AB133F14RQ0218_COMBINED_SYNOPSIS_SOLICITATION.pdf

REQUEST FOR QUOTATION

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NFFS7100-14-01133

AB-133F-14-RQ-0218

WESTERN ACQUISITION DIVISION

CONTRACTS BRANCH

7600 SAND POINT WAY NE, WC3

SEATTLE WA 98115-6349

CRYSTINA R. ELKINS

CRYSTINA.R.ELKINS@NOAA.GOV

Please See Continuation Page 43 for Line Item Details

206 526-6036

NOAA/NMFS 7600 SAND PT WAY NE /F/AKC1

SEATTLE

98115-6349WA

MAR 31, 2014

SEP 30, 2014

DUNS:

FS710031

Crystina.R.Elkins Typewritten Text March 14, 2014

Attachment Page

PAGE 2 OF 43 AB-133F-14-RQ-0218

COMBINED SYNOPSIS/SOLICITATION

VESSEL CHARTER TO CONDUCT RESEARCH ON ROCKFISH IN CORAL AND SPONGE HABITATS NEAR

KODIAK ISLAND IN THE GULF OF ALASKA

(I) This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice and in accordance with the simplified acquisition procedures authorized in FAR Part 13. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued.

The National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) intends to award one firm-fixed-price contract for the acquisition of a vessel charter to conduct research on rockfish in coral and sponge habitats near Kodiak Island in the Gulf of Alaska as described in the Statement of Work. All responsible sources may submit a quotation which shall be considered by NOAA. The Government intends to select one contractor; however, the Government reserves the right to award no contract at all, depending on the quality of the proposals/quotes and prices submitted and the availability of funds.

(II) This solicitation is issued as a request for quotation (RFQ). Submit written quotes on RFQ Number AB-133F- 14-RQ-0218 shall be submitted on a Standard Form (SF) 18.

(III) The solicitation and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2005-72 dated 01/30/14.

(IV) This procurement is 100% set-aside for small business concerns. The associated NAICS code is 483114. The small business size standard is 500 employees.

(V) This combined solicitation/synopsis is for purchase of the following commercial item supply:

Line Item 0001 – Period of Performance: May 1, 2014 – September 30, 2014; BASE CHARTER DAYS – 8 DA:

provide all labor, equipment and materials (unless otherwise provided herein) necessary to conduct vessel charter in support of research on rockfish in coral and sponge habitats near Kodiak Island in the Gulf of Alaska in accordance with the Statement of Work during eight (8) consecutive days occurring in May 2014. Contract will be awarded on or about May 1, 2014 and conclude September 30, 2014.

Line Item 0002 - Period of Performance: May 1, 2014 – September 30, 2014; VESSEL COMMUNICATIONS AND MOORAGE ESTIMATE (an estimated not-to-exceed amount of $800.00 is assigned to this line item) – 1 NTE LS.

Line Item 0003 - Period of Performance: May 1, 2014 – September 30, 2014; OPTION ITEM - OPTION CHARTER DAYS – 8 DA: Option for up to 8 additional charter days in accordance with the Statement of Work/Specifications contained in Part VI.

Line Item 0004 - Period of Performance: May 1, 2014 – September 30, 2014; OPTION ITEM: VESSEL COMMUNICATIONS AND MOORAGE ESTIMATE (an estimated not-to-exceed amount of $800.00 is assigned to this line item) – 1 NTE LS.

Line Item 0005 - Period of Performance: May 1, 2014 – September 30, 2014; OPTION ITEM: ESTIMATED FUEL – 1 NTE LS (contractor shall insert fuel calculation price from Section XIII, paragraph titled “FUEL

CONSUMPTION”)

PAGE 3 OF 43 AB-133F-14-RQ-0218

(VI) Description of requirements is as follows:

STATEMENT OF WORK/SPECIFICATIONS:

The contractor shall supply the necessary personnel, material, equipment, services and facilities (except as otherwise specified) to perform the following the Statement of Work/Specifications.

STATEMENT OF WORK/SPECIFICATIONS

This commercial item acquisition solicitation for supply of a charter vessel and any resulting contract is subject to Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 12, Acquisition of Commercial Items. This solicitation incorporates provisions and clauses in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular No. 2005-72 dated 01/30/14.

This is a firm-fixed price type contract for the supply of a vessel charter and crew with reimbursable line items for communications and mooring. Line item for fuel is reimbursable, but is only intended for reimbursement should the Government determine that it is in the best interest of the Government for the contractor to purchase fuel.

The contract will consist of a base period from May 1, 2014, or date of award through September 30, 2014. This contract consists of a base 8-day charter period occurring in May 2014 and an option for an additional 8-day option period occurring in August – September, 2014.

