FY27-32 PNMS Vessel Charter Draft PWS.docx

DRAFT

Performance Work Statement Vessel Charter for Access to the Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary for Management Activities PNMS Research FY 2027-2032

Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary

1.0 GENERAL

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is a United States Federal agency dedicated to understanding and predicting changes in the Earth’s environment and to conserve and manage coastal and marine resources to meet United States economic, social, and environmental needs. In coordination with federal, state, territorial, local, tribal and international authorities, NOAA manages the use of these environments, regulating fisheries and marine protected areas as well as protecting threatened and endangered marine species.

The Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (ONMS), established in 1972 by the National Marine Sanctuaries Act (NMSA) and administered by NOAA’s National Ocean Service, protects a network of special marine and freshwater areas. The goal of the NMSA is to set aside and manage areas for resource protection, research, enhanced public education, and compatible public and private uses. ONMS serves as the trustee for a network of underwater parks encompassing more than 620,000 square miles of marine and Great Lakes waters from Washington state to the Florida Keys, and from Lake Huron to American Samoa. The network includes a system of 15 national marine sanctuaries and Papahānaumokuākea and Rose Atoll marine national monuments with additional areas undergoing or under consideration for sanctuary designation. ONMS is the primary user of this contract, although other partner line and program offices in NOAA may also use this contract.

2.0 BACKGROUND

The purpose of this Indefinite Delivery-Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract is to have a source against which to issue task orders for the vessel charter services described in this Performance Work Statement (PWS). This contract provides Vessel Charter services for Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) that supports requirements for the Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary (PNMS). Separate Task Orders issued by the Contracting Officer (CO) shall accomplish specific work tasking.

3.0 SCOPE OF WORK

In accordance with the Revolutionary Federal Acquisition Regulation Overhaul (RFO) Subpart 37.1, the requirements herein are for “non-personal service”. The Contractor is an independent entity and not an agent or employee of the Government. The Contractor shall provide vessel charter services, personnel, material, supplies, supervision, labor, expertise, and equipment, (except that specified as Government-furnished) required for transit to study locations, meals and berthing accommodations, and operations during research while on small boats and from the ship in accordance with this PWS and applicable laws. NOAA will provide the Chief Scientist and Dive Master, who will have overall responsibility and decision-making authority for safely executing the projects during the vessel charter, in coordination with the vessel's Captain.

4.0 TASKS

Tasks will be ordered and issued via individual task orders will be issued to further define the requirements below.

4.1Transport to and from Research Locations

The contractor must provide a vessel, personnel, equipment, services, and operational support for a multi-day operation in the NWHI, to include transport to all islands in the PNMS. The furthest possible site being Hōlanikū (Kure Atoll), located approximately 1,200 nautical miles from Honolulu, and possible port call at Kuaihelani (Midway Atoll). Charter operations must begin and end in Honolulu, Hawaii. Individual charter operations are up to 30 sea days that include transit, equipment retrieval, and scientific research dives performed by NOAA personnel and reciprocity partners between the period of July 1, 2027 to June 30, 2032. The length of the trip will be dependent on the berthing capabilities of the selected vessel.

The contractor must obtain NOAA vessel chartering clearance with the help of scientific personnel. This includes submitting documentation of the vessel’s valid Certificate of Inspection (COI) or U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Letter of Designation, Merchant Mariner Credentials for the Master and other documentation.

The contractor must provide at least 2 days for mobilization and 1 day for demobilization. A charter day consists of 24 hours of transit with a maximum of 11 operational hours on station. Operational hours may extend beyond the 11 hours depending upon the research that needs to be accomplished. The decision will be based on the type of activity, weather, sea state, and overall work progress. The Chief Scientist or designated alternate has final authority for the work schedule except for work stoppage resulting from uncontrollable situations such as unsafe weather and sea state conditions and other safety-of-life-at-sea considerations as determined by the Captain.

4.2 Berthing and Accommodations

Provide acceptable, clean, safe, pest-free, segregated gender berthing and lavatory facilities for 10-21 NOAA and affiliated science team personnel. Berthing requirements, including number and gender of scientific personnel, will be provided by the Chief Scientist. The Chief Scientist and Captain will work together on a detailed berthing plan to accommodate the gender mix of the scientific personnel, taking into consideration the current complement of the ship.

The vessel shall provide clean linens including mattresses, clean fitted sheets, pillows, and towels for scientific personnel.

A minimum of 3 meals consisting of meat must be provided at all times while vegetarian meals must be provided upon request according to the science party’s dietary restrictions. Water and other beverages for the science team on board for each day at sea must be provided. Snacks throughout the day are required. Portable (on the go) lunch and drinks in the small boats are required on dive days. The vessel shall have a potable fresh water supply for vessel and personal use (including showers and laundry) for all personnel aboard for the duration of the charter.

