ABL-15179___ROCKFISH_VESSEL_CHARTER_RFQ.docx

OMB Approval No. 9000-0009

REQUEST FOR QUOTATION

(THIS IS NOT AN ORDER)

Of Pages

1. REQUEST NO.

ABL-15179

2. DATE ISSUED

05/15/2015

3. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQUEST NO.

5a. ISSUED BY: U.S. DEPT. OF COMMERCE, NOAA, NMFS, AUKE BAY LABORATORIES

17109 PT LENA LOOP RD, JUNEAU, AK 99801

6. DELIVER BY (Date)

5b. FOR INFORMATION CALL (NO COLLECT CALLS)

7. DELIVERY

HEATHER M MAHLE

HEATHER.MAHLE@NOAA.GOV

AREA CODE

NUMBER

789-6021

9. DESTINATION

a. NAME OF CONSIGNEE USDOC/NOAA

AFSC, AUKE BAY LABORATORIES, TSMRI FACILITY

8. TO:

a. NAME

b. COMPANY

b. STREET ADDRESS

17109 PT. LENA LOOP ROAD

c. STREET ADDRESS

c. CITY JUNEAU

d. CITY

e. STATE

10. PLEASE FURNISH QUOTATIONS TO THE ISSUING OFFICE IN BLOCK 5a ON OR BEFORE 11:00AM, ALASKA TIME:

06/01/2015 IMPORTANT: This is a request for information, and quotations furnished are not offers. If you are unable to quote, please so indicate on this form and return it to the address in Block 5a. This request does not commit the Government to pay any costs incurred in the preparation of the submission of this quotation or to contract for supplies or services. Supplies are of domestic origin unless otherwise indicated by quoter. Any representations and/or certifications attached to this Request for Quotations must be completed by the quoter.

11. SCHEDULE (Include applicable Federal, State and local Taxes)

ITEM NO.

(a)

SUPPLIES/SERVICES

(b)

QUANTITY

(c)

UNIT

(d)

UNIT PRICE

(e)

AMOUNT

(f)

VESSEL CHARTER SERVICES FOR PRE-SPAWNING AND ROCKFISH COLLECTIONS OFF KODIAK, ALASKA FOR A TOTAL OF 10 DAYS BETWEEN 12/10/15 AND 12/22/15.

FUEL COSTS FOR BASE DAYS

4,500

DAY

GAL

Award will be issued based on Best Value Evaluation, as Indicated herein.

b. 20 CALENDAR DAYS %

c. 30 CALENDAR DAYS %

d. CALENDAR DAYS

NUMBER

PERCENTAGE

NOTE: Additional provisions and representations [ ] are [ ] are not attached.

QUOTATION

15. DATE OF QUOTATION

a. NAME OF QUOTER

16. SIGNER

b. STREET ADDRESS

c. CITY, STATE, ZIP

AREA CODE

c. TITLE (type or print)

COMPANY NAME:_____________________ email ADDRESS:________________________

PHONE:___________________________ SMALL BUSINESS?____YES / NO ________

FAX:____________________________ TAX ID NUMBER:________________________

ADDRESS:________________________________________________________________

DUNS no.______________________________CAGE CODE (CCR):____________________

North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code & Small Business Size Standard:

487210 – Water Transporation

Send Your Response to Heather Mahle & Reference Solicitation # (ABL#) in the Subject Line:

· Mail/Hand Deliver to NMFS/Auke Bay Laboratories, 17109 Pt Lena Loop Rd, Juneau, AK 99801

· Fax to 907-789-6004

· Email to Heather.Mahle@noaa.gov

Award will only be issued to Vendors/Contractors who (1) have a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) (Registration is free at www.dnb.com, or by phone at 800-333-0505), and is registered in the System for Award Management (SAM)(Registration is free at www.sam.gov).