Title: VESSEL CHARTER TO CONDUCT RESEARCH ON ROCKFISH IN CORAL AND SPONGE HABITATS

NEAR KODIAK ISLAND IN THE GULF OF ALASKA

BACKGROUND: The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, 16 U.S.C. § 1801 et seq.

included a requirement to establish a deep sea coral research program. Research to improve understanding of coral and sponge ecosystems include both a better understanding of the biodiversity and ecological role of coral communities and the potential for impacts caused by fishing and human activities. Many commercially important species have been found to be associated with coral and sponge habitats in Alaska waters. These complex habitats are likely providing both protection from predators and increased prey availability. The relative importance of coral and sponge habitat as compared to other non-biotic complex benthic structure (e.g. boulders) for rockfish and other federally-managed fish species remains unknown. The vulnerability of these habitats to fishing gear is of national concern, which emphasizes the need to better understand these ecosystems. The overarching goal of this study is to examine the productivity of Fishery Management Plan (FMP) species within coral and sponge habitats in the Gulf of Alaska.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relation of coral and sponge habitats to the productivity of commercially important fish species in the Gulf of Alaska near Kodiak Island. The requirement is to conduct at-sea sampling operations utilizing a combination of tools, including a drop video camera, bottom trawls, a Conductivity-Temperature-Depth (CTD) profiler, and plankton sampling equipment to examine seasonal density, community structure, prey availability, diet diversity, condition, growth, and reproductive success within the different habitat types for commercially important rockfish species.

SCOPE OF WORK: The Resource Assessment and Conservation Engineering (RACE) Division of the Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC) has a requirement for a vessel charter with crew to conduct sampling operations in the Albatross Bank region of the Gulf of Alaska. A commercial fishing vessel will be chartered for a total of 8 days with the potential of an additional 8 optional days. The charter will occur during April-May of 2014, with an optional period of an additional 8 days to occur during August- September of 2014. All trips will begin and end in Kodiak, AK. During each portion of the charter there will be up to four research scientists from the Alaska Fisheries Science Center aboard the vessel, one of whom will act as Chief Scientist.

PAGE 4 OF 43 AB-133F-14-RQ-0218

During the cruise the Government will sample at low relief, rocky/boulder, and sponge/coral habitat sites at the 49 Fathom Pinnacle study area offshore of Albatross Bank and at the Snakehead Bank study area southwest of Albatross Bank (Figure 1). Sites providing the necessary habitat contrasts have been identified by previous underwater video research. The Government utilizes an underwater stereo drop camera (SDC) system to examine habitat associations, community structure, size structure and density within these areas and a bottom trawl and bongo net to collect biological samples. Within each of the three habitat types the SDC will be deployed at a minimum of four transects of approximately 1.5 km length. The SDC shall be towed or drifted at slow speed maintaining position 1-2 m above the seafloor for transects up to 1.5 hours. Since the cameras are mounted looking forward at an angle of approximately 35 degrees off horizontal from the seafloor, the SDC provides images with a path width of 2.4 m.

After the camera is retrieved, the contractor shall conduct bottom trawl tows using a Government provided bottom trawl. The catches in these bottom trawl tows will be used to confirm species identification and size of fish within the habitat. The bottom trawl is a modified version of the Poly Nor’Eastern bottom trawl. The net modifications include replacement of the standard footrope with rockhopper gear, the addition of heavier bridles (1.9 cm), and double meshes in the belly of the net. The center section of the rockhopper gear consists of 61 cm rockhopper discs spaced approximately 46 cm apart. The rockhopper discs are spaced at about 61 cm on the wings and gradually tapered from 61 to 46 cm diameter on the wing extensions. All rockhopper discs are separated by solid sections of 23 cm (10 in.)

discs. The bottom trawl is fished with Fishbuster trawl doors. The bottom trawl modifications are designed to improve the ruggedness of the net and allow the net to sample seafloor considered untrawlable with the standard survey net. The bottom trawl shall be towed at an average speed of 3.0 knots against the prevailing current for distances of 0.5 to 1.5 km. Bottom trawl catches will be sorted, by the Government, to species and weighed. For the predominant rockfish species within the catch, sexed-lengths will be measured, stomach, otolith, and gonad samples will be preserved, and a sub-sample of fish will be immediately frozen for future condition analyses.

At each habitat site the contractor shall also conduct plankton tows to assess the diversity and density of pelagic prey in each of the habitats. Bongo tows, using a Government provided plankton net, shall be conducted along four transects within each of the habitat types at the two sites. The bongo net consists of two parallel nets with mesh sizes of 500 and 1000 um. The bongo net must be towed on a double oblique haul, at a speed of 1-2 knots, from the surface to within 5-10 m of the bottom and back to the surface maintaining a wire angle close to 45°. The Government will monitor flow rate using a calibrated flow meter mounted on the mouth aperture of the net. The Government will preserve zooplankton samples in 5% buffered formalin for laboratory analysis. In addition, the contractor shall conduct CTD casts using a Government provided CTD unit. The CTD shall be lowered and retrieved vertically through the water column from the surface to the bottom by the contractor.

