STATEMENT_OF_NEED_FINAL.docx

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE (DOC)

NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION (NOAA)

NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE (NMFS)

NORTHWEST FISHERIES SCIENCE CENTER (NWFSC)

Statement of Need: Pacific Hake live collections in Puget Sound, Washington: Charter for trawl capture of Pacific Hake using trawl net with modified cod end, live holding and transport to Manchester Research station.

Organization: The Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce (DOC), is a government agency charged with the mission of stewardship for living marine resources.

General:

We are seeking a research charter vessel to conduct Pacific Hake capture in Puget Sound. The proposed trawling/fishing areas will be Saratoga pass and Port Susan near Camano Island and Dabob Bay on Hood Canal. We will capture Pacific Hake using trawl gear incorporating a custom cod end and hold live fish onboard. The vessel will hold fish until they can be transported to the designated port and offloaded from vessel to transport tank. For Saratoga pass and Port Susan the designated port will be the Port of Everett Marina. For Dabob Bay the designated port will be Pleasant Harbor Marina.

Period of performance: Date of Award-September 30, 2019

Project Description The research charter vessel will conduct Pacific Hake trawling for a total of 3 working days, non-contiguous, in Puget Sound waters. The principal area of research will be Saratoga passage and Port Susan near Camano Island and Dabob Bay in Hood Canal. Two non-contiguous days will be devoted to trawling in the Saratoga pass/Port Susan vicinity and one day devoted to trawling in the vicinity of Dabob Bay. The vessel will pick up and drop off researchers and fish at the designated port. Trawl gear will be utilized for the capture of Pacific Hake and a custom cod end with be attached to trawl net. The work day will last up to 16 hours and involve multiple tows, possibly at night. Each tow will be short in duration lasting only 10-15 minutes.

Codend.

A modified codend specifically designed to retain water and minimize damage to the target fish will be utilized (figure 1). The modified cod end will be supplied by NOAA. The research charter vessel crew will attach the modified codend to the vessels trawl net.

See Statement of Work For Figure 1.

Figure 1: Depiction of the modified codend. This codend greatly decreases impaction of fish during trawling and has been used successfully to collect European hake for tagging studies (de Pontual et al. 2003).

Vessel Requirements (see also Additional Requirements, below) We will conduct three (3) non-contiguous days of fieldwork that will be dependent on peak Pacific Hake availability. The vessel and crew must have experience with trawl capture of Pacific Hake. The vessel must be capable of midwater and bottom trawling and supply nets and gear needed for both types of trawling. Nets and gear must be compatible with the NOAA supplied modified codend described above. Vessel crew will attach the modified codend to trawl net.

Specific Vessel Requirements:

1. The recommended vessel will be 42 feet or longer.

2. The vessel must have or be able to accommodate one or more fish holding tanks with a total volume of at least 300 gallons for holding live Pacific Hake.

3. Vessel will supply ice for maintaining water temperature of holding tanks. Approximately 40 cubic ft. of ice will be supplied by the vessel per trip.

4. Dry storage area in the main deck house for holding scientific supplies/equipment.

5. Seawater deck-hose for supplying fish holding tanks.

6. Potable fresh water supply adequate for vessel and personal use of crew and scientists.

7. Clean and sanitary accommodations for crew and scientific field party (3-4 scientists)

8. Head shall be clean and operating appropriately; toilet will not emit odors or back flush.

9. In an effort to reduce marine debris pollution, the Captain shall comply with waste management regulations as described in Section V of MARPOL. The vessel shall be required to have a storage facility, to retain all refuse so it is not disposed at sea.

10. Captain must have prior familiarity of the general fishing area.

11. The vessel must possess a Coast Guard certification. In addition, conformance with present regulations for commercial fishing vessels requires that the master or an individual in charge of the vessel ensures that safety drills and instruction are conducted at least once a month (46 CFR 28.270). Safety orientations must be given to each individual on board that has not received the instruction and has not participated in the drills before the vessel can continue to operate.

Electronic Equipment Requirements

1. Radios: A VHF set, a single side-band unit.

2. Plotter with capability of plotting from GPS or LORAN C.

3. GPS – with 6 channels, sequential capability to track satellites.

4. Radar – minimum range of 15 miles.

5. Depth Sounders – color scope unit with minimum range of 914 m (500 fm) and operating in the 25-50 kHZ range.

Crew Requirements

1. The minimum fishing crew shall consist of one (1) Captain and two (2) deckhands.

2. The Captain shall have a minimum of five (5) years sea experience with two (2) years as a master of a comparable-sized vessel.

