Develop floating flame refluxer

NOTICE OF INTENT TO ISSUE A SOLE SOURCE CONTRACT TO WORCESTER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE (WPI) FOR DEVELOPMENT OF THE FLOATING FLAME REFLUXERTM FOR OFFSHORE DEPLOYMENT
This Notice is issued in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 5.2, Synopses of Proposed Contract Actions. The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), 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 with Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) to continue advancement its Floating Flame Refluxer system for offshore deployment, based on the contractor¿s demonstrated unique capability in accordance with FAR 6.302-1, only one responsible source. This requirement will utilize FAR Part 15 acquisition procedures.

WPI developed, under BSEE contract nos. E15PC00004 and 140E0119C0001, technology to capture heat from fire flames and transfer it to oil slicks on water to increase the rate at which oil burns and reduce harmful emissions and burn residues. BSEE uses Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) to identify the maturity of oil spill response techniques and technologies. At the conclusion of Contract No.140E0119C0001, a TRL-8 was achieved with the final integrated system tested in real or relevant environment. With this new contract, a TRL-9 will be achieved when the system performs on the open-waters during Canada¿s Multi-Partner Research Initiative Offshore Burn Experiments (MOBE) planned for the summer of 2022.

WPI is the only source that can meet this requirement and perform this service for the Government. This effort is a continuation of work that was successfully completed to demonstrate the proof of concept. The results from the previous studies will be optimized to advance the technology controlling the aspect ratio of the technology to the size of the oil slick. This series of tests will advance the technology readiness level of the equipment to ready it for commercialization and/or deployment in a marine environment.

WPI is uniquely qualified to mature this technology through fabrication and testing through their fire protection engineering lab. Most importantly, WPI has a patent for this system (US20160123582A1). Since WPI holds the patent, they are the only source that can meet the Government¿s needs to continue to develop this unique and innovative technology without researching a new combustion system.

The anticipated period of performance is 12 months. The place of performance is at the contractor¿s facility, with testing anticipated at a variety of wave tanks and in the MOBE.

THIS NOTICE IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL. However, any firm believing itself capable of enhancing the Floating Flame Refluxertm may submit technical documentation to establish their capability. Such documentation must be submitted to the Contracting Officer by 6:00 pm, Eastern Standard Time November 12, 2021 (within 15 calendar days of electronic posting of this notice). A determination not to compete the proposed requirement based upon responses received lies solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement or to proceed on a sole source basis. Documentation shall be submitted in writing to Caroline Laikin-Credno via email at caroline.laikin-credno@bsee.gov, with the email SUBJECT LINE ¿ RFP 140E0122R0001 Advancement of Floating Flame Refluxer. Telephone responses will not be honored.