Request for Proposals (RFP)
1. How often will proposals be solicited?
A request for proposals will be released at least annually.
2. How do I submit a proposal?
Proposal submissions will be conducted using the OESI website.
3. Who is eligible to submit proposals?
Any consortium member can lead a project proposal. Other qualified project team members are not required to be OESI members.
4. What is the timeline for potential RFPs?
The schedule will be posted on the OESI website on the Project Call page.
Conflict of Interest (COI)
1. Will there be any concern over conflicts of interests or advocacy when a company as a Co-PI of a proposal also serves as the vendor or service provider for a technology (e.g., managed pressure drilling or dual gradient drilling)?
It will not be a concern over conflict of interest (COI) as long as the research and learnings are not specific to a commercially available technology. The research and learning should be generally applicable to several technologies commercially available (Technical Merit: Broad applicability).
2. If a company participates in a project as a Co-PI, can it also receive research funding for it?
This is allowed as long as the entity is not from a sanctioned country. Research funding cannot be utilized to procure tools or materials from the affiliated institute of the PI/Co-PI (since that will be in violation of DOE COI policy as per Section VI of FAL 2022-02).
3. Does OESI view the participation of industry companies generally as a positive or negative for a proposal (e.g., closer to end-user application as a “pro” and more potential conflict of interests or advocacy as a “con”)?
Yes, OESI views the participation of the industry generally a positive as an end user part of the project team. Industry team member(s) would be a method to have the end user perspective on the project team. To make sure the compliance on the conflict of interest, please follow the attached TEES and DOE COI policy.
4. Where can I download the Conflict of Interest form?
The form can be downloaded on the Request for Proposal (RFP) pages as well as below:
Membership
2. Who can be an OESI member?
The Ocean Energy Safety Institute (OESI) membership is open to eligible, qualified and relevant organizations.
Industry Engagement
1. What are the ways in which industry can engage with OESI?
Participate in workshops, participate in project teams, participate as a member of the Industry Advisory Board (IAB), and participate as a technology transition partner.
Project Budget
1. Can a proposal request $450K for year 1, and another $400K for year 2? The total budget for the entire project including the extension exceeds $500K, but it is under $500K for the original duration of the project.
Intellectual Property (IP)
1. Am I allowed to partner with an external industrial partner?
Yes, as long as the industry is not based in a sanctioned country.
1a. In the case of a partnership, how much money will be allowed to be sub awarded to the partner?
There is no limit. That is up to the PI and the project proposal team.
1b. Who will own the IP in the case of a collaboration?
Please review the Subaward Agreement form that was posted on the member portal for details.
1c. Can we have terms such as first right of refusal with the industry partner in the potential contract?
If right of refusal is related to partnering on the project, that is up to the organizations involved in the proposal. If right of refusal is related to the use of IP, then please review the Subaward Agreement form.
1d. Can the industrial partner provide the 20% cost share that is being asked as a requirement?
Yes, the distribution of the cost-share component among the proposed project team is up to the project team.
2. Is OESI solely looking for ocean-based solutions or would land solutions also be of interest?
Solutions may be applicable to land. However the solution must be directly applicable to ocean energy development and production (e.g., safer drilling mud handling and measurement system).
Marine Energy RFP
1. Task 1 Pathway 1.1 - Salinity gradient and temperature gradient energies
Question: Salinity gradient and temperature gradient energies are mentioned in the introduction of the target M-T1. The conversion of these energies requires multi-MW systems due to their mechanical principles or cost constraints, whereas small-scale marine energy solutions are targeted in the M-T1-P1 path. Should salinity gradient and temperature gradient energies be left out of the study from the outset or should these energies be assessed at the same level of detail as tidal and wave energy?
Answer: The OESI Marine energy strategic pathways as mentioned in RFP are technology independent. Applicants may consider any specific technology to achieve the strategic pathway(s).
2. Task 1 Pathway 1.1 - Floating solar energy
Question: Should we include floating solar energy in the study or should we restrict ourselves to the energies mentioned in the introduction of the target M-T1?
Answer: The OESI Marine energy strategic pathways as mentioned in RFP are technology independent. Applicants may consider any specific technology to achieve the strategic pathway(s).
3. Task 1 Pathway 1.1 - Offshore wind
Question: In the section called "Background" of M-T1-P1.1, offshore wind energy operations are mentioned. Does this mean that offshore wind has to be addressed in M-T1-P1.1? We would like to confirm this as, from the OESI’s Marine Energy Roadmap, it seems that offshore wind will be addressed in M-T1-P1.2 instead.
Answer: The focus of M-T1-P1.1 is marine energy application to oil and gas. M-T1-P1.2 is not part of the current RFP.
4. Task 1 Pathway 1.1 - Pathway focus
Question: In the section “Issue Statement”, it is stated “it is also necessary to identify and develop real-time monitoring tools and data dashboards to effectively monitor marine energy device performance and integrity”. Is it correct to assume that the focus of this pathway is on the assessment of small-scale marine energy technologies that can power the monitoring devices rather than on the study and development of monitoring tools, data dashboards, etc.
Answer: The focus of M-T1-P1.1 is to support monitoring systems related to safety and integrity of offshore oil and gas operations using small-scale marine energy power generation devices.
5. Task 1 Pathway 1.3 - Safety considerations
Question: Our understanding is that this question is specifically looking to address design and safety criteria related to small-scale deployments of marine energy technologies, where these are specifically being used to supplement existing oil & gas/offshore wind operations (for example by powering remote sensors). Is this a correct assumption or should the safety considerations for designing and deploying marine technologies be considered more generally, i.e. where they are deployed for electricity production purposes but not specifically tied-back to oil & gas or offshore wind installations?
Answer: Marine T1-P1.3 addresses the system safety and personnel safety related to design and deployments of marine energy technologies. The design and deployment are not limited to oil and gas and/or wind.
6. Task 1 Pathway 2.1 - Pathway focus
Question: Although the focus of this pathway is on the oil & gas experience, could best-practice learnings from the offshore wind industry also be integrated in this study or should these be completely left aside, for pathway M-T2-P2.2 as per OESI's Marine Energy Roadmap?
Answer: M-T2-P2.1 is focusing on experience and learnings from oil and gas.
7. Subrecipient Commitment Form
Question: The “OESI Subrecipient Commitment Form” has multiple boxes to be filled out with ‘Lead Applicant Name’ and ‘Lead Applicant Organization’. Assuming there is only one Lead Applicant per proposal, could you please clarify the purpose of the multiple boxes and the expected use of this Subrecipient Form. We imagine that these boxes are meant to be for each Lead Applicant within the sub-contracted/partner entities, rather than the Lead Applicant for the proposal. In addition, assuming that only one Form should be filled per each subrecipient, as per the RFP's instructions, we understand that only one box, among the multiple empty boxes in the template, should be filled out per each Form. Is this correct?
Answer: Yes, there is one Lead Applicant per proposal. The multiple Boxes are meant to accommodate team members in the proposals.