9 Attachment 1 - Performance Work Statement 1305M323QNRMA0016.pdf

Attachment 1 – Performance Work Statement 1305M323QNRMA0016

Performance Work Statement Vessel charter for scientific survey in Alaskan waters

The Contractor shall furnish the necessary personnel, material, equipment, services and facilities (except as otherwise specified) to perform the following requirements:

Background and Objective: The range of operations may span from southeast Alaska (Inside Passage waters), Gulf of Alaska, Bering Sea, Chukchi Sea, Beaufort Sea, and/or Arctic Ocean (see Fig. 1). The specific research objectives may include any combination of oceanographic and biologic water column sampling, bottom cores/sediment sampling, beam trawl sampling, recovering and deploying surface and subsurface moorings, and conducting seabird and marine mammal observations. The specific activities, sites, and moorings occupied will be specified at the task order level. Task orders could range from short (1-3 day) instrument recovery/deployment missions to broader missions encompassing mooring work, biological sampling, etc. that span multiple weeks. Exact number of scientists required for each mission will be specified at the task order level. Some examples of potential task orders are listed below:

Example 1: Mooring deployments and recoveries, with hydrographic, zooplankton and bottom sediment and biological sampling; typically 25 or more days in the Bering Sea and/or Chukchi Sea with 18 or more scientists. Surface and subsurface moorings deployed and/or recovered at 5-14 stations/locations. Zooplankton, larval fish, and seawater samples collected via towed nets and vertical conductivity/temperature/depth (CTD) casts at locations around major mooring stations and at intervals on various sampling transects. Benthic organisms and sediments sampled with beam trawl, grab and coring equipment. Total number of stations 60 or more.

Passive acoustic monitoring and seabird/mammal observations from the bridge while underway.

Example 2: Mooring Deployments and Recoveries with sampling; typically 15-18 days in the Bering Sea with 8-15 scientists. Surface and subsurface moorings deployed and recovered at 5- 8 stations/locations. Zooplankton, larval fish, and seawater samples collected via towed nets and vertical conductivity/temperature/depth (CTD) casts at locations around major mooring stations and at intervals along 70m isobath line. Passive acoustic monitoring and seabird/mammal observations from the bridge while underway.

Example 3: Mooring Deployments and Recoveries (no sampling). Typically 13-15 days in the Bering Sea with 5-10 scientists. Surface and subsurface moorings deployed and recovered at 5- 8 stations/locations. Additional gear/instruments may be deployed and/or recovered (including but not limited to pop-up floats, autonomous underwater gliders, etc.). Passive acoustic monitoring and seabird/mammal observations may be conducted while underway.

Example 4: Emergency Mooring Recovery. Short-notice cruise to recover surface moorings prior to ice encroachment or to recover other gear (e.g., Oculus glider). Typically 1-2 scientists plus 2-3 deck crew, cruise length of 4-5 days.

Example 5: Short-term Mooring Deployments/recoveries, glider deployments/recoveries (no sampling). Typically 1-2 scientists plus 2-3 deck crew. Can be done without scientists on board during transits from other jobs if practicable and vessel/crew have demonstrated successful solo mooring operations.

Example 6: Ocean Station Papa mooring deployments/recoveries. Typically 2-3 scientists, 8- 10 days, in the central Gulf of Alaska (at approximate location 50°N, 145°W), between April- August. Deploy and recover up to 4 surface moorings of various sizes up to 10’ diameter and 20+’ tall. Requires a vessel with minimum A-frame clearance of 20’h x 12’w and capability of safely deploying 7,000 lb anchors. Additional gear/instruments may be deployed and/or recovered (including but not limited to surface and profiling floats, autonomous underwater gliders, etc.)

Example 7: Line transect survey for marine mammals. Typically 21-30 days with 10-12 scientists. Data collection will include: visual observations using mounted ‘big-eye’ binoculars, passive acoustic data via sonobuoys, and deployment and retrieval of 2-3 moored acoustic recorders. Additional work can include photo-identification, biopsy sampling, deployment of satellite transmitters, and collection of water samples for eDNA analysis.

Example 8: Larval fish and oceanographic survey. Typically 21 days in May in the Bering Sea or Gulf of Alaska, with 5-6 scientists. Zooplankton, larval fish, and seawater samples collected via towed nets and vertical conductivity/temperature/depth (CTD) casts at a grid of stations.

