AB-133F-13-RP-0018_FINAL.pdf

U. S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION

WESTERN ACQUISITION DIVISION

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

SOLICITATION: AB-133F-13-RP-0018

ISSUE DATE: DECEMBER 18, 2012

TITLE: BIENNIAL BOTTOM TRAWL SURVEYS OF ALASKAN

GROUNDFISH IN THE GULF OF ALASKA, ALEUTIAN

ISLANDS, AND CONTINENTAL SLOPE OF THE

EASTERN BERING SEA

DUE DATE/TIME: JANUARY 24, 2013 2:00 PM (PACIFIC TIME) IN

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON

SOLICITATION, OFFER AND AWARD

1. This Contract is a Rated Order Under DPAS (15 CFR 700)

Rating Page of pages

1 82

2. Contract No. 3. Solicitation No. 4. Solicitation Type 5. Date Issued 6. Requisition/Purchase No.

AB-133F-13-RP-0018

Sealed Bid (IFB) 12/18/2012 NFFS7100-13-00066

X Negotiated (RFP)

7. Issued By Code AJ630031 8. Address Offer To (If other than item 7) Code

WESTERN ACQUISITION DIVISION

CONTRACTS BRANCH

7600 SAND POINT WAY NE/WC3

SEATTLE, WA 98115-6349

NOTE: In sealed bid solicitations “offer” and “offeror” mean “bid” and “bidder”.

SOLICITATION

9. Sealed offers in original and 3 copies for furnishing the supplies or services in the Schedule will be received at the place specified in Item 8, or if handcarried, in the depository located in Bldg 1 until 02:00 PM (hour) local time JANUARY 24, 2013 (date).

CAUTION – LATE Submissions, Modifications, and Withdrawals: See Section L, Provision No. 52.214-7 or 52.215-1. All offers are subject to all terms and conditions contained in this solicitation.

10. For Information Call:

A. Name B. Telephone No. (NO COLLECT CALLS) C. E-Mail Address

KATE R. STEFF 206-526-6370 KATE.R.STEFF@NOAA.GOV

11. TABLE OF CONTENTS

(x) Sec Description Page(s) (x) Sec Description Page(s)

Part I – The Schedule Part II – Contract Clauses

X A Solicitation/Contract Form 1 X I Contract Clauses 32-37

X B Supplies or Services and Prices/Costs 2-8 Part III – List of Documents, Exhibits and Other Attachments

X C Description/Specs./Work Statement 9-18 X J List of Attachments 38, 59-82

X D Packaging and Marking 19-19 Part IV – Representations and Instructions

X E Inspection and Acceptance 20-20 X K

Representations, Certifications and Other Statements of Offerors

39-46 X F Deliveries or Performance 21-21

X G Contract Administration Data 22-24 X L Instr., Conds., and Notices to Offerors 47-56

X H Special Contract Requirements 25-31 X M Evaluation Factors for Award 57-58

OFFER (Must be fully completed by offeror) NOTE: Item 12 does not apply if the solicitation includes the provisions at 52.214-16, Minimum Bid Acceptance Period.

12. In compliance with the above, the undersigned agrees, if this offer is accepted within _______________ calendar days (60 calendar days unless a different period is inserted by the offeror) from the data for receipt of offers specified above, to furnish any or all items upon which prices are offered at the price set opposite each item, delivered at the designated point(s), within the time specified in the schedule.

13. Discount for Prompt Payment

(See Section I, Clause No. 52.232-8)

10 Calendar Days 20 Calendar Days 30 Calendar Days _____ Calendar Days

14. Acknowledgment of Amendments

The offeror acknowledges receipt of amendments to the SOLICITATION for offerors and related documents numbered and dated.

Amendment No. Date Amendment No. Date

15A. Name Code Facility 16. Name and Title of Person Authorized to Sign Offer (Type or print) and

Address of

Offeror

15B. Telephone No. (Include area code) 15C. Check if Remittance Address is different from above. Enter such address in Schedule.

17. Signature 18. Offer Date

AWARD (To be completed by Government)

19. Accepted as to Items Numbered 20. Amount 21. Accounting and Appropriation

22. Authority for Using Other Than Full and Open Competition: 23. Submit Invoices to Address Shown in Item

10 U.S.C. 2304 (c)( ) 41 U.S.C. 253 (c)( ) (1 copy unless otherwise specified)

24. Administered By (If other than Item 7) Code Payment Will be Made By Code

26. Name of Contracting Officer (Type or print) 27. United States of America (Signature of Contracting Officer) 28. Award Date

IMPORTANT – Award will be made on this form, or on Standard Form 26, or by other authorized official written notice.

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION

Previous edition is unusable

STANDARD FORM 33 (Rev. 9-97) Prescribed by GSA – FAR (48 CFR) 52.214 (c) mailto:KATE.R.STEFF@NOAA.GOV

Supplies or Services and Prices/Costs

Item No. Supplies/Services Quantity Unit Unit Price Amount

Page - 2

BIENNIAL BOTTOM TRAWL SURVEYS OF

ALASKAN GROUNDFISH IN THE GULF OF

ALASKA, ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, AND

CONTINENTAL SLOPE OF THE EASTERN

BERING SEA

THE GOVERNMENT IS ACQUIRING

CHARTER OF UP TO THREE (3) VESSELS

PER CONTRACT PERIOD.

CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE VESSEL,

CREW, EQUIPMENT, AND SUPPORT, except for those items specifically identified as being provided by the Government, for surveys in accordance with the Statement of Work.

**DAILY UNIT PRICES INCLUDE ALL

EXPENSES, excluding MOORAGE AND

COMMUNICATIONS, as well well, FUEL which is intended to be provided by Defense Logistics

Agency (DLA) contract.

