1305M324Q0291_SOW.pdf

STATEMENT OF WORK

CHARTER VESSEL FOR MARINE ECOLOGY RESEARCH

1.0 GENERAL

The NOAA Fisheries Northeast Fisheries Science Center’s Protected Species Division (PSD) is seeking a charter vessel to survey for protected species and support small boat operations, including launching and recovering one or two small work boats. When protected species are located, the work boat(s) will be deployed with science personnel, if weather permits.

Oceanographic sampling is expected to be done from the charter vessel. This cruise requirement may be divided into two objectives: Turtle Ecology and Marine Mammal Ecology.

The leatherback sea turtle is listed as endangered under the United States Endangered Species Act (ESA). NOAA Fisheries and the US Fish and Wildlife Service share jurisdiction of all sea turtles listed under the ESA. NOAA Fisheries leads the conservation and recovery efforts for sea turtles in the marine environment by conducting various research activities on the biology, behavior, and ecology of leatherback sea turtles. Research results are used to evaluate population trends, inform conservation management strategies, and to assess progress toward recovery for this imperiled species. NOAA’s work includes studying behavior through various types of tagging, satellite tracking, chemical analysis, and vessel and aerial surveys.

Beaked whales and other deep-diving cetaceans are protected under the US Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), with some species (i.e. sperm whales) also listed as endangered under the ESA. NOAA Fisheries leads the conservation and management efforts for these species by conducting various research activities to understand the factors influencing their distribution, biology and ecology. Research results are used to evaluate population trends, inform conservation management strategies, and to assess progress toward recovery. NOAA’s work includes studying behavior through various types of tagging, satellite tracking, chemical analysis, and vessel surveys.

Right whales are protected under both the ESA and MMPA with NOAA Fisheries leading the conservation and management efforts. The North Atlantic Right Whale is one of the world’s most endangered large whale species and is approaching extinction. To support NOAA’s research objectives, right whale research that is similar to the research described for Turtle Ecology and Mammal Ecology objectives may be incorporated into any of the marine ecology cruises described in this solicitation.

Figure 1. The Primary Survey Operation Area is shown in this figure. Survey Area A is the area within the red circle. Survey Area B are all areas depicted in the chart but outside of the red circle (i.e., outside of Survey Area A).

Survey Operation areas are shown in Figure 1. We hope to spend the majority of the Turtle Ecology survey in the area directly south of Nantucket, but we may extend further, depending on conditions at the time of the cruise. The Marine Mammal Ecology survey would focus primarily on the slope and offshore waters of Georges Bank and out to the Bear Seamount and surrounding areas.

Contracted vessel days may include Mobilization/demobilization Days, Sea Days, or Dock days, (all defined below), with the vendor supplying fixed price quotes for the different individual rates for Mobilization /Demobilization Days, Sea Days and Dock days.

2.0 SPECIFIC TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

2.1 VESSEL AVAILABILITY REQUIREMENTS

The base period of performance for this is expected to start on or about August 19, 2024 and encompass 12-40 days, departing from and returning to Woods Hole, MA. The contractor is required to be available for at least 12 contracted days with the remaining days being decided by mutual agreement between the contracted vendor and the Government.

The timing of the cruise in the base period would ideally be coordinated with an aircraft which is currently scheduled to fly for this project starting on August 19, 2024. Coordination will be conducted by the COR.

The vessel shall be available at the port of Woods Hole, MA at least one day prior to the start of a research cruise prepared with the necessary fuel, food and crew to conduct and support the mission objectives.

On the day prior to the cruise, the vessel and crew will be made available to NEFSC scientific staff, for the purpose of loading cruise supplies and reviewing (and practicing) procedures for small boat launch and recovery.

If the contract vessel has not launched and recovered a small boat of the same size and complexity as the work boat (total length is 36’) used by the scientists, then the contract vessel shall be available for launch and recovery practice for at least three days prior to the start of the cruise at the vendor’s own expense.

A vessel shall be placed off-hire in the event of loss of time due to any contractor and vessel-related operational deficiencies, including crew changes. If the entire duration of the cruise is expected to be 10 days or less (of combined sea days and dock days), then there shall not be any crew changes in the course of the cruise except for emergencies. .