Period and Place of Performance:

Loading of equipment will typically be: Dutch Harbor, AK; Kodiak, AK; or Seattle, WA, but alternate locations can be established through individual task orders. The science personnel will likely embark and disembark at an Alaskan port. The individual task orders will also establish the base amount of time for the charter and the minimum number of days pre- and post-cruise required for the loading and unloading of Government equipment.

Dates of the surveys will typically be between June and September, but can also occur at any time of the year depending on the individual task order. The exact start and end dates will be determined by the Government in consultation with the Contractor so that the vessel does not interfere with Indigenous subsistence whaling season and other activities, as applicable. Once cruise dates are scheduled and agreed upon by all parties, any changes that would cause a cruise start delay of more than 2 days (excluding excusable delays) will incur a monetary penalty amounting to 50% of the daily rate for the total number of days the cruise start is delayed.

Further, any delays will be added to the end of the cruise (e.g. a delay of 2 days to the scheduled start date will result in 2 extra days added to the original end date). Delays to the end of the cruise of more than 7 days will also incur a monetary penalty amounting to 50% of the daily rate for the total number of days the cruise start is delayed. Delays incur significant costs to the government (affecting travel dates, personnel availability, load dates, and timelines for transportation/storage of gear) and increase risk to personnel by potentially compromising COVID-19 safety protocols.

Mobilization, Demobilization Requirements: The mobilization (i.e., loading) and demobilization (off-loading) of Government equipment shall take place at a mutually agreed upon location between the government and the Contractor. Estimated pier space required for the project will be detailed at the task order level, but typically space is needed to accommodate one (1) 40-foot container loaded with equipment. The pier must be accessible by vehicle for loading and be able to handle the weight of the equipment to be loaded. The Contractor will be responsible for loading and off-loading science equipment onto/from the vessel using either the ship’s crane or shore-side crane. The schedule for loading equipment onto the Contractor’s vessel will be at the discretion of the Captain in consultation with the Chief Scientist and lead logistics coordinator prior to the start of the mission. The Chief Scientist must be able to have direct communication with the Captain, via phone and/or email, at least 1 month prior to loading. All Government-Provided equipment will be brought to the ship by the government in Seattle or a mutually agreed location to facilitate loading.

The Contractor shall be responsible for arranging all pier space and paying moorage and garbage disposal fees associated with mobilization/gear loading, embarkation of science party, and post-cruise disembarkation/demobilization.

1. MINIMUM VESSEL CHARACTERISTICS - GENERAL

1.1. One (1) United States Flagged, Vessel with either:

1.1.1. A current United States Coast Guard (USCG) Certificate of Inspection (COI) inspected as: Freight Vessel (Subchapter I), Offshore Supply Vessel (Subchapter L/I) or Oceanographic Research Vessel (Subchapter U). The vessel’s COI must be endorsed for the carriage of “persons in addition to the crew”, and must be in effect at the time of contract signatures by both parties;

1.1.2. Or, a vessel operating with a valid USCG Letter of Designation (46 CFR Part 3) to operate as an Oceanographic Research Vessel are also eligible provided vessel design characteristics and stability letter permits the loading/launching/recovery of scientific gear and accommodate “persons in addition to crew” as noted within this statement of work.

1.1.3. Contractor must provide the ship's list of equipment to verify capabilities and specifications of the vessel. These capabilities and specifications will be confirmed during the required in-person inspection prior to award.

1.1.4. Ability to maintain minimum cruising speed of 8 kts in low sea states, and ability to maneuver at speeds between 1-3 kts.

1.2. Capable of loading and off-loading the scientific party and scientific gear. Crew will operate the ship's crane for loading and off-loading scientific equipment. A shore-side crane can be used to satisfy this requirement.

1.3. Adequate stability to accommodate loading gear on deck (will be specified at task order level).

1.4. Working decks must be kept as dry as possible to maintain traction. Maximum deck wash (seawater coming over the back deck) must be less than 4 inches in 6 foot seas.

1.5. Equipped with electronic navigational and communication equipment in compliance with industry safety standards. All communication equipment shall be tested and in good operating condition before the charter cruise begins. Minimum requirements will be specified at the task order level.

1.6. Comply with the safety requirements set forth in 46 CFR Part 28 Subpart C (Requirements for Commercial Fishing Industry Vessels).

1.7. Life rafts adequate to accommodate all personnel on the vessel and appropriate for the Gulf of Alaska, Bering Sea and Arctic Ocean shall be provided.

1.8. USCG-approved survival suits and Type I personal floatation devices, which are in compliance with operational safety standards, for all scientists and crew.

