Request for Proposals

Project NEPTUNE

CABLE ROUTING - DESKTOP STUDY

INTRODUCTION

NEPTUNE is a U.S./Canada initiative to create the world's first large-scale, long-term, deep-water observatory. The project involves the deployment of a network of instruments linked by optical fibres and a power grid on the Juan de Fuca tectonic plate off the coasts of British Columbia, Washington and Oregon. Approximately 21% of the Juan de Fuca plate is in Canada's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), 47% in the U.S. EEZ, and 32% in international waters.

Both the U.S. and Canada have completed the first phase of NEPTUNE, to study the feasibility and benefits of the project. These reports can be accessed at:

www.neptunecanada.com
www.neptune.washington.edu

It is contemplated that approximately 3200 kilometres of cable will be deployed, and that the NEPTUNE system will include approximately 30 observatory nodes spread over and near the Juan de Fuca plate. Two cable landings are proposed, at Nedonna Beach, Oregon and Victoria, BC, as noted in the figure above.

Funding for NEPTUNE implementation is being sought from appropriate government agencies in both the U.S. and Canada. Funds to carry out NEPTUNE-related studies have been raised in both countries to fund activities such as this proposed study.

THE PROPOSALS

At this time brief proposals are being solicited for the execution of a desk-top study of the proposed cable routing and landings. The study will provide the NEPTUNE management team with a realistic idea of the likely cable route, landing sites, any associated risks, project-specific issues which might affect the project work or schedule, maintenance factors, and key contacts for the team as the project moves ahead. The study results will be used to plan and implement a marine route survey.

Respondents are invited to provide proposals for two options:

1. The part of the proposed NEPTUNE network which is within Canada's territory and EEZ, and
2. The complete network

Proposals should be in three parts:

1. Technical Proposal - a substantive description of the work which you propose to carry out: identification of issues and questions to be covered, relevant factors, and information to be provided. It is anticipated that the study will address the following matters:
   
   
• Geology/geological risks
• Relevant climate/weather factors
• Oceanographic conditions including typical sea states and currents
• Environmental/man-made factors such as shipping activities, restricted areas, fisheries, submarine cable locations, buoys, territorial limits, statutory requirements, etc.
• Recommended and alternative cable landing points and route recommendation including relevant engineering recommendations.
  
  
2. Qualifications Statement - corporate qualifications and/or qualifications of the persons involved in the study.
   
   
3. Schedule and Financial Proposal - timing of the study, and firm financial quotation (fees plus expenses).

TO SUBMIT A PROPOSAL

Proposals must be received on or before August 31, 2001, addressed as follows:

Dr. John C. Madden, Chair
Canadian NEPTUNE Management Board
C/o IPOST
Mail:  #1700 - 1185 West Georgia Street
          Vancouver, BC V6E 4E6
          Fax: 604-730-7945
e-mail: [email protected] cc [email protected]