AB-133F-13-RP-0088.pdf

U. S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION

WESTERN ACQUISITION DIVISION

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

SOLICITATION: AB-133F-13-RP-0088

ISSUE DATE: JULY 18, 2013

TITLE: WEST COAST GROUNDFISH BOTTOM TRAWL SURVEY –

FIRST PASS

DUE DATE/TIME: AUGUST 8, 2013 2:00 PM (PACIFIC TIME) IN

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON

AB-133F-RP-13-0018 Page - 1

SOLICITATION, OFFER AND AWARD

1. This Contract is a Rated Order

Under DPAS (15 CFR 700)

Rating Page of pages 1 96

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

AB-133F-RP-13-0088

Sealed Bid (IFB) 07/18/2013 NFFP7410-13-02031 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 AUGUST 8, 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 44-49 X B Supplies or Services and Prices/Costs 2-9 Part III – List of Documents, Exhibits and Other Attachments X C Description/Specs./Work Statement 10-29 X J List of Attachments 50, 72-96 X D Packaging and Marking 30 Part IV – Representations and Instructions X E Inspection and Acceptance 31 X K Representations, Certifications and Other Statements of Offerors 51-58 X F Deliveries or Performance 32 X G Contract Administration Data 33-35 X L Instr., Conds., and Notices to Offerors 59-68 X H Special Contract Requirements 36-43 X M Evaluation Factors for Award 69-71

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)( ) (4 copies 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

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WEST COAST GROUNDFISH BOTTOM

TRAWL SURVEY – FIRST PASS

THE GOVERNMENT IS ACQUIRING THE

CHARTER OF TWO (2) 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 attached Statement of Work.

VESSEL ONE

BASE PERIOD (2014 SURVEY)

1001 FISHING, SAMPLING, OPERATION SURVEY

DAYS PER STATEMENT OF WORK

DA ______________ $______________

BREAK DAYS 12 DA ______________ $______________

(OPT)

WEATHER DAYS 3 DA ______________ $______________

1004 MOBILIZATION / DE-MOBILIZATION 7 DA ______________ $______________

1005 TRANSIT TO NEWPORT, OREGON 1 JB ______________ $______________

(OPT)

OPTIONAL FISHING, SAMPLING, OPERATION

SURVEY DAYS PER STATEMENT OF WORK

3 DA ______________ $______________

1007 *MOORAGE AND ICE

Charges to be reimbursed by the Government based on actual cost/use. An estimate of $2,000.00 is identified. Reimbursement will be based on actual costs (see Section C, Statement of Work, Item 3.9).

1 LS

EST

$2,000.00 $ 2,000.00

1008 *SURVEY TRAVEL/TRANSPORTATION

Charges to be reimbursed by the Government based on actual cost/use. An estimate of $2,000.00 is

1 JB

$2,000.00 $ 2,000.00

TOTAL BASE PERIOD (CLINS 1001-1008)

OPTION PERIOD I (2015 SURVEY)

1101 FISHING, SAMPLING, OPERATION SURVEY

WEATHER DAYS 3 DA ______________ $______________

1104 MOBILIZATION / DE-MOBILIZATION 7 DA ______________ $______________

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1105 TRANSIT TO NEWPORT, OREGON 1 JB ______________ $______________

(OPT)

1107 *MOORAGE AND ICE

Charges to be reimbursed by the Government based on actual cost/use. An estimate of $2,000.00 is

$2,000.00 $ 2,000.00

1108 *SURVEY TRAVEL/TRANSPORTATION

Charges to be reimbursed by the Government based on actual cost/use. An estimate of $2,000.00 is

TOTAL OPTION PERIOD I (CLINS 1101-1108)

OPTION PERIOD II (2016 SURVEY)

1201 FISHING, SAMPLING, OPERATION SURVEY

WEATHER DAYS 3 DA ______________ $______________

1204 MOBILIZATION / DE-MOBILIZATION 7 DA ______________ $______________

1205 TRANSIT TO NEWPORT, OREGON 1 JB ______________ $______________

(OPT)

1207 *MOORAGE AND ICE

Charges to be reimbursed by the Government based on actual cost/use. An estimate of $2,000.00 is

$2,000.00 $ 2,000.00

1208 *SURVEY TRAVEL/TRANSPORTATION

Charges to be reimbursed by the Government based on actual cost/use. An estimate of $2,000.00 is

TOTAL OPTION PERIOD II (CLINS 1201-1208)

OPTION PERIOD III (2017 SURVEY)

1301 FISHING, SAMPLING, OPERATION SURVEY

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WEATHER DAYS 3 DA ______________ $______________

1304 MOBILIZATION / DE-MOBILIZATION 7 DA ______________ $______________

1305 TRANSIT TO NEWPORT, OREGON 1 JB ______________ $______________

(OPT)

1307 *MOORAGE AND ICE

Charges to be reimbursed by the Government based on actual cost/use. An estimate of $2,000.00 is

$2,000.00 $ 2,000.00

1308 *SURVEY TRAVEL/TRANSPORTATION

Charges to be reimbursed by the Government based on actual cost/use. An estimate of $2,000.00 is

TOTAL OPTION PERIOD III (CLINS 1301-1308)

OPTION PERIOD IV (2018 SURVEY)

