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Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) Number: E17PS00024 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). For a summary of research previously completed, as well as currently/recently performed, visit https://www.bsee.gov/site-page/master-list-of-oil-spill-response-research. Interested parties are encouraged to review the website information when considering submitting white papers.
BACKGROUND:
The BSEE requests that White Papers be submitted in accordance with the terms of this announcement. After BSEE's review, authors of selected White Papers will be requested to submit full proposals for further consideration. BSEE anticipates that $1,000,000 may be available for initiating new research and/or studies addressing topics identified through this announcement. BSEE does not anticipate any one award exceeding $250,000 for Topics 1 and 3, and $500,000 for Topic 2.
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.
OBJECTIVES:
Responses to this announcement are limited to the following topics:
Topic 1: Advance development of ad-hoc igniters, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) ignition systems - Currently there are several commercially available igniters used during controlled in situ burns: heli-torches, handheld igniters consisting of solid propellants, gelled diesel or kerosene cubes, reactive chemical compounds (pyrophoric reagents), propane torches, marine or road flares, oil soaked rags, and other ad hoc devices. BSEE is seeking advancements in conventional ignitors for in¿situ burns on water, and new, innovative ignition approaches capable of providing sufficient critical heat flux for use in extreme weather conditions and harsh environments. Topic 1 efforts should advance in technology readiness from proof-of-concept lab-scale prototype to a full-scale prototype tested in a relevant environment.
Topic 2: Innovative fire and fuel configurations to optimize in-situ burning volumes and efficiencies - Fires whirls, also called Fire Tornadoes and Japan Dragon Twists, can form when intense heat and turbulent winds combining eddies of air into a tornado-like formation that draws in the surrounding gases. Fire whirls burn extremely hot with minimal sooty emissions. Prescribed in-land burns have proven extremely efficient by manipulating the number of fires as well as the shape of the fuel for the fire. To date, controlled in-situ burns (ISB) on water have been conducted using standard booming configuration with fuel collected and burned at the back one-third of fire resistant boom. BSEE is seeking advancements in boom configurations, including open-apex configurations, and new and innovative approaches to fire and fuel configurations to enhance burning and improve burning efficiencies. Topic 2 efforts should advance in technology readiness from proof-of-concept to full-scale tests in a relevant environment.
Topic 3: Improved efficiency of burns by minimizing burn residue and/or soot - In-situ burning of crude oil on water can rapidly remove significant amounts of oil in the marine environment; however, this combustion technique results in burn residues and black carbon soot from unburned oil and incomplete combustion. Some residues have the potential to sink that could smother benthic organisms, and burn emissions may cause public concern about air quality. Anecdotal evidence suggests that unburned oil and residues during past burns were combined and reignited to remove additional volumes thus improving burn efficiency. BSEE is seeking new and innovative techniques, equipment, combustion agents or other means to decrease the amount of residue and black carbon soot emissions associated with in-situ burns. Topic 3 efforts should advance in technology readiness from a proof-of-concept scale to a full scale demonstration in a relevant operating environment.
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, Paige L. Shin at Paige.Shin@bsee.gov, not later than 2:00 PM, Eastern Time on Thursday, February 16, 2017. The Solicitation/ BAA number E17PS00024 MUST 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 THE WHITE PAPER. White papers will be selected from all or part of the topics listed depending on the interest and scope of White Papers received. The BSEE will evaluate the responses on technical merit and those deemed to have merit may be selected for a full proposal. In cases where a white paper is selected for further consideration, a technical and cost/business proposal may be requested from your organization by the BSEE contracting officer. 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. 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 SHALL BE EVALUATED USING THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA:
(1) Feasibility of the approach or solution; (2) The Offeror's understanding of the technical issues; (3) The Offeror's ability to implement the proposed approach; and (4) Innovative or creative approaches or solutions including the participation and/or funding by the oil and gas industry or other groups in the research industry, where appropriate.
IF ANY OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT ARE NOT MET, THE WHITE PAPER WILL NOT BE EVALUATED. Questions shall be e-mailed to Paige.Shin@bsee.gov not later than 2:00 p.m., Eastern Time on Tuesday, January 24, 2017. The Solicitation/BAA number, E17PS00024, MUST be referenced in the subject line of the E-mail. Questions shall include the Solicitation/BAA number E17PS00024, your full name and title, your organization, complete physical address, email address and telephone number. Telephone inquiries WILL NOT be accepted. A separate White Paper MUST be submitted for each topic on which the Offeror wishes to propose.
POINT OF CONTACT: Paige L. Shin, Contracting Officer, email: Paige.Shin@bsee.gov.
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