1305M322QNFFM0083 Sol Final Amendment 0001.pdf

THE INTEGRATED SEA SCALLOP AND STEREO-OPTIC

RESEARCH SURVEY VESSEL CHARTER

i) This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with FAR Subpart 13.5, with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotes are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued.

The National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) intends to award one Firm-Fixed Price (FFP) contract for a chartered vessel and crew to conduct an ecosystem survey of the Atlantic sea scallop resource along the continental shelf from Virginia through Massachusetts including the U.S waters of Georges Bank, as described in the Statement of Work. All responsible Business sources may submit a quotation which shall be considered by NOAA. The Government intends to select two contractors for two separate awards; however, the Government reserves the right to award no contract at all, depending on the quality of the quotations, the prices submitted, and the availability of funds.

ii) This solicitation is issued as a request for quotation (RFQ).Written quotes for RFQ number 1305M322QNFFM0083 shall be submitted on Standard Form 18.

iii) The solicitation and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition 2022- 07, dated August 10, 2022.

iv) This solicitation is unrestricted as in full and open. The associated NAICS code is 483114. The small business size standard is 500 employees.

v) This combined synopsis/solicitation is for purchase of the following commercial supply items:

Contract Line Item Numbers (CLINs)

DESCRIPTION QUANITY UNIT UNIT PRICE AMOUNT

Integrated Sea Scallop/HabCam Survey for (21) Operating Days at Sea in accordance with the Statement of Work.

21 DA

Staging or Destaging: Lewes, DE Homeport in accordance with the Statement of Work.

3 DA

0003 De-staging Woods Hole, MA in accordance with the Statement of Work. 1 DA 0004 Sampling Van Rental in accordance with the Statement of Work. 23 DA

0005 Staging Woods Hole, MA in accordance with the Statement of Work. 2 DA

0006 Optional Item: Additional Charter Days (17) At Sea Operating Days Integrated Sea Scallop/HabCam Survey in accordance with the Statement of Work.

17 DA

0007 Optional Item: Multibeam hardware/software setup and tech (Setup) in accordance with the Statement of Work.

3 DA

0008 Optional Item: Multibeam hardware/software setup and tech in accordance with the Statement of Work.

17 DA

0009 Optional Item: Sampling Van Rental in accordance with the Statement of Work. 97 DA 0010 Optional Item: Staging Woods Hole, MA in accordance with the Statement of Work. 2 DA

Optional Item Clins

BASE PERIOD: May 1, 2023 - April 30, 2024

TOTAL BASE PERIOD

http://farsite.hill.af.mil/reghtml/regs/far2afmcfars/fardfars/far/12.htm#P295_49268 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/13.500

Integrated Sea Scallop/HabCam Survey for (21) Operating Days at Sea in accordance with the Statement of Work.

21 DA

1002 Staging or Destaging: Lewes, DE Homeport in accordance with the Statement of Wo 2 DA 1003 De-staging Woods Hole, MA in accordance with the Statement of Work. 1 DA 1004 Sampling Van Rental in accordance with the Statement of Work. 23 DA

1005 Staging Woods Hole, MA in accordance with the Statement of Work. 2 DA

Optional Item: Additional Charter Days (17) At Sea Operating Days according to Statement of Work Integrated Sea Scallop/HabCam Survey

17 DA

1007 Optional Item: Multibeam hardware/software setup and tech (Setup) 3 DA 1008 Optional Item: Multibeam hardware/software setup and tech 17 DA 1009 Optional Item: Sampling Van Rental 97 DA 1010 Optional Item: Staging Woods Hole, MA 2 DA

Integrated Sea Scallop/HabCam Survey for (21) Operating Days at Sea in accordance with the Statement of Work.

21 DA

2002 Staging or Destaging: Lewes, DE Homeport in accordance with the Statement of Wo 3 DA 2003 De-staging Woods Hole, MA in accordance with the Statement of Work. 1 DA 2004 Sampling Van Rental in accordance with the Statement of Work. 23 DA

2005 Staging Woods Hole, MA in accordance with the Statement of Work. 2 DA

Optional Item: Additional Charter Days (17) At Sea Operating Days Integrated Sea Scallop/HabCam Survey in accordance with the Statement of Work.

17 DA

Optional Item: Multibeam hardware/software setup and tech (Setup) in accordance with the Statement of Work.

3 DA

Optional Item: Multibeam hardware/software setup and tech in accordance with the Statement of Work.

17 DA

2008 Optional Item: Sampling Van Rental in accordance with the Statement of Work. 97 DA 2009 Optional Item: Staging Woods Hole, MA in accordance with the Statement of Work. 2 DA

Integrated Sea Scallop/HabCam Survey for (21) Operating Days at Sea in accordance with the Statement of Work.

21 DA

3002 Staging or Destaging: Lewes, DE Homeport in accordance with the Statement of Wo 3 DA 3003 De-staging Woods Hole, MA in accordance with the Statement of Work. 1 DA 3004 Sampling Van Rental in accordance with the Statement of Work. 23 DA

3005 Staging Woods Hole, MA in accordance with the Statement of Work. 2 DA

Optional Item: Additional Charter Days (17) At Sea Operating Days Integrated Sea Scallop/HabCam Survey in accordance with the Statement of Work.