VESSEL ONE

BASE PERIOD (2013 SURVEY)

1001 SURVEY DAY, PER STATEMENT OF WORK,

INCLUSIVE OF ALL COSTS EXCEPT

MOORAGE, COMMUNICATIONS AND FUEL

DA ______________ $______________

(OPT)

OPTIONAL SURVEY DAYS, PER STATEMENT

OF WORK, INCLUSIVE OF ALL COSTS EXCEPT

40 NTE

DA

1003 **ESTIMATED MOORAGE AND

COMMUNICATIONS CHARGES

1 EST $3,000.00

1004 FUEL CHARGES1 1 NTE $______________

**SHIPMENT OF GOVERNMENT EQUIPMENT

(See Statement of Work’s Section I)

EST

$7,500.00

TOTAL BASE PERIOD (CLINS 1001-1005)

OPTION PERIOD I (2014 SURVEY)

1006 SURVEY DAY, PER STATEMENT OF WORK,

1008 **ESTIMATED MOORAGE AND

Page - 3

1009 FUEL CHARGES1 1 NTE $______________

TOTAL OPTION PERIOD I (CLINS 1006-1010)

OPTION PERIOD II (2015 SURVEY)

SURVEY DAY, PER STATEMENT OF WORK,

1013 **ESTIMATED MOORAGE AND

1014 FUEL CHARGES1 1 NTE $______________

TOTAL OPTION PERIOD II (CLINS 1011-1015)

OPTION PERIOD III (2016 SURVEY)

1018 **ESTIMATED MOORAGE AND

1019 FUEL CHARGES1 1 NTE $______________

TOTAL OPTION PERIOD III (CLINS 1016-1020)

TOTAL VESSEL ONE (CLINS 1001-1020)

Page - 4

VESSEL TWO

2001 SURVEY DAY, PER STATEMENT OF WORK,

2003 **ESTIMATED MOORAGE AND

2004 FUEL CHARGES1 1 NTE $______________

TOTAL BASE PERIOD (CLINS 2001-2005)

2006 SURVEY DAY, PER STATEMENT OF WORK,

2008 **ESTIMATED MOORAGE AND

2009 FUEL CHARGES1 1 NTE $______________

TOTAL OPTION PERIOD I (CLINS 2006-2010)

Page - 5

2013 **ESTIMATED MOORAGE AND

2014 FUEL CHARGES1 1 NTE $______________

TOTAL OPTION PERIOD II (CLINS 2011-2015)

2018 **ESTIMATED MOORAGE AND

2019 FUEL CHARGES1 1 NTE $______________

TOTAL OPTION PERIOD III (CLINS 2016-2020)

TOTAL VESSEL TWO (CLINS 2001-2020)

VESSEL THREE

3001 SURVEY DAY, PER STATEMENT OF WORK,

3003 **ESTIMATED MOORAGE AND

3004 FUEL CHARGES1 1 NTE $______________

Page - 6

TOTAL BASE PERIOD (CLINS 3001-3005)

3006 SURVEY DAY, PER STATEMENT OF WORK,

3008 **ESTIMATED MOORAGE AND

3009 FUEL CHARGES1 1 NTE $______________

TOTAL OPTION PERIOD I (CLINS 3006-3010)

3013 **ESTIMATED MOORAGE AND

3014 FUEL CHARGES1 1 NTE $______________

TOTAL OPTION PERIOD II (CLINS 3011-3015)

Page - 7

3018 **ESTIMATED MOORAGE AND

3019 FUEL CHARGES1 1 NTE $______________

TOTAL OPTION PERIOD III (CLINS 3016-3020)

TOTAL VESSEL THREE (CLINS 3001-3020)

PLEASE NOTE: Offeror(s) MUST submit pricing for each line item, per vessel in the above schedule. Failure to offer in this manner may result in the proposal being rejected. Offeror(s) may submit pricing for more than one vessel under one business proposal, but EACH vessel must have a separate technical proposal and price schedule.

**With the exception of any CLINs marked with (**), offeror(s) MUST submit pricing for each blank line item in the above schedule. Failure to offer in this manner may result in the proposal rejection. Pricing must reflect costs associated with the offer of one (1) vessel, per proposal submission. CLINs marked with (**) will not be used for evaluation purposes.

Fuel pricing is intended for evaluation purposes only; the Government intends to purchase fuel under separate contract. However, should the Government determine it is in their best interest; the contractor may be required to purchase fuel under this contract and will be reimbursed based upon actual cost incurred and in accordance with

Section L, Item L.2.

**Item will be reimbursed based on actual expenses incurred.

SECTION B

SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICE/COST

AB-133F-RP-13-0018 Page - 8

B.1 CONTRACT TYPE

This is a firm-fixed price type contract for the charter of up to three (3) vessels, with optional line items for additional days and possible transport of Government Equipment.

The contract consists of a base period from April 1, 2013 or date of award through March

31, 2014. The actual charter operational period will occur between approximately May 1 and November 30 of each year, with sailing dates between the end of May and mid-August.

(End of clause)

B.2 DEFINITIONS OF CONTRACT LINE ITEM TERMS

CHARTER DAY: is defined as a 24 hour period to include all costs associated with the vessel, crew, supplies, including overhead and G&A. This shall not include the costs for moorage, communications, fuel or the option of shipment of Government Property.

FIELD PARTY CHIEF (CHIEF SCIENTIST): One scientist will be the designated Field Party

Chief (Chief Scientist). That person will be responsible for implementation of the cruise plan, disposition of catches, and the conduct and performance of scientific personnel aboard the vessel.

