1305M324Q0012_SOW.pdf

NATIONAL OCEANIC ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION

NOAA FISHERIES

SOUTHWEST FISHERIES SCIENCE CENTER

MARINE MAMMAL AND TURTLE DIVISION and FISHERIES RESEARCH DIVISION

STATEMENT OF WORK

WEST COAST CHARTER FOR MARINE MAMMAL AND FISHERIES SURVEYS

1.1 BACKGROUND

The Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC), Marine Mammal and Turtle Division and the Fisheries Research Division, conducts research on a variety of protected marine mammal, marine turtle, sea bird and fish species primarily in the Eastern North Pacific in support of recovery and fisheries management efforts. Our scientists:

● Investigate population structure;

● Estimate population size and trends in abundance;

● Identify and design measures to mitigate human-made threats;

● Designate critical habitat; and

● Assess health and condition of living and stranded marine mammals and turtles.

Our field-based research is conducted from research vessels, shore stations, small boats, crewed aircraft, and various autonomous platforms. Our laboratory-based research focuses on molecular genetics, including ancient and eDNA, photogrammetry, stable isotopes, hormone assays, passive acoustics, and necropsies.

A research vessel is needed to conduct a marine mammal and seabird survey during the 2024 calendar year. Data collected will inform assessments of West Coast marine mammal populations as mandated by the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

Option periods in 2025, 2026, and 2027 are included to conduct additional marine mammal surveys and/or fish surveys as mandated by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA).

1.2 OBJECTIVE

The SWFSC has a requirement to charter a research vessel for 120 days of at-sea work in 2024, with a start date between 15 July and 1 August and an end date between 30 November and 15 December 2024, off the coasts of California, Oregon, and Washington. This requirement also includes options for as many as 60 days of at-sea work during the calendar years 2025, 2026, and 2027.

1.3 SCOPE

The work will consist of conducting a marine mammal, seabird, and ecosystem assessment survey using visual transects during daylight hours extending from the coast out to approximately 300 nautical miles offshore. Additional operations will include biopsy sampling from the vessel's bow and via small boat, deployment and retrieval of hydrophones suspended from small hand-held spar buoys, deployment of camera drones, and surveying oceanographic profiles. All sampling equipment except for the small boat will be provided by the government.

Option Period’s may include other marine mammal surveys and/or fish resource surveys.

Observations during fish resource surveys will include pelagic fish trawls, active acoustic sampling, oceanographic profiles, and plankton tows.

The data collected will be used to inform assessments of various stocks of marine mammals and pelagic fishes. The Government will supply the trawl nets, doors, associated rigging, and other sampling gear for use by the scientific party at sea.

Government will be responsible for maintaining relevant permits.

Fuel, port services (e.g. US Customs, pilot fees, and mooring fees), communications charges, and other services provided to the scientific party (e.g. accommodation, supplies, ground transport) shall be reimbursed at actual cost. Copies of all invoices shall be provided.

2.0 SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS TASKS/SPECIFICATIONS

2.1 VESSEL REQUIREMENTS

For base period (marine mammal survey):

1. Overall vessel length of at least 170-feet.

2. Continuous horsepower (hp) output from main engine of at least 900 hp.

3. Maintain a cruising speed of at least 10 knots.

4. 13-15 bunks, mattresses, bedding, and towels in dedicated staterooms for scientists.

5. 600 square feet or more of dedicated dry laboratory space with 110/115 volt power (several outlets in the lab area required).

6. Access to the flying bridge, via stairwell, for marine mammal and seabird observations.

Minimum standing eye-level height of 33 feet above the sea surface; 300 square feet of covered observation space; venturi or wind dam along entire front bulwarks and extending along the port and starboard sides; downshade along the aft side of covered area; provision to attach stands for minimum three (3) 25x-power binoculars supplied by government;

wireway to connect observer equipment to inside data logging computers via Cat-6 cable;

110 volt power on flying bridge; two (2) desk/table stations (preferably raised to counter/bar height) and two (2) chairs/stools to serve as a workstation for data recorders and bird surveyors.

7. Work boat and a safe system for deploying and recovering boat in an open seaway. Boat must be capable of 20 knots and being utilized for collecting biopsy samples for marine mammals and personnel transfers.

8. Winch and associated davit or A-frame for deploying Conductivity-Temperature-Depth (CTD)/rosette array over the side (not over the stern). CTD winch shall have at least 1500 m of conducting cable.

9. Seabird SBE911+ CTD with calibration temperature, conductivity, oxygen, and fluorometer sensors; supplies necessary for two re-terminations of conducting cable.

10. Thermosalinograph.

11. Minimum of 200 cubic feet of scientific freezer storage (-20˚C) exclusive of space for ship's stores for stowing scientific samples and supplies.

12. Global Positioning System (GPS) with National Electrical Manufacturers Association

(NEMA) format output to flying bridge and scientific laboratories.

13. Satellite telecommunications service with bandwidth of at least 500 kbps (ship to shore) that can provide both voice and data connections to land-based stations.

14. Wet laboratory for processing biopsy samples; requires sink with fresh water supply.

15. -80˚F freezer or wet laboratory safe for storing and securing to vessel liquid nitrogen dewars

16. Ability to collect cetacean biopsies via deployment of crossbow bolts from the ship’s bow.

Bow will require deck stands to be used as standing platforms and the ability for biopsy techs wearing safety harnesses to clip into the ship via shock-absorbing lanyards

17. Deck hose with fresh water to rinse equipment.

18. Ship’s Global Positioning System (GPS) connections to computer consoles (minimum 3) in the scientific lab (mammal system, seabird system, and acoustics).

