Sole Source Notice Alaska Methane Hydrate Project

The US Department of Energy (DOE), National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), intends to issue a sole source contract to ASRC Energy Services Alaska, Inc. (AES Alaska), in accordance with FAR 6.302-1 for services related to the Alaska Methane Hydrate Project, an international research and development collaboration between Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation (JOGMEC) and the U.S. Department of Energy – National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL). As previously posted, the project will be implemented via two separate contracts.  JOGMEC and NETL each will issue their own contract to the selected third-party operator for the split of the work falling under the responsibility for each entity.  The State of Alaska will issue the approved work permits to one designated operator for this function, further described below.  The services will be issued as two separate contracts as follows: (1) JOGMEC issued contract to AES Alaska awarded through a competitive action conducted with the entire scope (both JOGMEC and NETL portions) identified and proposed; and (2) the subject action, NETL contract issued to AES Alaska for the NETL portion of work issued as a sole source award directly to AES Alaska.  

A previous announcement was posted on 02/04/2019, RFI #89243319RFE000017 as a combined sources sought and synopsis for this requirement; and was issued for information and planning purposes, pursuant to FAR Part 10 Market Research.

This announcement is a follow on to that synopsis specific to the NETL portion of work for this requirement; and is issued for notification purposes only pursuant to FAR Part 5.207 Preparation and transmittal of synopses. Any correspondence or concerns expressed regarding this sole source notification should be sent in writing to George LeMasters via e-mail at George.lemasters@netl.doe.gov. Telephone requests will not be honored. All correspondence related to this notice shall be received no later than March 10, 2021 at 1730 ET.

AES Alaska was selected through a competitive action awarded by JOGMEC.  As determined by the State of Alaska, only one operator is authorized to be permitted to drill and operate the wells at this location for this purpose.  In addition, the working owner’s group (who is leased the property by the state of Alaska) will also only allow for one operator to perform these functions.

NETL has immediate need for AES Alaska to provide the necessary skilled personnel, facilities, equipment, materials, supplies, and services to support NETL in its overall objectives of the Alaska Methane Hydrate Project.  The project is to produce methane gas by disassociation during a long-term production test (up to a year or potentially longer), thereby acquiring reservoir and production data and gaining further understanding of the technical and operational issues that affect, or potentially interrupt, stable production. implementation of assigned basic, applied, and technology development-based energy research.