17 DA

Optional Item: Multibeam hardware/software setup and tech (Setup) in accordance with the Statement of Work.

3 DA

Optional Item: Multibeam hardware/software setup and tech in accordance with the Statement of Work.

17 DA

3009 Optional Item: Sampling Van Rental in accordance with the Statement of Work. 97 DA 3010 Optional Item: Staging Woods Hole, MA in accordance with the Statement of Work. 2 DA

Integrated Sea Scallop/HabCam Survey for (21) Operating Days at Sea in accordance with the Statement of Work.

21 DA

4002 Staging or Destaging: Lewes, DE Homeport in accordance with the Statement of Wo 3 DA 4003 De-staging Woods Hole, MA in accordance with the Statement of Work. 1 DA 4004 Sampling Van Rental in accordance with the Statement of Work. 23 DA

4005 Staging Woods Hole, MA in accordance with the Statement of Work. 2 DA

Optional Item: Additional Charter Days (17) At Sea Operating Days Integrated Sea Scallop/HabCam Survey in accordance with the Statement of Work.

17 DA

Optional Item: Multibeam hardware/software setup and tech (Setup) in accordance with the Statement of Work.

3 DA

Optional Item: Multibeam hardware/software setup and tech in accordance with the Statement of Work.

17 DA

4009 Optional Item: Sampling Van Rental in accordance with the Statement of Work. 97 DA 4010 Optional Item: Staging Woods Hole, MA in accordance with the Statement of Work. 2 DA

OPTION I PERIOD TOTAL

OPTION II PERIOD TOTAL

OPTION PERIOD III: May 1, 2026 - April 30, 2027

BASE PERIOD + ALL OPTION PERIOD TOTAL

OPTION III PERIOD TOTAL

OPTION IV PERIOD TOTAL

OPTION PERIOD I: May 1, 2024 - April 30, 2025

OPTION PERIOD II: May 1, 2025 - April 30, 2026

Optional Item Clins

Optional Item Clins

OPTION PERIOD IV: May 1, 2027- April 30, 2028

Optional Item Clins

Optional Item Clins

**Note: Clin’s 0004, 0009, 1004, 1009, 2004, 2009, 3004, 3009, 4004, and 4009 “Sampling Van Rental “ is optional to price if vessel is not a part of the University National Oceanographic Laboratories Systems (UNOL).

Key:

DA = Day;

Optional Item Clins= May be exercised if there is a governmental need to utilize these lines items.

vi) Description of requirements is as follows:

STATEMENT OF WORK/SPECIFICATIONS

The contractor shall furnish the necessary personnel, material, equipment, services and facilities (except as otherwise specified) to perform the following Statement of Work/Specifications:

INTEGRATED SEA SCALLOP AND STEREO-OPTIC RESEARCH SURVEY

1.0 OVERVIEW

The Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC), Ecosystem Surveys Branch is seeking a research vessel to participate in an ecosystem survey of the Atlantic sea scallop resource along the continental shelf from Virginia through Massachusetts including the U.S waters of Georges Bank. The survey will be conducted during summer (May and June) of 2023 with option years through 2027 survey season. Each awarded contract will have a one year base period with four one year option periods (5 years total).

2.0 ORGANIZATION

2.1 Organization: The DOC, NOAA, NMFS, NEFSC, is a Government agency charged with conducting ecosystem-based research and assessments of living marine resources, with a focus on the Northeast Shelf, to promote the recovery and long-term sustainability of these resources, and to generate social and economic opportunities and benefits from their use.

2.2 Background and Objective: The NEFSC, Ecosystem Surveys Branch, collects data during standardized surveys on research cruises from Cape Hatteras to the Canadian Scotian Shelf. These surveys are conducted on selected survey vessels and additionally provide platforms for other programs that collect oceanographic and plankton data for monitoring the health and status of marine resources and their habitat.

The Ecosystem Surveys Branch, gathers data on abundance, distribution, feeding ecology, size and age composition of stocks of economically and ecologically important species. The data is vital for assessment, management, and a wide variety of research programs. Additionally, they design, build, and test much of the sampling gear, and evaluate advanced acoustic and optical sensing systems, as well as, conduct vessel and gear standardization studies to ensure the comparability of survey indices over time and to perform statistical evaluations of sampling adequacy.

3.0 GENERAL

3.1 A single vessel will be selected for conducting resource surveys (and associated experiments) up to 38 sea days in total. There is a total of 21 base days and 17 optional days. Staging, survey activity, and de-staging is expected to occur during a period in May - July with one or more day’s dockside between each survey leg.

3.2 Sea Sampling Equipment: During research operations, the vessel shall deploy multiple forms of sea scallop sampling equipment of which the government is providing:

1.) 8’ standardized New Bedford style scallop dredge (dredge);

2.) A stereo-optic towed vehicle called Habitat Camera (HabCam); and 3.) A Long-range autonomous underwater vehicle (LRAUV) being developed by the ESB Advanced

Technology group and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution’s Scibotics Laboratory.