An indoor, dedicated, dry space with a table, storage, and electrical outlets are needed for the science team to do their work. The vessel shall have an indoor dry counter work area suitable for placing Government provided computers, printers, and other electronic/office equipment for performing office-type duties. The workspace shall be at least 20 sq ft with adjacent electrical outlets (120VAC, 60 Hz). All vessel workspaces, berthing, compressor intakes, and galley spaces shall be adequately ventilated and free from tobacco smoke, excessive engine noise, and hydrocarbon fumes.

Network connections in dry lab and/or staterooms capable of connecting all of the science team’s laptop computers to the internet. Internet access of sufficient bandwidth (at least 10 Mbps) for email, including attachments such as photographs, video files, and data is required. Successful provision of at least one hour per day of internet access of sufficient bandwidth for email with attachments. Local Area Network for scientists to share data via a data server and/or NAS unit is also required.

A dedicated wet lab to store chest freezers and space to process samples with running fresh and salt water is required.

Space to stage, store and dry scuba gear and scientific dive equipment.

The vessel shall have a dry storage area of at least 300 cu ft in the interior of the vessel for holding scientific equipment, electronics, and other items. The dry storage area may be continuous or separated into sections throughout the vessel.

4.3 Operations

The contractor is responsible for launching and recovering small boats to get to dedicated survey sites. The vessel must stay within Very High Frequency (VHF) radio range to support small boats and monitor their operations for logistics and safety. The vessel is to support small boat fueling, preparation, and minor maintenance and repair if needed. The NOAA and affiliated science team personnel will work with the contractor to load scientific gear. Additionally, the vessel and its crew must support the following field operations:

Ecosystem Monitoring:

The scientific party will be conducting surveys consisting of open and/or closed circuit diving and small boat operations. The scientific party will be conducting underwater surveys of coral reef ecosystems and/or maritime heritage resources to document their status or classify habitats. Potential work may also include unmanned aerial system (drone) surveys and deployment.

Marine Debris Removal and Resource Protection:

Vessel must support partner projects focusing on marine debris removal, ecosystem monitoring, rapid response activities, and/or conducting other resource protection operations to restore, document, or facilitate ecosystem recovery.

Education and Communication:

Vessel must support education and communication projects by having sufficient internet bandwidth to include video and photo programs.

The contractor must provide equipment and support for operations to include:

A. A vessel within the size and range to safely transport 10- 21 scientists, up to four 16-30 ft. small boats and scientific gear to and from the NWHI for up to 30 days at sea for scientific research, resource protection, and education projects to be performed by NOAA and its management partners.

B. Deck crane, davit, or A-Frame suitable for the safe launch and recovery of small boats (approximately 6,600 lbs when loaded with gear and personnel).

C. The contractor must provide a staging area at an appropriate port location in Honolulu that will accommodate the loading and unloading of personnel and equipment from shore.

D. The contractor shall provide assistance in loading and off-loading of equipment and gear transported by truck and loaded via ship crane.

E. The contractor shall furnish the necessary personnel/crew, equipment, and services to support these scientific operations.

F. The contractor shall accommodate minor modifications to the deck space or removal and/or relocation of equipment to accommodate the project as needed.

G. The vessel must provide deck storage for up to: (1) recompression chamber in a 20’ Conex box and associated equipment, (2) 10’ Conex boxes, (4) 16’-30’ small boats and boat cradles (2) 8’x15’, (2) 8x20’ - may be staged on top of Conex boxes, scuba fill station system (2) 5’x4’x6’ & (1) 4’x4’x8’, (3) 2’x4’ scuba tank tubs, (8) 4’x4’ pallet tubs and (1) 4’x4’ rinse tank and misc. scientific gear, non-ethanol fuel tanks.

H. The vessel will provide a shaded laydown area for prepping and working on field gear.

I. Electrical power sources of 110V and 3 phase 240 and/or 480 will be provided. Vessel will run electrical power to required areas.

J. The vessel shall have the ability to safely store and dispense ethanol free gasoline fuel for the small boats. Vessel crew must refuel small boats after each day of operations. The amount of gasoline will be dependent on operational tempo, weather conditions, small boat number etc. (400 gal min., Not to exceed 1000 gal.) and will be provided by the Government.

K. Vessel shall have a location to secure a Hazmat cabinet 24” x 18” x 36”. The vessel will be outfitted with a crane sufficient for the on/off loading of up to four NOAA-supplied small boats.

