B08_RFQ_140M0126Q0033.pdf

REQUEST FOR QUOTATION

(THIS IS NOT AN ORDER)

THIS RFQ IS IS NOT A SMALL BUSINESS SET-ASIDE

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IMPORTANT: This is a request for information and quotations furnished are not offers. If you are unable to quote, please so indicate on this form and return it to the address in Block 5a. This request does not commit the Government to pay any costs incurred in the preparation of the submission of this quotation or to contract for supplies or service. Supplies are of domestic origin unless otherwise indicated by quoter. Any representations and/or certifications attached to this Request for Quotation must be completed by the quoter.

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BOEM-HQ

45600 Woodland Road, VAE-AMD Sterling VA 20166-9216

140M0126Q0033

Michelle Potter 703 787-1007

06/22/2026

07/10/2026 1700 ED

Multiple

This RFQ is being issued by the United

States (U.S.) Department of the Interior

(DOI), Office of Acquisition and

Property Management, BSEE/BOEM Programs.

The purpose of this RFQ is to obtain competitive quotations in response to the Government's Requirement for

PC-26-01A, Pacific Deepwater

Investigations, Research, and Technology

(PAC-DIRT) Study.

1 35

RFQ 140M0126Q0033 PAC-DIRT Page 2 of 35

COMBINED SYNOPSIS AND SOLICITATION:

This is a Combined Synopsis and Solicitation for commercial items prepared under the authority of, and in accordance with the format of, the FAR Part 12 – Acquisition of Commercial Products and Commercial Services as specified in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Overhaul, including RFO 12.202(b)(1), and is supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This notice constitutes the only solicitation; quotations are being requested, and a written solicitation document will not be issued.

This solicitation is a Request for Quotations (RFQ). This RFQ is an Unrestricted Competitive Solicitation.

The Product Service Code B510 – Studies & Analyses Environmental Assessments, is applicable to the Government’s Requirements. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code 541620 – Environmental Consulting Services, with a small business size standard of $19 million, is applicable to the Government’s Requirements.

This RFQ is being issued by the United States (U.S.) Department of the Interior (DOI), Office of Acquisition and Property Management, BSEE/BOEM Programs. The purpose of this RFQ is to obtain competitive quotations in response to the Government’s Requirement for PC-26-01A, Pacific Deepwater Investigations, Research, and Technology (PAC-DIRT) Study. As result of this RFQ, the Government anticipates awarding and issuing a single Firm Fixed Price Purchase Order to satisfy the Government’s Requirements. The estimated period of performance for this requirement is award through 18 months.

The place of performance for the anticipated order will be at the vendor’s facility. Quotes are due to be received at the time and place identified in Section 4 of the RFQ.

POC:

Michelle Potter Contracting Officer Department of Interior Acquisition Management Division, Acquisition Operations Branch, 45600 Woodland Road Sterling, VA 20166.

Questions must be emailed to Michelle Potter at email address: michelle_potter@ios.doi.gov.

RFQ 140M0126Q0033 PAC-DIRT Page 3 of 35

SECTION 1

PRICING

1.1 GENERAL INFORMATION

This acquisition is being conducted in accordance with FAR Part 12 – Acquisition of Commercial Products and Commercial Services as specified in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Overhaul. Under this Request for Quote (RFQ), the United States Department of the Interior (DOI), Office of Acquisition and Property Management, BSEE/BOEM Programs anticipates awarding a firm fixed price (FFP) type purchase order for the services detailed in the Statement of Work (SOW). The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 541620, Environmental Consulting Services with small business size standard of $19 million.

1.2 CONTRACT LINE ITEM/PRICING

The specific details and descriptions of the Contract Line Item Numbers (CLIN) is described as follows: (* = The Quoter is required to fill-in its pricing where yellow-highlighted as part of its price quotation):

CLIN DESCRIPTION Total FFP 00010:

PAC-DIRT Study in accordance with Section 2: SOW This is a FFP CLIN.

1.3 PARTIAL DELIVERY PAYMENT SCHEDULE:

The following Partial Delivery Payment Schedule is for the Firm-Fixed-Price portion of this requirement as specified under CLIN 00010. Payment shall be made upon Contractor delivery and Government acceptance of the following deliverables: (* = The Quoter is required to fill in the deliverables and the payment amount):

Payment Milestone/Deliverable FFP Payment Base Year

1 Deliverable 1* *$ 2 Deliverable 2* *$ 3 Deliverable 3* *$

RFQ 140M0126Q0033 PAC-DIRT Page 4 of 35

SECTION 2

STATEMENT OF WORK

FOR

PC-26-01A, Pacific Deepwater Investigations, Research, and Technology (PAC-DIRT)

2.1 PURPOSE

Recent directives, such as Executive Orders 14285 (Unleashing America’s Offshore Critical Minerals and Resources) and 14154 (Unleashing American Energy), and Secretarial Order 3417 (Addressing the National Energy Emergency), have identified seabed mineral resources as a top priority. Development of these resources will require environmental analyses at multiple stages throughout the process, such as leasing and any subsequent plan approvals. One potential impact of seabed mining is the introduction of suspended sediment and discharges, which has been highlighted as a topic of concern by public comment periods.