The dredge shall be deployed from the centerline of the vessel, while the HabCam will be deployed from the port quarter of the stern. The dredge will be deployed with an appropriate 9/16” three strand metal towing cable. The HabCam will be towed from an armored 0.68” fiber optic cable. Both cable systems must be installed onto permanent winch systems of the vessel.

The winch system must output wire out readings, winch tension and winch speeds to an electronic logging system. LRAUV’s may be deployed during at sea operations. These vehicles are untethered to the vessel but will need to be deployed and retrieved safely from the deck of the ship. The vessel will likely conduct operations nearby (ie 1 day steam). Specimens selected for scientific data collection will be moved to a scientific van (modified 8’ X 20’ ISO container) installed onto the deck of the vessel where biological data will be collected including lengths, shell height and meat weight data, and other biological data as required.

If the selected vessel is unable to obtain a scientific van (UNOLS wet van equivalent) meeting the needs of the Integrated Sea Scallop and Stereo-optic Research Survey, the NEFSC will arrange for and pay for a scientific van outside of the contract. The vessel would still be responsible for having adequate deck space and the ability to safely load the van onto the vessel. Additional vessel related data including DGPS location, vessel speed, depth, wire length deployed and tension will be recorded by the Scientific Party into an electronic recording database. Additional vessel related data including DGPS location, vessel speed, depth, wire length deployed and tension will be recorded by the Scientific Party into an electronic recording database. The cost associated for the multibeam will include technician and hardware per day and multibeam software for determining potential hazards for the Habcam vehicle.

4.0 SPECIFIC TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

4.1 Project Description: The survey will typically be distributed over three (3) survey legs, with the first being roughly 10 days each plus in-port days between legs and for the vessel to return to its home port.

Adjustments to survey schedules and sea days due to COVID-19 or other pandemic restrictions or safety protocols may occur by mutual agreement and will be communicated between the vessel and NEFSC prior to implementation (see section 4.5 COVID/Other Pandemics). The Government anticipates requiring the vessel to be available for staging for two (2) days prior to the start of each annual survey and one (1) day destaging for each annual survey. If extra staging days are necessary then seaday charges to the government will incur for those days. NEFSC intends to port between legs in Woods Hole, Massachusetts and to refuel, replenish provisions and exchange crew. NEFSC intends to return to port in Woods Hole and disembark staff and equipment on the second to last day of the survey. This will allow the research vessel a full day to steam to their homeport. The planned area of operation will cover the normal distributional range of sea scallops along the continental shelf from Virginia through Massachusetts including Georges Bank. Survey regions may extend to areas in the Gulf of Maine as the scallop resource recovers and populations increase.

A staging day is defined as the vessel being made available for the installation and removal of scientific equipment, fishing gear and personal gear onto or off of the vessel. During staging days the vessel shall be moored at a pre-agreed docking facility with adequate access for trucks and cranes. The vessel shall be accessible for 12 hours daily from 0700 to 1900 (local time) with vessel crew available upon prior arrangement to assist the staging/de-staging operations and dockside testing of systems and equipment.

A sea day is defined as the vessel being at sea away from its planned departure port, transiting to or from planned areas of operation, conducting scientific operations or laying to due to inclement weather or scientific equipment failures. Counting of sea days will be suspended if scientific operations are suspended due to vessel equipment failure or the inability of the vessel and/or crew to carry out operations.

4.2 Cruise Operations: Prior to the commencement of the cruise, the vessel shall be made available for two (2) staging days to NEFSC and cooperating partners on a mutually agreed date and location to inspect the vessel, install scientific equipment, and to meet with the vessel Master.

Any computers, software, shellfish gear, and/or equipment installed on the vessel for the purpose of conducting the research cruise shall be removed at the conclusion of the cruise.

The vessel must provide sufficient crew to support safe, 24-hour operations including at least two (2) licensed operators, two (2) engineers, a cook and vessel crew qualified to both conduct dredging and scientific operations. While at sea, the Master is responsible for operation of the vessel and the safety of the scientific staff and crew. The crew is responsible for operation of the vessel, fishing operations and assisting with processing of the catch. The NEFSC Chief Scientist will be in charge of the cruise track and directing scientific operations.

The vessel will conduct a standardized 15 minute scallop dredge tow at predetermined locations contained in a cruise plan to be provided by the NEFSC in advance of the survey using a standardized 8’ New Bedford style scallop dredge provided by NEFSC. The location, speed (3.8 knots), direction, and distance of each tow will be precisely defined by the scientific party in order to complete the scientific objectives of the cruise. The order of station occupation will be determined by the Chief Scientist in conjunction with the vessel’s master to maximize efficiency and minimize steaming distance while taking other factors including weather, vessel traffic and other operational constraints into account. At the completion of the dredge tow, the catch will be deposited on the vessel’s sorting table and made available to personnel for data collection purposes. The research vessel will also be deploying the stereo-optic towed HabCam vehicle in a grid pattern following NMFS waypoint station locations. Vessel speed will be maintained at a speed sufficient for optimal collection of Habcam images, between 5-7 knots. Cruise tracks will be reviewed by vessel crew and may be altered if known obstructions will be encountered. The vessel crew will be responsible for deployment and retrieval of the vehicle, but the scientific party will be responsible for flying the vehicle during the deployment, vehicle maintenance, and pre and post vehicle testing. Operational protocols are still being developed for the LRAUV but will include deployment and retrieval of the vehicle and allowing for the vessel to conduct dredge or traditional Habcam operations while the AUV collects data.

