B--Formation Water Salinities and Temperatures in Near-Surface, Deep-Water Gulf of Mexico Sediments: Implications for Methane Hydrate Stability

The United States Department of the Interior, Minerals Management Service (MMS) Procurement Operations Branch is the Contracting Office for this procurement. This synopsis/solicitation is to announce the Government's intent to award a sole source Purchase Order to Louisiana State University (LSU), Department of Geology and Geophysics, Baton Rouge, LA., in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.302-1, only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy Agency's requirements. (MMS) Procurement Operations Branch anticipates awarding a Purchase Order to LSU, Department of Geology and Geophysics, a one-year study to determine regional variation in formation water salinity and geothermal gradients in the region of the Northern Gulf of Mexico (GOM) most likely to be a potential host to methane hydrates. This includes areas from east Breaks and Alaminos Canyon in the west of Mississippi Canyon and Atwater in the east. This effort will document formation of water salinities and geothermal gradients and attempt to explain any variations that may exists. The anticipated total value of this procurement is estimated to be approximately $32,000 - $35,000. Anticipated award date is no later than 23 September 2005. This is NOT a request for competitive quotes. The intent of this Special Notice is for "informational purposes" only. However, any and all information received by the point of contact (POC) listed below, by close of business 17 August 2005, will be considered by the Government. A determination by the Government not to compete this action based on this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. POC: Ms. Olivia F. Adrian, MMS Procurement Operations Branch, 381 Elden Street, MS-2100, Herndon VA 20170. Questions must be emailed to Olivia Adrian - email address: contact@example.gov or Fax to: +1 (555) 000-0000 and phone: +1 (555) 000-0000. PHONE CALLS ARE STRONGLY DISCOURAGED.