1401 FISHING, SAMPLING, OPERATION SURVEY

WEATHER DAYS 3 DA ______________ $______________

1404 MOBILIZATION / DE-MOBILIZATION 7 DA ______________ $______________

1405 TRANSIT TO NEWPORT, OREGON 1 JB ______________ $______________

(OPT)

1407 *MOORAGE AND ICE

Charges to be reimbursed by the Government based on actual cost/use. An estimate of $2,000.00 is

$2,000.00 $ 2,000.00

1408 *SURVEY TRAVEL/TRANSPORTATION

Charges to be reimbursed by the Government based on actual cost/use. An estimate of $2,000.00 is

TOTAL OPTION PERIOD IV (CLINS 1401-1408)

TOTAL VESSEL ONE (CLINS 1001-1408)

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VESSEL TWO

BASE PERIOD (2014 SURVEY)

2001 FISHING, SAMPLING, OPERATION SURVEY

WEATHER DAYS 3 DA ______________ $______________

2004 MOBILIZATION / DE-MOBILIZATION 7 DA ______________ $______________

2005 TRANSIT TO NEWPORT, OREGON 1 JB ______________ $______________

(OPT)

2007 *MOORAGE AND ICE

Charges to be reimbursed by the Government based on actual cost/use. An estimate of $2,000.00 is

$2,000.00 $ 2,000.00

2008 *SURVEY TRAVEL/TRANSPORTATION

Charges to be reimbursed by the Government based on actual cost/use. An estimate of $2,000.00 is

TOTAL BASE PERIOD (CLINS 2001-2008)

OPTION PERIOD I (2015 SURVEY)

2101 FISHING, SAMPLING, OPERATION SURVEY

WEATHER DAYS 3 DA ______________ $______________

2104 MOBILIZATION / DE-MOBILIZATION 7 DA ______________ $______________

2105 TRANSIT TO NEWPORT, OREGON 1 JB ______________ $______________

(OPT)

2107 *MOORAGE AND ICE

Charges to be reimbursed by the Government based on actual cost/use. An estimate of $2,000.00 is identified. Reimbursement will be based on actual costs (see Section C, Statement of Work, Item 3.9).

1 LS

AB-133F-RP-13-0088 Page - 6

2108 *SURVEY TRAVEL/TRANSPORTATION

Charges to be reimbursed by the Government based on actual cost/use. An estimate of $2,000.00 is

TOTAL OPTION PERIOD I (CLINS 2101-2108)

OPTION PERIOD II (2016 SURVEY)

2201 FISHING, SAMPLING, OPERATION SURVEY

WEATHER DAYS 3 DA ______________ $______________

2204 MOBILIZATION / DE-MOBILIZATION 7 DA ______________ $______________

2205 TRANSIT TO NEWPORT, OREGON 1 JB ______________ $______________

(OPT)

2207 *MOORAGE AND ICE

Charges to be reimbursed by the Government based on actual cost/use. An estimate of $2,000.00 is

$2,000.00 $ 2,000.00

2208 *SURVEY TRAVEL/TRANSPORTATION

Charges to be reimbursed by the Government based on actual cost/use. An estimate of $2,000.00 is

TOTAL OPTION PERIOD II (CLINS 2201-2208)

OPTION PERIOD III (2017 SURVEY)

2301 FISHING, SAMPLING, OPERATION SURVEY

WEATHER DAYS 3 DA ______________ $______________

2304 MOBILIZATION / DE-MOBILIZATION 7 DA ______________ $______________

2305 TRANSIT TO NEWPORT, OREGON 1 JB ______________ $______________

(OPT)

AB-133F-RP-13-0088 Page - 7

2307 *MOORAGE AND ICE

Charges to be reimbursed by the Government based on actual cost/use. An estimate of $2,000.00 is

$2,000.00 $ 2,000.00

2308 *SURVEY TRAVEL/TRANSPORTATION

Charges to be reimbursed by the Government based on actual cost/use. An estimate of $2,000.00 is

TOTAL OPTION PERIOD III (CLINS 2301-2308)

OPTION PERIOD IV (2018 SURVEY)

2401 FISHING, SAMPLING, OPERATION SURVEY

WEATHER DAYS 3 DA ______________ $______________

2404 MOBILIZATION / DE-MOBILIZATION 7 DA ______________ $______________

2405 TRANSIT TO NEWPORT, OREGON 1 JB ______________ $______________

(OPT)

2407 *MOORAGE AND ICE

Charges to be reimbursed by the Government based on actual cost/use. An estimate of $2,000.00 is

$2,000.00 $ 2,000.00

2408 *SURVEY TRAVEL/TRANSPORTATION

Charges to be reimbursed by the Government based on actual cost/use. An estimate of $2,000.00 is

TOTAL OPTION PERIOD IV (CLINS 2401-2408)

TOTAL VESSEL TWO (CLINS 2001-2408)

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 rejection. Offeror(s) may submit pricing for more than one vessel, but each vessel must have a separate proposal package.

SECTION B

SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICE/COST

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B.1 CONTRACT TYPE

This is a firm-fixed price commercial supply contract for the charter of two (2) vessels, with optional line items for additional days and reimbursable line items for Mooring and Ice, as well as Travel (for Survey/Travel Transportion).