The LRAUV has capacity for multiple days of operations without strict vessel oversight. The scientific party will be responsible for programming the vehicle during the deployment, vehicle tracking, vehicle maintenance, and pre and post vehicle testing.

Retention and/or sale of catch from survey tows will not be permitted. Scientific samples may be retained by the NEFSC and its cooperating scientific partners. Cruise Instructions and a Scientific Research Permit from the NOAA Fisheries Northeast Regional Administrator will be obtained by the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) and maintained onboard the vessel during the duration of the survey. Commercial fishing regulations will not apply to the vessel during the duration of survey activities and the vessel will be treated as a NOAA research vessel during the contract period. As a contracted vessel, it is not subject to restrictions of state versus federal waters for sampling. Appropriate permits will be made available to the Master of the vessel by NOAA Fisheries.

Vessels chartered by NOAA shall have as a minimum one of each chart that covers the vessels’ area of operation corrected through the most current Notice to Mariners. Vessels shall also carry copies of the U.S.

Coast Pilot, local tide and tidal current tables in covered areas, and Inland Navigation Rules and International Rules of the Road. Vessels may choose to use USCG approved, up-to-date, electronic charts and publications in lieu of paper charts. If relying on electronic charts, the vessel shall have on board a set of paper charts necessary to navigate safely to a port near the vessel’s area of operation. In addition the vessel shall utilize and maintain a deck log and/or computer software that provide a record of the vessel’s location, operations, operating conditions and any vessel related significant events. These charts, logs and software output(s) shall be made available upon request of the Chief Scientist.

The Master shall provide access to scientific personnel of GPS location data, vessel speed, RPM and other available operational data during scientific operations, either by recording or electronically logging these data. At the time of contract award, the vessel owner shall provide a signed waiver agreeing to the release of all data collected during the cruise.

Nothing herein contained shall be construed as creating demise of the vessel to the Government. The Contractor under this contract shall retain complete and exclusive possession and control of the vessel and its navigation.

4.3 Provisions Three (3) meals per day (breakfast, lunch and dinner) shall be prepared by the vessel cook for 12

- 13 scientists plus the vessel crew. Meats shall be included at each meal along with vegetables, dessert and/or fruit. Milk, coffee, tea, water, cold juice, soft drinks and snacks shall be available at all times. Meals, in unregulated quantities, shall be prepared for all members of the scientific crew during each day of vessel operations under this contract.

4.4 Emergency Medical Care, Safety and Health

Medical Services. The Contractor shall provide a qualified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) holding current National certification (preferred) or at least two (2) crew members trained in advanced first aid, CPR and automated external defibrillator (AED) use while underway for the duration of the contract.

The medical person in charge is responsible to the Master for the health of crewmembers and Scientific Field Party personnel including emergency and routine care, preventative medicine and medical administration. The medical person in charge shall assist the Master in developing plans and procedures for dealing with medical emergencies, including obtaining shore side medical advice/assistance and designating and training other shipboard personnel to provide assistance in emergencies.

Medical Provisions. The Contracted vessel shall be outfitted with a current first aid manual, complete first aid kit and automated external defibrillator (AED). The Contractor shall provide a designated area to accommodate first aid treatment, medical equipment and other medical provisions. The Contractor shall establish adequate and reasonable controls and procedures for the custody and safekeeping of all medical supplies, equipment and controlled medical substances.

Medical Records. The Contractor shall maintain medical records aboard the vessel for Scientific Field Party personnel containing a minimum medical history and on-board treatment records. All Federal and State privacy mandates, including but not limited to, the Privacy Act of 1974 as amended by the Federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996.

Hazardous Materials. The Contractor shall maintain a current library of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for all hazardous materials aboard the vessels and shall make them readily available to all personnel on board. The Field Party Chief will provide the Contractor with a current copy of an MSDS for any/all hazardous materials brought onboard the vessel by the Scientific Field Party. The Field Party Chief will be responsible for the removal of all hazardous materials not consumed during scientific operations and for the removal of all hazardous materials, if any, generated by the Scientific Field Party. The Government will provide the personal protective equipment required for the safe handling of those hazardous materials brought onboard by the Scientific Field Party. The Contractor is responsible for the compliance with all applicable environmental, health and safety laws and regulations pertaining to shipboard operations, including the use of hazardous materials, and the treatment, storage and disposal of hazardous materials (if any) generated by the vessel. It is not anticipated at this time that any hazardous materials will be brought on board. However, if this changes, arrangements will be made with the Master to accommodate the above requirements. Additional safety requirements such as a portable emergency eye wash station will be provided by the government.

4.5 Living and Working Conditions for Scientific Personnel

Accommodations. All vessels chartered by NOAA shall be outfitted with accommodations for NOAA-authorized personnel at least equivalent to that which is minimally required for crew members and in keeping with good marine practice. In the case for the scallop survey, NOAA requires berthing for at least thirteen scientists in order to operate two (2) full watches of six (6) scientists for twenty-four hour operations. For overnight cruises, as a minimum, an individual bunk and locker shall be provided for each NOAA-authorized person unless mutually agreed upon arrangements are made between NOAA-authorized personnel and the vessel operator.