Adequate numbers of appropriate sizes of survival suits shall be available. The Government will verify that the Contractor has current inspection certificates for all survival gear as soon as possible after contract award, but no later than one month prior to the vessel’s departure to ensure that all items are in acceptable condition.

1.9. The vessel shall carry an up-to-date emergency trauma first aid kit in compliance with industry safety standards (all medications and solutions should be within their date of expiration). It shall be stocked to provide first aid supplies for scientists plus vessel crew. At a minimum, this kit should be equivalent to the Marine 3500 made by Adventure Medical Kits (https://www.adventuremedicalkits.com/medical-kits/marine/marine-3500.html) and supplemented with a box of nitrile gloves, non-contact thermometers, oxygen therapy bottles, and an AED. The Government will inspect the kit at least one month prior to the vessel’s departure or as soon as possible after contract award to ensure that all items are unexpired and the kit is inclusive of all necessary items.

1.10. A Category I 406 MHz Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) must be affixed to the exterior of the vessel in a manner approved by the USCG.

The EPIRB must be up to date on all USCG registration and inspection.

1.11. The ship’s general alarm must be audible from all sleeping and working locations.

1.12. Smoke alarms must be wired into the ship’s electrical panel.

2. COVID-19 PROTOCOLS

2.1. Scientists embarking on the vessel will follow established protocols by the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Office of Marine and Aviation Operations (OMAO), NOAA Alaska Fisheries Science Center, or UNOLS (Attachment 1a) for going aboard ocean going vessels. The latest protocols will be shared and reviewed with the contractor. At a minimum, the contractor’s protocol for the ship’s crew must follow one of these protocols.

The specific protocol to be followed will be identified at the task order level.

2.2. COVID-19 response and mitigation plan details must be discussed and agreed upon in writing between the vessel captain and Chief Scientist prior to embarking.

Details of the plan must include, at a minimum:

2.2.1. A list of potential ports with adequate medical facilities for treating COVID positive patients;

2.2.2. Plan for testing symptomatic personnel; plan for onboard quarantine of confirmed positive patient (and roommate); and contact tracing for personnel that came in contact with the COVID+ person shipboard.

2.2.3. A communication plan that includes the Chief Scientist, Captain, Medical Officer, and appropriate shoreside personnel to inform all parties in the event of a confirmed positive case or personnel developing symptoms.

2.3. A final COVID-19 mitigation plan, based on current conditions at the time of the field work, will be agreed upon between the contractor and the government at least 1 (one) month in advance of the cruise start date. The full underway team (science party, Captain, and crew) will participate in a pre-cruise planning https://www.adventuremedicalkits.com/medical-kits/marine/marine-3500.html meeting (virtual or in-person as agreed) approximately 1 (one) month prior to the final departure date in which the COVID-19 mitigation plan will be shared and briefed out. After being briefed on the details of the COVID-19 response and mitigation plan all personnel onboard (crew and scientists) shall sign an acknowledgement of adherence to the policy prior to departure from the dock to initiate the cruise.

2.4. Failure to enforce or follow agreed-upon COVID-19 protocols while underway or loading/demobilizing at the dock is considered a serious safety violation and may result in termination of the contract, at the discretion of the Government under the “Termination for Cause” paragraph of FAR 52.212-4, and in consequent liability of the contractor to the Government for any costs incurred, as well as debarment, suspension or similar action from future participation in government contracts.

3. MINIMUM CREW REQUIREMENTS

3.1. Crew must be capable of conducting operations 12-24 hours per day, 7 days a week. Exact requirements will be specified on the individual task order.

3.2. All licensed deck and engineering officers must have the appropriate licenses

(horsepower/tonnage, oceans) and training for the size of the vessel.

3.3. The crew assisting the scientists must have experience, and be able to safely operate, ship equipment. There shall be at least one (1) crew member available on deck for all scientific operations.

3.4. At least two crewmembers must be currently certified in first aid (wilderness first aid or higher), CPR, and AED use.

3.5. At least one crewmember must be qualified and trained as a Medical Person In Charge (MPIC). The MPIC would preferably be a crewmember other than the Captain.

3.6. At least two crewmembers must be formally trained in survival skills and firefighting at a level equivalent to that offered by the North Pacific Fishing Vessel Owners Association (http://npfvoa.org/vessel-safety-classes/).