Representation by Corporations Regarding an Unpaid Delinquent Tax Liability or a Felony Conviction Under Any Federal Law (Class Deviation) (March 2015)

(1) In accordance with Sections 744 and 745 of Division E, Title VII, of the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015 (Pub. L. 113-235), none of the funds made available by the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015 funding may be used to enter into a contract with any corporation that-

(a) Was convicted of a felony criminal violation under any Federal law within the preceding 24 months, where an awarding agency is aware of the conviction, unless the agency has considered suspension or debarment of the corporation and has made a determination that this further action is not necessary to protect the interests of the Government, or

(b) Has any unpaid Federal tax liability that has been assessed, for which all judicial and administrative remedies have been exhausted or have lapsed, and that is not being paid in a timely manner pursuant to an agreement with the authority responsible for collecting the tax liability, where the awarding agency is aware of the unpaid tax liability, unless the agency has considered suspension or debarment of the corporation and made a determination that this further action is not necessary to protect the interests of the Government.

(2) The Offeror represents that, as of the date of this offer –

(a) It is [ ] is not [ ] a corporation that was convicted of a felony criminal violation under a Federal law within the preceding 24 months.

(b) It is [ ] is not [ ] a corporation that has any unpaid Federal tax liability that has been assessed, for which all judicial and administrative remedies have been exhausted or have lapsed, and that is not being paid in a timely manner pursuant to an agreement with the authority responsible for collecting the tax liability.

CERTIFICATION BY OFFERORS REGARDING FEDERAL INCOME TAX FILING AND FEDERAL INCOME TAX VIOLATIONS. (Class Deviation) (March 2015)

(a) In accordance with Section 523 of Division B, Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015, (Pub. L. 113-235) none of the funds made available by the Act may be used to enter into a contract in an amount greater than $5,000,000 unless the prospective contractor certifies in writing to the U.S. Consolidated and Further Continuing that, to the best of its knowledge and belief, the contractor has filed all Federal tax returns required during the three years preceding the certification, has not been convicted of a criminal offense under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and has not, more than 90 days prior to certification, been notified of any unpaid Federal tax assessment for which the liability remains unsatisfied, unless the assessment is the subject of an installment agreement or offer in compromise that has been approved by the Internal Revenue Service and is not in default, or the assessment is the subject of a non-frivolous administrative or judicial proceeding.

(b) The offeror’s proposal shall include a signed written certification as follows –

To the best of my knowledge and belief, ______________________________________(name of offeror) has filed the Federal tax returns required during the three years preceding this certification, has not been convicted of a criminal offense under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and has not, more than 90 days prior to certification, been notified of any unpaid Federal tax assessment for which the liability remains unsatisfied, unless the assessment is the subject of an installment agreement or offer in compromise that has been approved by the Internal Revenue Service and is not in default, or the assessment is the subject of a non-frivolous administrative or judicial proceeding.

Firm _____________________________________________ Signature _________________________________________ Name ____________________________________________ Title _____________________________________________ Date of execution __________________________________

STATEMENT OF WORK

TITLE

Improving maturity estimates of sablefish and deep-water rockfish stocks

BACKGROUND

To sustain sablefish and rockfish population, fishery managers in Alaska set Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC) and Overfishing Limits (OFL) based, in part, on estimates of the proportion of the population that is sexually mature at each age. Recently skipped spawning sablefish and rockfish, mature fish that are not spawning in the current season, were found in Alaska. Skipped spawning may affect estimates of the proportion of mature fish and therefore ABCs and OFLs for these species. More data is needed to determine where skipped spawning occurs and how prevalent it is. This project will improve estimates of maturity by sampling during the time period when pre-spawning, skipped spawning, and immature females can be unambiguously distinguished from immature fish.

OBJECTIVE

Capture a range of sizes of sablefish and rockfish on the continental slope and shelf for gross external ovarian examination and the collection of ovaries for subsequent histological examination. Tag sablefish with pop-off satellite tags for observations of movement.

SCOPE OF WORK/OPERATIONS

The Auke Bay Laboratories and the Resource Assessment and Conservation Engineering (RACE) Division of the Alaska Fisheries Science Center requires a vessel charter with crew to bottom trawl for sablefish specimens. The vessel must be capable of safely trawling in water depths from 100 m (55 fathoms) up to 800 m (432 fathoms). Trawling areas include, but are not limited to, Chiniak Bay, Ugak Bay, Albatross gullies, or adjacent outer shelf and slope areas off Kodiak Island. As the fall and winter distribution and abundance of pre-spawning and skipped spawning sablefish and rockfish are not well known, capturing fish in sufficient numbers over a range of lengths may require frequent trawl hauls at any given site, at various depths, or hauls over various geographic areas. Trips to the outer shelf and slope will be prioritized when weather allows.

