Vessel efficiency and noise reduction technology application demonstration for the Gulf of Mexico, USA

Solicitation No. 693JF725R000002 Vessel efficiency and noise reduction technology application demonstration for the Gulf of Mexico. Amendment No. 3 The purpose for this amendment is to respond to the following question. Question-1. I represent a group of partner companies in the process of applying for the above RFP. One of our partners is a US registered company, the other three are not. Does the application need to be submitted by the US company as the lead or can it be submitted as the group? Response-1. The Meta program can only enter into cooperative agreements for funding with US companies. Any applications should be submitted by a US company for consideration. Solicitation No. 693JF725R000002 Vessel efficiency and noise reduction technology application demonstration for the Gulf of Mexico. Amendment No. 2 The purpose for this amendment is to respond to the following questions. Question-2. Does the technology demonstrator need to be done at sea on a ship/boat or it can be done in a lab setting and/or via numerical modelling (i.e. digital twin, multi-physics systems model etc.)? Response-2. Yes. This demonstration is for at sea. Question -3. Can there be team partnership with a University, Government Laboratory and/or a small business? If that is the case, is each member of the team eligible to be funded up to $500K? Response-3. Yes, partners are encouraged. The total funding for all partners under a proposal is $500k Question-4. Which is the class of ships (or boats) MARAD and META are mostly focused on? - Fishing trawlers - Offshore supply vessels - Harbor/Offshore Tugs - Ferries (fast or slow?) - Other Response-4. There is a preference for workboats, harbor craft, and offshore support, supply, and crew change vessels (to include offshore oil and gas as well as wind installations and survey vessels). Question-5 What is the operating environment MARAD and META are considering? - Open sea - Coastal - Inland water - Harbor - Other Response-5. There is a regional preference for operations in the Gulf of Mexico. Question-6. Are they looking for a subsystem or for a holistic design of a new vessel optimized for URN and energy efficiency (i.e. reducing emissions etc.)? Response-. Both are options. The preference is for technologies, fuels, and approaches integrated at the design phase and with lesser emphasis on application for one-off retrofit on existing vessels. Question-6. Does this grant preclude stacking of other grant programs? Response-6. This funding opportunity does not preclude combining funding with other grant or funding programs Solicitation No. 693JF725R000002 Vessel efficiency and noise reduction technology application demonstration for the Gulf of Mexico. Amendment No. 1 The purpose for this amendment is to respond to the following question. Question-1. This is a marine service company in Long Beach, California. How strictly will the META program adhere to a Gulf of Mexico geographic deployment for the project? We would like to apply for grant assistance under this solicitation, but I want to make sure we won't be shut out because of a preference for Gulf-based projects. Response-1. The RFP states there is a regional preference for demonstrations in the Gulf of Mexico on workboats, harbor craft, and offshore support, supply, and crew change vessels (to include offshore oil and gas as well as wind installations and survey vessels). Projects in other regions may be considered as well based on their alignment with the stated priorities and objectives in the RFP. Maritime Administration: Vessel efficiency and noise reduction technology application demonstration for the Gulf of Mexico, USA RFP No. 693JF725R000002 Request For Proposals (RFP) The Maritime Administration's (MARAD) Maritime Environmental and Technical Assistance (META) program is issuing this request for proposals (RFP) for demonstrating enhanced energy efficiency technology applications on board commercial vessels that are also indicated to significantly reduce vessel generated underwater radiated noise (URN). The META program is partnering with NOAA to support this effort. To that end, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is administering additional, separate funds on behalf of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) that may also be available under this RFP. Applicants that are being considered for these NFWF administered funds will be notified in advance of award. Award may be for one or multiple projects with budgets up to $500,000. Projects should be completed within 36 months from time of award. A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: 1) Background The META program (46 U.S.C. - 50307) is investigating the interconnections between broader energy efficiency and decarbonization initiatives in the maritime sector, with a specific focus on reducing URN from vessels and exploring potential co-benefits. Key takeaways from a recent U.S. co-led IMO workshop stated in part that the most promising opportunities for optimizing energy efficiency gains and achieving GHG and URN reductions are in the early ship design stage, using a systems approach, and considering more holistic re-conception. The workshop highlighted the necessity for intentional and integrated ship designs that prioritize energy efficiency while simultaneously reducing GHG emissions and URN. This Request for Proposals (RFP) is focused on energy efficiency and URN reduction technology demonstration with a preference for technologies, fuels, and approaches integrated at the design phase and with lesser emphasis on application for one-off retrofit on existing vessels. There is a regional preference for demonstrations in the Gulf of Mexico on workboats, harbor craft, and offshore support, supply, and crew change vessels (to include offshore oil and gas as well as wind installations and survey vessels). Technologies may include but are not limited to existing and emerging engine, fuel, and energy options (e.g. hydrogen fuel cells, kinetic energy storage, battery electrification, engines suitable for alternative fuels such as spark-ignition or pilot-ignition hydrogen, methanol, hybrid