Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) Number E12PS00034 for Proposed Research on Safety of Renewable Energy Operations in the US Outer Continental Shelf

DESCRIPTION: The U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) hereby solicits White Papers for a specific area of interest to the BSEE Technology Assessment and Research (TA&R) Program on Safety of Renewable Energy Operations in the US Outer Continental Shelf. When appropriate, the research shall be conducted consistently with prior research. For a summary of TA&R research recently performed, visit http://www.bsee.gov/Research-and-Training/Renewable-Energy-Research-(REnR).aspx. Interested parties are encouraged to view the information presented on the site when considering submitting white papers. Note: There is no limit on the number of white papers an organization may submit.

BACKGROUND:

The BSEE TA&R Program is requesting white papers to be submitted in accordance with the terms of this announcement. Selected white papers will subsequently be requested to submit full research proposals. The proposal selected for funding by BSEE shall receive funding from FY 2012. BSEE anticipates that a single award in an amount not to exceed $140,000 may be available for the initiation of new research addressing topics identified through this announcement.

NOTICE: BSEE may share the White Papers with other organizations for review. Potential offerors shall notify BSEE if they do not want their White Papers shared outside of BSEE. BSEE anticipates the award resulting from this announcement will be made on a Firm Fixed-Price (FFP) basis with a period of performance of approximately 12 months.

OBJECTIVES: The topic for the FY 2012 renewable energy research funding should be limited to the following:

Develop a checklist of items that need to be addressed in the design basis document for offshore wind turbines. The 30 CFR 285.626 regulation is not prescriptive regarding the design standards that must be used for designing the structures for an offshore wind energy installation. Developers are allowed to use a design basis approach whereby they propose which criteria and standards to apply, and justify why each particular criteria and standard is appropriate. The developed checklist would identify all the specific topics that need to be addressed in the design basis, identifying which standards are applicable for each topic, and then making a determination on whether each standard is sufficient for this purpose.

HOW TO RESPOND: White Papers of not more than five (5) pages in length, an ORIGINAL PLUS three (3) copies and one (1) electronic copy in PDF format, on a CD, shall be submitted to the U.S. Department of Interior, Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, 381 Elden St., Herndon, VA 20170-4817, ATTN: Frank Bennett, not later than 2:00 PM, EASTERN TIME on July 3, 2012. WHITE PAPERS SENT VIA EMAIL AND FAX WILL 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 IN THE WHITE PAPER. The White Papers shall be evaluated only on technical merit. IF YOUR WHITE PAPER IS SELECTED FOR FURTHER EVALUATION, A TECHNICAL AND BUSINESS/COST PROPOSAL WILL BE REQUESTED FROM YOUR COMPANY BY THE CONTRACTING OFFICER. Projects shall be selected depending on the interest and scope of White Papers received. BSEE shall evaluate the responses, and those organizations whose white papers are deemed to have merit will be furnished information to assist in the preparation of the complete proposal. This announcement constitutes a Request for White Papers only and does not obligate the Government to make award. Respondents WILL 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 renewable energy industry or other groups in the research industry, where appropriate; and (5) past performance. IF ANY OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT ARE NOT MET, THE WHITE PAPER WILL NOT BE EVALUATED.

QUESTIONS shall be emailed to the Point of Contact below not later than 2:00 p.m., EASTERN TIME on June 25, 2012. The Solicitation number E12PS00034 MUST be in the subject line of the email. All questions shall include the Solicitation number E12PS00034, your full name and title, your organization, complete address, and telephone and fax numbers. Telephone inquiries WILL NOT be accepted.

The White Paper shall identify clearly the Offerors company/organization, point of contact, address, telephone and facsimile numbers. RESPONSES will be accepted ONLY until 2:00 pm, ET on July 3, 2012. If Offerors desire to hand deliver their White Papers, they are advised that the BSEE facility is a secure office complex and Offerors MUST NOT enter the building beyond the lobby. There is a courtesy telephone at the guard station from which you must call extension 71070 for a procurement official to meet and receive your submittal. POINT OF CONTACT: You MUST contact Frank Bennett at 703-787-1633 and set up an appointment 24 hours in advance of dropping off your White Paper. Point of Contact: Frank Bennett, Contract Specialist @ 703-787-1633 Frank.Bennett@BSEE.gov.