B.3 FUEL CONSUMPTION (**FOR EVALUATION PURPOSES ONLY**)

Estimated average daily fuel consumption is the number of gallons that a vessel is expected to consume over a 24-hour period when trawling for 10 hours at 3 knots, cruising at 9 knots between stations for an additional 6 hours, and anchored or drifting with the generators running for 8 hours.

The offeror’s estimate will be used to calculate the estimated average daily cost of fuel. This amount will be added to the charter price to arrive at the dollar value that will be used in evaluation purposes only of offers for award.

***Note: The offeror’s estimate will be used to calculate the estimated average daily cost of fuel. The price of $4.00 per gallon will be used by NOAA when calculating the estimated cost of fuel. This amount will be added to the charter price to arrive at the dollar value that will be used in evaluating offers for award.

See Section L, Item L.2 for instructions concerning documentation required to be submitted regarding the estimated daily fuel consumption.

SECTION C

DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/WORK STATEMENT

AB-133F-RP-13-0018 Page - 9

C.1 STATEMENT OF WORK/SPECIFICATIONS

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

Summary of Requirements: Up to three (3) commercial stern trawlers with experienced crew are needed to conduct stock assessment bottom trawl surveys of groundfish in the Gulf of

Alaska (2013 and 2015) and in the Aleutian Islands and on the upper continental slope of the eastern Bering Sea (2014 and 2016). Each vessel will need to be completely rigged for trawling with a stern ramp and gallows or gantry, two net reels each with capacity for one standard, four-seam Poly Nor'Eastern bottom trawl, and be equipped with modern navigation, fish-finding, and communications electronics. The Alaska Fisheries Science

Center RACE Division will provide the trawls, bridles, and trawl doors. The survey areas comprise stations at depths that range from 10 up to 1,200 m (6-660 fm), requiring each vessel to have split trawl winches with a minimum of 1,463 m (800 fm) of 2.53 cm- (1 in-) diameter steel core trawl cable in good condition and available for fishing on each drum

(not total capacity) but a preference for vessels having 1,830 m (1,000 fm) of 2.53 cm-

(1 in-) diameter steel core trawl cable or more available for fishing on each drum (not total capacity) to ensure complete coverage of the deeper sites in the study areas. An experienced skipper and a four-member fishing crew will be needed to operate each vessel and the fishing gear, while a team of six scientists will direct survey operations. The

Gulf of Alaska survey spans up to 75 days and will be conducted from mid-May to late July where approximately 280 tows will be conducted by each of the three vessels involved in the survey. On alternate years, two vessels will conduct trawl surveys off the Aleutian

Islands that span up to 70 days, completing approximately 210 tows for each of the two vessels involved, from early June to early August. The third vessel will conduct the upper continental slope survey of the eastern Bering Sea, completing approximately 200 tows as part of the survey, also from early June to early August.

Background: The Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC) conducts regular, comprehensive scientific trawl surveys of marine fish and invertebrate populations in the Aleutian

Islands, Gulf of Alaska, and the continental slope of the eastern Bering Sea using chartered commercial fishing vessels. The established survey design is to conduct biennial surveys of groundfish in the Aleutian Islands and on the continental slope of the eastern Bering Sea (even years) alternating with biennial surveys of continental slope and shelf groundfish surveys in the Gulf of Alaska (odd years). The AFSC Resource

Assessment and Conservation Engineering (RACE) Division Groundfish Assessment Program conducts these comprehensive trawl surveys and related research in the Alaska exclusive economic zone (EEZ) as required to monitor and quantitatively describe trends in abundance and distribution of commercially and ecologically valuable groundfish populations.

Objective: Conduct scientific bottom trawl operations as required by RACE Division to deliver quantitative groundfish trawl survey estimates of groundfish biomass, population size and structure, and distribution to the North Pacific Fishery Management Council

Groundfish Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands (BS/AI) and Gulf of Alaska (GOA) Plan Teams.

These fishery-independent data are needed for regular stock assessment used for setting

Allowable Biological Catch (ABC) and Total Allowable Catch (TAC) advice for groundfish under the auspices of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA), 16 U.S.C. § 1801 et seq. Additional biological, habitat, and related data collected on the surveys are used to improve understanding of life history of the fish and invertebrate species and the ecological and physical factors affecting their distribution and abundance. Project performance is determined by the successful completion of each survey necessary to maintain their time series and for generation of up-to-date estimates of biomass, abundance, and population structure of groundfish populations to stock assessment scientists for inclusion in the stock assessment analyses and ecosystem forecast model efforts.

The Government intends to award up to three (3) contracts from this solicitation. Each requirement shall be to provide one trawler, which will be necessary to conduct a section

AB-133F-RP-13-0018 Page - 10 of the Gulf of Alaska biennial bottom trawl survey that covers the established survey design along the continental shelf and slope (see Attachment 8), alternating with the biennial bottom trawl survey that covers established survey design along the Aleutian

Islands (see Attachment 8) and the biennial bottom trawl survey of the continental slope of the eastern Bering Sea (see Attachment 8). Additional optional charter days are to allow for the full completion of each survey and for related research, which can extend the contract for up to 40 additional charter days beyond the base charter days. Related research includes, but is not limited to, expanded trawl survey stations, collection of auxiliary oceanographic, acoustic, or biological samples, experimental gear comparison trials, and deployment of drop camera systems or camera-equipped AUV (autonomous underwater vehicles) or ROV (remotely operated vehicles) as needed to improve or enhance the delivery of estimates of groundfish and crab biomass and population size in support of stock assessments within the Alaska EEZ.