An adequate number of staterooms, heads and showers shall be provided to accommodate gender differences and total number of persons aboard to the extent possible. All living and working spaces, including galleys, mess rooms, heads, showers, berthing spaces, passageways, lounges, recreation areas, store rooms, and laboratory spaces, shall be free of pests and vermin and shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition for the duration of the charter.

The vessel shall have ship service electrical, potable water, ventilation, heating or cooling, marine sanitation, and pollution control equipment of sufficient capacity to support NOAA-authorized personnel and mission-related equipment and activities. All ship service systems, ship equipment, and vital systems, shall be operational and maintained in good working order for the duration of the charter.

Liquor or Illegal Drugs. During the charter period, the possession or use of intoxicating liquor and or illegal drugs by any person, aboard the vessels, is not permitted and may be grounds for termination of the Contract by the Government. The Contractor shall comply with the requirements to maintain a Drug Free Workplace contained in FAR 52.233-6. The Contractor shall comply with all the requirements of 46 CFR Part 16 for chemical Tests for dangerous drugs and alcohol.

Firearms. During the charter period, all firearms, should any be onboard, shall be kept under lock and key by the Master.

Smoking. Smoking, including electronic cigarettes, shall be prohibited in all interior spaces occupied by or utilized by the Scientific Field Party. Smoking on deck shall be in designated areas only.

Professional Work and Living Environment. The vessel crew and participating scientists shall jointly promote a professional work and living environment free of sexism, racism, bigotry, pornography and other activities normally not tolerated in a professional work environment.

COVID/Other Pandemics. During the COVID-19 and other pandemics, agreed upon prevention procedures for sheltering-in-place and testing before boarding the vessel, vessel operations, survey operations, and handling emergent or suspected COVID infections shall be communicated and followed at the start of and during each survey leg. Interested contractors shall submit their COVID-19 or other pandemic Safety Protocols with bid package and will be included as part of the review process.

4.6 Passengers

The Contractor shall not permit any passengers to be transported aboard either vessel for any reason without specific approval of the COR. This restriction applies to Government employees, Contractor’s employees who are not crewmembers, Scientific Field Party personnel not assigned and the general public.

4.7 Security

The vessels shall provide a security watch while in port to ensure that unauthorized personnel are not permitted to board the vessels from shore or via the harbor. Emergency phone numbers for local port officials and law enforcement shall be available to the person on watch. Best marine practices shall be in place while underway to ensure that unauthorized personnel or craft are not permitted to approach the vessel. The Master of each vessel shall take all additional customary and reasonable precautions to ensure that no harm befalls the vessel while in port and at sea.

5.0 VESSEL REQUIREMENTS

5.1 Minimum Vessel and Gear Specifications

The vessel and gear must be capable of safely conducting scallop dredge tows, Habcam deployments (towed and AUV configurations) along the continental shelf in waters ranging for 15 to 80 fathoms. In other words, the vessel is required to be able to deploy 3.5 fathoms of towing line for each fathom of depth. The vessel crew must be knowledgeable and experienced with fishing for sea scallops in the region described and with conditions in the target sampling area. The vessel must be capable of carrying concurrently an 8’ scallop dredge and a stereo-optic towed vehicle consecutively as described in section 1.0 General.

The vessel must have:

● Sufficient berth space and lavatory facilities (hot water shower, sink and toilet) for crew members and 13 scientific personnel;

● Mess facilities for concurrent seating of six (6) scientists

● Fuel and potable water capacity to operate continuously for 10 sea days;

● Adequate deck space to accommodate a scientific van (analogous in size to a 8’ X 20’ ISO container) containing scientific equipment

● Equipment to monitor vessel speed, direction, bearing and water depth including o Two (2)operational conventional and/or electronic compasses o An echo-sounder capable of accurately determining the water depth throughout the survey area (each sounder must have a data output cable available for NOAA –Fisheries data collection) o Sensors should be service and calibrated prior to the survey

● Navigation equipment to include:

o Two (2) satellite navigation systems (DGPS) (each GPS must have a data ouput cable from the sensor for NOAA Fisheries data collection) o at least two radar units

● Communications Equipment to include:

o A VHF radio o A UHF radio o Cellular phone o Email capability to a distance of 100 nm offshore.