The purpose of this project is to increase understanding of how environmental factors influence the spatial and temporal distribution of sediment plumes, both on the seafloor and within the water column. Planned field efforts in the region yielded sediment samples that could be analyzed to predict plume behavior. Anticipated outcomes will be better understanding of plume dynamics, resulting turbidity and discharges, and when and where particles may settle.

2.2 BACKGROUND

Under “traditional” technologies, seabed mining of polymetallic nodules may generate two sediment plumes: one created by the landing and movement of a collector vehicle on the seafloor (collector or benthic plume), and one created by the discharge of sediment and water after removing ore-bearing materials (dewatering or midwater plume). Both plumes have three main phases: discharge (i.e., from the vehicle wake or midwater release), buoyancy-driven spread, and passive transport (Peacock & Ouillon 2023). Sediment composition, particle behavior (Gillard et

al. 2019), local currents, local bathymetry, and discharge depth (midwater) can influence these phases through complex interactions. Subsequently, these sediment plumes can impact biological communities, both on the seafloor and in the water column. Sediment plumes could impact water column communities by clogging suspension feeders (Stenvers et al. 2023), diluting organic matter, disrupting microbial processes (Orcutt et al. 2020), and introducing light and noise (Drazen et al. 2020). It has been estimated that 50% of deep-sea species can be affected by less than one order of magnitude increase (van der Grient & Drazen 2023). Responses can range from changes in behavior, feeding, growth, reproduction, physiology, stress, and mortality.

Upcoming expeditions to the Central and Western Pacific may provide low-cost opportunities to collect data and samples to support this study. For example, characterization of oceanographic parameters, such as bathymetry (via multibeam echosounder) and currents (via acoustic doppler current profiler), could support understanding of plume ignition and propagation (Munoz-Royo et al. 2022, Gazis et al. 2025). Physical sediment samples could be analyzed in the laboratory for sediment composition and particle behavior (e.g., flocculation). These data could be integrated to provide a regional understanding of the potential impacts from mining-generated sediment

RFQ 140M0126Q0033 PAC-DIRT Page 5 of 35 plumes. As more site-specific data are collected, they can be used to refine models and interpretations.

2.3 GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Task 1: Overall Project Planning and Management The Recipient shall follow a Study Plan for this study that shall include a Project Manager (PM) with sufficient authority to serve as the Contract Administrator and point-of-contact with BOEM, and to provide leadership to the project team. The Study Plan must include a section discussing the Data Management Plan for this study, which shall include Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) procedures and also procedures to ensure that all data sources used are clearly documented with metadata. The PM shall ultimately be responsible for all deliverables, budget control, quality assurance for all products, compliance, and adherence with the schedule of the study and shall ensure that all personnel work synergistically and cooperatively to achieve the goals and objectives of the study. The Recipient shall coordinate the execution of all tasks in the study and shall adhere to the Study Plan, pursuant to modifications agreed to by BOEM. This project requires regular interactions with BOEM to ensure that these research efforts will best meet BOEM’s needs and inform future NEPA analysis. Correspondence includes emails and phone conferences as issues and problems arise that require BOEM’s feedback and input. The PM shall ensure that deliverables shall be compliant with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act.

The following deliverables are associated with Task 1:

Post-Award Meeting Agenda and Draft Study Plan

Post-Award Meeting Summary and Final Study Plan

Quarterly Progress Reports

Quarterly Progress Meetings and Meeting Summaries

Correspondence

Photographic Work Documentation

Data Submission

List of Purchased Equipment

Task 2: Sediment Analyses Modeling experiments have shown that sediment plume behavior is highly sensitive to sediment properties such as the grain size distribution (Ouillon et al. 2022a,b), as settling velocities vary quadratically with the particle diameter. It is therefore paramount to measure basic sediment properties in areas under consideration for critical minerals leasing, as those sediment properties are expected to differ from the sediment in the 2021 Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone collector field trials (Gazis et al. 2025).

