing method to analyze the air quality data collected, as appropriate.

The Contractor shall be responsible for the proper archival, data quality control, and delivery of the data collected. Metadata is required for all data types and formats. No originals shall be mailed to the COR without generating backups first.

All raw data collected shall be submitted to the COR per Deliverable F in Section F.

C.3.8 TASK 8. Collaboration with Other Agencies

The Contractor shall attend up to 4 meetings by videoconference with other government agencies such as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the National Oceanic and

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), or Carbon Mapper (https://carbonmapper.org/) that have related studies to collaborate for QA/QC purposes, if requested during the contract. For example, available satellite may corroborate sample results from the study. The need for these meetings is to understand if other related studies can help complete the objectives in C.2.

https://carbonmapper.org/

SECTION D

PACKAGING AND MARKING

D.1 All deliverables submitted under the contract shall be prepared and packaged in a cost-effective manner equivalent to standard commercial quality. Elaborate artwork, expensive paper and bindings are neither necessary nor desired.

D.2 Unless otherwise directed by the CO, if not hand delivered or electronically delivered by the Contractor, all reports shall be delivered by First Class mail or regulated package carrier.

The cost of delivery by more expensive means will be denied unless approval is obtained in advance from the CO.

D.3 All paper deliverables shall meet at least the minimum requirements for post-consumer recycled content, set forth in the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines (https://www.epa.gov/smm/comprehensive-procurement-guideline-cpg-program).

https://www.epa.gov/smm/comprehensive-procurement-guideline-cpg-program https://www.epa.gov/smm/comprehensive-procurement-guideline-cpg-program

SECTION E

INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

E.1 Availability of clauses. In accordance with FAR 52.252-2, this solicitation incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the CO will make their full text available. In addition, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this address: FAR Clauses: http://www.acquisition.gov/

CLAUSE TITLE

52.246-6 Inspection—Time-and-Material and Labor-Hour (May 2001)

E.2 INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

Inspection of the supplies/services provided hereunder shall be made by the COR or any Inspectors designated by the CO. The place of inspection of reports required under this contract shall be at the addresses for deliverables set forth in Section F of this contract. Final acceptance of supplies/services shall be made by the COR designated in Section F.6.

E.2.1 General Acceptance Criteria

General quality measures, as set forth below, will be applied to each work product received from the Contractor under this contract.

• Accuracy - Work Products shall be accurate in presentation, technical content, and adherence to accepted elements of style.

• Clarity - Work Products shall be clear and concise. Any/All diagrams shall be easy to understand and be relevant to the supporting narrative.

• Consistency to Requirements - All work products must satisfy the requirements of this contract.

• File Editing - All text and diagrammatic files shall be editable by the Government.

• Format - Work Products shall be submitted in hard copy (where applicable) and in media mutually agreed upon prior to submission. Hard copy formats shall follow any specified Directives or Manuals.

• Timeliness - Work Products shall be submitted on or before the due date specified in this contract or submitted in accordance with a later scheduled date determined by the Government.

E.3 QUALITY ASSURANCE

The COR, or designated inspector, will review for completeness the preliminary or draft documentation that the Contractor submits, and may return it to the contractor for correction.

Absence of any comments by the COR will not relieve the Contractor of the responsibility for complying with the requirements of this contract. Final approval and acceptance of documentation required herein shall be by letter of approval and acceptance by the COR. The contractor shall not construe any letter of acknowledgement of receipt of material as a waiver of review, or as an acknowledgement that the material is in conformance with this contract. Any http://www.acquisition.gov/ approval given during preparation of the documentation, or approval for shipment, shall not guarantee the final acceptance of the completed documentation.

If the Contractor prepares any abstracts, summaries, or manuscripts intended for publication in journals or oral presentation, based on this study, each must be submitted to the COR for review and comment before submittal to the journal or conference authority and any comment incorporated to the extent practical. The Contractor shall document and submit to the COR the results of such efforts, e.g., acceptance for publications, acceptance for presentations, final versions, journal articles published, presentations, abstracts, proceedings papers, and reference citations.

SECTION F

DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

F.1 TERM OF THE CONTRACT

The period of performance (POP) of the resultant contract is from date of award through forty-eight (48) months thereafter. The last six (6) months of the period shall be reserved for final reporting. The POP will encompass all tasks from initial planning through the BOEM’s final acceptance of all deliverables.