2.2 CRUISE OPERATIONS (CLINS 0001, 1001, 2001, 3001, AND 4001)

2.2.1 DEFINITIONS RELATED TO CRUISE OPERATIONS

A Sea Day is defined as the vessel being at sea (in Survey Area A or B), transiting to or from planned areas of operation, conducting scientific operations, or laying to, due to inclement weather or scientific equipment failures.

A Mobilization/demobilization Day is defined as the contract vessel traveling to or from Woods Hole port, including any staging and de-staging, and practice retrieving and deploying the small boat.

A Dock Day is defined as staying at the dock for at least 18 continuous hours of the 24-hour calendar day. Dock days include being at the dock for weather related reasons as well as for any staging/destaging and small boat launch and recovery practice beyond what was accomplished during the 2 mobilization/demobilization days.

2.2.2 GENERAL CRUISE OPERATIONS

The vendor shall be available for a post-award conference so that the Captain, Lead Scientist, and others can discuss charter operations, on a mutually agreeable date. Similarly, the vendor shall be available for post-charter meetings on a mutually agreeable date following the completion of each cruise.

Prior to the commencement of the cruise, the vessel will be made available to NEFSC scientific staff, on mutually-agreed upon date(s), to inspect the vessel, potentially train the crew for the deployments & retrievals, and to meet with the Master and/or owners. Any software, gear, and/or equipment installed on the vessel by the PSB for the purpose of conducting the research cruise will be removed at the end of the cruise.

The contract vessel must have a minimum of four crew, covering the role of Master, mate, engineer and chief steward, to operate the vessel and to support scientific operations. The Master and mate must be fluent in English to ensure clear and effective communication with the scientist.

While at sea, the Master is responsible for the operation of the contracted vessel to insure the safety of the scientific staff and all crew members. The contract vessel’s crew is responsible for the safe operation of any crane, davit, or winch.

The contract vessel must be able to accommodate scientific crew of 9-12, and preference will be given to vessels that can accommodate at the higher end of this range. Scientific staff may include federal or contracted employees, volunteers, as well as academic, conservation, or industry partners.

The contract vessel will have an open flybridge which is safely accessible to science crew. At least three science crew may be on the flybridge at any time during the day. (Note: if there is an option other than a flybridge, that gives observers 180-degree view forward, that can be considered). It is preferred that the fly bridge be outfitted with a windshield to protect observers using hand held binoculars from wind. Prior to the commencement of the cruise, the vessel crew may be requested to install the ‘big eye’ binocular stands on the fly bridge. See images in ATTACHMENT 1. The chief scientist shall be consulted regarding placement prior to installation.

Contract vessel shall be outfitted with a crane which is capable of lifting, launching, and recovering a 6,750 lb. 20-foot aluminum hulled work boat with foam collar and bow and stern extensions which bring the overall length to ~36’. Scientists must be able to board the work boat after the crane brings the work boat outboard of the contract vessel and snugs it up at the deck level of the contract vessel. The crane will be man-rated unless the freeboard of the ship allows one step down to launch the work boat. Government will provide one or two work boats and cradle(s) for work boats to sit on the aft deck. Contract vessel will provide and carry at least 200 gallons of gasoline, preferably in USCG approved mobile fuel caddies, which will be made available for work boat operations. When the work boat is aboard the contract vessel, the contract vessel crew is responsible for making it secure during all seas. Government will provide a man-rated lifting harness for work boat launch and recovery. Contract vessel shall provide a crane operator and at least one deck hand for deployment. Ideally, the contract vessel crew shall be capable of independently launching and recovering the work boat(s), but if this is not the case Government can bring science staff to aid in handling lines during launch and recovery.

The contract vessel should be able to deploy oceanographic equipment (Conductivity, Temperature, Depth (CTD) and plankton nets) using an a-frame, j-frame, or boom with a wire winch. The winch should have at least 200 feet of wire or be able to spool on 200 feet of ¼” wire. Alternatively, the contract vessel could mount a 0.322 conducting wire winch for deploying and retrieving oceanographic sampling equipment. Winch requires 460-volt 3 phase power to be wired by the vessel. The a-frame, j-frame or boom would be used to deploy the plankton nets and CTD. Ideally, this frame/boom would have a minimum clearance height of 9 feet beneath a hanging block throughout its entire range of motion, be capable of extending that block 8 feet over the side and four feet inboard, and be capable of towing a 1,000 lb. load while underway at speeds up to 2 knots. At a minimum, this frame/boom should have a minimum clearance height of 4 feet beneath a hanging block, hold 200 lbs of weight, and raise and lower a static (non-towed) piece of gear. A standard garden hose with seawater supply shall be provided to the sampling deck area to permit washing down of the nets to obtain the plankton samples.