The preferred period is 10 days between December 2nd – December 22nd, 2015. December is considered the late pre-spawning period for sablefish, which would be the ideal time for obtaining the specimens needed for our study. The vessel will conduct the fishing operations on consecutive days as determined by the lead scientist and remain in the trawling area throughout the night, which will require the vessel to drift safely within the area and be prepared to resume fishing at about 8 AM local time each day or as determined by the lead scientist. The vessel and crew must be set up and ready for trawling by the morning of every charter day. The daily trawling schedule is dependent upon weather and catch results. If weather conditions create unsafe or ineffective trawling conditions, the vessel will move to sheltered anchorage and remain at anchor until weather conditions allow trawling operations to resume.

All operations will be conducted out of Kodiak, Alaska for a total of ten (10) days during December 2-22, 2015. This vessel will be utilized to search for and to capture sablefish and rockfish during this period. The captain of the vessel must have experience trawling for and knowledge of the location of concentrations of rockfish and sablefish in the vicinity of Kodiak Island. There will be up to four (4) research biologists from the AFSC aboard the vessel, one of whom will act as Chief Scientist.

A post-award meeting will be held to discuss logistics, trawling locations, scheduling, fishing gear, fishing methodology, sample processing, and other issues relating to the charter and survey. This meeting is expected to take 2 hours. The vessel Captain participating in the charter is required to attend the meeting – attendance by other crew is optional. The date and time of the meeting will be determined by both parties and will need to be conducted prior to September 30th, 2015 to allow for complete preparations.

The Contractor will supply the vessel, captain, crew, fuel, water, food (3 nutritionally balanced meals per day), and berthing for up to 4 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 during daytime per 24-hr period. 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 in handling and sorting the catch.

SCHEDULE/PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The period of performance for this contract is: September 1, 2015 through January 31th, 2016. A post-award meeting will be held prior to September 30th, 2015 to allow to allow for complete preparations. The preferred period for the cruise is 10 days between December 2nd – December 22nd, 2015.

ADMINISTRATION

The Contractor shall provide for all operating expenses of the vessel, inclusive of any mooring fees and communication costs such as use of Inmarsat, cellular phones or FAX/Telex costs to conduct official business. Fuel costs incurred during the contract will be reimbursed up to the maximum allowable based on actual costs. Reimbursed costs will be dependent on delivery of itemized invoice for such costs. Upon receipt of supported, valid, and properly invoiced charges, the Government will reimburse the Contractor.

CONTRACTOR PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

Vessel/ Operations

1. The vessel shall have been actively used for commercial trawling or research where trawl gear was used in the past 12 months prior to charter operations.

1. Vessel must be completely rigged for bottom trawling operations for catching sablefish, including a net, roller gear, main wire, trawl winches, trawl net accessories, vessel GPS navigation, and vessel acoustic depth sounder. Any offer that does not meet this requirement will not be considered.

1. A clean and flush deck with adequate protected deck space to place a scale and fish sampling area, an area to secure buckets of preservative.

1. A sturdy work surface with height of approximately 4 feet and having minimum dimensions of 4 feet wide and 8 feet long on which the sablefish and rockfish will be sorted and processed. The table would be located on the trawl deck in a safe area away from the trawling gear.

1. Fuel with capacity and ability to replenish without time loss to survey operations.

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

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

1. Cruise speed of at least 7 knots.

1. Berthing spaces for up to 4 scientists, including clean mattresses with fitted covers. Scientists may include both males and females.

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

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

1. Full time 110 electricity.

Electronic Equipment

1. Acoustic echosounder

1. VHF marine radio for communication – minimum of two sets

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

1. Radar - 2 units.

1. GPS Plotter with navigation program

1. Cell phone (desirable but not required)

Crew/Captain

1. The Captain shall have a minimum of three (3) years of commercial bottom trawl fishing experience as master of a comparable-sized trawler in Alaskan waters and at least five (5) years total fishing experience as a licensed captain. Any offer that does not meet this requirement will not be considered. All additional related experience will be given a higher score in the evaluation.