F.2 FAR 52.252-2 – CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998)

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

CLAUSE TITLE

52.242-15 Stop-Work Order (Aug 1989) 52.247-34 F.o.b. Destination (Nov 1991)

F.3 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

All work under this contract will be performed at the Contractor’s facilities and/or partially at other locations or facilities. There will be a research cruise(s) in the Gulf of Mexico. Teleconferences or videoconferences will be coordinated between the Contractor and the Contracting Officer’s Representative as necessary.

F.4 MEETINGS, REPORTS, AND OTHER DELIVERABLES

The Contractor is responsible for quality assurance/quality control, editing, and proofreading all material in order to prepare products as error free as possible prior to their delivery to the BOEM. The Contractor shall submit all manuscripts intended for publication in journals and all abstracts or summaries prepared for oral presentations, based on this contract to the BOEM COR for review and comment prior to submittal to the journal or conference authority. The following deliverables shall be submitted and meetings shall be held in accordance with the schedules specified in Section F.5.

F.4.1 Post-Award Meeting, Agenda, Work Plans, and Draft Project Management Plan (Deliverable A)

The Contractor shall host a post-award meeting within 25 days of the contract award. Meeting participants shall include, at a minimum, the Contractor’s Principal Investigator (PI), Project Manager (PM), and peer reviewers, and the CO and COR. At least 5 days before the post-award meeting, the Contractor shall provide to all participants the following documents:

1. Meeting agenda

2. Work plans for conducting all work detailing the timing, procedures for data collection, equipment, and personnel

3. Draft PMP

F.4.2 Post-Award Meeting Summary (Deliverable B)

After the Post-Award meeting, the Contractor shall prepare and submit a written summary of the meeting detailing discussions of technical and managerial issues and any mutually agreed-to decisions.

F.4.3 Final Project Management Plan (Deliverable C)

The Contractor shall submit the final PMP after the post-award meeting to the CO, COR, and environmental studies program (ESP) representative. The Contractor shall adhere to the final PMP as reviewed by the government following the post-award meeting. Any agreed to changes that might affect the contract are subject to approval in writing by the CO via a contract modification.

F.4.4 Monthly Reports (Deliverable D)

The Contractor shall prepare and submit a monthly status report to the CO and COR. These letters shall include a brief discussion of the following topics: 1) all work accomplished, and results achieved during the month; 2) planned actions for the next month; 3) all problems encountered; and 4) their budget and scheduling impacts of the problems, and proposed solutions or actions taken to ameliorate them. These status reports shall also include a cumulative summary of the expenditures and what is left in the budget. These reports may be submitted via e-mail to the COR and copied to the CO and ESP representative.

F.4.5 Cruise Map and Risk Mitigation Plan (Deliverable E)

The Contractor shall submit a map of the anticipated track of the control sites and abandoned wells to study prior to the research cruise. This report shall be submitted in PDF format via e-mail to the COR and copied to the ESP representative.

The Contractor shall submit a risk mitigation plan for the cruise prior to the research cruise. The risk mitigation plan shall discuss the foreseeable risks and their impact to the study, and how to respond to those risks. Risks must include but are not limited to: 1) a piece of equipment not operating as scheduled; and 2) bad weather encountered during the research cruise. This report shall be submitted in PDF format via e-mail to the COR and copied to the ESP representative.

F.4.6 Copies of Raw Data and Video Footage (Deliverable F)

Copies of any raw data shall be provided to the COR in its original format and a format that can be easily read by a computer. Copies of any video footage shall be provided to the COR in MP4 or AVI format. The copies of the raw data and video footage must be submitted by mail to the COR on a USB/hard drive. All external drives must be Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 140-2 compliant. Also, any copies that can be transmitted via e-email must be sent to the COR and copied to the ESP representative.

F.4.7 Post-Cruise Meeting and Summary (Deliverable G)

The Contractor shall host a post-cruise meeting after the cruise with the COR, and other BOEM staff advised by the COR, to discuss the accomplishments and problems encountered during the cruise. The Contractor shall prepare and submit a written summary of the meeting.