Contract vessel shall provide at least two crew members for deployment of plankton and water sampling equipment.

One crew member would operate the frame/boom and one deck hand would operate the

0.322 conducting wire winch during deployments. One or two science staff would handle the plankton/water sampling gear.

If the vessel is conducting the Marine Mammal Ecology portion of the survey in Area B, a passive acoustic hydrophone array will be deployed to collect real-time acoustic data throughout the survey. The array consists of a 400 m cable with 8 hydrophone elements.

The diameter of the cable is 0.5”, and it has a minimum bend radius of 16”. Typically, 300m of cable is deployed for passive acoustic operations. The tow cable must be mounted onto a winch or empty net reel provided by the vessel, to facilitate ease of deployment and recovery from the back deck of the ship. A removable deck cable connects the hydrophone tow cable to the computers in a dry lab space, where an acoustic team will be located. Recordings of acoustic detections will be made into several desktop computers. The acoustic team would require 2-3 GPS feeds from the ship. When deploying and recovering the array, the ship will be requested to slow to 2-3 kts. While the array is in the water, the ship will be requested not to make turns greater than 60°, so as to minimize strain on the electrical wires inside the array.

In addition, if the vessel is conducting the Marine Mammal Ecology portion of the survey in Areas B, a deep-water acoustic mooring in the area of Bear Seamount may be recovered and redeployed as part of the survey operations during option years. To conduct this work, a winch or A-frame will be required to safely deploy and recover the recording unit, float, and cable. The components of the mooring in air weigh approximately 550 and 900 lbs. lifted separately. The captain must maneuver the ship in position so that the deckhand must be able safely reach over the side/gunnel of the vessel, and with a boat hook, grab, secure and transport the unit back on to the deck during recoveries. Details are below.

2.2.3 DAILY CRUISE OPERATIONS

The starting location for each day will be discussed the previous evening.

A major responsibility of the contract vessel will be to support work boat operations in support of the science mission. The contract vessel will launch and later recover 1 or 2 research work boat(s), as weather permits. The contract vessel must have experience launching and recovering small boats. Detailed protocols (of how small boats with scientists were successfully launched and recovered in the past) must be provided and will be used to evaluate launch and recovering capabilities. It is preferred but not mandatory for the contract vessel to supply a deployable small boat which would be available to be operated by the science party as a second or spare work boat. At times, the contract vessel may also serve as the mothership for a 23’ research vessel, which may tie up to the contract vessel. Personnel from the 23’ research vessel may come aboard the contract vessel as members of the science party, but the 23’ research vessel would not be brought aboard (retrieved or deployed from) the contract vessel.

The contract vessel will stand by during small boat operations, possibly doing oceanographic sampling or collecting towed hydrophone array data, often within 1 nm of the small boat.

Science crew may deploy sUAS (drone) from the contract vessel, and may collect water samples for eDNA analysis or do other oceanographic sampling. These decisions will be made case by case.

The science party will work most daylight hours unless the weather is limiting. If weather does not allow work from the flybridge, observers may stand watch from the wheelhouse. Research operations may include nighttime data collection with the towed hydrophone array. There is the potential for brief operations shortly after sunset (to assess diel vertical migration of plankton).

There is also the potential to run transects at night to collect echo sounding data or water samples for eDNA analysis, but this would not require significant deck work.

If the Marine Mammal Ecology portion of the cruise is conducted, during daylight hours, when the visual sighting team is on-effort, the acoustic detection team will work in coordination with them, but will be monitoring the towed hydrophone array. The acoustic team will maintain contact with the visual team to be notified of each cetacean sighting; this information may be transmitted via the visual team’s data stream using the ship’s intranet system and also via handheld walkie-talkie. When the ship is going to break track to investigate a group of animals, the acoustic team must be notified so that the recording equipment settings can be adjusted to compensate for the increase in noise experienced during maneuvering. Once the visual team is satisfied with species identification and collection of photographs, etc., the ship may be asked to maintain a straight-line transit to facilitate the collection of high-quality acoustic recordings.