1. The captain of the vessel must have experience trawling for and knowledge of the location of concentrations of rockfish and sablefish in the vicinity of Kodiak Island.

1. Crew must be able to handle all trawl operations without scientists. Any offer that does not meet this requirement will not be considered.

1. The Captain and crew must be willing and able to work with research biologists to attempt to capture sablefish in the numbers and sizes needed for this project.

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

1. Experience conducting research surveys is highly desirable for the Captain and lead-fisher.

Safety Requirements

1. 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 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.

1. The Contractor shall adhere to the safety regulations as set forth in Coast Guard rules effective on September 15, 1991, and as provided for by the Commercial Fishing Industry Vessel Safety Act of 1988 (specifically, 46 CFR Part 28) or subsequent additions or revisions (Attachment A). These regulations require that specified vessels be equipped with a variety of safety features and equipment. A Coast Guard inspection of the vessel based on an interagency agreement between NMFS and the Coast Guard or 46 CFR Part 28 will be required prior to performance. In addition to the requirements of 46 CFR Part 28, the Coast Guard inspection will require conformance with standards for lifesaving and fire fighting equipment in the Rules for Small Passenger Vessels, which exceed Part 28. Issuance of the notice to proceed by the Government is conditioned upon the successful completion of the mandatory Coast Guard inspection. The vessel must pass the 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 prior to scheduled departure.

1. The vessel Captain is responsible for all matters relating to safety of personnel, the vessel, and equipment operation. The Captain will adhere at all times to Navigational Rules and Rules of the Road whether it be while towing, running, drifting, or when at anchor. He/she shall review safety procedures and equipment with the scientific party at the beginning of the charter as part of the safety orientation (see item 12 below).

1. The Contractor shall provide U.S. Coast Guard-approved Arctic-type survival suits for all vessel personnel. The Government personnel will provide their own suits. Adequate dry, top-side storage for all survival suits shall be provided.

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

1. At the time of submission of the proposal and bid, the Contractor shall provide the Stability Letter from the vessel's Stability Report, certified by a licensed naval architect/marine engineer, which describes the vessel's stability characteristics for the intended charter operations. Recent stability or marine survey reports, pictures, drawings or blueprints should also be included.

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

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

1. 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.

1. 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 watertight hatches and doors, except for quick acting watertight hatches and doors giving final access to weather decks.

1. 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.

1. A formal safety orientation will be conducted by the vessel Captain for the science crew prior to disembarking.

Scientific Personnel

1. The Government field party consists of up to 4 NOAA-authorized personnel and may include both men and women.

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

3. Clean mattresses, pillows, fitted mattress covers, and towels will be provided.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

1. The Contractor shall provide safe, efficient working conditions and accommodations to the Government personnel free from violence, threats of violence, harassment (including sexual harassment), intimidation, and other disruptive behavior. The Contractor, its agents, subcontractors, and employees, including the Captain and crew of the vessel shall not harass, assault, oppose, impede, intimidate, threaten, interfere with or make unwelcome advances toward any member of the Government field party. Violation under this clause may result in termination of the contract, at the discretion of the Government under the Default Clause, and in consequent liability of the Contractor to the Government for any costs incurred, as well as debarment, suspension on similar actions limiting future participation in government contracts.

1. Unless serving as crew, the spouses or children of crew members or owner(s) may not accompany the vessel during the term of the charter without obtaining written approval in advance.

1. All fish and shellfish taken in the trawl remain the property of the Government. After all biological data have been obtained, at the discretion of the Chief Scientist, those portions of the catch that are not required for scientific purposes will be treated as follows:

0. Live fish and shellfish not required for scientific purposes and which have a reasonable chance of survival must be returned to the water as quickly as possible. This is particularly true of salmon, halibut, and crab.

0. All unneeded catch will be discarded.

0. Fish and shellfish which are dead or not likely to survive as a result of the normal capture process may be retained for consumption aboard the vessel while it is under Government contract. Care must be taken to not retain more than can be consumed during the course of the charter.