L. Vessel shall provide at least 1 and preferably 2 fresh water spigots and a sink for gear wash-down, space to facilitate washing/drying of equipment on deck, and internal storage capacity for the disposal of rinse tank gray water while working within PNMS.

M. A satellite phone or other means to contact leadership in the event of an emergency and/or for routine consultations and updates.

N. The vessel captain must have experience navigating open ocean, inshore and coastal areas similar to the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands as well as familiarity with PNMS permitting processes.

O. No diving (freediving, snorkel or SCUBA) or small boat operations outside of mission operations will be conducted by the vessel crew or scientific personnel. The contractor is responsible for providing diver support, if necessary, for vessel husbandry activities (hull maintenance, propeller or rudder de-fouling, anchor maintenance, etc.).

P. The vessel may be required to undergo a U.S. Customs and Immigration inspection upon return to Honolulu in the event that port calls were made outside of the U.S. Customs boundary, including Midway Island.

Q. The contractor shall provide for all operating expenses of the vessel and contractor supplied equipment including ship fuel.

R. Scientific personnel will not be involved in responsibilities typical of the vessel’s crew, such as in standing watch, handling of lines, launching/recovering small boats, cooking meals, cleaning, or operating mechanical or non-Government equipment.

5.0 POSTTASK ORDER AWARD REQUIREMENTS

A. Upon task order award and prior to the start of the charter, a post-award meeting will be held to discuss the charter operations. The Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) will schedule the date, time, and location of the meeting in Honolulu, Hawaii. At a minimum, the COR and vessel Captain must be in attendance. At this time the contractor shall facilitate a vessel readiness inspection, showing compliance with all aspects of the SOW, providing required documentation and inspection of the vessel.

B. A pre-charter meeting will be scheduled by the Chief Scientist and Operations Lead with the Captain of the vessel to review the Project Instructions and discuss charter related issues and operations. Additional personnel may attend, including but not limited to project leaders, scientific personnel, and essential contract personnel.

C. Successful compliance with all PNMS permit conditions and regulations including pre-access compliance.

D. The contractor shall provide a certificate of insurance that indicates the contractor vessel is adequately insured.

E. The contractor must assist scientific staff with tasks required to gain approval from University of Hawaii Marine Operations Center for charter boat safety clearance.

F. The contractor must require all crew members to work with PNMS Vessel Operations Coordinator (VOC) to fill out and submit SECNAV 5512 forms (and other forms as applicable) to obtain clearance/base passes to come into Pearl Harbor (if it is to be used as a port). This is required even if the crew does not step off of the ship.

G. The contractor shall conduct a pre-charter shipboard and safety briefing for all crew and scientific personnel.

H. The vessel shall abide by all PNMS Best Management Practices stated in PNMS permitting and policy directives.

I. Successful notification of entry and exit to/from the PNMS (nwhi.notifications@noaa.gov).

J. PNMS regulations 50 CFR Part 404.5 require the purchase, installation and activation of a NOAA Office of Law Enforcement (OLE) type-approved Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) for all activities authorized in the Monument. The contractor shall ensure the vessel is equipped with a working, OLE type-approved VMS prior to departure.

K. The Chief Scientist and Captain shall work together to resolve all problems which occur regarding the charter and operations while underway. In the event the Chief Scientist and Captain are unable to resolve any problem which has the potential to significantly impact the scientific mission or threatens the safety of the scientific personnel, the Chief Scientist under consultation with the COR and Contracting Officer, may direct the vessel to return to port where an acceptable solution will be arranged between the Government and the contractor, or the charter will be terminated. The vessel will be off-charter if required to return to port and will remain off-charter until the problem has been resolved and the vessel has returned to the survey area.

L. After completion of the charter, a post-charter debriefing will be held to provide the charter operator an evaluation of the performance of the vessel and crew during the charter. The COR will schedule the date, time, and location of the meeting in Honolulu, Hawaii. The Chief Scientist, Captain of the vessel and additional personnel may attend, including but not limited to project leaders, scientific personnel, and essential contract personnel. Any concerns regarding unresolved issues that arose during the charter, efficiency, safety and suggestions for improving future charters may also be discussed at this time.

4.0 SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

A. The Chief Scientist, Operations Lead and Captain shall meet daily during the cruise to discuss operations and weather forecasts; and to resolve any problems that occur.

B. Safe transportation to and from all research locations in the NWHI.

C. The vessel must have a current external hull inspection for invasive species no more than 14 calendar days prior to departure, and be certified rat-free no more than 48 hours prior to departure.

D. Assist scientists with prepping and loading vessels and scientific equipment. VHF radio contact shall be maintained between the vessel and small boat(s) while away from the vessel. The vessel shall provide a competent watch stander on the bridge at all times. During all small boat operations, the watch stander shall monitor and respond to VHF radio communications, check-ins, and emergency call-ins with scientific personnel away from the vessel.