and dual fuel capabilities, etc.); internal structures, such as engine mounts; propellers, propulsion arrangements, shafts, wake flow designs, bubble application; hull form, coatings, and other technologies or approaches indicated for improvement of efficiency and reduction of GHG emissions and URN. 2) Proposal Content Proposals must include a mechanism to measure and compare energy efficiency/GHG emissions and URN consistent with international and/or class standards using appropriate measurement techniques. Proposals must provide sufficient, verifiable, and detailed information that describes the: - Proposed approach for technology integration, demonstration, data collection, assessment, and analysis to include specifications for design considerations as well as GHG and URN measurement consistent with international and class standards and reference to existing guidelines, standards, and notations. - Proposed project plan including timeline (not to exceed 36 months) inclusive of kick off meetings with MARAD, design and technology integration and assessment, outreach, interim progress report detailing vessel design and technology application, data collection and analysis, and final report deliverables. - Provide a description of the proposed equipment/technology/design specifications including the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) and any proof of concept. - Description of partnerships, collaborations, and/or processes that will ensure success of the proposal. - The applicant's capabilities, related experience, techniques, or unique combinations of these that are integral factors for achieving the proposal objectives to include experience that supports ability to successfully manage and achieve project goals and objectives of similar type and scope. - Proposed total cost for the proposal to include a detailed budget and justification describing the expected effort for each objective/component and final report. Description of key personnel, qualifications, and expected level of effort should also be included. Proposals may include: - Additional considerations, outreach, or analysis recommended to achieve the goals of the project. B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION: The primary type of financial assistance instrument that will be awarded to a successful applicant is a cooperative agreement. The substantial involvement of MARAD may include coordinating discussions with interested parties including the interagency, industry, and others; providing background materials for specific consideration; guidance on specific information to be included in the report; review of materials and deliverables at intermediate points; and other engagement, as needed. MARAD will fund 100% of the total cost of the project that is selected for award. Proposals must include a detailed cost breakdown that shows how Federal funds will be used for the project. Projects that are considered for NOAA funding will be awarded under grant agreements administered by NFWF but will retain the same reporting requirements. Upon project completion, the awardee must furnish a comprehensive report not to exceed 36 months from the award. This report should, at a minimum, encompass - the methodology, results, and conclusions for the technology application - verification of efficiency/GHG emissions and URN measures; - highlight any technology challenges and outline barriers, opportunities, requirements, and other emergent considerations, including research priorities for incorporating the technology or design element. - Include internationally relevant information for the integration of the demonstrated technology or approach for GHG and URN reduction measures. Additional information: To be considered for selection, the study must include a timeline for completion within 36 months from the time of award. The report will be publicly available and posted to the META webpage. MARAD reserves the right to fund some or none of the proposals received under this RFP. MARAD provides no funding for reimbursement of proposal development costs. Technical and cost proposals (or any other material) submitted in response to this RFP will not be returned. It is the policy of MARAD to treat all proposals submitted under this RFP as sensitive competitive information and to disclose their contents only for the purposes of evaluation. This announcement is an expression of interest only and does not commit MARAD to make any award. As the NOAA funding is being provided through the MARAD solicitation, all terms of solicitation, application, review and award notification discussed in this RFP will also apply to projects considered for funding through NFWF unless otherwise noted. Any additional terms and conditions of a NFWF award will be presented prior to contracting. C. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION: 1. Eligible Applicants: The following entities are designated as - eligible entities under 46 U.S.C. - 50307(d) and are eligible to apply: (1) Private entities, including nonprofit organizations; (2) State, regional, or local governments or entities, including special districts; (3) Indian Tribes (as defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. - 5304)) or a consortium of Indian Tribes; (4) Institutions of higher education as defined under section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. - 1002); or (5) A partnership or collaboration of entities described in paragraphs (1) through (4) above. 2. Systems for Award Management (SAM) Requirements. MARAD will not make an award to an applicant until the applicant has complied with all applicable unique entity identifier and SAM requirements and if an applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time MARAD is ready to make an award, MARAD may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive an award and use that determination as a basis for making an award to another applicant. Please see Section D.3 for information on SAM requirements. MARAD will not make an award to any applicant with an exclusion in SAM. D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION 1. Address to Request Application Package. This RFP contains all the information needed to submit a proposal and be considered for award. No specific application form or other materials need to be obtained from MARAD. 