B -- Notice of Intent to Award a Sole Source Purchase Order

Under the authority of Federal Acquisition Regulation, Part 6, Subparts 6.302-1, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) intends to contract with Marine Computation Services, Inc. (MCS) on a sole source basis. This acquisition is being conducted using Federal Acquisition Regulation Part 13 Simplified Acquisition Procedures. USDOT PHMSA is the Federal agency charged with the safe, reliable, and environmentally sound operation of the nation?s pipeline offshore and onshore transportation system. The current version of API RP 2RD, the standard for dynamic risers for floating facilities, was last updated in 1998 and contains little information on application of best practices. There are volunteers from industry currently working to revise the standard but, due to heavy workloads, the deadline set by the American Petroleum Institute (API) and the International Standards Organization (ISO) may not be met. In the fall of 2007, MCS presented a proposal for launching a Joint Industry Project (JIP) to expedite the update of the ISO/API standard by providing project administration, drafting, technical, and project management support to the existing joint ISO/API Task Group. The JIP is to be funded by various organizations that each contribute a $40,000 sponsorship/membership fee. An objective of PHMSA's safety program is to ensure that industry has access to the best design, construction and maintenance practices. The objective of the fee for service purchase is to participate in and support the JIP in their efforts to expedite the update of ISO 13628-12/API RP 2RD standard for Dynamic Risers for Floating Production Installations. API RP 2RD is the most widely accepted steel riser code in the deepwater offshore industry. The JIP has widespread industry and Federal Government support to ensure the revised version of the standard will be expedited quickly for submittal to ISO and API for approval. MCS, along with one partner/subcontractor have collaborated to develop and lead the JIP. MCS has a successful track record in the delivery of multiple industry JIPs over the past ten years, many of which have been focused on the development of industry codes of practice for riser and related subsea technologies. Any response to this notice must demonstrate that competition would be advantageous to the government. In doing so, interested sources must submit technical capabilities, pricing, and other information that demonstrates their ability to meet PHMSA's needs. Detailed capabilities must be submitted via e-mail not later than 5:00 PM EST on March 6, to Mr. Eric Hilton, [email protected], Contract Specialist, PHMSA Office of Contracts and Procurement. This synopsis is not to be considered a request for quotations or proposals. No solicitation document is available and telephone requests will not be honored. No contract will be awarded on the basis of offers received in response to this notice, but offers will be used to determine if a comparable source is available and more advantageous to the government. If no affirmative written response is received within 15 days from the publication of this synopsis, a purchase order may be issued to Marine Computation Services, Inc.