19. Network access to a printer with copying capabilities.

20. Space on the ship for eight (8) fish boxes; a minimum of two (2) fish boxes (4x4x3 feet) must be stored on flying bridge.

21. Protected space to store a minimum of three (3) bigeye cases inside.

22. Grappling hook for retrieving acoustic spar buoys.

23. Spotlight to find acoustic spar buoys at night.

Additional capabilities for conducting fish surveys during option periods are preferred (but not mandatory) and include:

24. Capable of deploying and towing two-warp pelagic fish trawl at a continuous speed of 4 knots. Government will provide trawl nets, doors, and rigging.

25. Minimum of two deck bins or comparable area for storage of sampling equipment and holding catches.

26. Crane or boom system capable of vertically raising and lowering cod-end anywhere along centerline of working deck.

27. System for monitoring head-rope depth of mid-water trawl.

28. Hull-mounted Simrad 38, 70, 120 and 200 kHz split-beam transducers in good operating condition. Government will supply EK80 transceivers.

29. Clean seawater source via through-hull fitting at least 2 meters below the waterline and with a continuous and stable flow rate of at least 6 liters/minute. Seawater will be plumbed into instruments provided by the Government.

30. Second winch and associated A-frame or davit for deploying plankton net over the side (not over the stern).

2.2 CREW REQUIREMENTS

1. Sufficient crew personnel to conduct scientific operations on a 24-hour per day/seven days per week basis while at sea (e.g., oceanographic techs for deploying CTDs).

2. Information technology (IT) specialist or electronics technician (ET) for ensuring the reliability of computer networks at sea, etc.

3. Relevant employment experience shall be provided for each crewmember for the last three years. Similar documentation shall be submitted for approval of all replacement personnel proposed for use during the charter.

4. It is preferable for the crew to include a member certified for operating/driving the small work boat.

5. At least one crew member shall have training in emergency medicine

2.3 SCIENTIFIC PERSONNEL

1. The scientific field party will consist of a minimum of 13 and will include women. Women shall have separate berthing space from men.

2. One member of the scientific party will be designated as Cruise Leader. That person will be responsible for the implementation of the Cruise Plan, disposition of catches, and the conduct and performance of Government personnel aboard the vessel.

2.4 OPERATING PROCEDURES

1. The Contractor shall provide nutritionally balanced meals three (3) times (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) and one (1) light snack each charter day. Meal times shall be coordinated with the Cruise Leader to accommodate both the need to complete sampling work and the time required to prepare meals by the cook.

2. The Cruise Leader in consultation with the Captain, will determine the daily operations plan.

The Cruise Leader will have final authority except in matters relating to vessel safety and vessel personnel.

3. Vessel will be considered off-charter should mechanical failure or inadequate staffing prevent it from performing the scientific mission.

4. The Cruise Leader and Captain will work together to resolve all problems that may arise while at sea. In the event the Cruise Leader and Captain are unable to resolve any problem that has the potential to invalidate the survey or threaten the safety of the field party, the Cruise Leader will direct the vessel to return to port, where an acceptable solution will be arranged between the Government and the Contractor or the charter may be terminated.

The vessel will be considered off-charter if required to return to port and remain off-charter until the problem has been resolved.

5. The Captain and crew shall exercise due caution and follow safety procedures as directed by the Cruise Leader to help prevent damage or loss of Government gear and equipment. The Cruise Leader may present specific safety procedures in writing to the Captain. If loss of or damage to Government equipment results from the negligent disregard of such instructions and procedures, repair or replacement costs may be deducted from charter payments.

6. All fish and shellfish taken in the trawl remain the property of the Government. The Field Party Chief is responsible for their disposition.

2.5 SAFETY

1. The vessel Captain is responsible for all matters relating to the safety of personnel, the vessel, and equipment operation. The Captain shall always adhere to Navigational Rules and Rules of the Road while towing, running, drifting, or when at anchor. He/she shall review safety procedures and equipment with the scientific party at the beginning of each cruise leg.

2. The Contractor shall provide U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets and survival suits for all embarked personnel. Adequate dry, topside storage for all survival suits shall be provided.

2.6 GOVERNMENT-PROVIDED EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES

1. Government will provide high-power binoculars and stands, hydrophones and spar buoys, camera drones, trawl nets, doors, and rigging. It will also supply transceiver deck units for acoustic sensors, other sampling equipment and instruments, data logging computers, liquid nitrogen dewars and other sample preservation supplies, and personal foul weather gear.

2.7. POST-AWARD AND POST-SURVEY MEETINGS

1. Upon award of the contract and before the start of the charter, a post-award meeting will be held at a mutually agreed-upon location to discuss issues relating to the charter and survey.

The vessel manager and the Captain are required to attend the meeting.

The Contracting Officer Representative (COR), upon award of the contract, will schedule the location, date, and time of the meeting.

2. Periodically, throughout the charter, progress meetings may be held. The purpose of the meetings is to provide the charter operator with 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 location, date, and time of these meetings will be scheduled by the COR.

Attachments Attachment No. 1: Vessel Characteristics and Configuration Attachment No. 2: Master/Crew Work Experience Attachment No. 3: Vessel’s Commercial Fishing History (if applicable) Attachment No. 4: Code of Conduct Attachment No. 5: Past Performance Attachment No. 6: Referenced US Government electronic Code of Federal Regulations and Title 46:

Shipping

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