F.4.8 Meeting Prior to Starting Draft Report (Deliverable H)

The Contractor shall host a meeting with the COR, and other BOEM staff advised by the COR, to discuss plans for the draft Report. The Contractor shall prepare and submit a written summary of the meeting.

F.4.9 Report Cover Graphic (Deliverable I)

The Contractor shall submit digital files using the format indicated in the report specifications for use as report cover graphics. These shall be readily identified with the subject of the report. With prior COR approval, the Contractor may submit a suitable illustration depicting the subject of the report. More than one graphic may be submitted.

F.4.10 Final Report and Reference Database (Deliverable J)

The Contractor shall prepare and submit the Draft Report as per the schedule listed in Section F.5, within 6 months prior to the end of the final Contract year. The BOEM and designated reviewers shall review the Draft Report and notify the Contractor of any required changes, corrections, or additions. The Contractor shall address all corrections, comments, and recommendations, and shall submit a second version of the Draft Report (“Review Copy”). The Review Copy shall be prepared as if it was the final version of the Report (i.e., with identical pagination, format, cover art, forward matter, figures, tables, etc.) and shall be submitted as per the schedule listed in Section F.5, within 30 days of receipt of review comments on the Draft Report. The Review Copy will go through review by the COR and our Editorial Staff until deemed accepted by BOEM. BOEM’s review may take up to 30 days. All corrections shall be incorporated into the Final Report. The Contractor shall prepare and submit the Final Report to the BOEM, as per the schedule listed in F.5, within 30 days of receipt of BOEM editorial review comments. Any map(s) included shall be provided in digital and hard copy formats.

This Report shall be prepared within the final Contract year and shall address the objectives, answer the specific research questions, detail methodologies employed, and analyze results consistent with Tasks 1 through 9 in Section C. The Contractor shall generate and include water column profiles based on the data collected in Task 5 in the Report.

This Report shall conform to specifications and templates found at our web site:

https://www.boem.gov/ESP-Data-and-Information-Specifications/. Please consult this site for the most recent specifications before assembling the document as these are updated regularly.

Furthermore, this Report shall be fully bookmarked (the first three levels of the Table of Contents), with links to what is in the Table of Contents, List of Figures, List of Tables, front cover, title page, and back cover. Bookmarks shall be in the left navigation pane.

https://www.boem.gov/ESP-Data-and-Information-Specifications/

The Contractor shall not provide copies of this Report, nor any subsequent revisions prepared during the review process, nor data contained within, nor any portions thereof, to any parties not explicitly designated in F.6 below before final acceptance by the BOEM of the Final Report. If a need arises to do so, the PM must obtain the written approval of the CO.

The Contractor shall prepare and submit a reference database. It must include a full reference list (e.g., type of reference, author(s), editor(s), title of document, journal or report volume and number, page numbers, edition, date of publication, ISBN number, publisher, publisher location, relevant electronic links and date accessed) that is readable by and importable into MS Excel, MS Access, Reference Manager, and Endnote software.

F.4.11 Final Technical Summary (Deliverable K)

The Contractor shall prepare and submit a draft Technical Summary to the BOEM for scientific and editorial review. The Technical Summary shall cover all technical tasks. The organization for the Technical Summary will be agreed upon between the Contractor’s PM and the BOEM COR prior to preparation. The Technical Summary shall conform to specifications and templates found at our web site: https://www.boem.gov/ESP-Data-and-Information-Specifications/. The Contractor shall prepare and submit the final Technical Summary that incorporates changes, corrections, and additions identified during the BOEM review of the draft.

F.4.12 Final Power Point Presentation (Deliverable L)

The Contractor shall prepare and submit a draft PowerPoint presentation that includes the study objectives, design, methods, activities conducted during the contract performance, and study results, data analysis, QA/QC, and interpretation. The Contractor shall prepare and submit the final PowerPoint presentation that incorporates changes, corrections, and additions identified during the BOEM review of the draft.

The PowerPoint presentation shall include at least 30 slides that discuss study objectives, methods, activities conducted during the contract performance, study results, and data analysis.