Requirements: In 2013 and 2015, the AFSC will be conducting the thirteenth and fourteenth successive biennial bottom trawl surveys of the Gulf of Alaska and related research on groundfish and crab, respectively. Each Gulf of Alaska biennial bottom trawl survey will be conducted from three charter vessels to assess groundfish resources on the continental shelf and slope from the Islands of Four Mountains (170º W long.) eastward to

Dixon Entrance. These charters are for up to 75 days and will begin in Dutch Harbor, AK on or about May 18 and end in Ketchikan, Alaska (or another Alaskan port mutually agreeable to both parties) on or about July 31 for each charter. Offers for alternate starting dates earlier than May 18 or as late as June 7 will be accepted and evaluated accordingly in coordination with other vessels involved. The survey period will be divided into three (3) legs of approximately equal duration with breaks planned in Sand

Point and Kodiak. The survey will use the RACE Division’s standardized high opening Poly

Nor’Eastern trawls equipped with roller gear to sample preselected stations ranging from

10 to 1,000 m (6-550 fm) in depth.

In 2014 and 2016, the AFSC will be conducting successive biennial bottom trawl surveys off the Aleutian Islands and along the eastern Bering Sea upper continental slope

(including Bering, Pribilof, Zhemchug, Pernenents, and Navarin canyons), respectively.

These charters will be up to 70 days and will begin in Dutch Harbor, AK on or about June

1 and end in Dutch Harbor on or about August 9 each year. Offers for alternate starting dates as early as May 25 or as late as June 7 will be accepted and evaluated accordingly in coordination with other vessels involved.

The Aleutian Islands survey will be conducted from two charter vessels and divided into three legs of roughly equal length. During the Aleutian Islands survey, it is anticipated that after the first leg, fuel and water will be obtained and scientific personnel exchanged at Dutch Harbor. The next in-port may occur at Adak where water and air transportation are usually available, but where fuel and other supplies may be unavailable. As a result, the vessel shall have sufficient fuel capacity to allow operation for up to 50 days without refueling. The Aleutian Islands survey will begin in the Fox Islands region adjacent to Akutan Island (165º W long.) and continue westward to

Stalemate Bank (170º E long.). The survey covers the area from nearshore out to 500 m.

Standardized RACE high opening Poly Nor’Eastern trawls equipped with roller gear will be used to sample the randomly preselected stations.

The survey of the eastern Bering Sea upper continental slope will be conducted from a single vessel as two legs of roughly equal length with port calls at Dutch Harbor and possibly St. Paul. The survey area will be along the Bering Sea upper continental slope, fishing pre-selected stations at depths that range from 200 to 1,200 m (110-660 fm) located between the Alaska Peninsula and 180° W longitude. The high-opening Poly

Nor'Eastern trawl used for this project will be rigged with mud-sweep roller gear with rubber discs strung on long-link chain. The nets will be fished with (6 X 9 ft) V-doors weighing 1,000 kg (2,200 lb) each and having 4-point bridle tail chains attaching the door to the dandylines to increase their stability at the lower trawling speeds.

AB-133F-RP-13-0018 Page - 11

In all cases, the baseline work consists of a series of standardized bottom trawl operations conducted at pre-determined, randomly assigned stations as provided to the vessel captain prior to the survey. All fishing operations will conform to established

AFSC standard operating protocols as described in NOAA Protocols for Groundfish Bottom

Trawl Surveys of the Nation’s Fishery Resources as necessary to ensure (1) scientific consistency and (2) statistical continuity of the time series used to reliably monitor the status and forecast the trends of fish and crab populations. Fishing operations consist of tows of 15-min duration in the Gulf of Alaska and Aleutian Islands surveys and of 30-min duration in the eastern Bering Sea slope survey. Approximately 280 tows will be conducted by each of the three vessels involved in the survey in the Gulf of Alaska, 210 tows for each of the two vessels involved in biennial Aleutian Islands survey, and approximately 200 tows as part of the survey in the eastern Bering Sea.

Survey catches generally range from 20 kg up to 9,500 kg (45 lbs – 10.5 tons), but are typically around 450 kg (0.5 ton). At the conclusion of each tow, the catch will be lifted by crane to a table on the back deck to be sorted, counted, weighed, and sampled for length frequency measurements and biological samples of key groundfish and other organisms. Large catches will be weighed in aggregate by means of lifting the net attached to a load cell off deck or may be sub-sampled and the catch weight of the remainder estimated by volume in a deck bin. Most catch will be discarded overboard by means of chutes to service both sorting area and deck bin. The daily routine will consist of completing approximately 4-6 tows depending on weather and general work progress. The workday length will be determined by the Field Party Chief in consultation with the Captain and normally requires 12 - 14 hours of work each day by the vessel’s crew and scientific staff. Position, temperature, and trawl performance data will be collected for each tow.

All operational and biological data will be entered in Government-provided onboard computer systems by Government personnel. Fishery acoustic data will be collected continuously, both on and off station. Periodic port calls will be made for provisioning, exchange of scientific personnel and, if needed, vessel crew. If during any charter, the standard survey is completed before completion of the base charter days, remaining charter time that year may be used to conduct additional research in the survey area.

NOTE: Minimum Qualification for each vessel are in red font and bold, denoted with an

(*); vessels not meeting the minimum qualifications will not be considered for award.

A. VESSEL REQUIREMENTS

1. *Minimum overall length (LOA) of 36.5 m (120 ft) and the vessel shall have been actively used for commercial trawling or research where trawl gear was used in the past 12 months.