1. During fishing operations, take all proactive steps to avoid deploying the gear in any situation where there is a high likelihood for an incidental take of protected species or marine mammals.

1. Within 24 hours of any incidental take of, or injuries or mortalities to, marine mammals as a result of operations, the Chief Scientist/Field Party Chief shall report incident to the vessel CO, Jon Kurland (jon.kurland@noaa.gov, 907-586-7638) or Robyn Angliss (robyn.angliss@noaa.gov, 206-526-4032), and guy.fleischer@noaa.gov and jeff.napp@noaa.gov with cc to john.c.clary@noaa.gov. Seabirds can be sampled and retained for salvage – if take involves seabird, include Shannon Fitzgerald in notification at shannon.fitzgerald@noaa.gov.

GENERAL CONDITIONS

Performance of Work

1. The Government’s representative (COR), under whose technical guidance the work will be performed, shall be consulted as to the manner of starting and performing the work so as to assure the use of approved techniques and materials.

2. The work shall be carried on in such a manner that there will be maximum coordination between the Contractor and the Government COR.

3. Contractor shall invoice upon completion of the surveys after which time the payment will be made.

Workmanship

The work involved in this contract must be performed accurately, on a timely basis, and with established guidelines followed closely.

Mechanical Breakdowns or nonperformance of Vessel

The contractor is responsible for maintaining all contractor provided equipment and vessels in a safe operating condition during contract performance. If a mechanical breakdown of the vessel occurs or other contractor provided equipment that is greater than 12 hours cumulative within a 24-hour period that begins at 0700 and ends at 0659, the vessel and all contractor provided equipment shall be considered off charter and make-up fishing days may be required at the prices contained in the Contract’s price schedule. The charter shall also be considered off charter if the Captain or Crew of the boat is unable to perform the duties as outlined in the Statement of Work in increments of time greater than 12 hours cumulative within a 24-hour period that begins at 0700 and ends at 0659. The contractor shall make every reasonable effort to resolve the problem causing the vessel, contractor provided equipment or Captain and Crew to be out of service and bring it back into service as quickly as possible to continue contract performance. Mechanical breakdown periods in excess of four (4) consecutive or four (4) cumulative days may be grounds for termination of the contract. In the event that the breakdown requires the vessel to return to port for repairs, the vessel will not be considered back on charter until the vessel returns to active survey status as determined by the Contracting Officer in consultation with COR.

Control of Plastic Discharges

Contractor shall comply with the Marine Plastic Pollution Research and Control Act of 1987, which establishes Federal requirements for controlling plastic discharges from ships.

Working Conditions for Government Personnel

The contractor shall provide safe, efficient working conditions and accommodations to the Government personnel free from violence, threats of violence, harassment (including sexual harassment), intimidation, and other disruptive behavior. The contractor, its agents, subcontractors, and employees, including the Captain and crew of the vessel shall not harass, assault, oppose, impede, intimidate, threaten, interfere with or make unwelcome advances toward any member of the Government field party. Violation under this clause may result in termination of the contract, at the discretion of the Government under the Default clause, and in consequent liability of the contractor to the Government for any costs incurred, as well as debarment, suspension or similar action from future participation in government contracts.

Harmless from Liability

The contractor shall hold and save the Government, its officers, agents, and employees harmless from liability of any nature or kind, including costs and expenses to which they may be subject or on account of any or all suits or damages of any character whatsoever resulting from injuries or damages sustained by any person or persons or property by virtue of performance of this contract, arising or resulting in whole or in part from the fault, negligence, wrongful act or wrongful omission of the contractor, or any subcontractor, their employees, and agents. (End of clause)

Insurance

The contractor will be responsible for providing their own workman's compensation and health insurance. The government will not be responsible for providing insurance. If the contractor will be performing work on a vessel or in the field or field camp, the government takes no responsibility in event of injury. The government takes no responsibility in event of injury or damages, this is solely the responsibility of the Contractor.

IT Requirements

This order will not require assignment of a permanent user account, access to DOC data or systems. This contractor will not have access to and will not use any Government hardware, application software, system software, or sensitive data. This service will be performed off-site and there are no related IT requirements.