The Recipient will coordinate with federal partner research cruises to the Pacific to obtain sediment samples. Federal partners have agreed to sub-sample the upper ~5 cm of sediment from a box core or push core and measure some basic sediment properties. Federal partners have also agreed to ship sediment samples to the Recipient for further laboratory analyses to characterize the samples for sediment plume modeling. Key sediment properties may include:

Grain size distribution

Tendency to form flocs (e.g., Gillard et al. 2019)

RFQ 140M0126Q0033 PAC-DIRT Page 6 of 35

Particle settling velocities

Task 3: Sediment Plume Modeling The Recipient shall use regional oceanographic and bathymetric data, and data on sediment properties from Task 2, to model sediment plume behavior. A series of modeling experiments will be conducted, for both benthic and midwater sediment plumes in the context of seabed mineral extraction. During the Period of Performance, additional data may become available and incorporated into the model, if reasonable. Modeling results shall include, at a minimum, horizontal and vertical footprints, sediment concentrations at varying distances from the disturbance site, and settling rates and times.

The Recipient shall utilize observations of bathymetry, ocean stratification, and currents from the partner cruises to initialize the model experiments. The cruises will conduct multibeam seafloor mapping, but it is not yet certain whether they will collect comprehensive hydrographic observations. If observations of ocean stratification and currents are not available, then the modeling experiments may need to be somewhat idealized.

The goals of the modeling experiments are to explore the behavior of benthic and midwater sediment plumes initialized with the appropriate sediment properties (Task 2) and oceanographic background conditions; and identify key uncertainties, which can help inform future observational efforts. In addition to providing scientific information on sediment plume behavior that is valuable in its own right, this work will aid BOEM environmental analyses.

Field studies have indicated that critical minerals mining operations create plumes with large enough sediment concentrations to alter the fluid buoyancy and trigger turbidity currents (Munoz-Royo et al. 2022, Gazis et al. 2025, Ouillon et al. 2025). A non-hydrostatic model may be necessary for the Recipient to resolve the near-field, buoyancy driven phase of the sediment plume (Peacock and Ouillon 2023), particularly for the case of benthic plumes, where bathymetric slopes can help sustain turbidity currents for hundreds of meters or longer (Gazis et

al. 2025).

The settling time scale is much longer for mid-depth sediment plumes, due to the greater distance to the seafloor (Munoz-Royo et al. 2021, Ouillon et al. 2022a). Therefore, sediment may be transported horizontally over greater distances than for benthic plumes, and the Recipient may need to use ocean general circulation model fields (currents, temperature/salinity, etc.) to estimate the far-field sediment transport.

Detailed results shall be incorporated into the Final Report and Technical Summary, including model uncertainties and how to narrow those uncertainties in the future. The Final Report should also include interpretation of results, including how oceanographic (e.g. slope, current, water column features) and operational factors (e.g. discharge depth, vehicle speed) may influence plume behavior.

Task 4: Synthesize Information The purpose of this task is to summarize and analyze the information and activities completed in previous tasks in a way that meets the overarching objective of the study and addresses research questions so that it is useful for decision-makers and stakeholders. These synthesis activities will occur throughout the study and culminate in a Final Report that shall be made available to the public except for the portions that may contain confidential information. Confidential information should be clearly marked and submitted at the same time as the Draft and Final Reports, but as discrete components.

RFQ 140M0126Q0033 PAC-DIRT Page 7 of 35

The following deliverables are associated with Task 4:

Draft Final Report including Draft Technical Summary Final Report including Technical Summary Journal Publication(s) and/or Oral Presentation(s) Final Oral Presentation Scientific Communication Products

2.4 MEETINGS, REPORTS, AND OTHER DELIVERABLES

Post-Award Meeting Agenda and Draft Study Plan The Recipient will hold a Post-Award Meeting (PAM) via a video or hybrid in-person/video conference call within one month after Award begins on a date and time that is mutually agreeable to BOEM and the Recipient. The purpose of the PAM is to discuss roles, responsibilities, working relationships, major milestones, and task order deliverables. The Recipient will provide a Meeting Agenda and a Draft Study Plan one week prior to the PAM to allow for review by all key team members involved. The Draft Study Plan shall specify details concerning schedule, work assignments, project methodology, project management, and communications so that transparency, monitoring, and substantial government involvement by BOEM is enhanced.