● Freezer storage for the exclusive use for storage of scientific samples (minimum 20 cubic feet; not collocated with frozen food stores)

● Safety equipment to include:

o A minimum of two EPIRBs o Survival suits for each of the vessel’s crew, scientists and master o Life rafts sufficient to accommodate both the vessel’s crew and embarked scientists

● Fishing equipment capabilities o Equipment to safely deploy scallop dredges, stereo-optic towed body or autonomous vehicles o Powered spooling winches for deployment of gear o Sorting table to hold the catch in order for the scientific party to sort at a reasonable height to avoid medical issues with bending over catches.

o Technical ability to terminate fiber optic cable for the habcam vehicle and maintain functioning data transfer via fiber optics

• Desirable equipment includes:

o Printer o Fax machine

5.2 Safety

All U.S. flag vessels chartered by NOAA shall have and shall maintain for the duration of the charter a current Certificate of Inspection, valid for the vessel’s intended service, or a fishing vessel safety decal issued by the USCG as applicable. The vessels shall meet all safety, firefighting and lifesaving equipment requirements as found in applicable sections of Title 46 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 28. The vessels shall be outfitted with personal floatation devices and survival craft of sufficient number and capacity to accommodate all on board including visiting scientific party and of the type required for a vessel of its size, class, and service in accordance with 46 CFR. Survival suits for the ship’s crew and scientific party must be provided by the Contractor. The government reserves the right to inspect the vessels for safety, firefighting and lifesaving capabilities in accordance with a memorandum of understanding between NMFS and the USCG prior to award and commencement of the charter. A pre-cruise orientation meeting aboard each vessel shall be conducted for the scientists and crew regarding the vessel’s safety, firefighting and lifesaving capabilities assigned responsibilities and procedures.

Means of escape. Aboard all vessels chartered by NOAA there shall be two (2) identified escape routes from all general areas. At least one (1) of these two (2) means shall be independent of watertight hatches and doors, except for quick acting watertight hatches and doors giving final access to weather decks.

Fire protection. All vessels chartered by NOAA shall have in place fully functional fire protection systems and equipment, such as portable and semi-portable fire extinguishers, fire pumps, fire mains, fixed gas extinguishing systems, and fire detection and alarm systems in accordance with USCG or SOLAS requirements.

If vessels under charter to NOAA experience a significant event during a cruise that may affect the safety of the vessel (e.g. a breach of watertight integrity, fire or significant equipment failure), or a significant safety related condition is noted, a re-inspection will be conducted at the earliest opportunity. If repairs are necessary, the re-inspection will be conducted after repairs have been completed but prior to proceeding with the cruise. The local USCG Marine Safety Office will be requested to conduct the re-inspection under the Memorandum of Understanding between NOAA and the USCG. Costs associated with repairs and the re-inspection shall be responsibility of the vessel owner and may not be added to the cost of the vessel charter.

5.3 Stability

The vessel shall have, as a minimum, a Stability Letter that reflects the vessel’s current configuration and intended service, signed by a qualified individual (a recognized naval architect or naval architecture firm having been trained in and having experience in matters of stability calculations) certifying that the vessel meets intact stability requirements, taking into account the loading, over-the-side lifting, and at-sea conditions under which the vessel will reasonably be expected to operate during the charter. The stability letter shall contain instructions and guidance for the vessel’s operating personnel intended to maintain satisfactory vessel stability and shall include information regarding loading constraints and operating restrictions under varying conditions. The vessel shall be operated in accordance with the conditions identified in the Stability Letter.

5.4 Material Condition, Structural and Watertight Integrity

The contractor shall provide one (1) or more of the following, reflecting the vessels current configuration, as evidence of the vessel being maintained in a seaworthy condition: evidence of a dry docking survey, or underwater survey in lieu of dry docking, and an internal structural examination within the two (2) years prior to the initiation of the cruise; or proof of satisfactorily passing an inspection completed by the contractors marine insurance carrier within one (1) year of initiation of the cruise.

The Government reserves the right to inspect the vessel’s material condition with respect to maintenance of vital systems, vessel configuration, and watertight integrity prior to award and commencement of the charter.

5.5 Regulatory Compliance

The vessel shall be outfitted, operated and maintained to meet all applicable federal, state and local environmental, health, safety and pollution control regulations. The Contractor shall have on board during the currency of this contract all certificates, records and other documents required by applicable laws and regulation. Vessel must not have any current operator or vessel permit sanctions.

5.6 IT Requirements

This will not require assignment of a user account and access to the DOC data systems. This contractor will not have access to and use Government hardware, application software, system software or sensitive data as needed.

This service will not be performed on federal government property. IT security consideration and controls will be put in place before commencement of service.

6.0 POST-AWARD AND POST-SURVEY MEETINGS

6.1 Upon award of contract and prior to the start of the charter, a post-award meeting will be held by telephone/video conference to discuss issues relating to the charter and survey. The vessel manager and all vessel Captains participating in the charter are required to attend the meeting. The date and time of the meeting will be scheduled by the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) following award of the contract at a time mutually agreeable between the Government and the contractor.

6.2 Following completion of each annual survey, a post-survey debriefing meeting will be held at telephone/video conference. The purpose of the debriefing is to provide the charter operator an evaluation of the performance of the vessel and crew during the charter. At a minimum, the vessel manager is required to attend the debriefing. The date and time of the meeting will be scheduled by the COR upon completion of the survey at a time mutually agreeable between the Government and the contractor.

7.0 STATEMENT OF WORK ATTACHMENTS

LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

Attachment No. 1 - Vessel Characteristics Attachment No. 2 - Vessel Configuration Attachment No. 3 - Vessel’s Commercial Fishing History Attachment No. 4 - Master/Crew Work Experience Attachment No. 5 - Code of Federal Regulations, Title 46, Part 28 Attachment No. 6 - Past Performance Questionnaire

-End Statement of Work-

vii) Acceptance of all Contract Line Item Numbers (CLINs) will take place aboard the contracted vessel.

viii) The provision at FAR 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors – Commercial Products and Commercial Services (NOV 2021) and addenda apply to this acquisition.