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE:

The period of performance for this contract will be May 1, 2014 – September 30, 2014 and includes 8 charter days occurring in May 2014. There will be an additional optional period of 8 charter days occurring during August or September 2014. Contractor will be notified of intent to exercise charter option days no less than 30 days prior to the beginning of the optional charter period. All trips will begin and end in Kodiak, Alaska.

REQUIREMENTS:

The charter vessel must be equipped with the necessary gear to deploy all scientific equipment including the bongo net, the stereo drop camera, and the modified bottom trawl provided by the AFSC. The vessel must be completely rigged for trawling with a stern ramp and gallows/gantry, split trawl winches, net reel, and minimum continuous horsepower output from main engine of 850 HP for towing and retrieving the trawl net at an average speed of 3 knots.

The vessel must be equipped with all necessary winches (except the stereo drop camera winch which will be provided by the AFSC) and adequate deck space to deploy all equipment listed above. The vessel must be equipped with either a winch (hydraulic or electric) or line hauler (pot hauler) with davit/block and control valve to launch and retrieve plankton nets and the CTD. The vessel must have the ability to slowly tow plankton nets at a constant speed of 1 – 2 knots. The vessel must provide a semi-sheltered area to house a chest freezer. The vessel must have adequate deck

PAGE 5 OF 43 AB-133F-14-RQ-0218

space to sort, weigh, and sample trawl specimens. There must be enough space for up to four scientists to sort the catch into baskets, for a platform scale for weighing fish baskets, and this space must also include an area of approximately 8 feet of linear space on the back deck to set up a fish sampling station.

Knowledge about local water ways and conditions around Kodiak Island is essential to the performance of this charter. The charter vessel must be capable of fishing in offshore sampling localities. Deck crew must be able to demonstrate experience with operation of the vessel and hauling equipment, including minor modifications and repairs to equipment as needed. Experience of the captain and crew with similar gear and willingness to help are required.

The contractor shall provide the vessel, captain, crew, water, food (3 nutritionally balanced meals per day), and berthing for up to four scientists for the length of the charter period. Workday length shall be determined by the Chief Scientist in consultation with the Captain but will likely average 12 hours per 24-hr day. The Chief Scientist has the final authority except in matters relating to safety of the vessel and vessel personnel. The crew, when not required by the Captain for vessel operations, shall assist the scientific personnel as needed. The Captain may be asked to assist scientific personnel with navigational and fishing record keeping. Scientists and crew may engage in recreational fishing from charter vessels with permission of the captain and if done in compliance with recreational fishing laws and regulations in effect at the fishing locality. The contractor shall provide for all operating expenses, except fuel.

The Chief Scientist and the Captain shall work together to resolve all problems which occur regarding the study. In the event the Chief Scientist and Captain are unable to resolve any problem with has the potential for invalidating the study or threatens the safety of the scientific party, the Chief Scientist will direct the vessel to return to port and will remain off charter until the problem has been resolved and the vessel has returned to the study area.

Vessel/Operating Requirements:

1. Minimum vessel size for this charter is 72 ft. length overall.

2. Minimum continuous horsepower output from main engine of 850 HP is required.

3. The charter vessel must be capable of fishing the NMFS provided trawl net in offshore sampling localities. Deck crew must be able to demonstrate experience with operation of the vessel and hauling equipment, including minor modifications and repairs to equipment as needed.

4. The vessel must be completely rigged for trawling including: a stern ramp and gallows or gantry, at least one net reel with capacity for the NMFS provided trawl net equipped with rockhopper gear, split trawl winches, adequate horsepower (Minimum continuous horsepower output from main engine of 850 HP.) to tow and retrieve the net at an average continuous speed of 3 knots.

5. The vessel must provide a winch (hydraulic or electric), line hauler (pot hauler) with davit/block and control valve, or similar equipment capable of setting/retrieving the bongo plankton net and CTD at a controlled rate (20-50 m/minute). The winch/pot hauler should have lift capacity of approximately 500 lbs. and be able to handle 1200 ft. of ¼ to 5/16” spectra. The vessel must have the ability to tow plankton nets at a constant speed of 1-2 knots.

6. For camera operations the vessel must provide continuous 110 VAC accessible on the back deck, provisions to attach a 28” by 28” electromechanical winch to the back deck for camera deployment. In addition the vessel must provide a suitable dedicated interior dry counter work space approximately (1 x 3 feet) with adjacent power outlets to charge batteries for video drop cameras and government laptops, and a suitable dedicated dry space to install a television monitor to view camera transects.

7. A clean and flush back deck with access to at least one salt water hose and adequate deck space to deploy all equipment as well as to process the trawl tows; with space for sampling buckets, gear, and a semi-sheltered area to house a chest freezer.