3.7. 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. Violation under this clause may result in termination of the contract, at the discretion of the Government under the “Termination for Cause” paragraph of FAR 52.212-4, and in consequent liability of the contractor to the Government for any costs incurred, as well as debarment, suspension or similar action from future participation in government contracts.

3.8. The possession or use of intoxicating liquor and/or illegal drugs by any person on the vessel is not permitted and may be grounds for termination of this contract by the Government.

4. MINIMUM ACCOMMODATION REQUIREMENTS FOR CRUISES LONGER

THAN 24-HOURS

http://npfvoa.org/vessel-safety-classes/

4.1. Accommodations for persons in addition to the crew including female and male personnel. The exact number of berths required will be specified at the task order level. The scientific party will consist of United States Government employees and their contractors and volunteers, and may include employees of other nationalities.

4.2. Berthing spaces shall be adequately ventilated and free from excessive engine noise and fumes.

4.3. Clean mattresses, covers, bedding, and blankets shall be provided by the Contractor. Contractor will be required to clarify provided linens prior to cruise.

4.4. Suitable sanitary accommodations, including availability of at least one (1) head and at least one (1) hot, fresh-water shower, shall be made available. Soap, toilet paper, and paper towels shall be provided by the Contractor.

4.5. Meals

4.5.1. Three (3) balanced, nutritious meals shall be provided by the Contractor per day.

4.5.2. Any food allergy information of prospective scientific party members or other special food requirements will be provided to the Contractor at least two (2) weeks prior to sailing to allow for proper provisioning by the contractor.

4.5.3. Water, juice, coffee, fruit, and snacks shall be available throughout the day.

4.5.4. Due to the nature of the operations, meal hours must be flexible. The Captain and Chief Scientist will set meal hours that are mutually agreeable on a daily basis.

5. OPERATING PROCEDURES

5.1. All operations shall be conducted at the discretion of the Vessel Captain and the

Chief Scientist or designee depending on weather, research needs, and available time. The specific itinerary of the charter cruise will be flexible to allow for interruption of work by poor weather or equipment problems, and to maximize efficiency in the working area. Any personnel have the right to call a safety pause to operations if unsafe conditions are observed during loading or underway operations.

5.2. All required scientific collection permits will be obtained by the Government prior to the charter.

5.3. All vessels must adhere to required marine stewardship protocols and trainings as required by the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act.

Trainings will be provided by the government prior to departure of the cruise.

5.4. Smoking shall be prohibited in all interior spaces occupied by or utilized by the Scientific Field Party. No smoking may take place near oceanographic equipment on deck or samples secured on deck to avoid contamination.

5.5. While in the scientific working area, operations may require the vessel to make frequent stops and remain in certain positions during sampling activities. Vessel crew, when not required by the Captain for vessel operations, shall assist the scientific party during scientific activities.

5.6. Operations schedule (e.g. work during daylight hours, 12 hour ops, 24 hour ops, etc.) will be specified at the task order level.

5.7. The Chief Scientist and Captain shall meet once a day to discuss operations and work together to resolve all problems that occur regarding the charter and survey while at sea. In the event the Chief Scientist and Captain are unable to resolve any problem that has the potential for invalidating the survey or threatens the safety of the field party, the Chief Scientist will 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.

5.8. The Captain and crew shall exercise due caution and follow all safety procedures as directed by the Chief Scientist to help prevent damage to or loss of Government gear and equipment. Specific safety procedures may be presented in writing to the Captain by the Chief Scientist. Repair or replacement costs may be deducted from charter payments if loss or damage to Government equipment is the result of negligent disregard of such instructions and procedures.

6. SAFETY PROCEDURES

6.1. The Captain is responsible for all matters relating to the safety of personnel, the vessel, and equipment operation. The Captain shall adhere at all times to Navigational Rules and Rules of the Road.

6.2. Safety orientation shall be given within the first 24-hours by the vessel master or designee to all scientists aboard, including location of exits, locations and operation of life rafts, communications, storage of life jackets and immersion suits, vessel evacuation and man overboard procedures and procedures for evacuation of vessel in the event of an emergency.

6.3. At a minimum one fire drill and abandon ship drill, including alarm signals and full musters, shall be conducted by the Captain within 24 hours at the beginning of the cruise and weekly thereafter.

7. TYPICAL AREAS OF OPERATION

Figure 1. Map of typical areas of operation; specific areas will be defined at the individual task order and may extend outside of these highlighted areas. Although not shown on map, other areas may occur in southeast Alaska or at Ocean Station Papa (at approximate location 50°N x 145°W).