AB133F-RP-12-0039 RFP issued.pdf

SOLICITATION, OFFER AND AWARD

1. This Contract is a Rated Order

Under DPAS (15 CFR 700) Rating Page of pages

1 89

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

AB133F-RP-12-0039

Sealed Bid (IFB) April 18, 2012 NFFP74100-12-01838 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 May 21, 2012 (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

LINDA M. GRUBER 206-526-6386 linda.m.gruber@noaa.gov

11. TABLE OF CONTENTS

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

Part I – The Schedule Part II – Contract Clauses

A Solicitation/Contract Form 1 I Contract Clauses 41-44 B Supplies or Services and Prices/Costs 2-5 Part III – List of Documents, Exhibits and Other Attachments

C Description/Specs./Work Statement 6-25 J List of Attachments 45, 67-89 D Packaging and Marking 26 Part IV – Representations and Instructions

E Inspection and Acceptance 27 K

Representations, Certifications and Other Statements of Offerors 46-52

F Deliveries or Performance 28 G Contract Administration Data 29-31 L Instr., Conds., and Notices to Offerors 53-62 H Special Contract Requirements 32-40 M Evaluation Factors for Award 63-66

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)

Supplies or Services and Prices/Costs

Item No. Supplies/Services Quantity Unit Unit Price Amount

Page - 2

WEST COAST GROUNDFISH TRAWL

SURVEY

The Government is acquiring charter of one (1) vessel per contract period.

Contractor shall provide vessel, crew, equipment, and support, except for those items specifically identified as being provided by the Government, for surveys in accordance with the Statement of Work. Daily unit prices include all expenses, excluding reimbursable fuel, ice, moorage and communications, and travel charges.

BASE PERIOD (2012 SURVEY)

0001 FISHING, SAMPLING, OPERATION SURVEY

DAYS PER STATEMENT OF WORK

48 DA ______________ $______________

0002 BREAK DAYS

12 DA ______________ $______________

0003 WEATHER/TRANSIT DAYS

(See Section C Statement of Work, Section 3.7)

3 DA ______________ $______________

0004 MOBILIZATION/DEMOBILIZATION DAYS

(includes installing transducers)

7 DA ______________ $______________

0005 TRANSIT FROM SAN DIEGO, CA

1 JB ______________ $______________

OPTIONAL DAYS 5 DA ______________ $______________

0007 *SURVEY TRANSPORTATION SUPPORT 2 EA $1200.00

Charges to be reimbursed by the Government based on actual use. An estimate of $1200 is identified. Reimbursement will be based on actual costs. (See Section C Statement of Work, Section 3.8)

0008 *MOORING, COMMUNICATIONS AND ICE

Charges to be reimbursed by the Government based on actual use. An estimate of $1500 is identified. Reimbursement will be based on actual costs. (See Section C Statement of Work, Section 3.9)

1 LS

$1500.00

*FUEL USAGE – Estimated fuel usage for 48 fishing/sampling days. Charges to be reimbursed by the Government based on actual use only if Government fuel supply sources are unavailable, in accordance with clauses B.3 and H.9.

Reimbursement will be based on actual costs.

Enter amount here from Section L Fuel Calculations.

LS

TOTAL BASE PERIOD (CLINS 0001-0009) $______________

Supplies or Services and Prices/Costs

Item No. Supplies/Services Quantity Unit Unit Price Amount

Page - 3

OPTION PERIOD (2013 SURVEY)

FISHING, SAMPLING, OPERATION SURVEY

DAYS PER STATEMENT OF WORK

DA

OPT

BREAK DAYS 12

WEATHER/TRANSIT DAYS

(See Section C Statement of Work, Section 3.7)

MOBILIZATION/DEMOBILIZATION DAYS

(includes removing transducers)

TRANSIT FROM SAN DIEGO, CA 1

JB

OPTIONAL DAYS 5

*SURVEY TRANSPORTATION SUPPORT 2

EA

$1200.00

Charges to be reimbursed by the Government based on actual use. An estimate of $1200 is identified. Reimbursement will be based on actual costs. (See Section C Statement of Work, Section 3.8)

*MOORING, COMMUNICATIONS AND ICE

Charges to be reimbursed by the Government based on actual use. An estimate of $1500 is identified. Reimbursement will be based on actual costs.

(See Section C Statement of Work, Section 3.9)

$1500.00

*FUEL USAGE – Estimated fuel usage for 48 fishing/sampling days. Charges to be reimbursed by the Government based on actual use only if Government supply sources are unavailable, in accordance with clauses B.3 and H.9.

Reimbursement will be based on actual costs.

Enter amount here from Section L Fuel Calculations.