Each slide shall contain the BOEM logo in the lower left-hand corner. This logo will be supplied digitally by the COR. No other reference to the BOEM or the Contractor may be used on the slides. Charts, graphs, maps, etc. may be included as slides. The Contractor shall add notes to the PowerPoint file in the notes page of each slide in sufficient detail to enable someone to make an informative presentation on the study using only the PowerPoint file. All Microsoft deliverables shall be compatible with the version of MS applications in use by the BOEM at the time of delivery; the current versions are those included in Microsoft Office 365.

F.4.13 Data Archiving (Deliverable M)

All appropriate data collected during this study shall be submitted to the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) in accordance with NCEI specifications. The Contractor shall confirm the data submission to NCEI by a letter to the COR describing the dates, formats and documentation of submissions. A statement from NCEI indicating that the data have been accepted for archival shall be included as an appendix in the Final Report. Information on submission requirements can be found at: https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/s2n/.

Data shall be submitted, as appropriate, to the centers directed by the COR.

https://www.boem.gov/ESP-Data-and-Information-Specifications/ https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/s2n/

F.4.14 Presentation at the BOEM Sponsored Workshop (Deliverable N)

The Contractor’s designated PI(s) shall attend and, if requested, make a progress presentation up to two times at the BOEM meetings (such as the Information Transfer Meetings) in-person in New Orleans, Louisiana or, if available, by webinar. At these meetings, a progress presentation of approximately 30 minutes shall be given. In addition, a 2–4 page written summary and short biography of the presenter shall be provided prior to the meeting. Any visual aids to be distributed at these meetings shall pertain to the presentation and have prior coordination by the

COR.

F.4.15 Journal Publications and/or Oral Presentations (Deliverable O)

The Contractor shall submit drafts of publications, public presentations, posters, etc., for a courtesy review by the BOEM personnel prior to submission/display to outside entities. The Contractor shall document and submit the results of such efforts, e.g., acceptance for publications, acceptance for presentations, final versions, journal articles published, presentations, abstracts, proceedings papers, and reference citations.

All manuscripts intended to be published in journals and all abstracts or summaries prepared for oral presentations, based on this study, shall be submitted to the BOEM for review and comment prior to submittal to the journal or conference authority and any comments incorporated to the extent practical. Publication is encouraged strongly.

All manuscripts intended to be published in journals must be provided before the end of the contract. No payment can be made beyond the contract date.

F.5 SCHEDULE AND DISTRIBUTION OF DELIVERABLES

All correspondence pertaining to this contract prepared by the Contractor shall have a courtesy copy (with attachments) sent to the COR and CO. Correspondence pertaining to this contract received by the Contractor (excluding correspondence to and from the BOEM) shall be copied and sent to the COR and CO according to the schedule. All correspondence shall be clearly marked with the contract number on the first page and in the title of the subject line for email exchanges.

Deliverable products shall be submitted to the addresses shown in Section F.6 in accordance with the following schedule:

Deliverables Distribution Due Date

A. Post-Award Meeting, Agenda, Work Plans, and Draft Project Management Plan

1 electronic copy via email to:

COR, CO, ESP

Representative, BSEE Studies Representative

At least 5 days before the meeting, the Contractor shall provide pre-meeting documents to participants.

Meeting shall occur within 25 days after contract award.

B. Post-Award Meeting 1 electronic copy via Due no later than 60 days

Summary email to:

COR, CO, ESP

Representative, Chief DES, BSEE Studies Representative after the post-award meeting.

C. Final Project Management Plan

1 electronic copy via email to:

COR, CO, ESP

Representative, BSEE Studies Representative

Due no later than 120 days after the post-award meeting.

D. Monthly Reports 1 electronic copy via email to:

COR, CO, ESP

Representative

Due on the 15th day of every month, beginning in the second month.

E. Cruise Map and Risk Mitigation Plan

1 electronic copy via email to:

COR, ESP

Representative

Due 5 days prior to the research cruise.

F. Copies of Raw Data and Video Footage

1 electronic copy to:

COR

Copies of raw data and video footage shall also be provided on 2 USB/ hard drives via mail to:

COR

Copies of video footage shall also be provided on 1 USB/hard drive via mail to:

BSEE Studies Representative

Due no later than 42 months after the contract start date.

G. Post-Cruise Meeting and Summary

1 electronic copy via email to:

COR, CO, ESP

Representative

Meeting shall occur within 21 days after the cruise.

