A04_SOW-__Winter_Charter_Research_Vessel_2027.docx

USGS Tunison Laboratory of Aquatic Science:

Charter of Research Vessel for winter work on Lake Michigan (2027)

1.0 Introduction and Background

Introduction: USGS, Great Lakes Science Center’s, Tunison Laboratory of Aquatic Science in Cortland NY needs a chartered research vessel (greater than 65’ in length) capable of safe winter operation in offshore waters of Lake Michigan to complete mission critical research. The winter research will be conducted 30 km offshore, due east of Port Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Background: The Tunison Laboratory of Aquatic Science is conducting research on the reproductive ecology of a species of deepwater cisco (Coregonus hoyi); a fish species that reproduces in late January – early March in Lake Michigan. Deepwater cisco reproduce on shoals located 30 km east of Port Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Little is known about the reproductive behaviors of deepwater cisco, and the objectives of the research are to document spawning behaviors, define the bottom substrates where deepwater cisco spawn, and collect deposited deepwater cisco eggs. Deepwater cisco likely spawn during the night, which will require vessel operation after sunset. Additionally, deepwater cisco spawn in water depths of 90-150 meters near the Lake Michigan Mid-Lake Reef Complex, requiring the research vessels to safely travel a minimum of 40 km offshore.

Due to the extreme weather in the Great Lakes region at this time of year, special research vessels capable of safely operating in icy conditions are necessary. All large vessels owned and operated by the USGS on Lake Michigan are unavailable to conduct research during the winter months. This USGS research requires a fully staffed research vessel that can conduct day or night excursions when ice is present in harbors and floating offshore. This research also requires a research vessel large enough to carry multiple (up to three) remotely operated vehicles (ROV), video cameras, up to 3 USGS biologists, sampling gear, and hydroacoustic transducers. The captain of the research vessel will need to be U.S. Coast Guard licensed and the contracted vessel will need to provide a technician trained to operate an ROV in day/night/winter conditions.

2.0 Scope

The chartered research vessel will need to transport USGS Biologists (up to 3) from Port Milwaukee to the Lake Michigan Mid-Lake Reef Complex during January-March for a total of 5, 10-hour days. Payment will be made daily based on the total number of days chartered at an hourly rate. The days chartered will be picked based on the spawn timing of deepwater cisco and availability of safe travel conditions. The charted research vessel shall be large enough to ensure all research gear and staff can safely function onboard (greater than 65 feet in length). The chartered research vessel will be equipped with an ROV and technician capable of operating the ROV to bottom depths of 112 meters. The chartered research vessel will be able to be fitted with hydroacoustic multi-beam transducers used to locate deepwater cisco. The hull of the research vessel will be made of steel and able to operate in the winter ice conditions (break ice up to 6 inches in depth) typically found in Lake Michigan during January – March.

3.0 Applicable Documents

None

4.0 Technical Requirements

· Research vessel must be greater than 65 feet in length and safely carry at least 6 individuals not including the chartered staff of the vessel.

· Research vessel must be steel hulled and capable of operating in Lake Michigan winter conditions wherein ice is frequently encountered.

· Research vessel must be equipped with an onboard ROV capable of diving to depths of 100 meters and have the ability to suction sample eggs from bottom substrates and video record substrate.

· Research vessel must provide staff trained to operate ROV.

· Research vessel must leave and return from Port Milwaukee, Wisconsin with docks accessible to hand loading and unloading of gear.

· The Research vessel must be stationed in Milwaukee, Wisconsin for the entire sampling season January 1 – April 1.

· Captain of research vessel must be US Coast Guard certified.

· Research vessel must be able to safely operate during day or night.

· Research vessel must be able to anchor in water depths up to 150 meters.

5.0 Deliverables

Major tasks include:

· Transport USGS Biologist and sampling gear from Port Milwaukee, Wisconsin to the Lake Michigan Mid-Lake Reef Complex.

· Provide a minimum of 5 total days of excursions with no less than 10-hours of operation on each excursion day (depending on safety and weather).

· Deploy, operate, and retrieve ROV aboard the chartered vessel.

· Using the chartered vessel provided ROV, video record lake bottom substrates associated with deepwater cisco spawning areas.

· Using the chartered vessel provided ROV, suction deepwater cisco eggs from lake bottom substrates.

· Search for aggregations of deepwater cisco on or near the Lake Michigan Mid-Lake Reef with hydroacoustic multi-beam transducers.

% for NOT meeting the AQL

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