PAGE 6 OF 43 AB-133F-14-RQ-0218

8. Vessel must have fuel capacity for continuous operations during each entire cruise leg to prevent time loss to survey operations.

9. Potable water with capacity and ability to replenish without loss to survey operations.

10. Vessel must be capable of fishing during low visibility periods during the day and deck lighting must be sufficient to carry on fishing and processing operations.

11. Full time 110 VAC electricity.

Electronic Equipment Requirements:

1. GPS plotter with navigation program

2. Radar

3. Cell or satellite phone

4. VHF radio

5. Acoustic sounder

6. Depth sensor

7. Vessel must have a method of communication that will allow for daily check-ins; either satellite e-mail or phone is acceptable.

Crew/Captain Requirements:

1. The Captain shall have a minimum of three (3) years commercial fishing experience of a comparable-sized fishing vessel in Alaskan waters.

2. A minimum of two crew members (not including the captain) are required on board the vessel during the charter.

3. At least one crew member or the Captain must be certified in first aid and at least one crew member or the Captain must be certified in CPR.

4. Crew must be able to handle all operations related to the deployment of each gear type listed above.

5. The Captain shall be experienced in the use of modern navigational and fish detecting equipment.

Accommodation Requirements:

1. Berthing space for up to four scientists, including clean mattresses with fitted covers.

2. A minimum of one head and one shower shall be available to the scientific party.

3. Working and berthing spaces adequately ventilated and free from excessive noise and fumes.

4. Capacity for carrying provisions for all scientific and crew personnel for continuous operations during the entire cruise period.

5. Storage to retain all refuse (except food and paper materials) or a means to incinerate this refuse so it is not disposed at sea for continuous operations during the entire cruise period.

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Safety Requirements:

1. The vessel Captain is responsible for all matters relating to safety of personnel, the vessel, and equipment operation. The Captain shall adhere at all times to Navigational Rules and Rules of the Road whether it be while operating fishing gear, 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.

2. The contractor shall adhere to the safety requirements 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. All scientific 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 on board.

5. At the time of submission of the proposal, 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 also be included.

6. A Category I 406 MHZ EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon) must be affixed to the exterior of the vessel in a manner approved by the Coast Guard.

7. At least one crew member must be formally trained in survival and firefighting at a level equivalent to that offered by the North Pacific Fishing Vessel Owner’s Association.

8. Vessel must pass a U.S. Coast Guard safety examination no earlier than two weeks before the vessels’ scheduled departure and the Coast Guard certification must be obtained by the vessel, no less than one week prior to the scheduled departure.

9. All vessels chartered by NOAA must be maintained in a seaworthy condition. All vessels shall possess one or more of the following documents, reflecting the vessel’s current configuration, as evidence of the vessel’s material condition, structural, and watertight integrity: current vessel classification, SOLAS Safety Construction (SLC) Certificate, Loadline Certificate, or equivalent applicable Classification Society documents; or evidence of drydocking examination, or underwater survey in lieu of drydocking, and an internal structural examination, twice within all previous five-year periods with no more than three years between any two examinations and more frequently if required per USCG regulations relevant to the size, age, and use of the vessel from a recognized marine surveying company certifying the vessel’s structural and watertight integrity.

10. Means of escape. Aboard all vessels chartered by NOAA there shall be two identified escape routes from all general areas. At least one of these two means shall be independent of water tight hatches and doors, except for quick acting watertight hatches and doors giving final access to weather decks.

11. Fire protection. All vessels chartered by NOAA shall have in place fully functional fire protection systems and equipment, such as portable and semi-portable fire extinguishers, fire pumps, fire mains, fixed gas extinguishing systems, and fire detection and alarm systems in accordance with USCG or SOLAS requirements.

12. All vessels chartered by NOAA shall carry survival craft of aggregate capacity to accommodate at least 100% of the number of persons permitted to be aboard. Survival craft must meet USCG or SOLAS regulations based on vessel size, type, construction, and area of operation. For operations outside the boundary line, survival craft shall be outfitted with SOLAS A pack for ocean service. All survival craft must be stowed so as to float free and inflatable survival craft must automatically inflate in the event the vessel sinks. Each survival craft and stowage arrangement

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shall meet USCG or SOLAS maintenance, servicing, and certification requirements as evidenced by a current and valid USCG inspection or SOLAS certification. The expiration date of survival craft inspection and certification shall not be exceeded during the charter period.

Scientific Personnel:

1. The Government field party consists of up to four scientists.

2. A Government employee will be designated as Chief Scientist. That person will be responsible for implementation of the Cruise Plan, disposition of catches, and the conduct and performance of Government personnel aboard the vessel.

3. NOAA authorized personnel will provide their own bedding (except clean mattresses with clean fitted covers, which the contractor is required to provide).

(End of Statement of Work/Specifications)

(VII) Acceptance will take place aboard the contracted vessel.

(VIII) FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors -- Commercial Items (JUL 2013), and addenda apply to this acquisition.

ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS

(a) Offerors shall submit all attachments with complete information which clearly and concisely relates to the evaluation criteria in Section IX, specifically addressing the following:

Factor 1 – Technical Capability (Attachment 1): Demonstrated ability to meet vessel requirements as specified in the statement of work. Demonstrated ability to provide qualified vessel crew as outlined in the Statement of Work.

Offerors shall provide sufficient detailed information which demonstrates their technical capability, proposed technical approach, and how they plan to meet the specified requirements and supplement this data by filling out Attachments 1, 2 3 and 4.

Factor 2 – Past Performance (Attachment 5)

The Government will conduct a performance assessment based on the quality of the past performance of the contractor on similar contracts as it relates to the probability of successful accomplishment of the required effort. The Government will use its discretion to determine the sources of past performance information used in the evaluation.

Information utilized will be obtained from the references listed in the quote, other customers known to the Government, and others who may have useful and relevant information. Information will also be considered regarding any significant subcontractors and key personnel, who may be referenced on Attachment #5.

Offerors shall provide a listing of customers to which Past Performance Questionnaire forms were distributed. The list must contain the firms’ names, the representative to whom the form was provided, a telephone number of the contact and an email address. Your customers are requested to complete the Past Performance form and submit the form by fax or email directly to the Contract Specialist noted below.

If an offeror does not have a history of similar or relevant past performance, or if it is not available, it should be noted as such in the quote.

NOTE: Upon completion of the form, the customer shall return it to:

DOC, NOAA, Western Acquisition Division by email to: Crystina.R.Elkins@noaa.gov or fax: 206-527-3916.

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Please Note: Any Exceptional, Marginal or Unsatisfactory rating assessed by the customer on individual elements or overall rating assigned on the past performance questionnaire, shall include an explanatory narrative to be provided in the remarks block. These narratives need not be lengthy, just adequately detailed to support evidence of the specific ratings noted above. Failure to provide information supporting the assigned rating may result in a lower rating being designated than that assigned by the customer.

Offerors shall make every effort to ensure that forms are received no later than the submission date stated in the solicitation for the proposal in order to be considered for evaluation of this factor. Questionnaires submitted directly by the offeror rather than by the customer may not be considered.

If an offeror does not have a history of relevant contract experience, or if past performance information is not available, the offeror will receive a neutral past performance rating.

Factor 3 – Price

Price quotes must generally adhere to the pricing structure established in the Schedule of Items. Each offeror's price quote must be based on the offeror's own technical quote, the Government's Statement of Work and other contractual requirements. If the prices to be used are based on a published price list or catalog, the quoter shall so state, and provide a copy of the document with its price quote. If the prices are to be based on established market prices, not otherwise published, or are prices applicable only to the proposed contract, the quoter shall so state.

NOTE: The vendor is requested to insert charter fuel calculation from Section XIII, paragraph titled “FUEL CONSUMPTION”, into line item 0005 of the price schedule. It should be noted that the Government intends to procure fuel under a separate contract and this line item is for evaluation purposes only. However, should the Government determine it’s in their best interest; the contractor may be required to purchase fuel for use during the charter, which will be reimbursed in accordance with the terms stated in this contract. (Reference Section XIII, paragraphs titled “FUEL OIL” and “INVOICING FOR FUEL, COMMUNICATIONS AND MOORAGE”)

In order to determine that offered prices are fair and reasonable, the Government reserves the right to request that the quoter provide cost breakdowns to support proposed prices. Information to support unit prices should include, but not be limited to, the following:

(A) Salary/wage information with associated payroll expenses, for personnel to be used in performance of the contract;

(B) Cost for equipment, supplies, and consumable materials;

(C) A breakout of related support costs, such as equipment maintenance, rental, transportation, etc.;

(D) Overhead costs;

(E) General Administrative expenses; and

(F) Profit

NOTICE TO OFFERORS: Instructions for submitting quotations under this request for quote must be followed.

Failure to provide all information to aid in the evaluation may be considered non-responsive. Offers that are non-responsive may be excluded from further evaluation and rejected without further notification to the offeror.

1. Quotes shall be fully executed and returned on the Standard Form (SF) 18 and any acknowledgements of solicitation amendments on the SF 30.

2. Submit quotations to the office specified in this solicitation at or before the time specified in the solicitation.

Email quotes are acceptable and can be sent to Crystina.R.Elkins@noaa.gov. Electronic/email quotes should be compatible with Microsoft Suite or Adobe.

3. At a minimum the contractor shall provide the following information:

a) Point of contact name, telephone, facsimile and E-mail address.

PAGE 10 OF 43 AB-133F-14-RQ-0218

b) DUNS Number

c) Acknowledgement of registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) database

d) Identification of Authorized Negotiators, including name, telephone, facsimile and E-mail address

e) Certification that Representations and Certifications have been executed by an individual authorized to legally bind the offering firm.