TOTAL OPTION PERIOD (CLINS 0010-0018)

TOTAL BASE + OPTION (CLINS 0001-

00018)

PEASE NOTE: Offeror(s) MUST submit pricing for each line item in the above schedule. Failure to offer in this manner may result in the proposal rejection. Pricing must reflect costs associated with the offer of one (1) vessel, per proposal submission.

*Survey Transportation, Moorage/Communications/Ice, and Fuel Line Items (0007, 0008, 0009, 0016, 0017, 0018) will be reimbursed based on actual expenses incurred. Amounts shown are for evaluation purposes only.

SECTION B

SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICE/COST

AB133F-RP-12-0039 Page - 4

B.1 CONTRACT TYPE

This is a firm-fixed price type contract for the charter of a vessel, with reimbursable line items for communications, ice and mooring, fuel, and survey transportation support. The contract consists of a base period from August 1, 2012 or date of award through July 31, 2013, and one (1) one-year option. The actual charter period will occur between approximately August 13 and October 26 of each year.

(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 3 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:

0001/0010 – 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.

0002/0011 – BREAK DAYS

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

0003/0012 – WEATHER/TRANSIT DAYS

Bad weather days are days at sea or in port when the Chief Scientist determines that weather conditions prohibit effective, scientifically valid sampling operations. Transit days are days at sea when transiting from one area to another in between survey operations.

0004/0013 – 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.

0005/0014 – TRANSIT FROM SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, 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.

0006/0015 – OPTIONAL DAYS

Optional days are additional days that may or may not be exercised at time of award or within the first 60 days of the active charter period.

0007/0016 – SURVEY TRANSPORTATION SUPPORT

This includes travel costs for Captain meetings, Pre-cruise meetings, and gear transport, etc. Charges to be reimbursed by the Government based on actual

SECTION B

SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICE/COST

AB133F-RP-12-0039 Page - 5 expenditures. An estimate of $1200 is identified for evaluation purposes only.

See SOW Section 3.8.

0008/0017 – MOORING, COMMUNICATIONS AND ICE

Charges to be reimbursed by the Government based on actual cost. An estimate of $1500 is identified for evaluation purposes only. See Clause H.27.

0009/0018 – FUEL USAGE

Estimated fuel usage for 48 fishing/sampling days. Charges to be reimbursed by the Government based on actual use, only when Government-supplied fuel is not available. See Clauses B.3 and H.9.

B.3 FUEL CONSUMPTION

(*Applicable to Line Items 0009 and 0018)

Estimated average daily fuel consumption is the number of gallons that a vessel is expected to consume over a 24-hour period of daytime trawling operations towing 85/104 net at 2.2 knots for 4 hours, cruising at 8 knots between stations for 12 hours and idling in neutral seas for 8 hours.

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

***Note: It is the Government's intent to purchase fuel under a separate contract. However, in the interest of necessity or convenience, at the Government's option, the Contractor may be required to purchase fuel which will be reimbursed in accordance with Section H, Clause H.9. 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

AB133F-RP-12-0039 Page - 6

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 the Statement of Work/Specifications:

West Coast Groundfish Bottom Trawl Survey Statement of Work

1.0 OVERVIEW

1.1 The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC), has the requirement to contract one commercial fishing vessel to conduct the 2012 NOAA’s annual West Coast Groundfish Bottom Trawl Survey.

2.0 ORGANIZATION

2.1 Organization: The Department of Commerce (DOC) NOAA/NMFS/NWFSC 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. A commercial trawl-fishing vessel will be chartered to carry out this survey. The vessel shall commence survey operations on or around August 13, 2012 and complete survey operations approximately 75 days later on or around October 26, 2012. 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 an additional one-year option (two years total). This solicitation is to charter a vessel to complete the 2012 West Coast groundfish bottom trawl survey and the subsequent 2013 survey.

3.2 The vessel 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 this 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 chief scientist, the vessel shall fish in a systematic manner with bottom trawl gear according to a pre-specified survey design and a manual governing the construction, rigging, and operation of the trawl gear used for sampling. The

AB133F-RP-12-0039 Page - 7 operations 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. (See also Section G, Clause G.6 Invoicing Instructions)

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 shall be hauled out at a mutually agreeable time and shipyard. The vessel haul out shall be conducted during 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 shall sample from north to south, and after sampling all allocated stations, the vessel shall 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 Chief Scientist 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 August – October 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 shall 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 survey logistics for the option period, when applicable.

3.8.2 Contractor may be asked to attend a meeting and net

certification operation in Seattle, Washington.

AB133F-RP-12-0039 Page - 8

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 clause H.28. A value for these costs is included on CLINs 0007 and 0016 for evaluation purposes only.

3.8.5 Upon award of contract 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 Officer, 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 will 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 Contracting Officer, upon completion of the survey will schedule the date and time of the meeting.