E. Safety gear shall meet USCG standards. The vessel shall be provisioned with appropriate first-aid and medical supplies and at least one Automated External Defibrillator (AED) unit.

F. Scientists aboard shall have access to vessel’s medical supplies and remote medical services in the event of a medical emergency.

G. All personnel working or being transported in a small boat(s) shall abide by The NOAA Small Boat Standards and Procedures Manual, 4th Edition: https://www.omao.noaa.gov/find/media/documents/small-boat-standards-and-procedures-manual-41-edition

5.0 CONTRACTOR QUALIFICATIONS

A. The Captain shall be proficient in written and spoken English. Deck crew shall be proficient in spoken English.

B. The charter must be equipped to satisfy all safety requirements of USCG, and permitting requirements of PNMS.

C. The contractor shall provide a captain, appropriately licensed by the USCG for the gross tonnage of the vessel and for the duration of the charter. The Captain shall be competent in the use of navigation and safety equipment. The Captain shall have experience launching and recovering small boats; approaching islands and reefs, navigating unmarked channels; operating in the near shore environment. The Captain shall have the ability to compute and monitor the vessel’s trim and stability to make certain the vessel always remains within trim and stability guidelines. It is desired, but not required, that the Captain have experience in the Northwestern Hawaiian islands, conducting debris removal, oceanographic and scientific operations.

D. The contractor shall provide adequate crew to effect the safe operation of the vessel and provide appropriate watch standing schedules to include constant bridge watch while at sea.

E. The contractor shall provide safe, efficient working conditions and accommodations to the scientific 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 scientific personnel.

F. The contractor must abide by all PNMS regulations and policies, including its strict discharge regulations.

G. Mechanical breakdowns or nonperformance of vessel: Mechanical breakdown or other nonperformance periods in excess of 24 hours during a specific cruise shall not be considered charter days and will not be reimbursable as charter days. Mechanical breakdown periods in excess of 48 hours may be grounds for termination of this contract.

6.0 INDEMNIFICATION

The Contractor indemnifies and holds harmless the Government, its agencies and instrumentalities, against all suits actions, claims, or demands (including, without limitation, suits, actions, claims, costs or demands resulting from death, personal injury and property damage) to which the Government, its agencies and instrumentalities, may be subject or put by reason of damage or injury (including death) to the property or person of anyone other than the government, its agencies, instrumentalities and personnel, arising or resulting in whole or in part from the fault, negligence, wrongful act or wrongful omission of the Contractor, or any subcontractor, his or their servants, agents or employees

7.0 CHARTER DAY

A charter is any day or part thereof when the vessel is available and ready to carry out the specified activities at sea or at anchor. A charter day includes all transit, operational support, berthing, and meal requirements.

8.0 MOBILIZATION/DEMOBILIZATION DAYS

Mobilization/Demobilization are days immediately preceding and succeeding scientific operations required for loading/unloading or installation/removal of Government furnished equipment, stores, food supplies, etc.

9.0 ORDERING PERIOD

The ordering period is July 1, 2027 to June 30, 2032.

Charter time frame will typically fall between May 1 to September 30, with August being the optimal month for all years. However, emergency response operations may fall outside of this window.

A. FY27- Post Award meeting B. FY27 (annually) - Pre Cruise meeting C. FY27 or FY32- Charter Execution D. FY28 (annually) - Post Cruise meeting

10.0 IT SECURITY REQUIREMENTS

The Certification and Accreditation (C&A) requirements of 48 CFR 1352.239-73 do not apply, and a Security Accreditation Package is not required. The Contractor will not be accessing US government computers or IT systems for this effort. The Contractor will not be accessing any information that is not within the public domain for this effort. The contractor will not be processing, transmitting or storing privileged access information (i.e., non-public) in carrying out the tasks of this contract.

11.0 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

All ports in Honolulu, Hawaii, and Midway Atoll.

The Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.

NOAA Daniel K. Inouye Regional Center 1845 Wasp Blvd., Building 176 Honolulu, HI 96818

12.0 TECHNICAL POINTS OF CONTACT (TPOC)

TBD

13.0 CONTRACTING OFFICER’S REPRESENTATIVE (COR)

TBD

14.0 DELIVERABLES

Refer to NAM clause 1330-52.215-70, Schedule of Deliverables, for deliverables required at the base contract level. Individual task orders will outline deliverables associated with specific task requirements.

PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS SUMMARY

The performance standards for this PWS are stated in the PRS below. The standards identified in this section are applicable to all task orders issued under the IDIQ throughout the entirety of the ordering period.