ADDENDUM TO FAR 52.212-1 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS – COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS

AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES

ADDITIONAL QUOTE PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS:

Quotations are due no later than 2:00 PM Pacific Time on September 2, 2022, and shall be submitted via email to the the Contracting Officer – Carina Topasna (carina.topasna@noaa.gov).

Offerors shall submit all attachments with complete information which clearly and concisely relates to the evaluation criteria in SOLICITATION PROVISIONS, FAR 52.212-2 EVALUATION – COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES (NOV 2021), specifically addressing the following:

(a) General Instructions

NOTICE TO OFFERORS: Instructions for submitting offers under this solicitation must be followed. Failure to provide all information may result in the offer being considered non-responsive. Offers that are non-responsive may be excluded from further evaluation and rejected without further notification to the offeror.

(1) The offer must be prepared in two parts: A technical quote and a business/price quote. Each of the parts shall be separate and complete in itself so that evaluation of one may be accomplished independently from evaluation of the other. The technical quote must not contain reference to price; however, adequate information must be contained in the technical quote so that the offeror’s technical approach is sufficiently detailed to provide a clear and concise presentation that addresses all contract requirements and demonstrates a clear understanding of the requirements.

(2) The technical quote should be typed, double-spaced, with one inch margins, using Times New Roman size 11-font or equivalent. The technical quote shall be no more than 60 pages, including all tables and graphics but excluding resumes, index/appendices and past performance references. Picture submissions shall not exceed 20 pages and video submissions should be no more than 10 minutes in duration. There is no size limitation for business/price quotes.

(3) The offeror shall submit:

a. Technical Quote: One (1) copy, electronic required.

b. Business/Price Quote: One (1) copy, electronic required.

Each part shall be clearly marked by title. There is no page limitation for the price quote.

(4) The Government will evaluate quotes in accordance with the provisions set forth in this section and with the evaluation criteria stated below.

(5) The Offerors shall identify and explain any exceptions or deviations taken to any part of the solicitation or conditional assumptions made with respect to the technical requirements of the solicitation. Offerors should note that taking exceptions to the Government’s requirements may indicate an unwillingness or inability to perform the contract, and the quote may be evaluated as such.

(b) Technical Quote

Vendors shall submit the following in their technical quote:

mailto:carina.topasna@noaa.gov

(1) Technical capability of the item offered to meet the Government requirement: The quote shall demonstrate the offeror´s organization and plan for successfully executing the Statement of Work including demonstration of:

Evaluation Factor 1—Vessel Characteristics: preparation and submission of the following attachments as well as any additional information needed to determine the vessel’s ability to conduct the survey and ability to meet the requirements of the Statement of Work efficiently and safely is required:

Attachment #1 – Vessel Charter Characteristics Form;

Attachment #2 – Vessel Configuration Form;

Stability Letter from the vessel’s Stability Report, certified by a licensed naval architect/marine engineer which describes the vessel’s stability characteristics for the intended charter operations;

Recent stability or marine survey reports, pictures, drawings or blueprints

In the technical proposal, offerors shall provide information and documentation in sufficient detail to clearly identify qualifications. The information should be provided as shown on the attached forms, including manufacturer’s names and model numbers where applicable. A complete explanation shall be provided where information is unavailable or not applicable. If an offeror proposes to supply equipment for the contract that they do not currently have, they must provide the specifics of the equipment such as the make, model and expected delivery time of the item, in order for the equipment to be considered in the evaluation of their proposal. Vessel blueprints or to scale drawings of the vessel showing the layout and features of the vessel are required in Attachment #2. Images or video showing deck and house layouts are also requested and encouraged, but not required.

At the time of proposal submission, the Contractor shall provide the Stability Letter from the vessel’s Stability Report, certified by a licensed naval architect/marine engineer, which describes the vessel’s stability characteristics for the intended charter operations. Recent stability or marine survey reports, pictures, drawings or blueprints should be included along with other required information (Vessel Charter Characteristics form and Vessel Configuration form) to assist in the evaluation.

Evaluation Factor 2—Fishing Experience of the Vessel, Captain and Crew: The preparation and submission of the following forms, as well as any additional information necessary to determine the required relevant experience of the vessel crew and contractor, are required by the Statement of Work:

Attachment #3 – Vessel’s Fishing History Form Attachment #4 - Master/Crew Work Experience Form

Offerors shall complete the attached forms indicating pertinent employment experience for captain, lead fisher, engineer-fisher, general-fisher and cook or cook fisher for the past ten (10) years.

Offerors shall provide sufficient detailed information which demonstrates their technical capability, proposed technical approach, and how they plan to meet the specified requirements and supplement this data by filling out all Attachments.

Offerors proposing more than one vessel must submit a separate proposal for each vessel.

Pictures or videotapes will also be considered in the evaluation as well as any additional supplements to the attachments listed above.