However, the array may be deployed even in poor weather conditions when the visual team is not on-effort, with the exception of high seas and lightning.

An Endangered Species Act (ESA) permit, as well as MMPA permit (if necessary), issued by the Office of Protected Resources will be maintained onboard the vessel for the duration of the survey. The Government will provide the permit. The vessel will be considered a NOAA research vessel under this contract.

The contract vessel shall utilize and maintain nautical charts, deck log and/or computer software(s) 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 contract vessel Master shall provide scientific personnel access to GPS location data, and other available operations data as needed. Sea surface temperature is of interest to the science party.

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

2.2.4 ACOUSTIC MOORING RECOVERY/REDEPLOYMENT FOR MARINE

MAMMAL ECOLOGY SURVEY

The offshore mooring is located at 39º 54.660’, -67º 01.720’, at a bottom depth of approximately 3200m. For the recovery/redeployment of this unit. 2600m of cable will have to be recovered and spooled properly for redeployment at a subsequent site. Recovery requirements are as follows: The first stage of recovery is to bring the float aboard. A line of suitable strength to lift 5510 lbs.

(2500kg) (order of magnitude safety margin - the heaviest piece of the mooring during recovery is the float at 550 lbs., or 250 kg) will be required.

The line should be passed through a block capable of accepting a 5/8” shackle or larger attached to the a-frame. The float at the top of the mooring (1m syntactic foam sphere) has a 10m floating line spliced into a loop attached to the top of the float. The loop is used to attach a lifting line to, either by maneuvering the ship close enough to throw a grappling hook, or by using a small boat to take a lifting line out to the float and manually attach it. The float should be lifted to the A-frame and the A-frame brought inboard. The float can then be lowered and secured on deck. The lifting line should be transferred to the 40m ¾” nylon line attached to the bottom of the float and the 40m piece should be recovered directly onto the empty spool. The spool should be positioned to receive the mooring line after it has gone around the capstan and is no longer under tension. The hydrophone is located at the bottom of the 40m line. When the phone is recovered, it can be secured to the deck. The lifting line should then be transferred from the top of the ¾” nylon line to the paralink on the bottom of the hydrophone. Recover the 2500 to 3300m long, 3/8” diameter yalex, mooring line directly onto the empty spools provided for this purpose. 1 to 2 empty spools will be required per mooring. At the bottom of the final section of yalex line is the acoustic release.

Once that is brought aboard, it can be disconnected and all recovered mooring equipment secured.

Recovery is expected to take several hours, and this unit will be prepared for redeployment at the site. The redeployment of the NRS buoy may take an additional 90 -120 minutes. Because of the length of line, many positional calculations must be taken into consideration. Scientists on board will work with the captain to determine appropriate deployment strategy. The mooring will be redeployed in the reverse order from which it was recovered.

2.3 PROVISIONS

Three meals per day (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) shall be prepared by the contract vessel chief steward for the scientists. Protein shall be included at each meal. Lunch and dinner should also have two vegetables and fruit. Milk (dairy and plant-based), coffee, tea, water, cold juice, and snacks shall be available at all times.

We anticipate the scientific staff will have diet restrictions or preferences (such as allergies; gluten free and dairy free; and perhaps vegetarian or vegan), so enough food options shall be offered so that all staff are sufficiently fortified. Meals shall be prepared during each day of vessel operation under this contract.

3.0 VESSEL REQUIREMENTS

3.1 MINIMUM VESSEL SPECIFICATIONS

1. Capable of safe operation throughout the “primary area of operation” and “possible extended area”, though we acknowledge that within our primary area of operation there are shallow areas within which we do not expect the contract vessel to be able to navigate.

2. The vessel shall have been actively used for collecting scientific data within the past 12 months and/or a track record of prior work with protected species, including marine mammals or sea turtles.

3. Sufficient deck space for one at least one research work boat (20’ LOA, with cradle) and additional sampling gear, including a 12’ inflatable raft, and bow pulpit, bringing the total length to ~36’. If the contract vessel is not providing a work boat for optional science use, then it would be preferred that there be sufficient deck space for 2 research work boats (plus the additional gear).