The contract consists of a base period from date of contract award through March 31, 2015. The actual charter period will occur between approximately May 13th and August 1st of each year. (Base Charter to Start in May 2014.) The clauses in this procurement include amendments thru FAC 2005-68 effective June 26, 2013.

(End of clause)

B.2 DEFINITIONS OF CONTRACT LINE ITEM TERMS

WEST COAST COMMERCIAL FISHING VESSEL: is defined as a vessel capable of towing a four seam, Aberdeen-style trawl with a foot rope length of 104', being spread with 1300 pound 5X7 Vee Doors at 2.2 knots. The vessel shall have power rated in the range of 450 to 1200 horsepower, is 65 to 109 feet in length overall (LOA), and is outfitted with a stern ramp, and gantry.

FIELD PARTY CHIEF (CHIEF SCIENTIST): One scientist will be 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.

Contract compensable line items are defined as follows:

FISHING, SAMPLING, OPERATION SURVEY DAYS PER STATEMENT OF WORK

Any day or part thereof when the vessel is available and ready to carry out the specified fisheries research activities at sea or at anchor.

BREAK DAYS

Days in port, due to mutual agreement between the vessel and scientific crew, when no sampling activity is undertaken.

WEATHER DAYS (May be ordered subject to the Option for Increased Quantities clause, Section I) Bad weather days are days at sea or in port when the Chief Scientist in consultation with the Captain, determines that weather conditions prohibit effective, scientifically valid sampling operations. Transit days are days at sea when transiting to/from survey start/end.

MOBILIZATION/DEMOBLIZATION/DRY DOCK DAYS

Those days immediately preceding and succeeding scientific operations required for loading/unloading or installation/removal of Government furnished equipment, stores, food supplies, etc. Three days are included for dry dock time to install transducers, and three additional days at the end of the contract option period for removal of transducers. Days will be billed out as expended. An additional seventh day is included should there be an issue with loading/unloading or installation/removal processes.

TRANSIT to Newport, Oregon Upon completion of the sampling portion of the survey at San Diego, California, it is required that the contracted vessel return to Newport, Oregon to have NMFS-owned trawl warps measured and removed at Englund Marine as stated in the SOW Section 9.7. The trip is expected to take three to five days.

ADDITIONAL OPTIONAL DAYS (May be ordered subject to Option for Increased Quantities clause, Section I) Optional days are additional days that may or may not be exercised at time of contract award or prior to the end of the active charter period.

SECTION B

SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICE/COST

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MOORAGE AND ICE

Charges to be reimbursed by the Government based on actual expenditures. An estimate of $2,000.00 is identified for evaluation purposes only. See SOW Section 3.9.

SURVEY TRAVEL / TRANSPORTATION

This includes travel costs for Captain meetings, Pre-cruise meetings, and gear transport, etc. Charges to be reimbursed by the Government based on actual expenditures. An estimate of $2,000.00 is identified for evaluation purposes only. See SOW Section 3.9.

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 when trawling for 8 hours at 2.2 knots, cruising at 8 knots between stations for an additional 8 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 contract award.

***Note: The offeror’s estimate will be used to calculate the estimated average daily cost of fuel. The current Defense Logistics Agency fuel price 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 contract award. The overall intent of the required estimated fuel usage is for evaluation purposes.***

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

SECTION C

DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/WORK STATEMENT

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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 Statement of Work/Specifications:

West Coast Groundfish Bottom Trawl Survey – FIRST PASS Statement of Work

1.0 OVERVIEW

1.1 The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, has the requirement to contract two commercial fishing vessels to conduct the 2014 NOAA annual West Coast Groundfish Bottom Trawl Survey. This shall be a one year contract with four (4) one (1) year options (Five (5) years total).

2.0 ORGANIZATION

2.1 Organization: The Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC), National

Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce (DOC), is a Government agency charged with the mission of stewardship for living marine resources.

2.2 Background and Objective: The NWFSC provides scientific and technical support to NMFS for the management, conservation, and wise use of the west coast’s marine resources. The Fisheries Resource Analysis and Monitoring Division (FRAM) of the NWFSC is charged with conducting research and scientific analysis on the groundfish fisheries within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) off the coast of Washington, Oregon and California.

3.0 GENERAL

3.1 The NWFSC of the NMFS intends to conduct a bottom trawl survey of the groundfish resources of the continental shelf and slope of the United States West Coast region. Two commercial trawl-fishing vessels will be chartered to carry out this survey. The vessels will commence survey operations on or around May 19, 2014 and complete survey operations approximately 72 days later on or around July 28, 2014. The charters will begin and end in Newport, Oregon, with survey operations proceeding from north to south. This is to be a one-year contract with three additional option years (4 years total). Each option period, if exercised, will charter approximately the same time period, with final sailing dates being set at exercise of option.

3.2 The vessels shall conduct an independent survey of the shelf and slope zone from 30 fathoms to 700 fathoms, extending from the Canadian border around Cape Flattery, Washington to the Mexican border near San Diego, California. Survey stations will be designated in the sampling manual to representatively sample the above range of depths, and will be randomly pre-selected within a geographical area and depth strata.

The sampling locations will be provided to the vessel Captain and crew during the week of mobilization. The vessel will be allocated approximately 188 stations.