Quarterly Progress Reports Submit Quarterly Progress Reports within one week of the end of the quarter of the fiscal year to the CO, PO, and ESPR as email or email attachment. The Quarterly Progress Reports will include:

A summary of work accomplished, and overall progress made in each task of the Agreement which shall include a list of datasets prepared, scientific presentations given (including a pdf submission of any presentation), and scientific manuscripts prepared and/or submitted for publication

A summary of any significant problems encountered during the preceding three months, including an assessment of their probable impact on the Recipient's performance and statements of corrective actions taken or proposed

A summary of any major technical findings and interpretations during the preceding three months

A list of any meetings held or other contacts made in connection with the Agreement during the preceding three months, including a brief summary which outlines the subject, participants, date, location, and outcome of each such contact or meeting

A summary of major work activities scheduled for the next three months A summary of any questions or problems regarding the Recipient's work requiring discussion or resolution with BOEM

Quarterly Progress Meetings and Meeting Summaries Meeting invitations will be distributed to the PO, ESPR, and PI, and other key project team members as mutually agreed upon between the PO and the PI. The CO may also attend Quarterly Progress Meetings if desired. Meetings shall discuss Quarterly Progress Reports and be an opportunity where BOEM can provide real time direction or re-direction on data analysis

RFQ 140M0126Q0033 PAC-DIRT Page 8 of 35

(that is within the purpose and scope of the study) based on early results and discuss other matters that may be important to the progress of the study. Within three days after each Meeting, the Recipient will send a Meeting Summary to CO, PO, and ESPR that summarizes key discussion points. Additional Progress Meetings beyond those planned on a quarterly basis may be scheduled as needed.

Draft Final Report Including Draft Technical Summary The Recipient shall prepare a draft Final Report including a draft Technical Summary according to schedule in Table 1 using clear, concise writing at a level suitable to a technical audience familiar with the various facets of the marine sciences and offshore development. A table of contents shall be agreed upon between the PM and PO prior to preparation. The Final Report shall contain an Executive Summary section that highlights the major points of the research, and describe any results, conclusions, or recommendations from the research relevant to BOEM’s mission and information needs.

A draft Final Report shall be submitted to the PO and ESPR for review before preparation of the final document, by the end of the Period of Performance of the Agreement. Within thirty days after BOEM has received the draft Final Report, BOEM will review the document for accuracy and scientific validity and will provide the Recipient with written comments based on the review.

Upon reviewing BOEM comments on this material, the Recipient shall correct all omissions or deficiencies resulting from nonconformance to the Agreement. The Recipient shall also make additions, revisions, or corrections relating to data interpretation, judgments, or recommendations that have been mutually agreed upon with BOEM. If the Recipient does not agree with BOEM findings, discussions shall be held with the PO and ESPR to resolve the disagreements. When all issues have been resolved, the Recipient shall submit a written response to the PO and ESPR as to how the Recipient will address the findings in the final material submitted. This response shall be submitted within seven days of the date BOEM’s written comments were received. BOEM will then have seven days to either approve or disapprove the response.

The Recipient shall not provide copies of the draft or Final Reports, nor any subsequent revisions prepared during the review process, nor data contained within, nor any portions thereof, to any parties not specifically designated in Table 1 prior to final acceptance by BOEM of the Final Report. If a need arises to do so, the PM must obtain the written approval of the CO.

The Technical Summary summarizes the key points of the Final Report and should conform to the template provided by BOEM. It should restate the purpose of the study, highlight the major points of the research, and describe any results, conclusions, or recommendations from the research relevant to BOEM’s mission and information needs. The Technical Summary shall also include a map of the study area. It should include enough information so the reader can understand what is discussed in the Final Report, without having to read it.

The Contractor shall acknowledge Federal sponsorship in the draft and final reports by placing the following statement on the disclaimer page of both reports: “Study concept, oversight, and funding were provided by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Environmental Studies Program, Washington, D.C. under Contract Number ___.”

Final Report including Technical Summary

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The Final Report including Technical Summary is due within 90 days of the end of the agreement. The Final Report shall be submitted The Recipient shall submit the report in a single MS Word file (docx) and an Adobe Portable Document Format (pdf) file.

All Draft and Final Reports must include the following language: “This report has been technically reviewed by BOEM, and it has been approved for publication. The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the opinions or policies of the U.S. Government, nor does mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.”

Final Report Specifications and Data Delivery

General. Using the acquired data, analytical results, and conclusions from the study, the Recipient shall evaluate the acquired information, interpret the results, and generate tables and graphics as needed to fulfill the study objectives.

Report specifications and BOEM report number. The Recipient will synthesize the evaluated information into a report that meets the objectives of this study. This report will be submitted to BOEM and contain a unique BOEM numbered identifier. This report will conform to the Environmental Studies Program (ESP) Report Specifications:

http://www.boem.gov/Environmental-Studies-Program-Report-Specifications/.

Geographic data. Where applicable, geographic data will be delivered in geodatabases (compatible with the most recent version of ArcGIS) on an external hard drive or other media acceptable to both parties. At a minimum, the geodatabases will include feature classes (shapefiles) for the detection data and grids (rasters) displaying the results of analyses and models. All detection feature classes will be in the WGS_1984 Geographic Coordinate System. For areas displayed, rasters will be created in an appropriate Cartesian Coordinate System agreed upon by BOEM and the Recipient, and will likely be UTM zones 4, 5, 9, 10, or 11. All geographic data products will be adequately described with detailed metadata conforming to either Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata, or the International Organization for Standards (ISO) Geographic Information – Metadata Standard 19115.

