A04_-_Vessel_charter_SOW_Nihoa_2022_Final_SS_posting_1.docx

SCOPE OF WORK: Small Vessel Charter for Ecological Restoration in Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (PMNM))

Background: Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (PMNM) has undertaken projects to protect and restore ecosystems on Nihoa Island and other Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. These efforts include invasive species removal, native species monitoring, and translocations of endangered species. Nihoa and other islands of interest lie within the remote Hawaiian Islands National Wildlife Refuge and Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (PMNM).

The main project of interest for this scope of work in an invasive species control project on Nihoa Island where we plan to visit twice a year for the next 4-5 years. Nihoa is a small, steep volcanic fragment with no lagoon and little fringing reef to provide a protected landing site. Transportation to Nihoa is only by sea, and landing on the island can be accomplished only at a single, rocky point in a semi-protected cove and is not possible during some sea states. This conservation project necessitates camping on island for periods of five to 15 days at a time.

Purpose: PMNM seeks a small vessel capable of multiple days of open ocean travel and an ability to remain at the destination to support fieldwork on Nihoa Island, and potentially other islands within PMNM. Total trip length is from 5-20 days.

Scope:

Vessel Requirements: The vessel must be suitable for open-ocean travel with sufficient fuel, water, and food stores, and must undertake regulatory compliance (see below) to transit to and operate within the PMNM as well as within the main Hawaiian Island waters. The vessel must have, in proper working order, all required USCG approved safety, navigation and communication devices. The vessel must also be compliant with existing PMNM regulations including obtaining a vessel permit, rodent inspection, type-approved Vessel Monitoring System units, and hull, tender vessel, gear and ballast water inspections . The contractor shall furnish the necessary personnel, equipment, services, supplies and facilities as identified below:

VESSEL TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

1. The vessel captain and crew must have demonstrated experience operating in PMNM waters and demonstrated experience in adverse sea conditions.

2. Vessel must be able to maintain a minimum cruising speed of 8 knots in average sea conditions within the operating area.

3. Vessel must have fuel capacity for at least 21 days at sea.

4. Vessel will provide a soft-hulled/inflatable skiff such as a Zodiak of 20-ft. minimum and 35-ft. maximum length and 75 hp-minimum engine to maneuver quickly and safely in near-shore surge to land personnel and gear on a rocky terrace in a small cove. The skiff must be capable of run up on the rocky landing site, providing addition stability and safety while disembarking or embarking people and gear. Gasoline fuel for the outboard motor must be stored in Coast Guard and/or DOT approved tanks or containers.

5. Seawater and freshwater deck hose for cleaning gear.

6. Deck storage area of at least 200 sq ft for storing and transporting scientific and camp gear and accessories. Deck storage area may be continuous or separated into sections throughout the vessel.

7. Dry storage area of at least 100 cu ft in the interior of the vessel for holding scientific equipment and electronics. Dry storage area may be continuous or separated into sections throughout the vessel.

8. Clean and sanitary accommodations for crew and field party (up to 11 personnel) which may include both males and females. Stateroom and berthing arrangements must allow for separate rooms for male and female scientists.

9. Potable fresh water supply adequate for vessel and personal use (including showers and laundry) for all personnel aboard for at least 21 days. If a water-maker is not available, then a minimum of 4,000 gal is required.

10. Clean mattresses with clean fitted covers, pillows, and linens for the field party.

11. A minimum of two heads and two showers shall be available to the field party. Soap, toilet paper, and paper towels shall be provided by the vessel.

12. Workspaces, berthing, and galley spaces shall be adequately ventilated and free from tobacco smoke, excessive engine noise, and hydrocarbon fumes.

13. In an effort to reduce marine debris pollution, the Captain shall comply with waste management regulations as described in Section V of MARPOL and as regulated by the PMNM. The vessel shall be required to have a storage facility, with or without a trash compactor, to retain all refuse (except food and paper materials) or a means to incinerate this refuse so that it is not disposed of at sea.

14. Adequate storage tanks for blackwater and greywater. No discharges are allowed within the Special Preservation Area with the exception of vessel engine cooling water, weather deck runoff, and vessel engine exhaust. Discharge of approved marine sanitation device effluent is permitted within PMNM outside of Special Preservation Areas.

B. ELECTRONIC and COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS

1. VHF Radio; a minimum of two radios, one of which must be fixed mounted in the bridge. Two additional radios are required for each skiff. (The PMNM project will provide VHF radios for scientists' use while on-island).

2. Single side-band unit.

5. Satellite telephone with internet access. Vessel Monitoring Equipment.

C. CREW REQUIREMENTS

3. The contractor shall also provide a dedicated cook/steward for the duration of each cruise.

E. OPERATING PROCEDURES

1. Three meals will be provided by the vessel for the resident field party during each charter day including in-port days, unless notified by the Expedition Lead that the field party will not be eating one or more meals aboard the vessel that day. Reasonable accommodations shall be made for personnel on restricted diets. Meal times will be coordinated with the Expedition Lead. Packaged lunches and refreshments will be provided for field party personnel who are berthed aboard the vessel while at anchor in the field and for crew while conducting operations away from the vessel and will comply with quarantine requirements within PMNM. Field party personnel camped on the island will provide their own meals and water. The Expedition Lead will notify the cook one day prior to needing packaged lunches.

2. The contractor will staff the required skiff with experienced personnel that can land under the extreme conditions described. The contractor’s and crew and skiff will be expected to conduct multiple trips on the days of arrival/departure to offload all gear and field staff. On support days, a minimum of two trips will be required daily to deliver staff lodging on the vessel to and from the island at times agreed upon the day before with the Expedition Lead. The expedition lead may also request the skiff at other times when needed in coordination with the Captain.

F. SAFETY

1. The vessel Captain is responsible for all matters relating to safety of personnel, the vessel, and equipment operation aboard the vessel. The Captain will adhere at all times to Navigational Rules and Rules of the Road whether it be while towing, running, drifting, or when at anchor. He/she shall review safety procedures and equipment with the scientific party at the beginning of each cruise leg. The Contractor shall provide U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets for all personnel aboard. The Government may provide additional personal flotation devices as deemed necessary by the Expedition Lead.

2. The Contractor shall provide a first-aid kit, an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and a small boat emergency kit with appropriate visual distress signal devices (as required by the USCG federal required items for boats). The Government will provide additional first aid kits/medical supplies, and emergency equipment for operations conducted away from the vessel.

3. At the time of submission of the proposal and bid, the Contractor shall indicate that they have or can obtain a vessel Stability Report, certified by a licensed naval architect/marine engineer, which describes the vessel's stability characteristics for the intended charter operations. A Category I 406 MHZ EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon) must be affixed to the exterior of the vessel in a manner approved by the U.S. Coast Guard.

G. MISSION PLAN, PRE/POST CRUISE MEETING, AND CRUISE REPORT

1. The Expedition Lead will draft a Mission Plan that will detail the mission, itinerary, scientific personnel, program provided equipment, and operations conducted on the cruise. The Mission Plan will be provided to the vessel prior to departure.