3.9 Charges for travel, mooring, ice and communications, and fuel will be reimbursed to the Contractor when accompanied with the proper documentation in accordance with Section H, Clauses H.9 titled “Fuel Oil”, H.26 titled “Mooring and Ice Reimbursement Costs”, H.27 titled “Charter Communications”, and H.28 titled "Reimbursable Costs".

4.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION

4.1 Each charter period will be broken into five cruise legs of eight to ten 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 experimental 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. 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 lbs) 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 shall be conducted only during daylight hours. The duration of each tow shall 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. Steaming between the next day’s

AB133F-RP-12-0039 Page - 9 tows shall 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 Chief Scientist, in conjunction with the Contractor, 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 adequate working space on deck for catch sorting and processing of biological data.

Alternatively, if there is adequate room on deck, the second net can be stacked but accessible in case there is catastrophic damage to the primary net. Adequate space shall be available at or near the stern ramp 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 chief scientist 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 dumped on a NMFS-supplied sorting table, and it is safe for the scientific staff to operate on deck, the catch will be sorted 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, tissue samples etc.) for further processing or investigation at an onshore laboratory.

4.9 A minimum of 48 working days at sea shall 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.

AB133F-RP-12-0039 Page - 10

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 suitable for trawling operations in the geographic region previously specified during the season indicated.

5.2 Vessel shall be made available for a brief pre-award examination during the months of approximately April or May 2012. Vessel owners will be contacted and a mutual time and location for inspection will be agreed upon. This inspection will be conducted by NMFS staff, and will include all vessels considered for award. Inspection will encompass the entire vessel; pilot house, galley, staterooms, engine room, fish holds, and all vessel safety-related capabilities, which includes, but are not limited to: EPIRB’s, survival suits, and life rafts. It is in the vessel’s best interest to make appropriate preparations for the inspection.

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

5.4 The vessel shall be capable of towing the experimental gear described above at a minimum speed of 2.8 knots at a fishing depth of 700 fathoms.

5.5 The vessel shall be able to maintain a cruising speed of at least 8 knots in low sea states.

5.6 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.

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

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

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

5.7.3 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)

AB133F-RP-12-0039 Page - 11 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 shall be responsible for the cost of re-chartering another vessel.

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.

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

5.9 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.

5.10 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 adequate 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.

5.11 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.

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

5.13 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.

5.14 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.

AB133F-RP-12-0039 Page - 12

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

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

5.15.2 The hose shall provide sea water at a flow rate of no less than 30 gallons per minute.

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

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

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

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

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

5.16.2 The hose spigot shall not leak.

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

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

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

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

5.17 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.

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

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

5.20 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.

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

36 miles.

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

5.22.1 Echo sounder shall be appropriately grounded with a means for scientific crew to pull NEMA serial data.

5.22.2 Echo sounder shall be a minimum of 2kW.

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

5.23 The vessel shall have minimum of two GPS units.

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

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

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5.26 The vessel shall have 4” and 7” grinders with steel cutoff wheels on board.

5.27 The vessel shall provide adequate space for mounting several sensors and antennas on the forward gantry of the vessel. A welder will be provided by NMFS during mobilization if adequate mounting points are not available.

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

5.29 The vessel shall have saws with serviceable blades:

5.29.1 Circular saw

5.29.2 Jig saw

5.30 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.

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

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

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

5.34 The vessel shall be able to provide life-raft capacity for the vessel crew and up to five scientific staff.

5.35 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).

5.36 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.

5.37 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.

5.38 The vessel shall have clean and sanitary living conditions and adequate berthing accommodations for the vessel crew and three to five scientists. Clean mattresses with clean fitted covers shall be provided for the scientific party.

5.39 Adequate space (at least one drawer per scientist) for stowage of the scientific staff’s clothing and personal effects shall be provided.

5.40 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, Clause H.15 SMOKING POLICY)

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5.41 Engine room compartment shall be closed to the living quarters and galley to minimize hydrocarbon fume permeation and excessive noise. If excessive noise and or hydrocarbon fumes permeate the living quarters, then Chief Scientist and the Captain shall confer to determine a viable solution. If the noise or fumes cannot be sufficiently abated, in the opinion of the Chief Scientist, the matter will be referred to the Contracting Officer for appropriate action, which could include termination of the contract.

5.42 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.

5.43 A suitable desk, table, counter, or other work surface (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.

5.44 A floor-mounted chair shall be supplied in the wheelhouse for the chief scientist’s use during survey operations.

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

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

5.46 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.

5.47 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.

5.48 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.

5.49 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.

5.50 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.

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

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5.52 The vessel shall have a life sling mounted on the pilot house.

5.53 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 Chief Scientist.

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

This will require a full breaker from each panel be devoted to NMFS scientific equipment.

5.55 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.

5.56 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.

5.57 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.

5.58 The Contractor is not required to provide a stability report for the vessel; however, vessels submitting proposals with a recent, current (including all major vessel modifications) stability report may be given additional consideration.

