B01_-_NOI_-_TRL_Guidebook_11_5_26_1.pdf

NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD A SOLE-SOURCE CONTRACT AS A RESULT OF AN

UNSOLICITED PROPOSAL FOR RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY ADVANCEMENT

SUPPORT

This notice is issued in accordance with Revolutionary Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Overhaul (RFO) Part 5.101, Presolicitation Notice. The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), Marine Minerals Administration (MMA), formerly the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), Acquisition Operations Branch, is the contracting office for this procurement. The purpose of this notice is to announce the Government’s intent to negotiate a sole source contract as a result of an unsolicited proposal received entitled, “Research and Technology Advancement Support, A white Paper to BSEE OSRR” with Scigility Consulting, LLC, based on the offeror’s demonstrated unique capability in accordance with FAR 6.103-1, Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

The overall objective of the project is to work with the MMA Response Research and Ohmsett Branch to develop a revised internal TRL guidebook that seeks to reshape the TRL gates in a manner that accounts for testing that is done at mesoscale (with oil) in context with testing that is done at full scale (without oil) to create a comprehensive evaluation of readiness. It is envisioned that these two documents will be developed concurrently to ensure aligned messaging between the T&E approach and TRL objectives. The goal is to provide a consistent, scientifically defensible approach and framework that Project Managers can apply to field testing of MMA technologies.

The unsolicited proposal demonstrated unique knowledge and skillset. Scigility Consultant’s proposed personnel possess consists of more than 35 years’ combined experience in environmental research, consulting, and regulatory policy development. For two decades their lead key personnel focused on providing R&D, response, facilitation, outreach, and conflict resolution support to clients. This has included direct support for offshore upstream oil companies; Federal agencies; industry trade and/or response organizations; and international organizations.

During the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, the contractor’s proposed personnel have worked together serving as Chief Scientists and SME support to coordinate response operations monitoring efforts between BP, Federal and state enforcement and environmental agencies. The consultant’s experience includes: (1) Informed spill response policies and regulations in the United States (US), Canada, Mexico, South America, Europe, and Africa. (2) From 2021-2025 a key personnel member worked as a senior scientist within the largest Federally funded research program in the US for oil spill prevention and response (OSPR). (3) Managed a NOAA Coast Response Research Center project involving dispersed oil toxicity testing and provided oversight to other toxicity testing laboratories on testing methodology and protocol adherence. (4) Translated overarching customer requirements into actionable test programs that characterized system performance in real-world environments.

The vendor’s experience includes several authored technical and peer-reviewed publications and scientific findings published in top-tier journals. In addition, proposed personnel have co-authored a two volume-series on deep-water oil spills as well as served on the last National Academies of Sciences committee to produce the book entitled “The Use of Dispersants in Marine Oil Spill Response.”

Scigility Consulting LLC possesses a unique combination of oil-spill-response research, mesoscale oil-testing, full-scale testing, regulatory-policy, and technology-readiness-assessment experience necessary to develop an integrated and scientifically defensible framework within the contemplated performance period.

This is NOT a request for competitive quotes. This notice of intent is for informational purposes only.

However, all responsible sources may submit a capability statement demonstrating their ability to satisfy the Government’s requirement, which shall be considered by the agency if received by the Point of Contact (POC) listed below by 5:00 p.m. ET, November 25, 2026 (reference “Unsolicited Proposal Research and Technology Advancement Support,” A determination by the Government not to compete this action based on this notice is within the discretion of the Government. POC: Chrischanda S. Smith, Contracting Officer, MMA/OSMRE, Acquisition and Property Management Branch, 45600 Woodland Rd., Sterling, VA 20166. Any response to this notice shall be emailed to the Contracting Officer, Chrischanda S. Smith at chrischanda_smith@ios.doi.gov.