Metadata will include detailed explanation of how the data were collected and analyzed

Study footprint. A study footprint that geographically references the study area will be delivered. The footprint should be developed in accordance with BOEM’s ESP Data and Information Specifications and ESP Study Footprint Guidance (https://www.boem.gov/environment/environmental-studies/esp-study-footprint-guidance).

Data and image delivery to BOEM. All data and images will be submitted to BOEM on an external hard drive or other media acceptable to both parties.

ESPIS Data Deliverable Requirements Final Report and Technical Summary: The copies of the narratives of study results in both the MS Word and Adobe Acrobat (PDF/A) formats, without any password protections, following the ESP Report Specifications.

Study Footprint: The geographic information that enables the refereeing of the study using a GIS, following the study footprint specifications.

Study Footprint Metadata: The scientific attribution information required to enhance discoverability of the study in the ESPIS system and third-party sites (such as data.gov), following the study footprint metadata specifications.

RFQ 140M0126Q0033 PAC-DIRT Page 10 of 35

Study Map: The study area map embedded in the Final Report and Technical Summary that depicts the study footprint and that is cited in the study footprint metadata.

Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) compliant metadata for each scientific dataset: The scientific, technical, and administrative information for each coherent unit of scientific data, including the physical medium, file information, volume, and access URL, when applicable.

Copy of related publications: The manuscripts of scholarly publications and conference presentations for research funded by this Agreement for free and unlimited use by BOEM staff, which may take the form of a full-text, final, pre-publication copy of the related publication in cases that the publisher enforces pay for access or copyright restrictions.

Bibliographic information for related publications: The information on each related publication needed for formatting CSE [Council of Science Editors] bibliographies using the name-date system.

Correspondence All correspondence pertaining to this contract prepared by the PI shall be electronic and include BOEM recipients as mutually agreed in the Post-Award Meeting. Correspondence pertaining to the deliverables shall be sent according to the schedule in Section 2.4.1. All correspondence shall be clearly marked with the contract number on the first page.

Photographic Work Documentation Performance of work during some tasks will be documented through photography and may include videography. The quality of the images and video shall be good to very good and shall be free of copyright restrictions and suitable for BOEM’s use in printed material and Microsoft (MS) PowerPoint (ppt) presentations, or for duplication. The submitted images or video shall be identified by task, location, date, subject matter, photographer, and include the names of people that are clearly depicted. The documentation shall be considered part of the Final Report

Data Submission Concurrent with submission of the draft Final Report, the recipient shall submit all databases, metadata, and other information relevant to the analyses conducted in the draft Final Report, and sensitive or confidential data shall be clearly marked.

Data Management All data (including shipboard data, raw datasets, processed datasets, and associated metadata) from this study will be delivered to BOEM and shared at a specific public repository (e.g., National Center for Environmental Information).

Metadata records shall conform to the Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata (ISO 19115-1) or to any format that supersedes it as determined by the FGDC. 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. The metadata and records will be subject to review and approval prior to final acceptance by the Government.

RFQ 140M0126Q0033 PAC-DIRT Page 11 of 35

Except as otherwise provided in the terms and conditions of the agreement, the PI is free to copyright any books, publications, or other copyrightable materials developed in the course of or under a Federal agreement, but BOEM shall reserve a royalty-free, non-exclusive, and irrevocable right to reproduce, publish, or otherwise use, and to authorize others to use, the works for Government purposes.

Journal Publication(s) and/or Oral Presentation(s) The Recipient shall require of all investigators that all manuscripts intended to be published in journals, and all abstracts or summaries prepared for oral and/or poster presentations, based on this study be submitted to BOEM for courtesy review and comment prior to submittal to the journal or conference authority. All such publications and oral (and/or poster) presentations shall contain an acknowledgement of support from BOEM under this Contract. Example text may be “Study concept, oversight, and funding were provided by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Environmental Studies Program, Washington, D.C., under Contract Number ___.”

An acknowledgement page shall be incorporated into the PowerPoint slides for oral presentations. Publication of scientific results in peer-reviewed journals is strongly encouraged.

PowerPoint and poster presentations shall include BOEM’s logo that the PO will provide upon request.

Final Oral Presentation The PI will provide an oral presentation to BOEM personnel about the study results.