2. *Minimum continuous horsepower output from main engine of 1,000 HP.

a. *Vessel must be able to tow the standard survey trawl, a 27.4/36.5 m (90/120

ft) Poly Nor’Eastern trawl (see Attachment 7) with rubber bobbin roller gear at a continuous speed of 5.6 km/hr (3 kts) under weather conditions considered safe and typical for survey sampling.

b. Vessel must be able to maintain a minimum cruising speed of 16.8 km/hr (9 kts) in low sea states.

c. Vessel must have fuel capacity for up to 50 days of continuous fishing operations.

3. *Completely rigged for trawling including:

a. *A stern ramp and gallows or gantry.

b. *Two net reels each with capacity for one standard Poly Nor'Eastern bottom trawl equipped with roller gear as described above and in Attachment 6. An aft location of the two net reels that keeps the trawl alley open is preferred.

c. *Split trawl winches with a minimum of 1,463 m (800 fm) of 2.53 cm- (1 in-) diameter compacted steel-core trawl cable in good condition and free of http://www.afsc.noaa.gov/RACE/gearsupport/tmspo65.pdf http://www.afsc.noaa.gov/RACE/gearsupport/tmspo65.pdf

AB-133F-RP-13-0018 Page - 12 signs of excessive wear (frayed, burrs, broken strands, corrosion) and available for fishing on each drum (let out to the mark point). Vessels with 1,830 m (1,000 fm) trawl cable available for fishing on each drum (not total capacity) are preferred. At the beginning of the charter, the trawl cable will be measured with Government provided wire counters and the crew will mark the trawl wire at 45.7 m (25 fm) intervals. The trawl wire and marks will also be measured at the completion of the survey and may be measured during the survey if there are indications that the wire has stretched or if significant differences are found between the wire measurements from both trawl winches.

d. An auto-trawl system with the capability of adjustable winch brakes and measurement of trawl wire deployed. This auto-trawl system must be annually certified by factory inspectors to be operating as designed and maintained in usable condition throughout the duration of each survey.

e. Trawl cable must lead directly from the winches to the gallows trawl blocks.

4. *A deck area, clear of obstructions, of at least 55.7 m2 (600 sq ft) for sampling equipment including a 1.5 X 3.0-m (5 X 10 ft) sampling table and one 0.6 m X 1.2 m

(2 X 4 ft) platform scale table for working on catches and obtaining biological data. The work area should allow the sampling table to be positioned so that all four sides of the table can be used to conduct work, there is easy access to the rail or scuppers to discard catch, with access to deck bins described in Item A.8.

. Deck space should also include a 1.2 X 1.2 m (4 X 4 ft) area for anchoring a holding tank with raw seawater supplies for keeping fish alive pending tagging. On deck work area(s) should be clear of running gear, equipment, vertical obstructions

(e.g., hatch coamings) and stowage.

5. Protected (sheltered from wind) and lighted areas on back deck with a combined area of at least 27.9 m2 (300 sq ft) where a minimum of two additional work tables can be set up for collection of weights and other biological data from specimens retained from the catch using electronic scales. (In particular, specimen scales need to be protected from wind and spray which can affect the accuracy of weight data.)

6. Electric power (110/115 V.A.C.) outlets (minimum of two) near on-deck work area.

This may be a temporary installation, if necessary, but must be safe to use.

7. Seawater deck hose for cleaning sorting table and sampling gear and for supplying fish holding tanks. On/off switch should be readily available from the working deck. Easy access to fresh water either on deck or from the deckhouse shall also be made available.

8. *A minimum of two deck bins, measuring at least 1.8 X 1.8 X 0.6 m (6 X 6 X 2 ft) to contain large catches for catch sub-sampling (splitting). Bin boards must be in good condition; easy placement and removal is essential. Extra bin boards shall be available to replace any broken during use.

9. Efficient and effective overboard discard of samples. A system should be in place to service both the sorting table and the deck bins.

10. *A hydraulic crane with the capability to extend out 3 m (10 ft) past the side of the vessel and lifting winches rated for handling fishing gear, sampling gear, and catches weighing as much as 5.4 mt (6 t) under dynamic load conditions. The crane must be rated (static) at least of 4.5 metric tons (10,000 lb. or 5 tons) capable of raising or lowering the codend anywhere along the centerline of the working deck and easily reach sampling tables described above (A.4).

11. Dry storage area of at least 56.6 m3 (2,900 cu ft) in the hold for fishing gear and accessories. Vessel must have capacity to store up to seven trawls equipped with roller gear in the hold and/or on deck, along with spare doors and scientific supplies.

12. Dry storage area of at least 5.4 m3 (190 cu ft) in the main house for holding scientific supplies.

13. A minimum of 4.2 m3 (150 cu ft) of freezer storage (exclusive of space for ship's stores) for stowing scientific samples and supplies. Freezer space must be reasonably and safely accessible from the deck and must be available at all times to the scientific party.

AB-133F-RP-13-0018 Page - 13

14. A suitable dedicated dry counter work space at least 0.6 X 1.2 m (2 X 4 ft) with adjacent 110/115 volt power outlets on the bridge for installation of Government-supplied personal computers, printer, GPS and trawl mensuration electronics.

15. Access to and use of a suitable chart table.

16. Two 1-inch diameter through-bulkhead access holes to the outside from bridge for the passage of GPS and hydrophone cables to Government computers and trawl mensuration units on the bridge.

17. An office with a desk area (exclusive of galley and accessible at all times) at least 0.6 X 1.2 m (2 X 4 ft) with adjacent 110/115 volt power outlets for data management and analysis. Government-supplied personal computers and printer will be installed here for logging data. The additional space is needed for storing data notebooks and office supplies.

