This announcement solicits White Papers, of not more than five (5) pages in length, for specific areas of interest to the Minerals Management Service (MMS) Technology Assessment and Research (TA&R) Program, Operational Safety and Engineering Research (OSER). The MMS web site has descriptions of OSER activities, the scope of MMS interests, and past projects. The web site address is http://www.mms.gov/tarp/safety.htm. Interested parties are encouraged to view the information presented there when considering submitting White Papers. BACKGROUND: Research sponsored by MMS through the TA&R Program is used to acquire basic engineering information needed to oversee the orderly development of offshore oil and gas operations. New challenges and informational needs arise as companies use new equipment or procedures based on technological changes or as operations expand into new or different environments such as the deep water areas of the Gulf of Mexico (GOM). The principal objective of this request for White Papers is to address innovative or technological advancements among several general topics of current interest to MMS. As a result of the White Papers submitted in accordance with the terms of this announcement, selected proposals shall be requested. Projects selected for funding by MMS shall receive funding from FY 2004 funds. The MMS anticipates a total of $800,000 to $1,000,000 may be available for the initiation of new research proposals addressing OSER topics in FY 2004 with projects being identified through this announcement and additional avenues. Typical projects envisioned to address the topics set forth below may require one quarter to one man-year effort and prospective Offerors shall bear this in mind when responding to this request. OBJECTIVES: The proposed objectives of the FY 2004 OSER activities include research related to the following: 1) Comparative risk analysis of subsea processing vs. surface processing, with an emphasis on a technology assessment of subsea processing equipment and its reliability, including the risks/benefits of different methods of handling produced water. 2) Technology assessment of subsea system maintenance and intervention, considering the capability to intervene/perform maintenance in the increasing depth/complexity of subsea production systems and the criteria for deciding when a subsea system needs to be shut in. 3) Risk analysis/technology assessment of deepwater subsea gas lifting, including the effects of additional induced thermal stress on risers and associated components. 4) Risk analysis /technology assessment of deep gas production equipment, including the use of current technology equipment with the extremely deep high pressure reservoirs. 5) Evaluation of the corrosive effects of unprocessed oil, gas and brine on carbon steel production piping, and the resulting high maintenance costs and loss of production. 6) Assessment of composite repair methods, their ability to control cracks, leaks and corrosion in risers, structural members and FPSOs, and the suitability of these patches/repairs being applied in a realistic offshore environment. 7) Assessment of new or improved repair techniques for aging or damaged structures, such as clamps, underwater welding, use of composite techniques, liners, member replacement, or the use of ROV's in repair operations. 8) Assessment of the reliability and integrity of large diameter Steel Compliant Risers relative to ultra-deepwater operations, including effects of fatigue, corrosion and wear associated with the terminations at the platform or at touch down at the sea floor. 9) Evaluation of dropped objects and collisions during the movement of jack up and platform drilling rigs, including the lifting of coiled tubing, snubbing and wireline units, on and off of production platforms. 10) Assessment and evaluation of industry practices for the rigging up and rigging down of well-workover equipment, including snubbing, coiled tubing and the wireline unions. 11) Assessment of the current and potential technologies and capabilities for automatic controlling and testing systems for mainline valves on subsea pipelines. 12) Technology assessment of current industry practices in drilling, completing, and producing offshore high pressure and high temperature wells, including the factors that influence the design process. 13) Risk assessment and evaluation of the conductor pipe setting depth on shallow water wells. Examine the need for the ability to shut-in on the conductor casing along with minimum conductor casing setting criteria. Also, determine the need for a shoe test on the conductor casing along with minimum requirements. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: The MMS is interested in research initiatives relative to safety and pollution practices related to Offshore operations. As a result of the White Papers, selected proposals will be sought and evaluated for funding. Efforts to be considered should be to the above stated issues and/or other related issues to Offshore operations. Multi-year funding of projects is acceptable. HOW TO RESPOND: White Papers of not more than five (5) pages in length, an original plus three (3) copies and one electronic copy in MS Office format on CD or diskette shall be submitted to the US Department of the Interior, Minerals Management Service, 381 Elden Street, Herndon, VA 20170-4817, not later than 3:00 PM EDT September 15, 2003. White Papers sent through email and faxes shall not be accepted. White Papers shall define the proposed research scope and include the level of effort. NOTE THAT COST ESTIMATES ARE NOT TO BE INCLUDED. The White Papers will be evaluated only on technical merits. If your white paper is selected for further evaluation, a proposal will be requested and you must also submit a cost proposal at that time. Projects will be selected from some or all of the technical issues listed, depending on the interest and scope of White Papers received. The MMS will evaluate the responses, and the Offerors of those deemed to have merit will be furnished information to assist in the preparation of a complete proposal. This constitutes a Request For Proposal (RFP), but does not constitute commitment by the Government to award, nor does it restrict the solicitation to those firms meeting the screening criteria in this synopsis. Respondents will not be notified of the results of the evaluation or the information submitted. WHITE PAPERS WILL 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; (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 interest exists, (where appropriate); (5)past performance. QUESTIONS shall be E-mail addressed to
contact@example.gov or faxed to
+1 (555) 000-0000. The RFP number MUST be in the subject line of the E-mail. All questions shall include your full name and title, RFP number, your organization, complete address, and telephone and fax numbers. Telephone inquires WILL NOT be accepted. A separate White Paper shall be submitted for each study on which the Offeror wishes to propose. The White Paper shall identify clearly the Offeror company/organization, point of contact, address, telephone and facsimile numbers. Responses will be accepted ONLY until 3:00 P.M. EDT September 15, 2003. If Offerors desire to hand deliver their White Papers, they are informed that MMS is a secure office complex and they MUST NOT enter the building beyond the lobby. There is a courtesy telephone near the elevators from which you must call extension 1354 for a procurement official to pick up your submittal.
