This announcement solicits White Papers, of not more than five (5) pages in length, for specific areas of interest to the Minerals Mangement 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. We encourage interested parties to view the information presented on the site 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 eventual funding by MMS shall receive funding from FY 2003 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 2003 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 for the FY 2003 OSER activities include research related to the following: 1)Evaluation of subsea BOP system performance in ultra-deep water using BOP test data (with emphasis on rigs placed in service in the last 5 years). 2)Evaluation of surface BOP systems performance using BOP test data. 3)Performance assessment of blind-shear or shear rams used in subsea and surface BOP stacks. The assessment should examine the shearing capability for various grades of drill pipe and other tubulars under varying conditions; comparison of shear rams and blind-shear rams; and configuration options for placing the blind-shear rams in the stack. 4)Evaluation of safety concerns during well testing from OCS drilling rigs. The evaluation should address safety devices; inspection and testing of well test equipment; disposition of test production; differences between testing on dynamic positioned vessels and moored vessels; and well testing under Arctic conditions. 5)Evaluation of rig requirements for drilling deep high pressure - high temperature wells (15K+ feet) on the OCS. The evaluation should consider safety concerns when pushing depth limits on older drilling rigs, adequacy of BOP and mud-handling systems, and the potential for H2S. 6)Prevention and remediation of sustained casing pressure, including new cementing types and techniques; tubing design and installation; and intervention methods. 7)Effects of high temperature / high pressure production streams on platform production piping and vessels ( with emphasis on new HTHP production being introduced to existing platforms.) 8)A review and comparison of research on human limitations in responding to automated data inputs from control room management and monitoring systems in offshore drilling and production and other industries (Nuclear, Airlines, etc.) 9)Development of integrity methodologies for topsides of offshore production facilities that considers the integrity of the risers and operating plant to include wear and the lack of maintenance; and/or the integrity of the topside structural system to include means for evaluating corrosion protection (with emphasis on level 1 surveys and data collection). 10)Reliability of surface safety systems, including valves, in Arctic weather conditions. 11)Evaluate the effectiveness and accuracy of offshore pipeline potential readings where pipelines originate or terminate at structures. 12)Identify effectiveness of current procedures utilized to prevent vortex induced vibration in subsea pipelines in the Cook Inlet, Alaska, or areas of similar operational environments and evaluate alternative state-of-the-art technologies which may be employed to produce superior performance. 13)Assessment of safety risks associated with complete or partial removal of subsea pipeline verses leaving in place. The study should consider different options for removal from shallow water and deepwater relative to the feasibility of the methods, safety aspects, and relevant costs. 14)Assess the current state-of-the-practice for the construction and maintenance of ice islands. Evaluate ice island technology to identify areas where further research and development would decrease the effort required to construct and maintain ice islands. 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 the Offshore operations. Multi-year funding of project is acceptable. HOW TO RESPOND: White Papers of not more than five (5) pages in length, an ORIGINAL PLUS five (5) copies and one (1) electronic copy in pdf format, on a CD, or on a standard 3 inch diskette, shall be submitted to the U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, MINERALS MANAGEMENT SERVICE, 381 ELDEN STREET, HERNDON VA 20170-4817, not later than September 16, 2002, 04:00 PM, EDT. WHITE PAPERS SENT THROUGH EMAIL AND FAXES SHALL NOT ACCEPTED. White Papers should define the proposed research scope and include the level of effort. NOTE THAT COST ESTIMATES ARE NOT TO BE INCLUDED. The White Papers shall be evaluated only on technical merits. If your white paper is selected for further evaluation, a proposal shall be requested and you must also submit a cost proposal at that time. Projects shall be selected from all or part of the technical issues listed depending on the interest and scope of White Papers received. The MMS shall evaluate the responses, and those deemed to have merit shall be furnished information to assist in the preparation of complete proposal. This announcement constitutes a Request for Proposal (RFP), but does not obligate the Government to consummate award. Respondents SHALL 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 offerors understanding of the technical issues; (3) the offerors 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 interest exists), where appropriate; (5) past performance. SMALL DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS (SDB) REGULATORY CHANGE NOTICE: The Federal Acquisition Regulation authorizes the use of price and evaluation credits in industries underutilized. We ask that you inform your SDB subcontractors that they should contact SBA's Office of Certification and Eligibility at
+1 (555) 000-0000 to obtain an application, or to log on to SBAs Websitewww.sba.gov/sdb). If you are an SDB prime contractor who is not SBA-certified, we also ask that you apply for certification. Effective October 1, 1999, certified SDB prime contractors were eligible for a price credit when bidding on Federal prime contracts. Effective January 1, 1999, prime contractors who subcontract with SBA-certified or self-certified SDBs are eligible for evaluation credits. Please note that prime contractors may continue to rely on self-certification of their SDB subcontractors through June 30, 1999. For solicitations issued on or after July 1, 1999, prime contractors must use SDB-certified SDB subcontractors in order to be eligible for evaluation credits. QUESTIONS shall be E-mail addressed to
contact@example.gov or faxed on
+1 (555) 000-0000. The RFP number MUST be in the subject line of the E-mail. All questions shall include the RFP number, your full name and title, your organization, complete address, and telephone and fax numbers. Telephone inquires SHALL NOT be accepted. A separate White Paper shall be submitted for each study on which the offeror wished to propose. The White Paper shall identify clearly the offeror's company/organization, point of contact, address, telephone and facsimile numbers. Responses shall be accepted ONLY until September 16, 2002, 04:00 p.m., EDT. If offerors desire to hand deliver their White Papers, they are informed the MMS facility is a secure office complex and offerors MUST NOT enter the building beyond the lobby. There is a courtesy telephone near the elevators to which you must call extension 1354 for a procurement official to receive your submittal.