18. Clean and sanitary accommodations for crew and scientific field party (maximum of 6 scientists) which may include both male and female scientists. Stateroom and berthing arrangements must allow for separate rooms for male and female scientists.

Bunk areas shall contain at least one drawer or closet per occupant for storage of clothing and personal gear.

19. Potable fresh water supply adequate for vessel and personal use (including showers and laundry) for 11 people for at least 25 days. If a watermaker is not available, then a minimum of 22.7 kl (6,000 gal) is required.

20. Clean mattresses with clean fitted covers for the scientific field party.

21. A minimum of one head and one shower shall be available to the scientific field party. Additional heads/showers available to the scientific field party are preferable. Facilities will be separate from the living quarters. Soap, toilet paper, and paper towels shall be provided by the vessel.

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

23. Washer and dryer for personal laundry.

24. A skiff or rigid hulled inflatable boat (RHIB) measuring at least 4.3 m (14 ft)

LOA with an outboard motor (minimum 15 hp). Skiff to be rated at minimum of 400 kg

(880 lbs) total carrying capacity; must be stored away from the work area but be accessible so as to be readily and easily deployed. A RHIB type skiff is preferred. Gasoline fuel for the outboard motor must be stored in Coast Guard approved tanks or containers.

25. Vessel should be ballasted to maintain sea-kindliness during the charter. If crab tanks are used to ballast or trim the vessel, overboard (not on deck) discharge must be provided. Fuel oil considered as ballast should not be considered in the vessel’s fuel-endurance estimation.

26. Provide a safe and stable portable gangway for use in boarding and debarking vessel while in port.

27. 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, 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. Reference Clause H.14 - Control of

Plastic Discharges.

28. Unless available from the Government’s fuel contractor, the Contractor shall purchase fuel which will be reimbursed by the Government.

29. FUEL CONSUMPTION

Estimated average daily fuel consumption is the number of gallons that a vessel is expected to consume over a 24-hour period when trawling for 10 hours at 3 knots, cruising at 9 knots between stations for an additional 6 hours, and anchored or drifting with the generators running for 8 hours.

The offeror’s estimate will be used to calculate the estimated average daily cost of fuel. The current Defense Logistics Agency fuel price for Dutch Harbor, Alaska, will be used by NOAA when calculating the estimated cost of fuel. This amount will be added to the charter price to arrive at the dollar value that will be used in evaluating offers for award.

AB-133F-RP-13-0018 Page - 14

B. ELECTRONIC and COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS

1. Radios:

a. VHF-- a minimum of two sets.

b. Two single side-band units with at least one being synthesized in the 2-18

MHz range.

c. A system for switching to backup power (e.g., battery) for radio operation in the event of interruption of the normal power supply.

2. Plotter (flatbed and/or CRT) with capability of plotting input from GPS.

3. GPS (Global Positioning System) with a minimum of two units with at least six-channel, sequential capability to track satellites.

4. Radar--2 units with a minimum range of 77.2 km (48 miles).

5. Depth sounders:

a. Color scope unit with minimum range of 1,100 m (600 fm) and operating in the

38-50 kHz range.

b. Back-up unit, with a recording unit with equivalent ranges as above.

6. *A Simrad ES60 echo sounder system with either a 38-kHz single or (preferred) split beam transducer. In addition to the 38-kHz system, a Simrad ES60 echosounder system simultaneously operating at 120 kHz with either a single or split beam transducer is also preferred. The ES60 echo sounder system(s) should be connected to the ship’s GPS unit and should be running the most recent version of the Simrad

ES60 software. Sources of noise and interference should be eliminated.

Conventional fisheries sounders of the same or potentially interfering frequencies to the ES60 38 kHz system must either be synchronized with the ES60 38 kHz transducer or turned off during data collection. The Simrad ES60 sounder(s) will be calibrated before and after the survey under the supervision of Government scientists.

7. An electronic charting system such as Globe that will allow for continuous recording of position and depth by the scientific staff.

8. An e-mail system with capabilities for sending and receiving messages, a satellite or broadband telephone, and a cellular telephone for use when service is available in the survey area or in port. The Government will reimburse the Contractor for transmission costs of Government messages and calls.

C. CREW REQUIREMENTS

1. *The minimum crew shall consist of Captain, lead-fisher, engineer-fisher, general-fisher, and cook or cook-fisher.

2. *The Captain shall have a minimum of three (3) years of bottom trawl fishing experience as master of a comparable-sized trawler in Alaskan waters and at least five (5) years total fishing experience as a master.

3. *The Captain shall be competent in the use of modern navigational and fish-detecting equipment and be skilled in rigging and repairing bottom trawls.

4. *The lead-fisher shall have a minimum of five (5) years experience in otter trawl fishing and demonstrated experience in building, rigging, repairing, and operating bottom trawls. He/she must possess demonstrated competence for repairing damaged trawls to their original specifications.

5. The engineer-fisher, general-fisher, and cook-fisher shall have a minimum of three

(3) years experience in trawl fishing and have the necessary net mending skills to assist the lead-fisher in bottom trawl repair.

6. In addition to the required fishing experience, the cook-fisher shall have a minimum of two (2) years experience in the planning and preparation of three daily meals for a group of at least 10 people.

7. Experience conducting research surveys is highly desirable for the Captain and lead-fisher, though not required.

8. Offerors shall complete the attached forms indicating pertinent employment experience for each crew member to include at least up to the past ten (10) years.

Similar documentation will be submitted to the Contracting Officer's Representative

AB-133F-RP-13-0018 Page - 15

(COR) for approval of all replacement personnel proposed for hire during the charter.