Scientific Communication Products Recipient shall work with the PO, ESPR, and BOEM’s Public Affairs Officer (PAO) to generate the following scientific outreach products: (1) a webpage for BOEM Ocean Science News (https://www.boem.gov/newsroom/ocean-science/ocean-science-news); (2) a Note to Stakeholders – BOEM Quarterly Reports (https://www.boem.gov/newsroom/news-items?news_type=13); (3) one DOI NewsWave media product (cover article, news release, Feature, or science news described in https://www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/newswave-guidelines-for-submission-2022.pdf). These Scientific Communication Products shall be completed two weeks before the end of the Period of Performance.

At the time of a significant scientific publication during or after the Award Period of Performance, Recipient shall work with BOEM’s PAO and the PO to generate a mutually agreed upon Press Release that recognizes BOEM’s contribution to the published work.

List of Purchased Equipment If applicable, the Recipient shall submit a list of purchased equipment and provide a statement that equipment was purchased in accordance with 2 CFR 200.318–326 and managed in accordance with 2 CFR 200.313.

References Drazen JC, Smith CR, Gjerde KM, Haddock SHD, Carter GS, Choy CA, Clark MR, Dutrieux P, Goetze E, Hauton C, Hatta M, Koslow JA, Leitner AB, Pacini A, Perelman JN, Peacock T, Sutton TT, Watling L, and H Yamamoto. 2020. Midwater ecosystems must be

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Sci. U.S.A. 117 (30) 17455-17460, https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2011914117.

Gazis IZ, de Stigter H, Mohrmann J, Heger K, Diaz M, Gillard B, Baeye M, Veloso-Alarcón ME, Purkiani K, Haeckel M, Vink A, Thomsen L, and J Greinert. 2025. Monitoring benthic plumes, sediment redeposition and seafloor imprints caused by deep-sea polymetallic nodule mining. Nature Communications. 16:1229.

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-56311-0

Gillard B, Purkiani K, Chatzievangelou D, Vink A, Iversen MH, and L Thomsen. 2019. Physical and hydrodynamic properties of deep sea mining-generated, abyssal sediment plumes in the Clarion Clipperton Fracture Zone (eastern-central Pacific). Elem Sci Anth, 7:5.

https://doi.org/10.1525/elementa.343.

Muñoz-Royo C et al. 2021. Extent of impact of deep-sea nodule mining midwater plumes is influenced by sediment loading, turbulence and thresholds. Nature Communications. 2.

https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-021-00213-8

Muñoz-Royo C, Ouillon R, El Mousadik S, Alford MH, and T Peacock. 2022. An in situ study of abyssal turbidity-current sediment plumes generated by a deep seabed polymetallic nodule mining preprototype collector vehicle. Science Advances, 8(38). DOI:

10.1126/sciadv.abn1219.

Orcutt BN, Bradley JA, Brazelton WJ, Estes ER, Goordial JM, Huber JA, Jones RM, Mahmoudi N, Marlow JJ, Murdock S, and M Pachiadaki. 2020. Impacts of deep‐sea mining on microbial ecosystem services. Limnology and Oceanography 65.7: 1489-1510.

Ouillon R, Munoz-Royo C, Alford MH, Peacock T. 2022a. Advection-diffusion-settling of deep-sea mining sediment plumes. Part 1: Midwater plumes. Flow. 2.

https://doi.org/10.1017/flo.2022.20

Ouillon R, Munoz-Royo C, Alford MH, Peacock T. 2022b. Advection-diffusion-settling of deep-sea mining sediment plumes. Part 2: Collector plumes. Flow. 2.

https://doi.org/10.1017/flo.2022.19

Ouillon R, Munoz-Royo C, El Mousadik S, Peacock T. 2025. A near field study of sediment plumes for a pre-prototype nodule collector trial in the abyssal Pacific Ocean. Deep Sea Research Part I: Oceanographic Research Papers. 225.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dsr.2025.104595

Peacock T and R Ouillon. 2023. The Fluid Mechanics of Deep-Sea Mining. Annu. Rev. Fluid Mech. 55:403–30. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-fluid-031822010257.

Stenvers VL, Hauss H, Bayer T, Havermans C, Hentschel U, Schmittman L, Sweetman AK, and HJT Hoving. 2023. Experimental mining plumes and ocean warming trigger stress in a deep pelagic jellyfish. Nature Communications 14(7352). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467- 023-43023-6.

van der Grient JMA, Drazen JC. 2023. Evaluating deep-sea communities’ susceptibility to mining plumes using shallow-water data. Science of the Total Environment.

852(158162). http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158162.