3.3 Under the direction of a NMFS-designated Field Party Chief, the vessels shall fish in a systematic manner with bottom trawl gear according to a

AB-133F-RP-13-0088 Page - 11 pre-specified survey design and a manual governing the construction, rigging, and operation of the trawl gear used for sampling. The operations schedule will be fully defined and discussed during mobilization with the vessel captain(s). With the assistance of the crew, the scientific party will examine the catches and record various biological data (species, size, gender, maturity, and age composition), catch (weight), and effort data. Those portions of the catch that have commercial value and are not required for biological sampling or as retained specimens will be kept and sold by the vessel in Washington and Oregon but not California. Proceeds from the fish sales will be deducted from the total cost of the survey.

3.4 The trawl gear used during the survey will be supplied by the NWFSC.

Trawl warps consisting of 1250 fathoms of 5/8-inch steel-core wire-rope will be supplied by the NWFSC. The trawl warps will be loaded and marked as they are loaded on the vessel during mobilization.

3.5 Two trawl instrumentation systems (Simrad PI44 and Simrad ITI) will be supplied by the NWFSC, and will be used with various sensors deployed on the trawl during each tow to measure and record various aspects of the trawl’s performance during sampling operations.

3.6 The vessel will be hauled out at a mutually agreeable time and shipyard. The vessel haul out will be conducted prior to initial mobilization and at NMFS’s expense (the NWFSC schedules and compensates the shipyard directly). The vessel haul out will be needed to create a thru-hull penetration and mounting point that will be used to install the trawl instrumentation transducers and sensors. Project gear will be loaded at the beginning of the charter in Newport, Oregon. Vessels will sample from north to south, and after sampling all allocated stations, the vessel will head north following a partial demobilization in southern California. Vessels are expected to arrive in Newport, Oregon approximately four to five days later for complete demobilization and conclusion of the charter. During demobilization all project gear will be unloaded from the vessel, divers will remove transducers, and the through hull penetration will be doubly capped.

The operational plan for each charter may be modified prior to the start of the survey, but changes in dates of operation and port-of-calls between cruise legs will be relayed to the Contractor for planning purposes.

3.7 In the likely event of inclement weather, a “weather day” will be declared. Severe conditions which contribute to unsafe or unpractical survey operations are closely monitored. This decision will be made by the Captain and Field Party Chief after all information and data have been reviewed. Allocating weather days adds time to the charter because stations are not typically dropped. This additional time should be considered when scheduling post-survey vessel operations and will alter the vessel demobilization and charter conclusion. For the May to July charter time frame, three to five days have typically been required due to inclement weather; three days are included in the contract.

3.8 Survey transportation support and travel as required by contract:

3.8.1 Vessel may be required to have participating vessel survey captains and vessel owners attend a post-cruise meeting in Charleston or Newport, Oregon. The meeting is a tool for delineating deficiencies in sampling performance, disseminating information and defining upcoming survey projects and agendas.

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3.8.2 Contractor may be asked to attend a meeting and net

certification operation in Seattle, Washington.

3.8.3 Contractor may need to be available to transport trawl and/or survey gear using company or rental vehicles (if necessary) during survey operations.

3.8.4 Expenses for travel required for these items will be

reimbursed based upon actual costs in accordance with the invoicing clause in Section G. A value for these costs is included in the schedule for evaluation purposes only.

3.8.5 Upon contract award and prior to the start of the charter, a post-award meeting will be held at a mutually agreed upon location to discuss issues relating to the charter and survey.

The vessel owner/manager and all vessel captains participating in the charter are required to attend the meeting. The Contracting Officers Technical Representative or COTR, upon award of the contract, will schedule the date and time of the meeting.

3.8.6 After completion of the survey, a post-survey debriefing may be held at a mutually agreed upon location. The purpose of the debriefing is to provide the charter operator an evaluation of the performance of the vessel and crew during the charter. The COTR, upon completion of the survey will schedule the date and time of the meeting.

3.9 Charges for travel, mooring, and ice will be reimbursed to the contractor when accompanied with the proper documentation in accordance with Section H, Clauses titled “Mooring and Ice Reimbursement Costs”, “Charter Communications”, and "Reimbursable Costs".

4.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION

4.1 Each charter period will be broken into five cruise legs of seven (7) to twelve (12) days each with a three day port call between legs for refueling, re-provisioning, personnel changes, and landing the catch.

The charter period will begin the day the vessel commences mobilization, and will end after the scientific staff has disembarked, together with all Government provided equipment, supplies and after any fish or biological specimens retained during the course of the experiment have been offloaded.

4.2 The Government-furnished trawls, rigging, and accessories will be of a type commonly used in slope and shelf fisheries, scaled to fit vessels ranging from 425 to 1200 horsepower (HP). Although this is a wide HP range, FRAM ensures consistency of the data collected by regulating speed and by monitoring trawl door and trawl net performance via a wide range of acoustic net mensuration sensors. Trawls will be of the “Aberdeen” four-panel type with a headrope length of 85 feet and a footrope length of 104 feet. The trawls will be modified for survey use by installing small-mesh (1-1/2” #24 twisted polypropylene) codend liners to retain juvenile fish and other small organisms. Each trawl will be fitted with a footrope constructed of 8” and 10” rubber discs mounted on ½” alloy long link chain. Both will be rigged with 15 fathom double bridles leading to a 15 fathom single sweep attached (four point) to 5’ X 7’ (1300 pound) steel vee-door. The lower bridle and sweep will be covered with rubber disks.