3. The Captain and Deckhands must have trawl experience.

4. Captain and deckhand will assist scientific personnel in the transfer of live fish from vessel to transport vehicle.

Scientific Personnel

1. The government field party shall consist of 3-4 individuals.

2. One member of the scientific party will be responsible for implementation of the Cruise Plan, compliance to the charter terms, disposition of catches and the conduct and performance of scientific personnel aboard the vessel. This person will also be responsible for obtaining, having on board, and adhering to the regulations in the collection permit.

3. Scientific personnel will provide own bedding, towels, food, and personal gear, including life vests/float coats.

4. Scientific personnel will care for and maintain fish alive onboard. This includes supplying oxygen/aeration, monitoring DO and temperature, and performing water exchanges.

5. Scientific personnel will lead in transfer of Pacific Hake from vessel to transport vehicle with the aid of captain and crew.

Operating Procedures

1. The contractor shall provide a place on the boat for scientific personnel to consume meals. Meal times will be coordinated with the Field Party Chief to accommodate the need to complete sampling work.

2. Workday length and hours will be determined by the Field Party Chief in consultation with the Captain. Working days may be up to 16 hours. The decision will be based on the type of activity expected as well as on prevailing weather conditions and the Cruise Plan. The Field Party Chief has the final authority in scientific matters.

3. The Captain may also be asked to provide data on the navigational records.

4. The Field Party Chief and the Captain will meet at least once a day during sampling to discuss operation and resolved problems. They will work together to resolve sampling locations, transits, and scheduling. In the event that they cannot reach agreement on any problem which has the potential for compromising the research or threatens the safety of the Scientific Personnel, the Field Party Chief will direct the vessel to return to port where an acceptable solution will be arranged between the Government and the Contractor.

5. The Captain shall operate the boat in a safe matter for all personnel onboard. The hydraulic winches shall be in good working order.

6. The contractor shall provide for all operation expenses of the vessels incurred during charter days. These expenses will be moorages, fuel, personnel cost, etc.

Safety

1. The vessel’s Captain is responsible for all matters relating to safety of personnel, the vessel, and equipment operation. The U.S. Coast Guard shall possess a certification that is valid for the time period of the charter. The ship shall be operated in accordance with U.S. Coast Guard’s Navigation Rules and the U.S. Maritime Regulations at all times.

2. The captain should have fire-fighting experience equivalent by the North Pacific Vessel Owner’s Association.

Government-Provided Equipment and Supplies

1. The scientific equipment will be research supplies, oxygen/aeration equipment, personal safety and flotation gear.

Manchester Research Station 7305 Beach Drive East Port Orchard, WA 98366

Contact:

NOAA Fisheries Service Northwest Fisheries Science Center Manchester Research Station 7305 Beach Drive East Port Orchard, WA 98366

Additional Requirements

Table of Contents

CHARTER-001 MECHANICAL BREAKDOWNS OR NON-PERFORMANCE OF VESSEL

CHARTER-002 FIREARMS

CHARTER-003 POSSESSION OF LIQUOR OR ILLEGAL DRUGS

CHARTER-004 CONTROL OF PLASTIC DISCHARGES

CHARTER-005 CHARTER VESSEL SAFETY

CHARTER- 006 WORKING CONDITIONS FOR GOVERNMENT PERSONNEL…

CHARTER-007 PRESENCE OF FAMILY MEMBERS

CHARTER-008 CONTRACTOR PERSONNEL

CHARTER-001 MECHANICAL BREAKDOWNS OR NON-PERFORMANCE OF VESSEL

Mechanical breakdown or other non-performance periods in excess of twenty- four (24) hours shall not be considered charter days and will not be reimbursed as charter days. Mechanical breakdown periods in excess of three (3) consecutive days or nine (9) accumulative days may be grounds for termination of this contract by the Government. (End of Clause)

CHARTER-002 FIREARMS

The government prefers that no firearms be carried on board during the charter, however if the vessel has firearms on board that cannot reasonably be removed prior to the charter, the firearms may stay on board if the Point of Contact gives approval prior to the vessel departure. Any firearms approved for carriage during the charter period, must be kept in the Captain’s possession at all times during the charter, preferably in a secure gun locker.