(IX) CAR 1352.213-70 Evaluation Utilizing Simplified Acquisition Procedures (APR 2010) will be used to evaluate quotes under this solicitation using the following procedures:

The Government will issue an order resulting from this request for quotation to the responsible offeror whose quotation results in the best value to the Government, considering both price and non-price factors. The following factors will be used to evaluate quotations:

Technical Capability: Describe in detail the offeror’s technical capability and approach to meeting the specified requirements in the SOW including, but not limited to, the demonstrated ability to meet the vessel requirements and provide qualified vessel crew; and completed Attachment 1 - Charter Vessel Characteristics, Attachment 2 – Vessel Configuration, Attachment 3 – Vessel’s Commercial Fishing History and Attachment 4 – Master/Crew Work Experience.

Past Performance: The offeror and any major subcontractors' past performance on related relevant contracts, similar in size and scope, in whole or in part, to the Statement of Work herein over the last 5 years will be evaluated to determine, as appropriate, successful performance of contract requirements, quality and timeliness of delivery of goods and services, effective management of subcontractors, cost management, level of communication between the contracting parties, proactive management and customer satisfaction.

The Government reserves the right to assess the past performance of proposed subcontractors. The Government will use its discretion to determine the sources of past performance information used in the evaluation, and the information may be obtained from references provided by the offeror, the agency’s knowledge of Contractor performance, other Government agencies or commercial entities, or past performance databases.

If an offeror does not have a history of relevant contract experience, or if past performance information is not available, the offeror will receive a neutral past performance rating.

Price

A written notice of award or acceptance of an offer mailed or otherwise furnished to the successful offeror within the time for acceptance specified in the offer, shall result in a binding contract without further action by either party.

Before the offer’s specified expiration time, the Government may accept an offer (or part of an offer), whether or not there are negotiations after its receipt, unless a written notice of withdrawal is received before award.

(X) FAR 52.212-3 Offeror Representations and Certifications – Commercial Items (NOV 2013), applies to this acquisition and a completed copy must be included with a quote.

An offeror shall complete only paragraph (b) of this provision if the offeror has completed the annual representations and certificates electronically via http://www.acquisition.gov . If an offeror has not completed the annual representations and certifications electronically at the System for Award Management (SAM) website, the offeror shall complete only paragraphs (c) through (o) of this provision.

(a) Definitions. As used in this provision-- “Economically disadvantaged women-owned small business (EDWOSB) concern” means a small business concern that is at least 51 percent directly and unconditionally owned by, and the management and daily business operations of which are controlled by, one or more women who are citizens of the United States and who are economically disadvantaged in accordance with 13 CFR part 127. It automatically qualifies as a women-owned small business eligible under the WOSB Program.

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“Forced or indentured child labor” means all work or service—

(1) Exacted from any person under the age of 18 under the menace of any penalty for its nonperformance and for which the worker does not offer himself voluntarily; or

(2) Performed by any person under the age of 18 pursuant to a contract the enforcement of which can be accomplished by process or penalties.

“Inverted domestic corporation,” as used in this section, means a foreign incorporated entity which is treated as an inverted domestic corporation under 6 U.S.C. 395(b),i.e., a corporation that used to be incorporated in the United States, or used to be a partnership in the United States, but now is incorporated in a foreign country, or is a subsidiary whose parent corporation is incorporated in a foreign country, that meets the criteria specified in 6 U.S.C. 395(b), applied in accordance with the rules and definitions of 6 U.S.C. 395(c). An inverted domestic corporation as herein defined does not meet the definition of an inverted domestic corporation as defined by the Internal Revenue Code at 26 U.S.C. 7874.

“Manufactured end product” means any end product in Federal Supply Classes (FSC) 1000-9999, except—

(1) FSC 5510, Lumber and Related Basic Wood Materials;

(2) Federal Supply Group (FSG) 87, Agricultural Supplies;

(3) FSG 88, Live Animals;

(4) FSG 89, Food and Related Consumables;

(5) FSC 9410, Crude Grades of Plant Materials;

(6) FSC 9430, Miscellaneous Crude Animal Products, Inedible;

(7) FSC 9440, Miscellaneous Crude Agricultural and Forestry Products;

(8) FSC 9610, Ores;

(9) FSC 9620, Minerals, Natural and Synthetic; and

(10) FSC 9630, Additive Metal Materials.

“Place of manufacture” means the place where an end product is assembled out of components, or otherwise made or processed from raw materials into the finished product that is to be provided to the Government. If a product is disassembled and reassembled, the place of reassembly is not the place of manufacture.