2.4.1 SCHEDULE AND DISTRIBUTION OF DELIVERABLES AND MEETINGS

Item number Deliverable Distribution Due Date

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1 Post-Award Meeting, Meeting Agenda, and Draft Study Plan

One (1) electronic copy to each of the following:

Contracting Officer (CO), Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR), Environmental Studies Program Representative (ESPR), and all other participants in the meeting

Within 1 month of award

Draft Study Plan and Meeting Agenda due 1 week before Post-Award Meeting

2 Post-Award Meeting Summary and Final Study Plan

CO, COR, ESPR – one

(1) electronic copy

Within 1 week after Post- Award Meeting

3 Correspondence CO, COR, ESPR – one

(1) electronic copy

As necessary

4 Quarterly Progress Reports

CO, COR, ESPR – one

(1) electronic copy

Within 1 week of the end of each quarter

5 Quarterly Progress Meetings and Meeting Summaries

CO, COR, ESPR – one

(1) electronic copy

Within 1 week of the end of each quarter;

additional meetings may be scheduled as needed

Meeting Summaries due within 3 days after the meeting

6 Draft Final Report including Draft Technical Summary

CO, COR, ESPR – one

(1) electronic copy using BOEM MS Word template

Due on the date the agreement expires

7 Final Report including Technical Summary

CO, COR, ESPR, DES

Chief – one (1) electronic copy

Within 90 days of the end of the Period of Performance

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8 Photographic Work Documentation

COR, ESPR – using format agreed upon between Recipient and

BOEM

Concurrent with Final Report, or earlier

9 Data Submission COR, ESPR – using format agreed upon between Recipient and

BOEM

Concurrent with Final Report, or earlier

10 Electronic copies of Abstracts, Journal Publication(s), Posters, Outreach Materials, and Oral Presentation(s)

COR, ESPR – one (1) electronic copy

Draft versions for courtesy review prior to submission to the publisher, conference, or presented to the public;

Final versions (if different) within 1 week of publication or completion

11 Final Oral Presentation

COR, ESPR – one (1) electronic copy

Within 1 month before the end of the Period of Performance

12 Scientific Communication Products

COR, ESPR, Public Affairs Officer – one (1) electronic copy

Two (2) weeks before the end of the Period of Performance

Scientific Publication(s) Press Release(s): As needed

13 List of Purchased Equipment, if applicable

CO, COR, ESPR – one

(1) electronic copy

Concurrent with Final Report, or earlier

2.4.2 ADDRESSES FOR DELIVERABLES

Contracting Officer (CO) Michelle Potter U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement Acquisition Management Division 45600 Woodland Road, Sterling, VA 20166 Email: michelle_potter@ios.doi.gov

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Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR)

TBD

U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

Environmental Studies Program Representative (ESPR)

TBD

U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Office of Environmental Programs 45600 Woodland Road, Sterling, VA 20166

2.5 SECTION 508

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. The Recipient must ensure that all 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 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. HTML, PDF, or word processor files must be accessible.

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SECTION 3

GENERAL PURCHASE ORDER TERMS AND CONDITIONS

3.1 SCOPE

An FFP type Purchase Order shall be issued under the authority of the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) for PC-26-01A, Pacific Deepwater Investigations, Research, and Technology (PAC-DIRT) Study.

3.2 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The period of performance is award through 18 months.

3.3 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

The place of performance is the contractor facility.

3.4 CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION

Copies of all correspondence shall be provided at the addresses below:

3.4.1 Contracting Officer: The Contracting Officer (CO) for this effort is as follows:

Michelle Potter U.S. Department of the Interior 45600 Woodland Road, Mailstop VAE-AMD Sterling, VA 20166 Phone Number: 703-787-1007 Email: michelle_potter@ios.doi.gov

3.4.2 Contracting Officer's Representative (COR): The COR for this effort is as follows:

TBD

U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Phone Number: TBD Email: TBD

3.4.3 Environmental Studies Program Representative (ESPR): The ESPR for this effort is as follows:

TBD

U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

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Office of Environmental Programs 45600 Woodland Road, Sterling, VA 20166

3.5 INVOICING REQUIREMENT

Contractors shall invoice as firm fixed price tasks that are completed in accordance with the payments table in section 1.3 of this document.

3.5.1 ELECTRONIC INVOICING AND PAYMENT REQUIREMENTS – INVOICE

PROCESSING PLATFORM (IPP) (FEB 2021)

Payment requests must be submitted electronically through the U. S. Department of the Treasury's Invoice Processing Platform System (IPP).

"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 Products and Commercial Services included in commercial contracts. The IPP website address is: https://www.ipp.gov.

Under this Order, the following documents are required to be submitted as an attachment to the IPP invoice:

Documentation required by FAR 32.905(b)

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.

3.6 CONTRACTORS QUOTE

The Contractor’s quote may be incorporated by reference into the purchase order. Any inconsistencies or in event of a conflict between terms and conditions of the purchase order and the contractor’s quote shall be resolved by giving precedence to the terms and conditions of the purchase order.

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

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(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 acting within his or her appointment, shall be at the Contractor's risk.