CHARTER-003 POSSESSION OF LIQUOR OR ILLEGAL DRUGS

During the charter period, the possession or use of intoxicating liquor and/or illegal drugs by any person is not permitted and may be grounds for termination of this contract by the Government. (End of Clause)

CHARTER-004 CONTROL OF PLASTIC DISCHARGES

Contractor shall comply with the Marine Plastic Pollution Research and Control Act of 1987, which establishes Federal requirements for controlling plastic discharges from ships. (End of Clause)

CHARTER-005 CHARTER VESSEL SAFETY

The contractor shall adhere to the safety regulations as set forth in Coast Guard rules effective on September 15, 1991, and as provided for by the Commercial Fishing Industry Vessel Safety Act of 1988 (specifically, 46 CFR Part 28) or subsequent additions or revisions. These regulations require that specified vessels be equipped with a variety of safety features and equipment.

A Coast Guard inspection of the vessel based on an interagency agreement between NMFS and the Coast Guard or 46 CFR Part 28 will be required prior to performance. In addition to the requirements of 46 CFR Part 28, the Coast Guard inspection will require conformance with standards for lifesaving and firefighting equipment in the Rules for Small Passenger Vessels, which exceed Part 28. Issuance of the notice to proceed by the Government is conditioned upon the successful completion of the mandatory Coast Guard inspection under Section E.2 of this contract. Failure of the Contractor to successfully complete the inspection requirements shall be grounds for termination of this contract. Conformance with present regulations for commercial fishing vessels requires that the master or an individual in charge of the vessel ensures that safety drills and instruction are conducted at least once a month (46 CFR 28.270). Safety orientations must be given to each individual on board that has not received the instruction and has not participated in the drills before the vessel can continue to operate. The contractor shall conduct such safety orientations prior to sailing on each cruise leg. It is recommended that a full drill be completed early in each cruise leg even if less than a month has elapsed since the last drill due to the frequent wholesale exchange of scientific personnel at cruise breaks. Each vessel must also have all required emergency instructions posted (46 CFR 28.265). (End of Clause)

CHARTER-006 WORKING CONDITIONS FOR GOVERNMENT PERSONNEL

The Contractor shall provide safe, efficient working conditions and accommodations to the Government personnel free from violence, threats of violence, harassment (including sexual harassment), intimidation, and other disruptive behavior. The Contractor, its agents, subcontractors, and employees, including the Captain and crew of the vessel shall not harass, assault, oppose, impede, intimidate, threaten, interfere with or make unwelcome advances toward any member of the Government field party.

CHARTER-007 PRESENCE OF FAMILY MEMBERS

Unless serving as crew, the spouses or children of crew members or owner(s) may not accompany the vessel during the term of the charter without obtaining written approval in advance from the Point of Contact.

CHARTER-008 CONTRACTOR PERSONNEL

The Contractor shall staff the vessel as described in its technical proposal. If the contractor wishes to propose a substitution, it must provide, in writing, a detailed explanation of the circumstances necessitating the proposed substitution; the name and qualifications of the person who will be the substitute; and any additional information requested by the Contracting Officer. Any proposed substitute shall have qualifications comparable to those of the person being replaced (i.e., number of years of experience and skills). The Contracting Officer will evaluate the request and promptly notify the Contractor of his/her decision. The contractor shall make no substitutions of personnel unless written approval has been granted by the Contracting Officer

Insurance:

During the full period of this contract the Contractor shall maintain the customary full form marine insurance coverage on the vessels including Hull and Machinery and Liability-P&I, taking into account scientific personnel employed on board. The expense of this insurance shall be covered by the contractor, and shall be deemed to be included in the hire payable under this contract. Copies of the insurance policy shall be provided by the contractor as technical information with the quote package.

Data Privacy:

Should work on this agreement require that personnel have access to Privacy information, personnel shall adhere to the Privacy Act, Title 5 of the U.S. Code, Section 552a and applicable agency rules and regulations. Data created, obtained and collected during the performance of this agreement is the property of NMFS. Data may not be released by any party without written consent from the NMFS POC. Data must be protected from unauthorized disclosure. Personnel must comply with all Federal, DOC, NOAA, and NMFS policies relating to IT and data security.

The NMFS will perform the inspection and acceptance of the completed work.

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