4.3 The survey contract requires that an average of four to five tows be conducted per day. Different station depths will be sampled at different times of day to avoid any potential bias. Fishing operations will be conducted only during daylight hours. The duration

AB-133F-RP-13-0088 Page - 13 of each tow will be 15 minutes, defined as: net on bottom in full, stable, fishing configuration. This will be determined by readings from the acoustic trawl mensuration equipment. Transit between the next day’s tows will occur at the end of each day’s sampling operations such that the vessel is on station, ready for the first tow by first light.

4.4 The Field Party Chief, in conjunction with the Captain, will determine the vessel’s sampling schedule. A rigorous work schedule is required to complete the allocated stations. Logistics and running time shall be calculated into every decision. The schedule maintained by the vessel is dynamic, with requirements only for arrival to port on pre-defined days.

4.5 Two complete trawls, fully rigged and ready to fish, (supplied by the

NWFSC) shall be carried to reduce time lost due to gear damage.

Accordingly, the vessel shall have two functional, powered net reels, each large enough to accommodate a complete trawl with its footrope, codend, and rigging, and so situated as to leave working space on deck (15’ X 10’) for catch sorting and processing of biological data.

Alternatively, if there is room on deck(12’ X 8’ X 8’), the second net can be stacked but accessible in case there is catastrophic damage to the primary net. Space shall also be available at or near the stern ramp (5’ X 5’) to allow the trawl instruments to be safely attached and removed. Additional trawl nets will be provided and delivered to the vessel when substantial damage to any sampling trawl has occurred.

4.6 Trawl instruments will monitor the following trawl performance variables and report them in real time, with all readings stored on a portable computer supplied by the NWFSC; spread between net wings, spread between the trawl doors, vertical distance from the center of the headrope to the seafloor, distance from the headrope to the footrope, and clearance (if any) between the footrope and bottom.

Additional instruments will be used to record the time at which the footrope contacts, or loses contact with the bottom. Other data on operational conditions that can affect trawl performance (e.g. depth, amount of trawl warp deployed, towing speed, tow duration, and weather conditions) will be recorded onboard during each sampling haul. The Field Party Chief with the Captain’s assistance will record any gear damage sustained during the haul and the nature of the damage. These records are used to monitor each net and track its history. This monitoring is integral when determining when to retire a net, calculate life expectancy of expensive trawl gear, and to determine if catch anomalies can be related back to individual nets during post-cruise data processing.

4.7 Occasionally the development of new sensors and/or requirements for additional oceanographic monitoring is necessary. NMFS scientists may add or remove sensor packages and monitoring devices to address these requirements.

4.8 After the catch has been landed and it is safe for the scientific staff to operate on deck, the catch will be sorted on a NMFS supplied table, to species into baskets and each basket will be weighed. Sub-samples of the critical species will be randomly drawn for length frequency determination, and age structures. Additional biological processing or sampling may be carried out by the scientific staff on an opportunistic basis (i.e. stomach contents, ovaries, tissue samples etc.) for further processing or investigation at an onshore laboratory.

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4.9 A minimum of 47 working days at sea will be required for the charter, not including port calls, time spent running to and from sample sites, or days when operations shall be suspended due to bad weather, breakdowns, or other contingencies.

4.10 It is the Contractor’s obligation to maintain Government trawl fishing gear. The Contractor shall replace any fishing gear, electronic, or acoustic equipment that is lost or damaged due to irresponsible application of equipment or careless vessel activity.

5.0 VESSEL REQUIREMENTS

5.1 The vessel shall be at least 65 feet and no more than 109 feet in registered length. The vessel shall be seaworthy and safe for trawling operations in the geographic region previously specified during the season indicated.

5.2 The vessel’s main engine shall be rated at a minimum continuous horsepower of 450 to 1200 horsepower.

5.3 The vessel shall be capable of towing the experimental gear described above at a minimum speed of 2.2 knots at a fishing depth of 700 fathoms.

5.4 The vessel shall be able to maintain a cruising speed of at least 7.5 knots in low sea states.

5.5 The vessel shall allow for thru-hull cabling for acoustic transducers and hull-mounted sensors that will be installed in dry dock. For vessels that do not have a steel hull, complete drawings of the location for transducer placement and any other necessary modifications to ensure hull integrity should be included in the proposal. At the end of the charter period, transducers will be removed and the perforation will be doubly secured.

5.6 The vessel shall be completely rigged for stern trawling, including the following:

5.6.1 The vessel shall have a stern ramp or roller and gallows or gantry.

5.6.2 The vessel shall have two powered net reels each capable of accommodating a commercial-scale bottom trawl together with its footrope and rigging.

5.6.3 The vessel shall be outfitted with split trawl winches with a minimum capacity of 1250 fathoms of NMFS-supplied 5/8” diameter steel core wire on each drum. Winches shall have the ability to tow cable length for trawling at depths up to 700 fathoms (1225 fathoms scope). Winches shall feature a heaving rate such that they are capable of recovering the trawl and doors from a fishing depth of 500 fathoms (1000 fathoms scope) within 30 minutes, or 33 fathoms per minute. If retrieval rate is misrepresented in the proposal by the contractor, and the progress of the survey is compromised, this will constitute grounds for which the Government can terminate the contract, and the contractor will be responsible for the cost of re-chartering another vessel.