“Restricted business operations” means business operations in Sudan that include power production activities, mineral extraction activities, oil-related activities, or the production of military equipment, as those terms are defined in the Sudan Accountability and Divestment Act of 2007 (Pub. L. 110-174). Restricted business operations do not include business operations that the person (as that term is defined in Section 2 of the Sudan Accountability and Divestment Act of 2007) conducting the business can demonstrate—

(1) Are conducted under contract directly and exclusively with the regional government of southern Sudan;

(2) Are conducted pursuant to specific authorization from the Office of Foreign Assets Control in the Department of the Treasury, or are expressly exempted under Federal law from the requirement to be conducted under such authorization;

(3) Consist of providing goods or services to marginalized populations of Sudan;

(4) Consist of providing goods or services to an internationally recognized peacekeeping force or humanitarian organization;

(5) Consist of providing goods or services that are used only to promote health or education; or

(6) Have been voluntarily suspended.

Sensitive technology—

(1) Means hardware, software, telecommunications equipment, or any other technology that is to be used specifically—

(i) To restrict the free flow of unbiased information in Iran; or

(ii) To disrupt, monitor, or otherwise restrict speech of the people of Iran; and

(2) Does not include information or informational materials the export of which the President does not have the authority to regulate or prohibit pursuant to section 203(b)(3) of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1702(b)(3)).

“Service-disabled veteran-owned small business concern”—

(1) Means a small business concern—

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(i) Not less than 51 percent of which is owned by one or more service-disabled veterans or, in the case of any publicly owned business, not less than 51 percent of the stock of which is owned by one or more service-disabled veterans; and

(ii) The management and daily business operations of which are controlled by one or more service-disabled veterans or, in the case of a service-disabled veteran with permanent and severe disability, the spouse or permanent caregiver of such veteran.

(2) Service-disabled veteran means a veteran, as defined in 38 U.S.C. 101(2), with a disability that is service-connected, as defined in 38 U.S.C. 101(16).

“Small business concern” means a concern, including its affiliates, that is independently owned and operated, not dominant in the field of operation in which it is bidding on Government contracts, and qualified as a small business under the criteria in 13 CFR Part 121 and size standards in this solicitation.

“Subsidiary” means an entity in which more than 50 percent of the entity is owned—

(1) Directly by a parent corporation; or

(2) Through another subsidiary of a parent corporation.

“Veteran-owned small business concern” means a small business concern—

(1) Not less than 51 percent of which is owned by one or more veterans(as defined at 38 U.S.C. 101(2)) or, in the case of any publicly owned business, not less than 51 percent of the stock of which is owned by one or more veterans; and

(2) The management and daily business operations of which are controlled by one or more veterans.

“Women-owned business concern” means a concern which is at least 51 percent owned by one or more women;

or in the case of any publicly owned business, at least 51 percent of the its stock is owned by one or more women; and whose management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more women.

“Women-owned small business concern” means a small business concern --

(1) That is at least 51 percent owned by one or more women or, in the case of any publicly owned business, at least 51 percent of the stock of which is owned by one or more women; and

(2) Whose management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more women.

“Women-owned small business (WOSB) concern eligible under the WOSB Program (in accordance with 13 CFR part 127),” means a small business concern that is at least 51 percent directly and unconditionally owned by, and the management and daily business operations of which are controlled by, one or more women who are citizens of the United States.

(b)

(1) Annual Representations and Certifications. Any changes provided by the offeror in paragraph (b)(2) of this provision do not automatically change the representations and certifications posted on the SAMwebsite.

(2) The offeror has completed the annual representations and certifications electronically via the SAM website accessed through https://www.acquisition.gov. After reviewing the SAM database information, the offeror verifies by submission of this offer that the representation and certifications currently posted electronically at FAR 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications—Commercial Items, have been entered or updated in the last 12 months, are current, accurate, complete, and applicable to this solicitation (including the business size standard applicable to the NAICS code referenced for this solicitation), as of the date of this offer and are incorporated in this offer by reference (see FAR 4.1201), except for paragraphs ____________. [Offeror to identify the applicable paragraphs at (c) through (o) of this provision that the offeror has completed for the purposes of this solicitation only, if any. These amended representation(s) and/or certification(s) are also incorporated in this offer and are current, accurate, and complete as of the date of this offer. Any changes provided by the offeror are applicable to this solicitation only, and do not result in an update to the representations and certifications posted electronically on SAM.]

(c) Offerors must complete the following representations when the resulting contract is to be performed in the United States or its outlying areas. Check all that apply.

(1) Small business concern. The offeror represents as part of its offer that it [_] is, [_] is not a small business concern.

(2) Veteran-owned small business concern. [Complete only if the offeror represented itself as a small business concern in paragraph (c)(1) of this provision.] The offeror represents as part of its offer that it [_] is, [_] is not a veteran-owned small business concern.

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(3) Service-disabled veteran-owned small business concern. [Complete only if the offeror represented itself as a veteran-owned small business concern in paragraph (c)(2) of this provision.] The offeror represents as part of its offer that it [_] is, [_] is not a service-disabled veteran-owned small business concern.

