B--Social and economic Impacts of Marine Oils Spills: A Cross-National Comparison

PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE NOTICE CAREFULLY, AS IT CONSTITUTES THE ONLY NOTICE THAT WILL BE ISSUED. This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Federal Acquisition Regulations Subpart 12.6 as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a separate written solicitation will not be issued. The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2002-09. The following provisions and clauses apply to this acquisition and are incorporated by reference: 1) 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors-Commercial Items; 2) 52.212-3, Offeror, Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items; 3) 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Items, with an addendum; and 4) 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders-Commercial Items. Solicitation Number 1435-01-03-RP-72184 applies; the solicitation is issued as a request for proposals (RFP). INTRODUCTION: The U.S. Department of the Interior, Minerals Management Service is responsible for oil and gas leasing on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act of 1953, the OCS Lands Act Amendments of 1978 (OCSLA), and the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). OCSLA and NEPA require assessment of the effects of OCS oil and gas activities on adjacent human and physical environments. To this end MMS acquires and analyzes and/or oversees collection and analysis of environmental, socioeconomic, and socio-cultural information relevant to OCS-related decisions and utilizes that information in Environmental Assessments (EA) and Environmental Impact Statements (EIS). MMS social scientist must predict impacts from possible oil spills stemming from the five-year program, specific lease sales as well as cumulative effects. These estimates are done in part by using past oil spill events as case studies. Potential effects are then extrapolated to other locations in Alaska, the Pacific region and the Gulf of Mexico. Since major oil spills are rare, few case studies actually exist in the United States. This effort considers oil spill events both in the United States as well as abroad. Various methods have been used to estimate impacts of these events. This study provides essential pieces of documentation that will allow EIS writers to take directly from the information provided in this report and apply it in a comparative fashion to possible spill event effects related to OCS activity, including platforms, pipelines as well as tankers. STUDY OBJECTIVES. Identify the spectrum of documented effects, such as income lost, number of wildlife dead, miles of coastline spoiled, fishing disturbances, demographic shifts, recreation and tourism, hotel/motel and restaurant industry, environmental justice, socio-cultural systems and infrastructure demands. In addition, other not so easily measurable effects should be included such as long-term cumulative change, ecosystem and natural resource impacts, and changes in the minds and lives of people who experience the spill. Therefore, literature is sought that deals with both the quantitative as well as the qualitative aspects of the impacts people and places experience during and after such an event. The documented effects should be categorized separately into effects sections to allow EIS writers to directly extract information pertaining to a particular effect without going to the originals works. First, the contractor shall review all relevant literature on oil spills around the world and describe effects of these events. The documented effects will provide a useful basis for MMS analyst to compare and predict potential oil spill impacts from OCS activity in EIS writing. Second, the contractor shall conduct a content analysis of relevant information from media outlets such as newspaper, television, radio, magazines, etc. to inform MMS social scientists from the perspective of the social construction of the event. The findings will then be incorporated into the final report along with the review of literature. While documented literature will offer insight into the social and economic impacts of major oil spills, how people construct environmental information becomes the basis for contesting claims as to basic rights, responsibilities and responses to technological disasters. All aspects of the assemblage of claims should be examined from a social constructionist's perspective. SCOPE OF WORK - A. General Program Scheduling - This study shall have a maximum of a 12 month period of performance following the date of contract award. Location. The study will focus on areas where major oil spill events have occurred throughout the U.S. and the world. Locations for analysis will be discussed and agreed upon with the COTR before any effort is made or funds expended. TO VIEW THE DETAILED STATEMENT OF WORK and the required deliverables and schedule, go to www.govworks.gov/vendor/csolicit.asp and look up Solicitation Number 01-03-RP-72184. HOW TO RESPOND: Offerors shall provide a technical proposal that includes: (1) discussion of the background, objectives, and work requirements of the statement of work as analyzed by the Offeror, 2) discussion of proposed methods and techniques for completing each task, 3) discussion which supports how each task will be evaluated for full performance and