Attachment B - Specifications - Pages 1-4.docx

Attachment B – Specifications RFx: 3000025381 Fish Attracting Device Buoy – LDWF

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) will require the Contractor to design, manufacture, supply, and deploy a Fish Attracting Device (FAD) buoy that LDWF will rent for the term of the contract. The LDWF Artificial Reef Program (Program) is seeking to enhance recreational fishing opportunities by deploying moored surface buoys in the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf).

The proposed buoy system shall be designed to meet the goals and objectives of the project: to provide long-term offshore fishing buoys in the Gulf to attract pelagic game fish and expand recreational and sport fishing opportunities to Louisiana residents and visitors.

Project location

The proposed buoy site will be within LDWF’s Mississippi Canyon 148 Reef (MC-148). See Vicinity and Plan View drawings.

(meters, mean lower low water)

Unless otherwise stipulated within, the Contractor shall be responsible for all costs incurred in the performance of the contract. These costs shall include, but not be limited to:

a) fuel, oil, and other consumables;

b) all labor, equipment, supplies, fees and permits as may be required;

c) all costs related to the operation of vessels;

d) all costs incurred due to delays of any type not directly attributable to the actions of LDWF, including weather, mechanical failure and equipment malfunction;

e) any mobilization and demobilization expenses to accomplish the scope of the services. The Contractor shall be responsible for identification of and damages to water bottoms, structures, pipelines, etc. to, from, and within the project area.

Buoy System Deployment

The Contractor must provide a United States Coast Guard (USCG) compliant buoy, USCG compliant light and mooring. The buoy, light, and mooring will hereinafter collectively be referred to as a buoy system. The buoy system must meet or exceed all USCG regulations and policies, approval of LDWF, and shall conform to the following specifications:

Buoy:

· Spar buoy, or equivalent, must be at least 4 meters tall and 1,400 millimeters in diameter (Figure 1)

· Approximately 75% of the buoy should be submerged and 25% above the surface of the water

· USCG compliant

· Focal plane of attached light must be at least 8 feet above the surface of the water.

· Integrated radar reflective target

· Buoy shall be of suitable size to remain adequately visible to avoid collision with passing vessels and to allow fishermen to locate them without difficulty.

· Buoy shall be designed to withstand oceanographic conditions at the development site for a lifespan of 3 to 7 years.

Light with Synchronization:

· United States Coast Guard compliant

· Self-contained LED solar powered light

· Yellow/amber light

· 24 flashes per minute (flashes every 2.5 seconds)

· No strobes

· 3 mile visibility range minimum

Remote Monitoring Unit:

· Buoy system should be capable of tracking, recapture, and potential reuse in the event of mooring system failure. As such, all buoys shall include a Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking system capable of remote monitoring.

· Remote unit for each buoy system capable of regularly broadcasting current location and alarm if buoy system moves beyond a designated watch circle. Unit must broadcast information to a land-based monitoring station at least twice a day.

Mooring:

· Anchor block(s) for each buoy system must be adequate to maintain the buoy system on the deployment location.

· Must be sufficiently massive to self-anchor on the seafloor once deployed and to remain in place, able to withstand anticipated weather and sea conditions at the deployment site; shall not be permitted to drag on the bottom.

· Chain and associated hardware must be new marine American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) certified grade R3 or better.

· Must include swivels or similar to prevent twisting

· Mooring line and or chains must be stiff, taut, and non-looping

· Mooring assemblies components shall be of a weight/density which would sink to the bottom should a break occur.

· Mooring line system shall be designed such that if a failure in the system did occur, the mooring system would sink to the bottom and not result in a navigational or environmental entanglement hazard.

The Contractor shall deploy buoy systems as needed within 45 calendar days of award. The buoy system shall be deployed at the mooring location as specified by LDWF. The deployment vessel must be equipped with a Differential Geographic Positioning System (DGPS) with 3 meter horizontal accuracy or better and have a dedicated survey technician positioning the vessel for each buoy system deployment. The Contractor shall notify LDWF no less than 72 hours prior to the departure of any buoy deployments.

If requested by LDWF, the Contractor, at its expense, shall accommodate observers on board during deployment operations. LDWF representatives shall act as observers only and shall not serve, nor be deemed to serve, in any operational or advisory capacity whatsoever. Notwithstanding the above, LDWF’s representatives may advise the Contractor but only at the specific request of the Contractor, its agents, employees, or representatives. In such instances, it is specifically understood that the Contractor shall assume all responsibility for and all liability which may be associated with, any action resulting from the Contractor acting upon such advice, and for any and all consequences arising therefrom.

The Contractor shall provide LDWF with at least 24 hour notice of changes to any previously announced departure.

Deployed buoy systems will become the property of LDWF upon deployment per specifications and payment.

The Contractor shall maintain the buoy system at its deployment location and ensure its operation for the contract period (minimum of 12 months). The Contractor shall be solely responsible for replacement and/or repair of the buoy system due to failure in materials, workmanship or loss during the 12 month period following the deployment date. Replacement and/or repair of a buoy system must be made within 30 days of discovery or notification of non-compliance whichever occurs first. Exceptions to the buoy system guarantee are cases that can be directly attributed to documented vandalism, proven vessel collision, or Force Majeure.

Routine Monitoring:

The Contractor shall provide daily monitoring of the currently deployed buoy systems via a remote monitoring system.

Daily Monitoring shall include:

· Maintain daily log of each buoy systems location; provide log to LDWF upon request.

· Immediate notification to LDWF via e-mail following alarm event of buoy outside watch circle.

· Upon request, provide LDWF regularly scheduled e-mail notifications for each buoy system which includes:

· Date/time of information

· GPS location

Qualifications and Experience

Bidders must have recent (within the last 5 years) experience in successfully completing a minimum of three offshore marine work projects of a similar nature and scope (the design, manufacture, and deployment of FAD or navigation buoys) as the work described herein. Bidders should submit a list of projects which demonstrate the required experience, including a description of the work performed and references (customers for the projects) with contact names and phone numbers with the bid response or within 5 business days upon written response.

Non-Mandatory Site Visit

Bidders are urged to visit the site and take such other steps as may be reasonably necessary to ascertain the nature and location of the work and the general and local conditions which can affect the work or cost thereof. Failure to do so will not relieve bidders from the responsibility for estimating properly the difficulty or cost of successfully completing the contract or constitute grounds for a claim after award. LDWF will assume no responsibility for any understanding or representation concerning conditions made by any of its employees, agents, or consultants prior to the execution of the contract unless included in the contract documents. LDWF contact for this project is Mike McDonough: 225-763-5418 or mmcdonough@wlf.la.gov

Bidders should provide the following with bid response or within 5 business days upon written request:

· Specifications and dimensions of buoy system, including drawings

· Must include dimensions of buoy above and below waterline

· Specifications for the required equipment, including

· The light

· GPS

· Radar reflector

· Solar panels

· The GPS monitoring and reporting system

· Qualifications and experience

· Specifications for the differential GPS system on the vessel to be used for deployment and any applicable procedures for use