D. SCIENTIFIC PERSONNEL

1. The Government field party generally consists of 6 scientists and may include both men and women.

2. One Government employee will be designated Field Party Chief. That person will be responsible for implementation of the Cruise Plan, compliance of vessel and crew with the charter terms, disposition of catches and the conduct and performance of

Government personnel aboard the vessel.

3. Government personnel will provide their own bedding (except those items specified under Item A.20 above), towels, and survival suits.

E. OPERATING PROCEDURES

1. The Contractor shall provide three (3) nutritionally balanced meals and a light evening snack each charter day. Meal times will be coordinated with the Field

Party Chief to accommodate both the need to complete sampling work and the time required to prepare meals by the cook. Meals will be provided by the vessel for the resident field party during all charter days including in-port days unless notified by the Field Party Chief that the scientific staff will not be eating one or more meals aboard the vessel that day.

2. The workday length will be determined by the Field Party Chief in consultation with the Captain. The decision will be based on the type of activity expected (in-port preparations, running, fishing, jogging, etc.) as well as on prevailing weather conditions and the Cruise Plan. A typical workday will last about 12 hours, although some days will run longer (14 hours up to 18 hours), beginning as early as

0630 hrs with setting the first haul for the day. An average of five (5) stations or trawl hauls will be made each day. The workday for the vessel crew will likely exceed that of the scientific field party, since they will normally be required to conduct a wheel/anchor watch at night while the vessel runs to the next station or anchorage after completion of the sampling day, drifts, lies at anchor, or runs to the first station early in the morning. The Field Party Chief has the final authority except in matters relating to safety of the vessel and all personnel on board.

3. The Field Party Chief and Captain will meet a minimum of twice a day to discuss survey operations and resolve any problems that occur. A meeting should occur at the start of the day before fishing operations begin to discuss the planned activities for the day and at the end of the day to review the work completed that day, any problems which occurred, and plans for the next day’s operations.

4. The Field Party Chief and Captain will work together to resolve all problems which occur regarding the charter and survey while at sea. In the event the Field Party

Chief and Captain are unable to resolve any problem which has the potential for invalidating the survey or threatens the safety of the field party, 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, 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. The crew, when not required by the Captain for vessel operations, shall assist the

Government field party in sorting the catch and obtaining biological data; the master may be asked to assist scientific personnel with navigational and fishing record keeping.

6. The in-port days at the onset, end, and at breaks between each leg (approximately

24 hours in each instance), are used to load or unload nets and supplies, exchange personnel, obtain fuel, water, and other necessary supplies and for repair or maintenance of shipboard equipment. A one or two-day off-charter break between legs at some point during the charter is optional and must be scheduled in advance

AB-133F-RP-13-0018 Page - 16 with the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) at the contractor's option and expense. The vessel will be off charter with no payment during the off-charter breaks. The off-charter breaks would be in addition to the single on-charter day that is usually spent in port for loading or unloading or for exchange of scientific staff between legs.

7. The Contractor is responsible for removing all fish and invertebrates including

"gilled" fish from the trawl net following each haul. This is critical in eliminating contamination of catches from previous hauls.

8. At the end of the charter the Contractor is responsible for thoroughly cleaning, washing, and baling all nets. This includes removal of all fish, crabs, seaweed, etc. and towing the net behind the vessel until it is free of any biological material. All nets will be neatly stacked and baled securely with rope.

Dandylines will be coiled separately and tied at two points on the coil. The

Government will provide rope for baling the nets and dandylines.

9. All fish and shellfish taken in the trawl remain the property of the Government.

The Field Party Chief is responsible for their disposition. Present NOAA policy specifically prohibits retaining any portion of the catch for commercial purposes unless specifically authorized by the contract or retaining specimens from survey catches for personal use and consumption. Reference Contract Clauses H.9 -

Incidental Catch Disposal, and H.10 - Recreational Fishing.

10. The Captain and crew shall exercise due caution and follow safety procedures as directed by the Field Party Chief to help prevent damage or loss of Government gear and equipment, including trawl mensuration equipment. Specific safety procedures may be presented in writing to the Captain by the Field Party Chief. 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.

11. All equipment and gear specified in the Government's statement of work and that which is not specified but is necessary to the safe and continued operation of the vessel shall be operational at the beginning of the charter and maintained in working order throughout the duration of the charter.

12. The Contractor shall provide for all operating expenses of the vessel exclusive of:

fishing nets, trawl doors, trawl bridles, net mending supplies, echo sounder paper, fuel (including outboard motor fuel and oil), and mooring fees incurred during charter days. Communications costs such as use of Inmarsat, cellular phones or

FAX/Telex costs to conduct official survey business will also be reimbursable.

13. Passengers are not permitted to be transported aboard NOAA chartered vessels for any reason without review and approval from the NOAA Contracting Officer in consultation with the COR, program official, or designee acting on behalf of the program office chartering the vessel. No individuals shall be aboard without NOAA authorization. Exception to this requirement is permitted for purposes of rescuing and saving life at sea.

F. SAFETY

1. The vessel Captain is responsible for all matters relating to safety of personnel, the vessel, and equipment operation. 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. Reference Clause

H.11 - Vessel Safety.

2. The Contractor shall adhere to the safety requirements set forth herein which include 46 CFR Part 28 (Attachment 6).

3. The Contractor shall provide U.S. Coast Guard-approved Arctic-type survival suits for all vessel personnel. The Government personnel will provide their own suits.

Adequate dry, top-side storage for all survival suits shall be provided.

4. The Contractor shall provide U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets for all personnel aboard.

5. Periodic and unannounced safety drills will be conducted during each leg of the survey. At least one unannounced drill shall be held each leg.