2. Content and Form of Application. See Section B for the required contents of the proposal. Proposals are limited to 15 pages and must be received within 60 days of the publication of this notice. 3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM). Each applicant is required to: (a) be registered and current in SAM before submitting its application; (b) provide a valid unique entity identifier in its applicant; and (c) continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it has an active Federal award or an application or plan under consideration by a Federal awarding agency. MARAD will not make an award to an applicant until the applicant has complied with all applicable unique entity identifier and SAM requirements and if an applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time MARAD is ready to make an award, MARAD may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive an award and use that determination as a basis for making an award to another applicant. 4. Submission Dates and Times. The deadline for proposal submission is 4:00 PM (DC local time) on the closing date listed for this RFP on SAM.gov. Please submit proposals in PDF format attached to an email. Send proposals to Christian Onwudiegwu at Christian.Onwudiegwu@dot.gov. and Kelly Mitchell-Carroll at K.mitchell-carroll@dot.gov. Please include the Funding Opportunity Number and Title in the Subject Line. Do not send paper copies, or other media of the proposal via post office or delivery service. Proposals received by MARAD after the deadline will not be considered for award. An email will be deemed - received by MARAD on the date and time the email was - sent to the email address above, as determined by MARAD's servers. 5. Intergovernmental Review. This funding opportunity is not subject to Executive Order 12372, - Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs. 6. Funding Restrictions. Applicants are advised to review 2 C.F.R. Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards as supplemented by 2 C.F.R. Part 1201 for cost principles used to determine allowable costs of work performed under Federal awards. E. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION 1. Review and Selection Process. MARAD has set-up an internal review team to evaluate all proposals that are submitted under this announcement. All eligible proposals will be evaluated within 3 weeks after the closing date. If the review team has any questions on an individual proposal, it will notify the applicant for clarification. The proposals will be evaluated against the following criteria: 1) Well-documented and context-appropriate plan to undertake and successfully demonstrate the integration of technology and associated GHG and URN measurements. 2) Clear application of methods supporting technology integration, demonstration, data collection, assessment, and analysis to include specifications for GHG and URN measurement consistent with international and class standards and reference to existing guidelines, standards, and notations. 3) The applicant's capabilities, related experience, technical knowledge, techniques, or unique combinations of these that are integral factors for achieving the proposal objectives to include experience that supports ability to successfully manage and achieve study goals and objectives of similar type and scope. 4) Scope and extent of partnerships with the community and stakeholders and their role in the project that will ensure success of the proposal. 5) Detailed project timeline with descriptions of key decision points and areas of uncertainty. 6) Budget and justification demonstrating appropriate and defensible cost per component, personnel, timeline, and final deliverables. F. FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION 1. Federal Award Notices. The successful applicant(s) will be notified by MARAD's Office of Acquisition via telephone; however; the telephone call is not the actual award or the authorization to begin performance. All awards will be made by a cooperative agreement signed by MARAD's Agreement/Grants Officer. After an award has been made, a MARAD representative from the Office of Environment and Innovation will notify the awardee to set-up a kick-off meeting for the project. If a project is not receiving a MARAD award but is being considered for a NOAA/NFWF award, then NFWF will notify the applicant of their interest. 2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements. Applicants are advised to review 2. C.F.R. Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Costs Principles and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards as supplemented by 2 C.F.R. Part 1201, for applicable administrative and national policy requirements. For a copy of the general terms and conditions of the Federal award made under this RFP, please contact Christian Onwudiegwu at Christian.onwudiegwu@dot.gov. Federal awards made under RFP may include additional terms that are specific to the project, including without limitation awardee information, project description, funding details and appropriate data rights clauses. 3. Reporting. Applicants are advised to review 2 C.F.R. Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Costs Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, as supplemented by 2 C.F.R. Part 1201, for applicable reporting requirements. Federal awards made under this RFP may include additional reporting requirements that are appropriate for the specific project to be funded by MARAD. G. FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACT For any questions relating to the technical or programmatic aspects of this RFP, please contact Alyson Azzara Environmental Protection Specialist, at Alyson.azzara@dot.gov. For any questions about the administration of this funding opportunity and any awards, please contact Christian Onwudiegwu at Christian.onwudiegwu@dot.gov and copy Alyson Azzara at Alyson.azzara@dot.gov. H. OTHER INFORMATION Applicants must identify all proprietary information in its submission. MARAD is not obligated to make any Federal award because of this RFP.