Quantitative Measurements of ISB in Open Water - Phase II

Quantitative Measurements of ISB in Open Water Phase II - - - - SPECIAL NOTICE NOTICE OF INTENT TO ISSUE A SOLE SOURCE CONTRACT TO APPLIED RESEARCH ASSOCIATES, INC. (ARA) FOR ADVANCEMENT OF QUANTITATIVE MEASUREMENTS OF ISB VOLUMES AND BURN RATES IN OPEN WATER This Notice is issued in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 5.2, Synopses of Proposed Contract Actions. The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), Acquisition Operations Branch, is the contracting office for this procurement. The purpose of this Notice is to announce the Government¿s intent to negotiate a sole source contract with Applied Research Associates (ARA) to advance in situ burning quantification system, based on the contractor¿s demonstrated unique capability in accordance with FAR 6.302-1, only one responsible source. This requirement will utilize FAR Part 15 acquisition procedures. ARA developed, under BSEE contract no. E15PC00005, a system to quantify in situ burning (ISB) efficiencies and burning rate. The ISB quantification system is designed to provide near real-time quantification of volumes of crude oil being burned thus yielding burn efficiency. ARA was able to demonstrate the proof of concept in the previous study and for this procurement, BSEE is seeking to advance the technology to a state where it can be transferred to industry for commercialization for use during ISB operations on water. ARA is the only source that can meet this requirement and perform this service for the Government. This effort is a continuation of work that was successfully completed to demonstrate the proof of concept. The promising results from the previous study will be matured to advance the technology by refining the instrumentation to acquire data for algorithms to accurately measure and quantify burning volumes and efficiencies. Testing will refine the accuracy and precision of the thickness and surface area measurements necessary to accurately and precisely calculate the burn rate and burn volume within a 2 second resolution. Testing of the communications systems must demonstrate transmission distances at a minimum of 1 km along with easily viewed geospatial data on a user-friendly interface device. ARA is uniquely qualified to mature this technology. ARA has a provisional patent for this system (provisional patent filed May 16, 2017: Serial No. 62507192) which is designed to provide near real-time quantification of volumes of crude oil being burned thus yielding burn efficiency. Since ARA holds the patent, they are the only source that can meet the Government¿s needs to continue to develop this unique and innovative technology without researching a new combustion system. The anticipated period of performance is 24 months. The place of performance is at the contractor¿s facility, with testing anticipated at a variety of wave tanks. THIS NOTICE IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL. However, any firm believing itself capable of performing the work stated above may submit technical documentation to establish their capability. Such documentation must be submitted to the Contracting Officer by 2:00pm, Eastern Daylight Savings Time on March 7, 2019. A determination not to compete the proposed requirement based upon responses received lies solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement or to proceed on a sole source basis. Documentation shall be submitted in writing to Caroline Laikin-Credno via email at [email protected], with the email SUBJECT LINE ¿ RFP 140E0119R0002 Advancement of Quantitative Measurements of ISB Volumes and Burn Rates. Telephone responses will not be honored.