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• Note: Contractors should be aware that the frequent need to shoot and heave the gear, often from relatively great depths, can stress the winches and hydraulic system in ways not typically encountered during normal commercial operations. Our experience during prior research cruises is that some vessels have suffered steady degradation to their winches’ performance or even severe damage in extreme cases. The scientific staff will routinely monitor haul back times during the survey and will alert the Captain to the onset of such a condition, offering an opportunity to repair the equipment. Even so, such a circumstance will affect the efficiency of survey operations and threaten the integrity of the data.

Contractors shall avoid such occurrences by ensuring that the vessel’s systems are in good working order prior to the start of the charter, and shall carry sufficient spare parts and supplies to maintain and repair their equipment without undue loss of time.

5.7 The vessel shall have trawl cable runs that progress directly from the winches to the towing blocks.

5.8 The vessel shall have a hydraulic crane or boom and lifting gear for dumping catches and handling fishing gear and experimental equipment are required. Lifting capacity of such equipment shall be sufficient to lift a codend containing a catch of up to 10,000 pounds into position over an on-deck splitting bin to permit the drawing of a sub-sample from the catch.

5.9 The vessel shall have clear open space on the working-deck of; 15’ X 10’ for location of a NWFSC-supplied, modular, three-table sorting and sampling area. The sorting table is 9’ X 5’, with a 2’ X 4.5’ platform scale table and a 2’ X 6’ sampling station table attached. There shall be 2’ of working space around the sampling station to sort the catch.

The sampling station shall be out of the way of the trawl warps, running gear, net retrieval systems and other hazards. A means to fasten or secure the sampling station to the deck shall be made available. An additional space 6’ X 6’ X 6’ shall be available for the storage of sampling baskets, with easy access to the sorting, and sampling work area.

5.10 The vessel shall provide space for four large storage totes (4’ X 4’ X

4’) on the back deck. These will need to be secured and accessible.

5.11 The vessel shall provide dry storage (3’ X 3’ X 3’) space for additional rigging and hardware.

5.12 In accordance with OSHA requirements, the vessel shall be equipped with a railing with a working height (from deck boards to the top of the rail) of no less than 40 inches. Vessels with a working rail height exceeding 48 inches will be required to provide an overboard chute, or another means to discard fish overboard. The working rail runs from the trawl winches to the towing blocks at the aft end of the vessel.

5.13 The back deck of the vessel shall be set up so that there is unobstructed access to the rail, or overboard chute to dump fish.

5.14 The vessel shall provide a seawater deck-hose for cleaning the sorting table, deck, and sampling gear.

5.14.1 The on/off switch for the deck hose shall be of the waterproof variety and readily accessible from the working deck.

5.14.2 The hose shall provide sea water at a flow rate of no less than 25 gallons per minute.

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5.14.3 The hose shall have sufficient length to reach all areas of the back deck.

5.14.4 The hose shall be no less than 1.5 inches in diameter and no more than 3 inches in diameter.

5.14.5 The vessel and crew shall have a method of storing the hose as to avoid a tripping hazard.

5.15 The vessel shall provide a fresh water hose which will be accessible on deck for cleaning instruments.

5.15.1 The hose spigot shall be accessible from the back deck.

5.15.2 The hose spigot shall not leak.

5.15.3 The hose shall be in good condition and not leak.

5.15.4 The hose shall be fitted with a conventional pistol-grip nozzle that does not leak.

5.15.5 The hose shall provide a minimum of 40 psi of through a typical ¾” garden hose.

5.15.6 The vessel and crew shall have a method of storing the hose as to avoid a tripping hazard.

5.16 The vessel shall provide an area with minimum of measurements 10’ X 15’

X 3’ (reasonable 450 cubic feet equivalent (trawl alley with containment bin boards), to contain large catches for catch sub-sampling (splitting). Bin boards shall be in good condition; easy placement and removal is essential. In the event of breakage, replacement bin boards shall be available.

5.17 The vessel shall provide a dry storage area of at least 400 cubic feet for storage of scientific supplies, accessible while at sea.

5.18 The vessel shall be equipped with two auxiliary electrical generators.

5.19 The vessel shall have a dedicated hydraulic motor with a minimum of 100 horsepower and 50 gallon capacity. A backup method of retrieving set gear is required; however, two full independent hydraulic motors are preferable to running the hydraulic system off a PTO (power take-off) from the vessel main engine.

5.20 The vessel shall be equipped with two radars with a minimum coverage of

36 miles.

5.21 The vessel shall have a minimum of two depth sounders with a minimum coverage requirement to 700 fathoms on soft bottom.

5.21.1 Echo sounder shall be appropriately grounded with a means for scientific crew to pull NEMA (National marine Electrical Association) serial data.

5.21.2 Echo sounder shall be a minimum of 2kW.

5.21.3 One echo sounder shall be in the range of 18 to 50 kHz

5.22 The vessel shall have minimum of two GPS units.

5.23 The vessel shall have at a minimum the ability to arc weld.

5.24 The vessel shall have torches and appropriate gas for cutting steel.

5.25 The vessel shall have a minimum of a 4” grinder with steel cutoff wheels on board.

5.26 The vessel shall provide adequate space for mounting several sensors and antennas on the forward gantry of the vessel. A welder will be

AB-133F-RP-13-0088 Page - 17 provided by NMFS during mobilization if adequate mounting points are not available.