Evaluation Factor 3--Past Performance:

The offer must include specific contract references and clearly address recently completed and related, relevant contracts (both Government and non-Government), subcontracts, and grants. The offeror should include the name of the customer, including contracting agency, address, and phone number; contract number, type of contract, and dollar value; date of contract, period of performance, and place of performance; and a brief description of contract work scope and responsibilities. Attachment 8, Past Performance Questionnaire, is included for your use. Provide questionnaires to all customers under similar or related contracts performed or currently being performed for at least the last 3 years or a short statement explaining the lack thereof. Include any letters or reports of work performance completed provided by a contracting agency on quality of work performed prior to submitting Attachment 8 to customer references. Offerors should note that the Government may make use of past performance data from any available list of customers. It is the offerors responsibility to ensure that past performance questionnaires are completed and timely returned by the offerors’ customers.

Attachment 6 – Past Performance Questionnaire

Offerors shall provide a listing of customers to which Past Performance Questionnaire forms were distributed.

The list must contain the firm's names, the representative to whom the form was provided, a telephone number of the contact and an email address. Your customers are requested to complete the Past Performance form and submit the form by fax or email directly to the Contracting Officer noted below.

NOTE: Upon completion of the form, the customer shall return it to:

DOC, NOAA, Western Acquisition Division by email to:

Contracting Officer – Carina Topasna, carina.topasna@noaa.gov

Please Note: Any Exceptional, Marginal or Unsatisfactory rating assessed by the customer on individual elements or overall rating assigned on the past performance questionnaire, shall include an explanatory narrative to be provided in the remarks block. These narratives need not be lengthy, just adequately detailed to support evidence of the specific ratings noted above. Failure to provide information supporting the assigned rating may result in a lower rating being designated than that assigned by the customer.

Offerors shall make every effort to ensure that forms are received no later than the submission date stated in the solicitation for the quote in order to be considered for evaluation of this factor. Questionnaires submitted directly by the offeror rather than by the customer may not be considered.

If an offeror does not have a history of relevant past performance, or if past performance information is not available, the offeror will receive a neutral past performance rating.

(c) Business/Price Quote Instructions

Business/Price quotes must adhere to the pricing structure established in the Price Schedule.

Any acceptance period entered on the quote form by the offeror shall not be less than forty-five days, which shall apply if no other period is offered.

The person signing the offer must have the authority to commit the offeror to all of the provisions of the quote, fully recognizing that the Government has the right, by terms of the Solicitation, to make an award without discussion if it so elects.

The Government expects that contract(s) will be awarded based upon adequate price competition. However, in order to determine that offered prices are fair and reasonable, the Government reserves the right to request that the offeror to provide price breakdowns to support proposed prices. Information to support unit prices should include, but not be limited to, the following:

(A) Salary/wage information with associated payroll expenses, for personnel to be used in performance of the contract;

(B) Cost for equipment, supplies, and consumable materials;

(C) A breakout of related support costs, such as equipment maintenance, rental, transportation, etc.;

(D) Overhead costs;

(E) General Administrative expenses; and

(F) Profit

NOTICE TO OFFERORS: Instructions for submitting quotations under this request for quote must be followed.

Failure to provide all information to aid in the evaluation may be considered non-responsive. Offers that are non-responsive may be excluded from further evaluation and rejected without further notification to the offeror.

1. Quotes shall be fully executed and returned on the Standard Form (SF) 18 and any acknowledgements of solicitation amendments on the SF 30.

2. Submit quotations to the office specified in this solicitation at or before the time specified in the solicitation.

Email quotes are required and should be sent to Carina Topasna, carina.topasna@noaa.gov. Electronic/email quotes should be compatible with Microsoft Suite or Adobe. Due to size limitations placed on the NOAA email system, volumes of quotations may have to be sent in separate emails.

3. At a minimum the contractor shall provide the following information:

a) Point of contact name, telephone, facsimile and E-mail address.

b) Unique Entity Identifier

c) Acknowledgement of registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) database

d) Identification of Authorized Negotiators, including name, telephone, facsimile and E-mail address

e) Certification that Representations and Certifications have been executed by an individual authorized to legally bind the offering firm.

Offerors are responsible for submitting quotations, and any revisions, so as to reach the office identified in Block 10 of the SF-18 by the time specified in the solicitation. The Government will not be responsible for any failure attributable to the transmission or receipt of the electronic information, including the missing of any deadlines that may be established by the process. It is the offeror’s responsibility to confirm receipt of any transmitted information. Upon written request to the Contracting Officer, offerors may be granted access to the Department of Commerce’s Kiteworks secure file transfer site for secure transmission of quotes. The offeror is responsible for requesting access in a timely manner to ensure on-time receipt of quotes. The Government is not responsible for quotes received late through the secure file transfer site.

PLEASE NOTE: Offeror(s) MUST submit pricing for each blank line item in the schedule minus CLINs 0004, 0008, 1004, 1008, 2004, 2008, 3004, 3008, and 4004, 4008 for Sample Van as these CLINs are optional to price if Vessel is not part of the UNOLs. Please only provide pricing if you can meet the requirement.

Failure to offer in this manner may result in the quotation’s rejection. Pricing must reflect costs associated with the offer of one (1) vessel, per quotation submission.