AB-133F-RP-13-0018 Page - 17

6. The Government will provide a first-aid kit, oxygen therapy bottles, an Automated

External Defibrillator (AED), and a small boat emergency kit containing a compact

Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB).

7. At the time of submission of the proposal and bid, the Contractor shall provide the Stability Letter from the vessel's Stability Report, certified by a licensed naval architect/marine engineer, which describes the vessel's stability characteristics for the intended charter operations. Recent stability or marine survey reports, pictures, drawings or blueprints should be included along with other required information (Vessel Characteristics Questionnaire and Crew

Questionnaire) to assist in the evaluation.

8. All personnel working or being transported in a skiff shall WEAR a Coast Guard-approved life jacket or survival suit. Float coats or other substitutions are not acceptable nor are life jackets that are in the skiff but not being worn.

9. Radio contact with the skiff will be maintained while it is away from the vessel.

The Government will provide portable VHF radios for this purpose.

10. A Category I 406 MHz EPIRB must be affixed to the exterior of the vessel in a manner approved by the U.S. Coast Guard.

11. At least one crew member must be formally trained in survival and fire fighting at a level equivalent to that offered by the North Pacific Fishing Vessel Owner's

Association. An additional crewmember with certified first aid or EMT (emergency medical technician) training is preferred.

12. There shall be two identified escape routes from all general areas.

13. Hazardous materials. Quantities of all hazardous materials (e.g., ethyl alcohol, formaldehyde) are kept to a minimum and their storage, handling, and use shall be in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations. Hazardous materials needed for the scientific mission shall be handled in accordance with chemical hygiene plans and prudent laboratory practices. Storage containers and storage locations, including labeling of containers and locations, shall meet transportation regulations and USCG or IMO standards for the type and quantity of material being carried. NOAA-authorized personnel shall provide to the vessel’s captain an inventory of the hazardous materials that will be brought aboard, along with copies of MSDSs and any special neutralizing agents and personal protective equipment that may be required that cannot reasonably be expected to be provided by the vessel.

The captain, or the captain’s designee, shall evaluate the risks posed by the materials and shall make all accommodations and take any precautions as may be necessary to protect the vessel and those aboard. Information related to OSHA’s

Hazard Communication, “Right to Know,” Standards shall be maintained and made available to all on board. All hazardous materials brought aboard and hazardous waste generated by NOAA-authorized personnel that remain after completion of the mission shall be removed from the vessel prior to, or upon completion of, the charter unless specific arrangements have been made with the vessel owner and captain to deliver the hazardous material to a port other than the port of contract termination.

G. GOVERNMENT-PROVIDED EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES

1. Trawls, dandylines, fishing gear hardware, spare webbing, twine, and floats.

2. Echo-sounder paper (if needed) or acoustic data storage media.

3. All scientific sampling equipment and supplies.

4. Government personnel will provide their own bedding (except those items specified under Item A.20 above), towels, and survival suits.

5. Portable VHF radio(s) for use between the skiff and vessel, or between the deck and bridge.

6. A first-aid kit, oxygen therapy bottles, an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and a small boat emergency kit containing a compact EPIRB.

7. 1.5 X 3 m (5 X 10 ft) sorting table, 1.2 X 2.4 m (4 X 8 ft) biological specimen table, and 0.6 X 1.2 m (2 X 4 ft) platform scale table for working up trawl catches.

8. Trawl doors--two pairs, 1.8 X 2.7 M (6' x 9'), V-type, 726-908 kg (1,600-2,000 lbs) each.

AB-133F-RP-13-0018 Page - 18

9. Materials needed for sampling large catches (for example, cargo nets, etc.).

10. Metal or fiberglass fish holding tanks.

H. OPTION FOR SHIPMENT OF GOVERNMENT GEAR AND EQUIPMENT

For each charter, the offeror is requested to provide a price for the transport or shipment of the Government's gear and equipment from Seattle, WA to Dutch Harbor, AK prior to the start of the survey and back to Seattle, WA upon completion of the survey.

The offeror can submit a bid for transport or shipment of the gear for only the start or end of the survey or for the round-trip and for any of the charter years. A list of the gear and equipment to be shipped is included in Attachment 7. Shipment can be by the chartered survey vessel or commercial freight carrier. All gear and equipment must arrive in Dutch Harbor, AK one week (7 days) prior to beginning of charter, if not transported via the chartered vessel, and must be returned to Seattle, WA within three

(3) weeks after completion of charter.

END OF STATEMENT OF WORK

SECTION D

PACKAGING AND MARKING

AB-133F-RP-13-0018 Page - 19

D.1 PACKING FOR DOMESTIC SHIPMENT

Material shall be packed for shipment in such a manner that will ensure acceptance by common carriers and safe delivery at destination. Containers and closures shall comply with the Interstate Commerce Commission regulations, Uniform Freight Classification rules, or regulations of other carriers as applicable to the mode of transportation.

SECTION E

INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

AB-133F-RP-13-0018 Page - 20

E.1 52.252-2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998)

This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es):

https://www.acquisition.gov/far/ http://www.osec.doc.gov/oam/acquistion_management/policy/commerce_acquisition_manual_cam/ default.htm

(End of Clause)

E.2 52.246-2 INSPECTION OF SUPPLIES--FIXED-PRICE (AUG 1996)

(Reference 46.302)

E.3 52.246-16 RESPONSIBILITY FOR SUPPLIES (APR 1984)

(Reference 46.316)

E.4 1352.246-70 PLACE OF ACCEPTANCE (APR 2010)

(a) The Contracting Officer or the duly authorized representative will accept supplies and services to be provided under this contract.

(b) The place of acceptance…