Request for Proposals
for Applied Technology Program of the
Prince William Sound
Oil Spill Recovery Institute
Deadline for receipt of applications: April 19, 2002 Closing Date Extended: June 3, 2002
The OSRI announces a competition for Oil Dispersion Analysis Workshop Facilitator
The Oil Spill Recovery Institute (OSRI) is accepting proposals for a facilitator to conduct a workshop examining the chemical fates and effects of spills in Prince William Sound as part of its Dispersion Impact Analysis project. Specifically, this workshop will involve stakeholder input into the process of utilizing advanced numerical models for assessing the net environmental impact of treating a spill with chemical dispersant versus the impacts of an identical non-treated spill. The ability to facilitate stakeholder input and the articulation of diverse stakeholder needs while maintaining a neutral position is essential. Proposals will be assessed on the ability of the proposed facilitator in the following areas: ability/experience as a facilitator of workshops addressing sensitive environmental issues where stakeholders hold divergent opinions, technical knowledge of oil spill contamination, familiarity with numerical modeling, technical knowledge of environmental impact assessments, experience or knowledge of environmental mediation, and technical writing skills. The work to be conducted through this grant will require the selected facilitator to meet with the project steering committee in Anchorage, Alaska for one day approximately two weeks to one month prior to the workshop for the purpose of defining an agenda and conducting preparations for the workshop. The facilitator will be responsible for arranging all logistics for the workshop (logistics and any required stakeholder travel expenses to be borne by OSRI outside of this award) in consultation with the steering committee’s designee. The facilitator will host the workshop and act to enhance the interaction of the participants, the development of prioritized lists of stakeholder needs and concerns, and developing recommendations for future involvement of the stakeholder group in the Dispersion Impact Analysis project. After the conclusion of the workshop the facilitator will prepare a document detailing the events of the workshop, including any material or presentations utilized or developed for the workshop, and will submit this in both electronic and hard copy by mail to the project steering committee within two weeks of concluding the workshop.
The date of the workshop will be for one day and will be held in Anchorage, Alaska. The anticipated date of the workshop is in late summer or early fall of 2002, the exact date will be determined by the facilitator in cooperation with the project steering committee and stakeholders. Proposals should reflect a familiarity with the OSRI document entitled “Proposed Guidelines for the Operation of the OSRI OSCAR 2000PWS Model”, available both in hard copy and electronically by contacting the OSRI Technology Coordinator (cox@pwssc.gen.ak.us).
Application Process
Interested candidates must submit an OSRI grant application package. This application may be obtained as a downloadable file from the OSRI web page (http://www.pwssc-osri.org) or from the OSRI by calling (907) 424-5800.
The original and three copies of the proposal, including the copy bearing the signed cover page, and an electronic copy (PDF format on compact disc preferred) should be mailed to:
Walter Cox, Technology Coordinator
Prince William Sound Oil Spill Recovery Institute
P.O. Box 705
Cordova, AK 99574
Proposals must be submitted in both electronic and hard copy form. Proposals will not be accepted by FAX or email and must arrive at the OSRI offices by 5:00 PM on the due date.
Proposal Evaluation
Proposals will be evaluated by the OSRI director, OSRI technology coordinator, individual peer reviewers and/or a review panel. All medium and large proposals will also be reviewed by the Scientific and Technical Committee. The evaluation criteria differ based on the type of project. In general, the proposals will be evaluated by how well they meet the needs of the BAA, and fill existing research or technology gaps. Experience of the team members will also be looked at. For more information, refer to the OSRI Grant Policy Manual, Section 4.4.1, which can be found on the OSRI web page.
Awards
Proposals, due by June 3, 2002, will be evaluated by the method described above, and the award will be made by July 1, 2002. Awards made as a result of this competition will be administered in accordance with the terms and conditions of the OSRI Grant Policy Manual.
Additional Information
The OSRI provides awards for research in the sciences, engineering and technology as well as educational programs. The awardee is wholly responsible for the conduct of such programs, research and preparation of the results for publication. The OSRI, therefore, does not assume responsibility for the research findings, their interpretation or implementation of programs.
The OSRI welcomes proposals from all qualified scientists, engineers and educators and strongly encourages women, minorities, and persons with disabilities to compete fully in any of the research related programs described here. In accordance with federal statutes, regulations, and OSRI policies, no person on grounds of race, color, age, sex, national origin, or disability shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any program or activity receiving financial assistance from the OSRI.
Further questions may be addressed to the OSRI by e-mail (frontdes@pwssc.gen.ak.us) or by contacting Nancy Bird at (907) 424-5800.
Date this BAA was posted: March 29, 2002, (reissued April 29, 2002)