Meeting summary due 5 days after the meeting.

H. Meeting Prior to Starting Draft Report

1 electronic copy via email to:

Representative

Meeting shall be held before starting draft report. A summary of the meeting is to be delivered within 10 days after the meeting.

I. Report Cover Graphic 1 electronic copy via email to:

Submit with the Draft Report and incorporated into the

Final Report.

J. Final Report and Reference Database

Draft Report - 1 electronic copy via email to:

COR, CO, ESP

Representative, BSEE Studies Representative

Review Copy - 1 electronic copy via email to:

COR, CO, ESP

Representative, BSEE Studies Representative

Final Report - 1 electronic copy via email to:

COR, CO, ESP

Representative, Chief DES, BSEE Studies Representative

Reference Database - 1 electronic copy via email to:

COR

Draft Report: Submit 6 months prior to the end of the final Contract year.

Review Copy: Submit within 30 days of receipt of BOEM review comments.

Final Report: Submit within 30 days of receipt of BOEM editorial comments.

Reference Database:

Concurrently with submission of Final Report.

K. Final Technical Summary Draft - 1 electronic copy via email to:

COR, CO, ESP

Representative

Final - 1 electronic copy via email to:

COR, CO, ESP

Representative, Chief

DES

Draft: Concurrently with submission of Draft Report.

Final: Concurrently with submission of Final Report.

L. Final Power Point Presentation

Draft - 1 electronic copy via email to:

COR, CO, ESP

Representative Final - 1 electronic copy via email to:

COR, CO, ESP

Draft: Concurrently with submission of Draft Report.

Final: Concurrently with submission of Final Report.

Representative, Chief

DES

M. Data Archiving and Statement Document

1 electronic copy via email to:

COR, CO, ESP

Representative

Statement from NCEI:

Submit with the Draft Report and incorporated into the Final Report.

N. Presentation at the BOEM Sponsored Workshop

1 electronic copy via email to:

COR

When requested to make a presentation, the presentation and summary are to be delivered within 14 days prior to the meeting.

O. Journal Publications and/or Oral Presentations

1 electronic copy via email to:

COR

Draft oral presentation abstract(s) or draft manuscript(s) to be submitted 2 weeks prior to formal submission for the COR courtesy review.

Reprints shall be submitted within 1 week of receipt from Journal.

F.6 ADDRESSES FOR DELIVERABLES

Contracting Officer's Representative [COR] --To be announced at time of award

Contracting Officer [CO] Lisa A. Algarin U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement Acquisition Operations Branch 45600 Woodland Road, Mailstop VAE-AMD Sterling, Virginia 20166 Phone: 703-787-1120 lisa.algarin@bsee.gov

Chief, Division of Environmental Sciences

[DES]

Environmental Studies Program (ESP) mailto:lisa.algarin@bsee.gov

BSEE Studies Representative

SECTION G

CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

G.1 ADMINISTRATIVE POINTS OF CONTACT

G.1.1 Contracting Officer: The Contracting Officer (CO) for this effort is as follows:

Lisa A. Algarin Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement Email: lisa.algarin@bsee.gov Phone: 703-787-1120

G.1.2 Contracting Officer’s Representative: The Contracting Officer’s Representative

(COR) for this effort is as follows:

To be announced at time of award Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Email: @boem.gov Phone:

G.2 DIAPR 2010-18 – AUTHORITIES AND DELEGATIONS (SEP 2011)

(a) The CO 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 CO 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 CO 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 mailto:lisa.algarin@bsee.gov 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 CO's response issued under paragraph (e) of this clause.

(e) The CO 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 CO 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 CO or the COR acting within his or her appointment, shall be at the Contractor's risk.

G.3 CONTRACTOR’S PROJECT MANAGER

The Contractor shall be responsible for managing and overseeing the activities of all Contractor personnel, as well as sub-contractor efforts, used in performance of this contract. The Contractor’s management responsibilities shall include all activities necessary to ensure the accomplishment of timely and effective support, performed in accordance with the requirements contained herein. The Contractor’s Project Manager (PM) shall facilitate Government-Contractor communications. The PM shall be the primary technical and managerial interface between the Contractor, the Contracting Officer (CO), and the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR).

The Contractor’s designated PM for…