(4) Small disadvantaged business concern. [Complete only if the offeror represented itself as a small business concern in paragraph (c)(1) of this provision.] The offeror represents, for general statistical purposes, that it [_] is, [_] is not, a small disadvantaged business concern as defined in 13 CFR 124.1002.

(5) Women-owned small business concern. [Complete only if the offeror represented itself as a small business concern in paragraph (c)(1) of this provision.] The offeror represents that it [_] is, [_] is not a women-owned small business concern.

Note: Complete paragraphs (c)(8) and (c)(9) only if this solicitation is expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold.

(6) WOSB concern eligible under the WOSB Program. [Complete only if the offeror represented itself as a women-owned small business concern in paragraph (c)(5) of this provision.] The offeror represents that—

(i) It [_] is, [_] is not a WOSB concern eligible under the WOSB Program, has provided all the required documents to the WOSB Repository, and no change in circumstances or adverse decisions have been issued that affects its eligibility; and

(ii) It [_] is, [_] is not a joint venture that complies with the requirements of 13 CFR part 127, and the representation in paragraph (c)(6)(i) of this provision is accurate for each WOSB concern eligible under the WOSB Program participating in the joint venture. [The offeror shall enter the name or names of the WOSB concern eligible under the WOSB Program and other small businesses that are participating in the joint venture: _________.] Each WOSB concern eligible under the WOSB Program participating in the joint venture shall submit a separate signed copy of the WOSB representation.

(7) Economically disadvantaged women-owned small business (EDWOSB) concern. [Complete only if the offeror represented itself as a WOSB concern eligible under the WOSB Program in (c)(6) of this provision.] The offeror represents that—

(i) It [_] is, [_] is not an EDWOSB concern, has provided all the required documents to the WOSB Repository, and no change in circumstances or adverse decisions have been issued that affects its eligibility;

and

(ii) It [_] is, [_] is not a joint venture that complies with the requirements of 13 CFR part 127, and the representation in paragraph (c)(7)(i) of this provision is accurate for each EDWOSB concern participating in the joint venture. [The offeror shall enter the name or names of the EDWOSB concern and other small businesses that are participating in the joint venture: _____________.] Each EDWOSB concern participating in the joint venture shall submit a separate signed copy of the EDWOSB representation.

(8) Women-owned business concern (other than small business concern). [Complete only if the offeror is a women-owned business concern and did not represent itself as a small business concern in paragraph (c)(1) of this provision.] The offeror represents that it [_] is, a women-owned business concern.

(9) Tie bid priority for labor surplus area concerns. If this is an invitation for bid, small business offerors may identify the labor surplus areas in which costs to be incurred on account of manufacturing or production (by offeror or first-tier subcontractors) amount to more than 50 percent of the contract price:

(10) [Complete only if the solicitation contains the clause at FAR 52.219-23, Notice of Price Evaluation Adjustment for Small Disadvantaged Business Concerns, or FAR 52.219-25, Small Disadvantaged Business Participation Program—Disadvantaged Status and Reporting, and the offeror desires a benefit based on its disadvantaged status.]

(i) General. The offeror represents that either—

(A) It [_] is, [_] is not certified by the Small Business Administration as a small disadvantaged business concern and identified, on the date of this representation, as a certified small disadvantaged business concern in the SAM Dynamic Small Business Search database maintained by the Small Business Administration , and that no material change in disadvantaged ownership and control has occurred since its certification, and, where the concern is owned by one or more individuals claiming disadvantaged status, the net worth of each individual upon whom the certification is based does not exceed $750,000 after taking into account the applicable exclusions set forth at 13 CFR 124.104(c)(2); or

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(B) It [_] has, [_] has not submitted a completed application to the Small Business Administration or a Private Certifier to be certified as a small disadvantaged business concern in accordance with 13 CFR 124, Subpart B, and a decision on that application is pending, and that no material change in disadvantaged ownership and control has occurred since its application was submitted.

(ii) Joint Ventures under the Price Evaluation Adjustment for Small Disadvantaged Business Concerns. The offeror represents, as part of its offer, that it is a joint venture that complies with the requirements in 13 CFR 124.1002(f) and that the representation in paragraph (c)(10)(i) of this provision is accurate for the small disadvantaged business concern that is participating in the joint venture. [The offeror shall enter the name of the small disadvantaged business concern that is participating in the joint venture:

(11) HUBZone small business concern. [Complete only if the offeror represented itself as a small business concern in paragraph (c)(1) of this provision.] The offeror represents, as part of its offer, that--

(i) It [_] is, [_] is not a HUBZone small business concern listed, on the date of this representation, on the List of Qualified HUBZone Small Business Concerns maintained by the Small Business Administration, and no material changes in ownership and control, principal office, or HUBZone employee percentage have occurred since it was certified in accordance with 13 CFR part 126; and

(ii) It [_] is, [_] is not a HUBZone joint venture that complies with the requirements of 13 CFR part…