5.27 The vessel shall have corded and cordless drills available with a full range of serviceable bits available (1/16 to ½”).

5.28 The vessel shall have saws with serviceable blades:

5.28.1 Circular saw

5.28.2 Jig saw

5.29 The vessel shall be outfitted with a minimum of two VHF radios suitable for contact with shore stations and shall carry a hand-held VHF radio for use in emergencies.

5.30 The vessel shall have a functional single side band radio.

5.31 The vessel shall have a minimum of two navigational plotters.

5.32 All vessel electronics, especially in the wheelhouse shall be properly grounded as to eliminate interference with the NOAA supplied gyrocompass and auxiliary electronics.

5.33 The vessel shall be able to provide life-raft capacity for everyone on board, usually 6 people but if a 7th person is onboard the life-raft capacity must be increased. An eight-person life-raft is preferred in all cases.

5.34 The vessel shall have a crab block or a method for deploying and retrieving 200 pound oceanographic sensor package over the side of the vessel. Retrieval shall be able to meet a 1 meter per second requirement (this could be the main wire winch).

5.35 The vessel shall provide a means of securing survey sorting and sampling tables directly to the deck. The attachment location and method shall be approved during the mobilization process, and may entail significant changes/modifications (i.e. welding mounting tabs or doubler) on the deck.

5.36 The vessel shall 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 shall be provided. Adequate ballasting shall be independent of fuel and fresh water supplies required for the charter period.

5.37 The vessel shall have clean and sanitary living conditions and adequate berthing accommodations for the vessel crew and three scientists. One or more of the scientist may be female. Clean mattresses with clean fitted covers shall be provided for the scientific party.

5.38 At least one drawer per scientist shall be provided for stowage of the scientific staff’s clothing and personal effects.

5.39 Workspaces and berthing spaces shall be adequately ventilated and free from excessive engine noise and hydrocarbon fumes. Smoking shall be prohibited in all interior spaces occupied or utilized by the Scientific Field Party. Smoking on deck shall be in designated smoking areas only. (See Section H SMOKING POLICY)

5.40 Engine room compartment shall be closed to the living quarters and galley to minimize hydrocarbon fume permeation and excessive noise. If

AB-133F-RP-13-0088 Page - 18 excessive noise and or hydrocarbon fumes permeate the living quarters, then Field Party Chief and the Captain shall confer to determine a viable solution. If the noise or fumes cannot be sufficiently abated, in the opinion of the Field Party Chief,the matter will be referred to the Contracting Officer for appropriate action, which could include termination of the contract.

5.41 One head and a functional shower shall be available for use by the scientific party. Doors to toilet or bathing facilities shall be fitted with an operational lock or latch to ensure the user’s privacy.

The vessel shall furnish soap, toilet paper, and paper towels.

5.42 A workspace (desk, table, counter, or other work surface) of approximately 4’ X 3’ shall be available within the vessels’ bridge where the scientific staff can set up the trawl instrumentation receiver, its display unit, gyrocompass, portable computer, and an external computational storage facility for logging trawl performance data and catch data. A stable source of 110 V, 60 cycle AC power shall be available nearby as well as a convenient and accessible storage space for tools, notebooks, sampling forms and other frequently needed equipment and supplies.

5.43 A floor-mounted chair shall be supplied in the wheelhouse for the Field

Party Chief’s use during survey operations.

5.44 Vessel shall have a functional anchor capable of holding fast the vessel in a minimum of 30 fathoms of water under moderate sea states.

5.44.1 The vessel shall have method to retrieve anchor from 30 fathoms of water in a minimum of 15 minutes.

5.45 A suitable desk, table, counter, or other work surface area

(approximately 2’ X 2’) either in the wheelhouse or galley shall be available to permanently accommodate laptop computers and battery charging. A stable source of 110 V, 60 cycle AC power shall be available nearby.

5.46 A suitable desk, table, counter or other work surface area near or in the galley, shall be made available for scientific crew to review catch data with a laptop computer.

5.47 A space approximately 2’ X 4’ with access to 110 V, 60 cycle AC power and convenient to the working deck shall be provided for charging the trawl instruments. On past charters, suitable spaces have been set up in the gear lockers or somewhere in the living quarters near the back deck. Area shall be clean, dry and provide appropriate protection for sensor chargers.

5.48 The vessel shall provide a dry area approximately 3’ X 4’ X 6’ with a stable source of 110 V, 60 cycle AC available nearby for the location of 1 to 3 small NMFS supplied freezers to preserve specimens.

5.49 The vessel shall provide an avenue for power, network, GPS, and telephone cables to be run from the wheelhouse to the mounting station above the wheelhouse.

5.50 Within the past 12 months the vessel shall have been actively used for commercial trawling or for research where trawl gear was used.

5.51 The vessel shall have a accessible life sling mounted on the vessel.

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5.52 The vessel shall provide a ladder or stairs with a cargo or safety net underneath to protect staff while embarking/disembarking. Access will also be used to transfer equipment to and from the vessel while in port. The cargo net will only be needed when vessels are “side tied”, when the distance from the dock to the vessel is unsafe for crossing, or at the request of the Field Party Chief.