COR DESIGNATION

The Government’s COR will be assigned, he will inspect and accept services rendered in this contract on behalf of the Government. In the event that the COR is not available, the Technical Lead, will be the technical point of contact for questions and clarifications.

The responsibilities and limitations of the COR are as follows:

The COR, or in their absence the Technical Lead, is responsible for the technical aspects of the project and technical liaison with the Contractor. The COR is also responsible for the final acceptance of all reports, and such other responsibilities as may be specified in this contract The COR is not authorized to make any commitments or otherwise obligate the Government or authorize any changes, which affect the contract price, terms or conditions. Any Contractor request for changes shall be referred to the Contracting Officer directly or through the COR. No such changes shall be made without the prior authorization of the Contracting Officer. The COR may designate an assistant COR to act for her by naming such assistant in writing and transmitting a copy of such designation through the Contracting Officer to the Contractor.

INVOICING

In compliance with the Prompt Payment Act, the Financial Management Division will pay an invoice in accordance with the terms set forth in the contracts with vendors if a "proper invoice" is received. A "proper invoice" has:

1. Name of the vendor and an invoice date

2. Purchase order number

3. Description, price and quantity of property and services actually delivered or rendered

4. Payment terms are “Net 30”.

5. Name, title, phone number, and complete mailing address of the responsible official to whom payment is to be made

Invoices are to be submitted to: DOC/NOAA/NMFS

Or abl.invoice@noaa.gov

Payment Terms

Payment terms, per Prompt Payment Act, is Net 30 days unless otherwise awarded based on response that provides further discounts. The Government will make best efforts to pay Contractors within 15 days of receipt and acceptance of service and invoice. Do not expect earlier payment, without Discount terms.

FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL TAXES

Except as may be otherwise provided in this contract price includes all applicable federal, state, and local taxes and duties in effect on the date of this contract but does not include any taxes from which the Government the Contractor or this transaction is exempt. Upon request of the contractor, the Government shall furnish a tax exemption certificate or similar evidence of exemption with respect to any such tax not included in the contract price pursuant to this clause. For the purpose of this clause, the term "date of this contract" means the date of the contractor's quotation or, if no quotation, the date of this Purchase orders.

SUSPENSION OF WORK

In the case of a Government Wide Shutdown, this contract/order may be subject to a stop-work order. A stop-work order may be issued by writing by the Contracting Officer or Government Official. In accordance with FAR 42.13 – Suspension of Work, Stop-Work Orders, and Government Delay of Work is also made a part of this Acquisition. NOAA will not make payments to contractors for products or services not obligated before the funding lapse.

If a contract or order has been issued and funded and productive work is possible then Contractor may continue to operate under your Contract during Laps. However, depending on the duration of a funding lapse, the absence of available Federal employee oversight may lead an agency to reconsider whether the contract or grant activity should continue to be performed. Federal employees will not be available to make timely payments to the contractor or grantee in accordance with the contract.

AWARD CRITERIA

Each response to this solicitation will be evaluated against the following factors, which are stated in descending order of importance:

1. Vessel/Operations/Electronics Requirements

2. Crew/Captain / Safety Requirements

3. Price

Non Price factors, when combined, are significantly more important than price alone.

An Award will only be made to a price found to be fair and reasonable.

SUBMISSION OF QUOTES

A response to this Request for Quote by interested parties shall consist of the following:

· Signed and completed Standard Form 18 (page 1-3 of this RFQ).

· Technical Questionnaire (page 24-36, Attachment B, of this RFQ)

· Documentation supporting all Award Criteria and Contractor Performance Requirements which will be used to determine Best Value.

· Verification that the vendor is registered in SAM, System for Award management.

Please send proposals and resumes to Heather Mahle at NMFS/Auke Bay Laboratories, 17109 Pt. Lena Loop Rd, Juneau, AK 99801, and telephone (907) 789-6021 or FAX 907 789-6004. If there are any questions, please submit them via email to Heather Mahle (heather.mahle@noaa.gov). Please allow for time for her to contact the requisitioner and/or technical representative for the answer. All responses to this solicitation sent by email or fax should reference the Solicitation # ABL-15179, to ensure proper receipt of your response.