5.59 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, and two deckhands.

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

6.2.1 The Captain(s) shall be competent in the use of modern

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

6.2.2 The Captain(s) 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.).

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

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

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6.2.5 The Captain(s) shall be experienced in handling emergency drills on the boat.

6.2.6 The Captain(s) shall be experienced in rigging and repairing bottom trawls.

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

6.2.6.2 The Captain(s) shall be competent in wire splicing 6 X 19 IWRC wire rope.

6.3 The engineer-fisherman shall have a minimum of three (3) years’ experience in otter 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.

6.3.1 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, Winplot, Nobletech etc.), and Radars.

6.3.2 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)

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

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

(VHF, SSB, Satellite comms)

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

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

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

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

6.4.1 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, Winplot, Nobletech etc.), and Radars.

6.4.2 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).

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

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

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

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

If this is the case, the vessel is required to provide sufficient life raft capacity, additional bunk space, and added insurance for the extra crewman.

6.5.1 The additional crewman shall have a minimum of one (1) year of experience in trawl fishing and repairing bottom trawl gear.

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6.5.2 The additional crewman shall be trained in the execution of most shipboard mechanical and electrical systems including, but not limited to:

6.5.2.1 Main engine, electrical generators, pumps

6.5.2.2 Electronics, plotters, radars, radios located on the

vessel (VHF, SSB, Satellite communication devices).

6.6 The vessel shall have a minimum of three deckhands available for use during the charter (although only two are onboard at a time). It is necessary to have a minimum of one back-up deckhand to alleviate burnout and to provide an emergency replacement. This replacement needs to be evaluated as Key Personnel, and all above listed requirements apply.

6.7 The vessel shall have two capable captains available for use during the charter (although only one is onboard at a time). It is necessary to have a back-up captain to alleviate long-term exhaustion and to provide an emergency replacement. The primary captain is required to take a break for a minimum of one leg (8 to 10 days) during the survey period, during which time the primary captain shall be replaced by the secondary captain. The secondary captain may be a crew member, but must be listed under both categories for evaluation purposes as Key Personnel.

6.8 The Contractor shall provide a crew list to the NWFSC survey team lead including all necessary personnel with their associated qualifications and references 30 days prior to vessel mobilization.

6.9 The vessel staff shall have at least one crew member with a valid and current first aid and CPR training certificate.

7.0 SCIENTIFIC PERSONNEL

7.1 The Government field party under normal operations shall consist of three (3) individuals.

7.2 Occasionally one or two additional scientists are required for short term (2 to 3 day experiment) deployments. In this case the vessel shall work with the survey team to provide a plan for providing appropriate life raft capacity and sleeping arrangements.

7.3 One scientist will be designated Field Party Chief (Chief Scientist).

That person will be responsible for implementation of the cruise plan, compliance with charter terms, disposition of catches, and the conduct and performance of scientific personnel aboard the vessel.

7.4 Government personnel will provide their own bedding (except those specified under 5.38 above), towels and survival suits.

7.5 Government personnel will provide their own rain and foul weather gear.

8.0 OPERATING PROCEDURES

8.1 The Contractor shall provide three (3) nutritionally balanced meals and available snacks each charter day. Meal times shall be coordinated with the Chief Scientist to accommodate both the need to complete sampling work and the time required to prepare meals by the cook. The vessel shall provide meals for the resident field party during all

AB133F-RP-12-0039 Page - 18 charter days. The vessel is required to provide food for scientific staff while in port. This does not mean they are required to prepare three meals a day, but snack food and sandwich material shall be made available. The Contractor shall arrange for the field party to have free access to the vessel while in port.

8.2 The Field Party Chief, in consultation with the Captain, will determine workday length and hours. The length of working days can range from 12-15 hours excluding wheel watches. Work schedule decisions will be based on the type of activity expected (in-port preparations, running between stations, fishing, jogging, etc.) as well as on prevailing weather conditions and the Cruise Plan. For the scientific crew, there will be a mandatory 8-hour rest period between successive workdays.

The Field Party Chief has the final authority except in matters relating to safety of the vessel and personnel. The Contractor under this contract shall retain complete and exclusive possession and control of the vessel and its navigation. The work day of the vessel crew shall likely exceed that of the scientific field party, since they shall normally be required to conduct a wheel/anchor watch (as required by Coast Guard Navigational Rules of the Road) at night while the vessel runs to the next station, drifts, lies at anchor, or runs to the first station early in the morning.

8.3 The vessels shall execute emergency drills throughout (minimum; 1 per cruise leg) the course of the charter period. This is to better the reaction time of vessel crewmen and to familiarize staff with vessel characteristics. Emergency drills can be carried while the vessel is in port or out at sea.

8.4 The Field Party Chief and Captain will work together to resolve all problems that may…