5.53 The vessel shall provide access to its 12 and 24 volt DC power systems.

This may require a full breaker from each panel be devoted to NMFS scientific equipment (if possible).

5.54 The vessel and crew shall have all permits and licenses required to sell fish in all ports entered during the charter in Washington, and Oregon. Due to regulations NOAA’s scientific take of fish is unable to be sold in California.

5.55 Vessels owned and operated within the United States Exclusive Economic

Zone (EEZ) shall be equipped with USCG approved visual distress signals. Vessel shall have means for making suitable visual distress signals during the day and at night.

5.56 Vessel shall be approved by the United States Coast Guard and have a current placard displayed which allows the vessel to exceed 200 miles from land.

5.57 The Contractor is not required to provide a stability report for the vessel; however, a significant competitive advantage will be awarded to vessels submitting proposals with a current (including all major vessel modifications) stability report.

5.58 Vessel shall have all electrical connections and wiring in appropriate junction boxes and cable runs. If electrical problems manifest while the vessel is under contract, an inspection of the system at the cost of the contractor will be required along with the necessary repairs.

6.0 CREW REQUIREMENTS

6.1 The minimum crew shall consist of a Captain, an engineer-fisherman and a cook-fisherman. These are considered the Key Personnel of the contract and will be accepted via separate letter at time of contract award.

6.2 One additional crewman (optional) is permitted to join the vessel to perform night watches. The additional crewman shall be there to temper potential sleep deprivation and to aid the crew in their duties. This additional crewman shall have the minimum skills listed below in 6.6.

6.3 The Captain shall have a minimum of five (5) years of trawl fishing experience as master of a comparable-sized trawler in Pacific coastal waters.

6.3.1 The Captain shall be competent in the use of modern

navigational equipment including: Global Positioning Systems (GPS), navigational plotters located on the vessel(ECC Globe, Windplot, Nobletech etc.), and Radars.

6.3.2 The Captain shall be competent in the reading and use of acoustic echo sounder equipment located on the vessel; (single beam, split beam, multibeam, ADCP, forward facing fish finding sonar etc.).

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6.3.3 The Captain shall be competent in diagnosing and repairing all shipboard motors and electronics; (main engine, generators, pumps, lighting, hydraulics etc.).

6.3.4 The Captain shall be experienced and capable in using all forms of communication electronics on the vessel; (VHF, SSB, Satellite communications).

6.3.5 The Captain shall be experienced in handling emergency drills on the boat.

6.3.6 The Captain shall be experienced in rigging and repairing bottom trawls.

6.3.6.1 The Captain shall be proficient in reading detailed net diagrams and be able to adhere to the strict requirements contained wherein.

6.3.6.2 The Captain shall be competent in wire splicing 6 X 19 IWRC wire rope.

6.4 The engineer-fisherman shall have a minimum of three (3) years’ experience in trawl fishing and in rigging, repairing and operating bottom trawls. The crewman shall be trained in the execution of all facets of the ship board mechanical and electrical functions.

6.4.1 The Engineer-fisherman shall be competent in the use of modern navigational equipment including: Global Positioning Systems (GPS), navigational plotters located on the vessel(ECC Globe, Windplot, Nobletech etc.), and Radars.

6.4.2 The Engineer-fisherman shall be competent in the reading and use of most acoustic echo sounder equipment located on the vessel; (single beam, split beam)

6.4.3 The Engineer-fisherman shall be competent in diagnosing and repairing all shipboard motors and electronics; (main engine, generators, pumps, lighting, hydraulics etc.)

6.4.4 The Engineer-fisherman shall be experienced and capable in using all forms of communication electronics on the vessel;

(VHF, SSB, Satellite communications)

6.4.5 The Engineer-fisherman shall be experienced in rigging and repairing bottom trawls.

6.4.5.1 The Engineer-fisherman shall be proficient in reading detailed net diagrams and be able to adhere to the strict requirements contained therein.

6.4.5.2 The Engineer-fisherman shall be competent in wire splicing 6 X 19 IWRC wire rope

6.5 The cook-fisherman shall have a minimum of one (1) years’ experience in trawl fishing and in repairing bottom trawl gear.

6.5.1 The Cook-fisherman shall be competent in the use of modern navigational equipment including: Global Positioning Systems (GPS), navigational plotters located on the vessel(ECC Globe, Windplot, Nobletech etc.), and Radars.

6.5.2 The Cook-fisherman shall be competent in the reading and use of most acoustic echo sounder equipment located on the vessel;

(single beam, split beam).

6.5.3 The Cook-fisherman shall be competent in diagnosing and repairing some shipboard motors and electronics.

6.5.4 The Cook-fisherman shall be experienced and capable in using all forms of communication electronics on the vessel; (VHF, SSB, Satellite communications).

6.5.5 The Cook-fisherman shall have some experience in rigging and repairing bottom trawls.

6.6 One additional vessel personnel is permitted to perform night watches.

If this is the case, the vessel is required to provide sufficient life

AB-133F-RP-13-0088 Page - 21 raft capacity for normal survey operations (7 total personnel), additional bunk space, and added insurance for the extra crewman.

6.6.1 The additional crewman shall have a 3 months experience in trawl fishing and repairing bottom trawl gear.

6.6.2 The additional crewman shall be…