Answers_to_contractor_questions_round_2.pdf

**Reminder-in order to propose on this requirement, the prime vendor must be registered in SAM.gov and eligible for award**

Date: 22 August 2019

Questions and Answers for FOB 1305M319QNFFP0049/Recovery and Deploy of Hydrophones in the Washington State Puget Sound Sea Floor

Question 1 Have any of the receivers in the “Receiver_list_for_2019_retrieval...” file been recovered as lost and found units?

Answer 1 No, none of the receivers on the provided list have been recovered, they are all at the indicated location as far as we know, but are not responding to Vemco modem communications.

Question 2 Where will we be delivering/storing the recovered equipment (float collars, 500 lbs anchors, etc)?

Answer 2 The equipment will be stored at 7305 Beach Drive East, Port Orchard WA 98366. It is a possibility for NWFSC to transport anchors from loading dock to storage location.

Question 3 We will likely propose to have new anchors shipped to a storage area prior to redeployment in the winter. Should I use the same address as above (to estimate shipping costs)?

Answer 3 Yes, 7305 Beach Drive East, Port Orchard WA 98366.

Question 4 Do you plan to purchase new receivers and float collars for the redeployment? The solicitation says 40 receivers will be redeployed but closer to 30 will be likely recovered. If new receivers are being purchased, what model? The mooring type is specific to the receiver type.

Answer 4 NWFSC is not planning to purchase new receivers. We have a few extras and are planning to deploy the number we retrieve, plus a few extra receivers we have on hand if all 40 are not retrieved. It is our assumption that several of the ‘unknown’ receivers, though they may not be communicating at this point, can still be found and retrieved.

Question 5 VEMCO, the manufacturer of the acoustic receivers used for the arrays in Puget Sound, have discontinued the VR3 receivers. We may have VR3 receivers and float collars available for purchase. Is there an interest in this? The alternative for long term monitoring is the VR4, which is substantially more expensive.

Answer 5 NWFSC is not currently in the position to buy additional receivers, though it may be necessary to pursue this option in the future.

Question 6 Can you confirm that the riser column in the supplied table is the height of float collar relative to the anchor?

Answer 6 Yes, the riser of indicated length attaches the anchor on the seabed to the float collar.

Question 7 The objective would be to recover the moorings at the anchor, but is it an option to recover by securing a hook around tether?

Answer 7 Yes, as long as the anchor is also retrieved.

Question 8 Is it the Contractors prerogative on when to perform the work?

Answer 8 The retrieval needs to be conducted with enough time to allow for re-batterying (NWFSC) and re-rigging (contractor) to occur before redeployment, which must be completed before April 1 2020. However, it is the preference of the NWFSC for retrieval to occur as soon as possible to satisfy permitting requirements.

Question 9 Is the rigging limited to the chain, shackle and tether? No rehab of the anchors and connection point?

Answer 9 If new anchors are needed NWFSC will purchase them.

Question 10 What type search is acceptable? Independent towed sidescan survey or just ROV transects and/or ROV sonar while on-site?

Answer 10 Sidescan sonar survey or ROV transects/sonar would be acceptable as long as the approaches are capable of searching an area of 200-m radius around each location. These methods should also be able to produce evidence of search (e.g., sonar images, track lines, etc.)

Question 11 You say another survey will be performed by NOAA prior to the initiation of work. Do you anticipate this survey going to RFP or will NOAA conduct in-house. When do you expect survey will be conducted.

Answer 11 The survey is currently underway with completion anticipated by 8/27/2019.

Question 12 Is only an emailed copy of the technical response (volume 1) and price (volume 2) required?

Answer 12 Email one (1) copy of the technical response (volume 1) and price (volume 2).