3.8 PERSONNEL REQUIREMENTS

3.8.1 Key Personnel

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Certain skilled experienced professional and/or technical personnel are essential for accomplishing the work to be performed. These individuals are defined as “Key Personnel” and are those persons whose resumes were submitted and identified by the Contractor as “Key Personnel”. The following individuals are considered to be essential to the work being performed under this order:

Name Position *** Project Manager

(To be completed by Contractor and submitted as part of the Quotation)

3.8.2 Contractor Project Manager

The Contractor shall be responsible for managing and overseeing the activities of all Contractor personnel, as well as subcontractor efforts used in performance of this contract. The Contractor’s management responsibilities shall include all the activities necessary to ensure the accomplishment of timely and effective support, performed in accordance with the requirements contained herein.

The Contractor shall provide a Project Manager (PM) to facilitate Government-Contractor communications. The PM shall be the primary technical and managerial interface between the Contractor and CO and COR. The contractor’s Project Manager shall meet with the COR as necessary to maintain satisfactory performance and to resolve other issues pertaining to the contract. A mutual effort shall be made at these meetings to resolve any and all identified problems. Written minutes of the meetings shall be prepared by the contractor and signed by the contractor’s designated PM.

3.9 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:

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. The Contractor shall comply with these clauses unless the circumstances do not apply.

Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. The full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at https://www.acquisition.gov/far/and https://www.acquisition.gov/far-overhaul.

Clause Title Date 52-203-12 Limitation on Payments to Influence Certain Federal

Transactions

JUN 2020

52.203-17 Contractor Employee Whistleblower Rights NOV 2023 52.203-19 Prohibition on Requiring Certain Internal Confidentiality

Agreements or Statements

JAN 2017

52.204-7 System for Award Management (Deviation) MAR 2026 52.204-13 System for Award Management Maintenance OCT 2018

RFQ 140M0126Q0033 PAC-DIRT Page 20 of 35

52.204-19 Incorporation by Reference of Representations and Certifications

DEC 2014

52.209-6 Protecting the Government's Interest When Subcontracting With Contractors Debarred, Suspended, Proposed for Debarment, or Voluntarily Excluded (Deviation)

MAY 2026

52.209‑10 Prohibition on Contracting with Inverted Domestic (Deviation) MAY 2026 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions- Commercial Products and

Commercial Services (Deviation)

MAY 2026

52.217-2 Cancellation Under Multiyear Contracts OCT 1997 52.222-19 Child Labor-Cooperation with Authorities and Remedies MAR 2026 52.222-36 Equal Opportunity for Workers with Disabilities JUN 2020 52.232-40 Providing Accelerated Payments to Small Business

Subcontractors

MAR 2023

52.222-3 Convict Labor (Deviation) May 2026 52.222-35 Equal Opportunity for Veterans JUN 2020 52.222-50 Combating Trafficking in Persons (Deviation) May 2026 52.223-23 Sustainable Products and Services (Deviation) May 2026 52.232-33 Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer – System for Award

Management

OCT 2018

52.233-3 Protest After Award SEP 2016 52.233-4 Applicable Law for Breach of Contract Claim OCT 2004 52.242-15 Stop Work Order AUG 1989 52.232-40 Providing Accelerated Payments to Small Business

Subcontractors, MAR 2023

52.240-91 Security Prohibitions and Exclusions (Deviation) MAY 2026 52.222-90 Addressing DEI Discrimination by Federal Contractors APR 2026 52.252-6 Authorized Deviations in Clauses NOV 2020

3.10 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY FULL TEXT:

3.10.1 FAR 52.217-8 OPTION TO EXTEND SERVICES (NOV 1999)

The Government may require continued performance of any services within the limits and at the rates specified in the contract. These rates may be adjusted only as a result of revisions to prevailing labor rates provided by the Secretary of Labor. The option provision may be exercised more than once, but the total extension of performance hereunder shall not exceed 6 months. The Contracting Officer may exercise the option by written notice to the Contractor within two days of the end of a period of performance.

3.11 CANCELLATION CEILING

This is a multiyear contract. Consistent with FAR 17.106-1(c), the identified startup, nonrecurring, and other amortized costs for this contract are TBD at Award. There is no cancellation ceiling for the first 12 months of the period of performance as they are not subject to cancellation. Should this contract be cancelled as of the start of the 13th month of the period of performance, the contract will be subject to a cancellation ceiling of TBD at Award.

RFQ 140M0126Q0033 PAC-DIRT Page 21 of 35

3.12 CONFLICT OF INTEREST

(a) It is the policy of the Department of the Interior to avoid contract awards which could result in or create conflicts of interest, whether actual or apparent. Such a situation could occur in the instance when the contractor or any subcontractors or teaming arrangement partners have business, financial, real property,…