acceptability of work from the offeror's viewpoint. (4) discussion of any anticipated major difficulties and problem areas, along with potential recommended approaches for their resolution,(5) discussion of major logistical considerations. Please include a staffing plan and resumes for key personnel which address their capabilities and experience relating to the Statement of Work. Please provide a list of all similar efforts performed by your organization for the last two years. Include a description of the project, project title, contract number, contract amount, client identification including agency or company name, contracting and technical reviewing official, address and telephone number. A program scheduling plan that shows significant milestones for the proposed effort and provides a schedule for timely completion of each milestone. Your proposal must demonstrate that both your organization and proposed key personnel can successfully complete this project. COST PROPOSAL. Offerors shall provide a Firm-fixed Price for the complete project with a range from $50,000 to $75,000. The proposal shall include a detailed explanation of the firm fixed price, i.e., labor categories, personnel, labor hours, hourly rates, direct costs, indirect costs, supporting information, such as indirect cost rate agreement, payroll records, etc. In addition to the price proposal, the offeror shall submit a completed copy of the representations, certifications, and other statements to the offerors or Quoters. Proposals shall clearly indicate the proposed labor categories, hours, and rates for this effort. EVALUATION. Each offeror's proposal will be evaluated as indicated below. The criteria are in descending order with number four and five being of equal importance. 1. PERSONNEL. The proposal shall include the experience, qualifications and commitment of the proposed personnel assigned to work on this project. Although there are no formal descriptions or qualification requirements, the staff must be competent and experienced with the social science knowledge and skills required in the Statement of Work. Information, including resumes, shall be provided as to which personnel will be used on this project and the percentage of time each staff member will contribute to the program. 2. APPROACH. A description of the proposed approach to comply with each of the requirements specified in the Statement of Work, including phasing of tasks, methods to be utilized, person hours for personnel, and scheduling of time and resources. Milestones, timelines or phasing charts should be included. 3. UNDERSTANDING THE PROBLEM. A clear and succinct statement of the problem, statement of work, purpose, and objectives of the project in the Offeror's words to demonstrate his/her complete understanding of the intent and requirements of this contract, the complex issues and potential problems which may be encountered in completing the project. 4. PAST EXPERIENCE. A description of the experience of the Offeror with special attention to the successful past performance of coordinating and conducting social science research studies similar to this effort. The proposal shall demonstrate recent successful experience in managing similar or related work that is comparable in subject matter, complexity, abilities to develop and manage a project of this scope. The Offeror shall provide references which will provide information regarding previous services rendered which were similar in scope of work outlined in this request for proposal. 5. MANAGEMENT PLAN. The proposal shall specify staff and organizational structure for carrying out the tasks of the contract. COST EVALUATION. Estimated cost is not a numerically weighted factor and will receive less consideration than technical merit. However, cost is important and its importance as an evaluation factor should increase as competing proposals become more equal in terms of technical merit. Contract Award. Award will be made to the responsible offeror that provides an overall best value to the Government, technical evaluation factors, and cost considered. If you have any technical questions regarding this requirement or the preparation of your offer, please submit your inquiries by May 20 to Sharon Teger, Fax +1 (555) 000-0000 or Email: contact@example.gov. Please include with your question(s) your full name, this RFP number & title, your organization, complete address with telephone and fax numbers. TELEPHONIC QUESTIONS OR REQUESTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. The referenced provisions and clauses can be viewed at www.arnet.gov. Please be advised that the Government reserves the right to transmit those questions and answers of a common interest to all prospective offerors. Please submit three (3) hard copy offers plus one electronic copy on CD in MS Word and/or Excel format to the following address. FINAL PROPOSALS ARE DUE BY 3:00 PM June 9, 2003, AT DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR, MINERALS MANAGEMENT SERVICE, MS 2500, 381 ELDEN STREET, HERNDON, VIRGINIA 20170, ATTENTION: SHARON TEGER. Please note that MMS/GovWorks is located in a secure building. If offers are hand delivered, please ensure that the courier is instructed to use the courtesy phone in the rear of the lobby (to the right of the elevators) to call the Branch on extension 1354. A staff member will meet the courier to receive the submittal.