Purchase Order 140F0S26P0013

Searcherhawaii LLC was awarded a $158,700 firm fixed-price purchase order by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Region 1 on April 20, 2026, to provide small vessel charter services supporting fieldwork and invasive species removal operations on Nihoa Island within the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. This total small business set-aside contract requires the contractor to transport up to 12 passengers from Oahu to Nihoa Island, establish and maintain field camps lasting 1 to 16 days, and safely extract all personnel and equipment for return to Oahu. The vessel must demonstrate extensive open-ocean operating experience, maintain a minimum 8-knot cruising speed, carry soft-hulled inflatable boats with trained operators, and provide comprehensive accommodations including separate male and female berths, at least 4,000 gallons of potable water capacity, and dual heads and showers.

The contract includes strict compliance requirements with Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument biosecurity protocols, including visual inspections for invasive species, rodent and ant detector dog inspections within 48 hours of departure, and hull inspections within 14 days of the voyage. The vessel must maintain insurance coverage of at least $500,000 for wreck removal and pollution liability and demonstrate full compliance with MARPOL waste management standards. The contract period runs through June 30, 2026, with the performance location identified as Keaau, Hawaii, serving as the departure and return port for all island operations.