PROVISIONS

52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors – Commercial Items 52.204-7 System for Award Management (Jul 2013) 52.212-3 Offeror Representations and Certifications—Commercial Items.

The Offeror shall complete only paragraph (b) of this provision if the Offeror has completed the annual representations and certification electronically via the System for Award Management (SAM) website accessed through http://www.acquisition.gov. If the Offeror has not completed the annual representations and certifications electronically, the Offeror shall complete only paragraphs (c) through (p) 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.

“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.

“Highest-level owner” means the entity that owns or controls an immediate owner of the offeror, or that owns or controls one or more entities that control an immediate owner of the offeror. No entity owns or exercises control of the highest level owner.

“Immediate owner” means an entity, other than the offeror, that has direct control of the offeror. Indicators of control include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following: ownership or interlocking management, identity of interests among family members, shared facilities and equipment, and the common use of employees.

“Inverted domestic corporation”, means a foreign incorporated entity that meets the definition of an inverted domestic corporation under 6 U.S.C. 395(b), applied in accordance with the rules and definitions of 6 U.S.C. 395(c).

“Manufactured end product” means any end product in product and service codes (PSCs) 1000-9999, except—

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

(2) Product or Service Group (PSG) 87, Agricultural Supplies;

(3) PSG 88, Live Animals;

(4) PSG 89, Subsistence;

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

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

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

(8) PSC 9610, Ores;

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

(10) PSC 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—

(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.

“Small disadvantaged business concern”, consistent with 13 CFR 124.1002, means a small business concern under the size standard applicable to the acquisition, that—

(1) Is at least 51 percent unconditionally and directly owned (as defined at 13 CFR 124.105) by—

(i) One or more socially disadvantaged (as defined at 13 CFR 124.103) and economically disadvantaged (as defined at 13 CFR 124.104) individuals who are citizens of the United States; and

(ii) Each individual claiming economic disadvantage has a net worth not exceeding $750,000 after taking into account the applicable exclusions set forth at 13 CFR 124.104(c)(2); and

(2) The management and daily business operations of which are controlled (as defined at 13.CFR 124.106) by individuals, who meet the criteria in paragraphs (1)(i) and (ii) of this definition.

“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 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 SAM website.

(2) The offeror has completed the annual representations and certifications electronically via the SAM website accessed through http://www.acquisition.gov. After reviewing the SAM database information, the offeror verifies by submission of this offer that the representations 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 (p) 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 will 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 o is, o 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 o is, o is not a veteran-owned small business concern.

(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 o is, o 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, that it o is, o 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 o is, o is not a women-owned small business concern.

(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 o is, o 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 o is, o 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 o is, o 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 o is, o 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.

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

(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 o 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) 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 o is, o 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 o is, o is not a HUBZone joint venture that complies with the requirements of 13 CFR Part 126, and the representation in paragraph (c)(10)(i) of this provision is accurate for each HUBZone small business concern participating in the HUBZone joint venture. [The offeror shall enter the names of each of the HUBZone small business concerns participating in the HUBZone joint venture: __________.] Each HUBZone small business concern participating in the HUBZone joint venture shall submit a separate signed copy of the HUBZone representation.

(d) Representations required to implement provisions of Executive Order 11246—

(1) Previous contracts and compliance. The offeror represents that—

(i) It o has, o has not participated in a previous contract or subcontract subject to the Equal Opportunity clause of this solicitation; and

(ii) It o has, o has not filed all required compliance reports.

(2) Affirmative Action Compliance. The offeror represents that—

(i) It o has developed and has on file, o has not developed and does not have on file, at each establishment, affirmative action programs required by rules and regulations of the Secretary of Labor (41 cfr parts 60-1 and 60-2), or

(ii) It o has not previously had contracts subject to the written affirmative action programs requirement of the rules and regulations of the Secretary of Labor.

(e) Certification Regarding Payments to Influence Federal Transactions (31 U.S.C. 1352). (Applies only if the contract is expected to exceed $150,000.) By submission of its offer, the offeror certifies to the best of its knowledge and belief that no Federal appropriated funds have been paid or will be paid to any person for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any…