4. Crane or davit with minimum over-the-side SWL = 6,750lbs, for launching and recovering the work boats.

5. Clean, sanitary, and sufficiently ventilated berths with mattresses for 9-12 scientists. Bunk areas shall contain at least one drawer or closet per occupant for storage of clothing and personal gear.

6. A minimum of two heads, one shower and sink with hot water that is available to the scientific crew.

7. Sufficient potable water for all crew and scientists for the duration of the cruise.

8. Galley facilities for concurrent seating of at least 7 people.

9. Indoor storage space and table for scientific equipment and supplies, or provide one or two containers on deck to meet scientific needs.

Freezer space will be available to the scientists for storing at least 15 one-liter bottles, each measuring 10” inches tall with a diameter of 3.5”.

10. Any other equipment necessary to complete activities described in section 2.2.2

3.2 ELECTRONIC AND COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS

1. Radios:

a. VHF (minimum 2)

b. Single side-band

2. Radar (2 units with minimum range 40 nm)

3. GPS (minimum 2 units)

4. Plotters with capability of plotting input from GPS desirable

5. Depth sounder

6. Internet connectivity for weather forecasting, reporting, tracking satellite tags, and daily access to the internet for the chief scientist is required. If the contract vessel is not already equipped with a satellite internet system, the vessel’s company will be responsible for acquiring a system and monitoring it for the duration of the cruise so that the chief scientist has daily internet access.

3.3 CREW REQUIREMENTS

1. The Captain shall have a minimum of three years of experience as Master of a comparable- sized vessel in north Atlantic waters.

2. The Captain shall be competent in the use of modern navigational equipment.

3. At least two other members of the crew shall have a minimum of three years of sea-going experience.

4. The designated cook should have adequate experience in the planning and preparation of three daily meals at sea for appropriately sized groups of people.

5. Bidders shall include documentation indicating pertinent employment experience for each crew member indicating the requisite experience. Similar documentation will be submitted to the Contracting Officer’s Representative for approval of all replacement personnel proposed for hire during the charter.

3.4 MATERIAL CONDITION, STRUCTURAL AND WATERTIGHT INTEGRITY

The Contractor shall provide one or more of the following, reflecting the vessel’s 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 years prior to the initiation of the cruise; or proof of satisfactorily passing an inspection completed by the Contractors marine insurance carrier within one 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 cruises.

3.5 GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY

Depending on the goals of the cruise, the Government will provide all or some of the following item(s) of Government property to the Contractor. The Contractor shall be accountable for, and have stewardship of, the property in the performance of this contract. This property shall be used and maintained by the Contractor in accordance with provisions of the “Government Property” clause included in this contract.

Item No. Description Delivery Date

1 Scientific Sampling and Recording Equipment

Prior to Cruise

2 Work boat(s) with man-rated lifting harness(es)

Prior to Cruise

3 Cradle(s) for work boats Prior to Cruise

4 Capture Nets and 12’ inflatable raft for holding captured turtles.

Prior to Cruise

5 For Mammal Ecology Cruise: 400m towed hydrophone array on a wooden spool; will require transfer to an appropriate winch provided by the vessel for deployment off back deck

Prior to cruise

6 For Mammal Ecology Cruise: one pallet with sonobuoys for remote passive acoustic monitoring

Prior to cruise

7 Two 25-150 “big eye” binoculars, yokes and stands for mounting to flying bridge deck

Prior to cruise

8 CTD capable of collecting data to 1500m

Prior to cruise

9 HydroElectric Winch with 0.322 conducting cable

Prior to cruise

10 SBE Seabird CTD and Plankton nets Prior to cruise

11 Desk and chairs for sighting platform, to mount on deck for data collection area on flying bridge

Prior to cruise

4.0 ATTACHMENTS

Attachment No. 1 – Windscreen and big eye binoculars Attachment No. 2 – Vessel Characteristics Attachment No. 3 – Master/Crew Work Experience Attachment No. 4 – Vessel's Commercial Fishing History (if applicable) Attachment No. 5 – Subcontracting Plan/No Subcontracting Statement Attachment No. 6 – Code of Conduct Attachment No. 7 – Past Performance Questionnaire Attachment No. 8 – Referenced US Government electronic Code of Federal Regulations

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