FY2015-BSEE-BAA-E15PS00027-OSRD.pdf

Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) Number: E15PS00027 for Proposed Research on Oil Spill Response Operations on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf

DESCRIPTION:

The U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) solicits White Papers of not more than five (5) pages in length in specific areas of interest to BSEE’s Oil Spill Response Research (OSRR) Program on Oil Spill Response Operations on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). When appropriate, research shall be conducted consistently with prior research. For a summary of research previously completed, as well as currently/recently performed, visit http://www.bsee.gov/Technology-and-Research/Oil-Spill- Response-Research/Master-List-of-Oil-Spill-Response-Research/. Interested parties are encouraged to review the website information when considering submitting white papers.

BACKGROUND:

OSRR requests that White Papers be submitted in accordance with the terms of this announcement. After BSEE review, authors of selected White Papers will be requested to submit full proposals for further consideration. Proposals selected for BSEE funding shall receive funding via Fiscal Year 2015 allocations. BSEE anticipates that $6,000,000 may be available for initiating new research and/or studies addressing topics identified through this announcement. BSEE does not anticipate any one award exceeding $900,000.

NOTICE: BSEE may share the White Papers with other organizations for review. Potential contractors shall notify BSEE if they do not want their White Papers/proposals shared outside of BSEE. BSEE anticipates awards resultant to this announcement will be made on a Firm Fixed- Price (FFP) basis.

BSEE intends to partner with the US Coast Guard to obtain assets to demonstrate some projects off of the North Slope of Alaska during the fall of 2016. Potential contractors are encouraged to consider this option when developing their White Papers.

OBJECTIVES:

Responses to the FY 2015 OSRR projects under this announcement should be limited to the following topics:

1. Innovative Methods to Remove Surface Oil under Arctic Conditions – Traditional methods of recovering surface oil are challenged by the Arctic operating environment.

Environmental conditions may preclude human response. Technologies/methods submitted under this topic should be new, innovative concepts. Technologies submitted should be proof-of-concept level projects. New methods should include demonstrations in relevant environments.

2. Decanting Recovered Oil at Sea – A limiting factor in an oil spill response is the storage capacity for recovered oil. Recovered oil typically contains a significant amount of water.

The effective storage capacity may be enhanced if responders are able to decant the http://www.bsee.gov/Technology-and-Research/Oil-Spill-Response-Research/Master-List-of-Oil-Spill-Response-Research/ http://www.bsee.gov/Technology-and-Research/Oil-Spill-Response-Research/Master-List-of-Oil-Spill-Response-Research/ recovered oil/water mixture at sea. Develop new technology, or conduct a study to predict the feasibility of decanting recovered oil/water mixtures at sea and how it can be optimized.

Factors to consider include oil viscosity, temperature, emulsification, sea state, vessel characteristics, and recovered-oil storage tank parameters.

3. Quantifying In-situ Burn Efficiency – In-situ burning proved to be an effective response tool during past oil spills and promises to be an effective means of remediating crude oil on water in the Arctic. Concepts and/or development of new tools to quantify the efficiency and amount of oil remediated by these burns will be evaluated under this topic.

4. Innovative New Uses of Chemical Herders to Enhance Oil Spill Mitigation Efforts –

Chemical herders may be an effective tool in aiding the removal of oil spilled in icy regions or in shoreline protection. Concepts submitted under this topic should represent novel ideas and include proof-of-concept level testing and/or demonstrations.

5. Develop an Innovative Dispersant Spray Drift Model – Oil spill responders and decision makers need accurate information to not only predict windows of opportunity for aerial dispersant spraying, but also to protect the safety of those in the vicinity of the aerial spraying. Develop an innovative method of modeling aerial dispersant spraying that takes into consideration the safety of those in the affected region to determine the best windows of opportunity.

6. Determine the Effect of Various Deep-Ocean Conditions on Dispersant Effectiveness –

Numerous factors contribute to dispersant effectiveness when dispersant is introduced at the source of a subsea oil release. To optimize subsea dispersant application, conduct a series of experiments to determine the effects of various conditions (e.g., pressure, pressure drop, temperature, solution gas, hydrate formation, sediment, dispersant dosage and orifice size) on subsea dispersant effectiveness.

7. Evaluate Dispersant Effectiveness of Subsea Applications in Ocean Brine Pools - With the development of subsea dispersant application, there is a need to study the performance and behavior of dispersants should these products be introduced into naturally occurring seafloor brine pools in Arctic waters and the Gulf of Mexico. Conduct a series of experiments to determine high salinity’s effect on subsea dispersant effectiveness.

HOW TO RESPOND:

White Papers of not more than five (5) pages in length, shall be submitted to the U.S.

Department of the Interior, Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, Acquisition Operations Branch, via email to the Contracting Officer, Caroline Laikin at Caroline.Laikin@bsee.gov, not later than 2:00 PM, Eastern Time on February 9, 2015. The Solicitation/ BAA number E15PS00027 SHALL be referenced in the subject line of the email along with the due date and the name of the Offeror submitting the White Paper. White papers should have one inch margins, single spacing, and Times New Roman 12 point font.

White Papers shall define the proposed research scope, including background, problem, proposed solution, and feasibility of solution. COST ESTIMATES SHALL NOT TO BE INCLUDED IN mailto:Caroline.Laikin@bsee.gov

THE WHITE PAPER. The White Papers will be evaluated only on technical merits. IF YOUR

WHITE PAPER IS SELECTED FOR FURTHER EVALUATION, A TECHNICAL AND

COST/BUSINESS PROPOSAL WILL BE REQUESTED FROM YOUR ORGANIZATION BY

THE CONTRACTING OFFICER. Projects shall be selected from all or part of the technical issues listed depending on the interest and scope of White Papers received.

BSEE shall evaluate the responses, and those deemed to have merit shall be furnished information to assist in the preparation of the complete proposal. This announcement constitutes a Request for White Papers, but does not obligate the Government to consummate award.

Respondents WILL NOT be notified of the results of the evaluation on the information submitted.

WHITE PAPERS EVALUATION CRITERIA:

White Papers shall be evaluated to determine if it has merit. Merit will be determined by the technical importance to BSEE based on the stated topics in the announcement, understanding of technical issues, feasibility of the proposed approach or solution, and proposed innovative or creative approaches or solutions and Offeror’s ability to implement them.

IF ANY OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT ARE NOT MET, THE

WHITE PAPER WILL NOT BE EVALUATED. Questions shall be e-mailed to the Contracting Officer, Caroline Laikin at Caroline.Laikin@bsee.gov, not later than 2:00 P.M., Eastern Time on January 15, 2015. The Solicitation/ BAA number E15PS00027 SHALL be referenced in the subject line of the email. All questions shall include the Solicitation number E15PS00027, your full name and title, your organization, complete address, and telephone number. Telephone inquiries WILL NOT be accepted. The White Paper shall identify clearly the Offeror’s company/organization, point of contact, address, email, and telephone numbers.

POINT OF CONTACT: Caroline Laikin, Contracting Officer, email:

Caroline.Laikin@bsee.gov.

mailto:Caroline.Laikin@bsee.gov mailto:Caroline.Laikin@bsee.gov

Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) Number: E15PS00027 for Proposed Research on Oil Spill Response Operations on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf