Attachment_I_Dive_Program_SOW.pdf

STATEMENT OF WORK

NOAA Diving Program Equipment and Services

1.0 BACKGROUND

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Office of Marine and Aviation Operations administers the NOAA Diving Program (NDP). NDP oversees all diving operations across the agency and is responsible for providing nearly 400 divers with safe, well-maintained equipment, training, and operational support. Such operations range from shallow water open circuit scuba to deep mesophotic zone research utilizing closed circuit rebreathers, mixed gasses and staged decompression. Dive operations are primarily scientific in nature, requiring mission specific equipment for data collection and photographic/videographic documentation.

In addition to science dives, NDP also conducts OSHA-compliant working dives for the purposes of ships husbandry, buoy installation, and other activities requiring such things as power/hydraulic tools, diver propulsion vehicles and more. NDP also provides safety and medical supplies to dive units as well as maintains and operates fixed and transportable hyperbaric chamber systems. NPD has a facility based in Seattle, WA where it maintains a fully functioning dive locker with compressor systems, a dive tank, and a small vessel used as a diving and training platform.

2.0 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

The contractor shall provide a wide range of diving and diving related equipment that meets the operational demands of the NOAA diving program. The operational tempo of diving within NOAA is such that it takes place across several regions and time-zones, is inherently weather-dependent. As such, the contractor is required to have flexibility and rapid response to ensure operational readiness of NOAA diving units with diverse requirements. To meet OSHA requirements under 29 CFR 1910 Subpart T, the NOAA Diving Program is controlled by the NOAA Diving Control and Safety Board (NDCSB) which has absolute, autonomous authority over all NOAA diving operations. The contractor is required, through the COR’s technical representative, to ensure equipment provided is approved by the NDCSB.

A. Regulators

1. The contractor shall be able to provide or procure primary, secondary and contingency first and second stage regulators with appropriate hoses and gauges to conduct scuba operations in a wide range of open or confined water environments. Specific regulator systems will be approved by the NDCSB and maintained in house by qualified NOAA staff.

2. Contractor shall provide or procure replacement parts for regulator systems.

3. NDP also provides additional specialty regulator systems for Closed Circuit Rebreathers and associated open circuit bailout and decompression diving, the make/models are specific to NOAA owned rebreather systems and include Apeks XTX systems; Poseidon Xstream/Cyklon range; Halcyon H-75P range.

4. Additional specialty systems for extreme environments require additional regulators that tolerate cold/icy conditions, rugged environments, using pure oxygen, or extreme depths, i.e. systems capable of functioning in 32F seawater and up to 100m depth. Such systems include, Mares Abyss; Aqualung Legend range; Apeks MTX range; Kirby Morgan Superflow range; Dive Rite range; HOG D range; Draeger Secor; Scubapro Mk25 and Apeks XTX40

5. Operational requirements may necessitate a range of other systems. Additional makes and models that may meet mission specific requirements must be CE rated and can be found on the publicly posted list of equipment approved for Navy use (ANU) https://www.navsea.navy.mil/Portals/103/Documents/SUPSALV/Diving/03- 23_ANU.pdf?ver=5XD9RzCBObVNO3ifBFdXjA%3d%3d

B. Buoyancy Control Devices (BCDs)

1. The contractor shall provide or procure diver-worn BCDs. Systems must be approved by the NDCSB through the COR’s Technical Representative. Systems will include a combination of jacket style BCDs, as well as back-mounted air bladders, with rigid backplates and harness systems, with associated hardware.

2. Jacket style BCDs have a wide variety of options. They must have ditchable integrated weight systems, rigid d-rings and clip points to accommodate a side mounted bailout or reserve gas supply. They must be on or be similar to systems listed on the published ANU list.

3. Back plate style BCD’s must consist of a stainless steel, aluminum, or carbon fiber backplate systems with cut outs to accommodate a continuous harness system of 2 inch marine grade nylon webbing, including hardware for mounting d-rings and buckles. Such systems must accommodate a single tank via an adapter as well as double cylinders. An example of an acceptable system is the Halcyon Infinity BC System.

4. Air Cell Bladders/wings must be equipped with a standard power inflator, exhaust valves and over pressure relief valves. A variety of wing size must be available ranging from 25lbs – 65lbs lift.

5. Side mount Style BCD’s must be specifically designed for mounting tanks on the divers side and not their backs. Acceptable models includes the XDEEP Stealth, DiveRite Nomad and Hollis Systems.

C. Exposure Protection

1. The contractor must be able to provide or procure a wide variety of exposure suits for divers to be safely deployed in diverse environments to include the following;

a. Light-weight rash guards.

b. Varying thicknesses and styles of wetsuits.

c. Drysuits for deploying divers in extreme cold.

d. Drysuits may also require electronic heating systems.

e. Wetsuits of a variety of thicknesses and configurations must be available ranging from 3mm -7mm thickness, in single or multi piece designs based on specific requirements.

2. All suits must be designed to limit water ingress and include features such as an inner neck seal, neoprene flaps behind zippers, and smooth inner coating for a tight seal around wrists and ankles. Acceptable example is the Fourth Element Proteus Systems

3. To Limit water ingress and ensure durability all seams must be double glued, blind-stitched and taped. High friction zones, such as knees must have padding that is flexible and does not delaminate from the suit with use.

4. Must be available in a variety of configurations to meet specific mission.

5. Drysuits must be constructed from a nylon and polyester trilaminate material, crushed neoprene, or vulcanized rubber.

6. Drysuits must include the following.

a. Self-donning, with diagonal waterproof zippers.

b. Have a chest mounted or leg-mounted low-pressure inlet that can be user serviced or replaced, must have a left shoulder mounted vent valve that can be user serviced or replaced.

c. Wrist and neck seal options must be available in silicone or latex and be user replaceable in the field.

d. Have an outer neoprene neck collar that covers the flexible seal and provides stowage for hood flanges.

e. Must be field adaptable from dry glove to wet glove systems.

f. Due to individualized body-types and the need to limit dead air space for safety, drysuits must be able to per-unit customization to ensure proper fit and thermal protection for divers.

g. All drysuits must have the option of soft integrated socks with an external boot system.

h. Must also provide suitable thermal undergarments per mission specific requirements. All Drysuits must be capable of accommodating an electronically heated vest with external batteries. Examples of acceptable systems include DUI systems and Fourth Element Argonaut Systems.

D. Decompression

1. Decompression calculation devices must include the following:

a. Must be able to provide or procure diver-worn decompression calculation devices.

b. Systems must have the option of calculating decompression profiles and projecting no-decompression limits based on the Bühlmann and Thalmann decompression algorithm and have the ability to customize and apply gradient factors for conservatism. All systems must be approved by the NDCSB. Acceptable example is Shearwater Peregrine or Perdix.

c. Planning systems carried by divers must be based on the Thalmann algorithm or

Bühlmann algorithm, and the contractor must offer both options.

d. Must have a user selectable and adjustable gradient factor that can be set to 50/70 or 50/85.

e. Must have a bright displays that can easily be read at a distance by a dive buddy.

f. Must be capable of nitrox and expandable to mixed gas and CCR calculations.

g. Must have a user replaceable battery

h. Must have an on-board logging system for real-time profiles that can be downloaded via Bluetooth into .csv format

i. Must incorporate a digital compass.

j. Must have option of accommodating a wireless pressure transmitter.

E. SCUBA Cylinders and Related Support Equipment:

1. Must provide or secure a wide variety of DOT compliant compressed gas cylinders and valves designed for SCUBA-use.

2. This may include a range of different volume cylinders depending on operational capacity needs. Depending on application, cylinder may be made from aluminum, steel, or carbon fiber.

3. Associated valves must also be provided, which can be in a range of customizable form-factors, but most commonly in DIN or K-valve style. Larger volume storage banks must also be provided, with associated hardware and connections hoses.

4. Must also provide NDP tools necessary for in-house NOAA conducted maintenance of SCUBA cylinders, which may include, inspection tools, tumblers, dryers, cleaning products, and specialized lights.

5. Must provide Aluminum scuba cylinders ranging from 3cuft – 120cuft volume with working pressures between 3000 – 3500psi (Most common requirements will be for 40cuft cylinder and 80cuft cylinders).

6. Must provide Steel scuba cylinders ranging in volume from 3cuft – 120 cuft volume with working pressures of 2400-3500psi.

7. Must provide standard k-valves or DIN style fittings on all SCUBA cylinders.

8. Must provide specialized tools necessary for visual inspection of cylinders (Metal picks, mirrors, lights, tank tumblers and tumbling media.

9. Diving Support equipment: Contractor must provide or procure a large volume of support equipment used by divers and provide through the Standardized Equipment Program. Such items include but are not limited to: Dive knives, masks, fins, snorkels, lift bags, line reels, lights, weights, gear bags, storage containers, etc…).

10. Dive knives must be stainless steel or similarly non-corrosive material such as titanium and have a means to be affixed to the divers (sheath and strap) Masks for scuba must be tempered glass with double flanged silicone skirts and low volume.

11. Fins must be single blade solid rubber construction with durable straps (rubber or springs).

12. Snorkels must be ‘J’ style with no-purge valves or dry accessories and have an inner diameter of 19-21mm.

13. Lift bags should have a range of capacities, colors and shapes. NOAA divers are required to carry two lift bags, one with at least 50lbs lifting capacity and one high visibility surface marker.

14. Line reels must be on delrin spools or equivalent durable construction and available in line capacities between 50ft and 700ft of braided line.

15. Primary lights must be ‘canister style’ with a separate battery pack connected to a handheld LED light head. There must be variable power settings, a visible battery status indicator, a sealed exterior re-charging system, and burn time of 3 hours with an output of 2000 – 4000 lumens (suitable examples include UWLD systems, Halcyon and Light Monkey).

16. Backup lights must be of simple handheld design with Delrin construction and an

LED light head and capable of at least 2 hours burn time.

17. Diver weights must be available in solid lead blocks as well as soft lead shot in in various sizes between 2 and 10lbs. Weight harness systems should distribute weight across shoulders and have easily deployable stowage pouches (i.e. DUI harness systems or equivalent)

F. Diving Support Facility

i. The NDP maintains a full-service dive facility in Seattle, Washington that has a small dive well/pool, and equipment crane, and a small boat. Contractor must be able to provide or procure parts and consumables required for operability. Such items include but are not limited to, chemicals, paints and hardware for the pool;

parts, supplies and rigging hardware for the hydraulic crane; replacements parts and consumable such as oil filter, etc. for the small boat.

ii. Hyperbaric Chambers: NDP operates several hyperbaric chambers used for operations and training. This includes two transportable recompression chambers systems that are deployed in the field as well as fixed systems at the NDP facility in Seattle.

iii. The contractor must be able to provide or procure the necessary component for

NDP staff to be able to maintain those systems. Such items include, calibration kits, replacement, gauges, hoses, compressed gas systems, seals, comms systems, valves, etc… In the event of a systems failure or any emergent operational requirement, the contract must also be able to procure fully functioning new Hyperbaric Chamber Systems.

iv. NDP operates the Cowan Transportable Recompression Chamber Systems

(TRCS). Vendor must supply parts for this model system.

G. Compressor Systems

1. NDP operates a variety of compressor systems across the agency in fixed dive units as well as ships.

2. The contractor must be able to provide or procure compressor systems of varying configurations such as, electric or gas-powered systems, and depending on mission specific requirements such systems may need to produce grade E air, or make oxygen enriched air via membrane systems, or continuous flow systems to mix heliox or trimix.

3. Contractor must also supply replacement air filters per mfg. recommendations as well as replacement oil, valves, hoses and fittings. Examples of acceptable systems include Coltri/Nuvair, and Bauer compressors.

4. Compressor systems must be available in a range of sizes and configurations to meet complex operations, this includes small portable gas or electric systems from 3.4cfm through fixed systems up to 15cfm.

a. High pressure systems must be capable of at least 4,500psi.

b. High/low pressure Nitrox membrane systems must also be available.

c. All Membrane system must be capable of producing 40% Nitrox mixtures.

d. Gas blending/mixing systems for continuous flow trimix (He/N2/O2) must also be available.

e. Digital pressure gauges as well as analog gauges must be available with a variety of fill whip/hose lengths and DIN/K-valve adapters

f. Digital gas analysis systems must also be available with steady re-supply of fresh sensors. Gas parameters that must be measurable include: Oxygen, Helium, Carbon Monoxide ppm, Carbon Dioxide ppm, Moisture, and VOCs ppm.

H. Rebreather Systems

1. Contractor must provide or procure fully functioning and equipped Electronically

Controlled Closed Circuit Rebreather systems (CCRs). System must be approved by the NDCSB.

a. CCRs must be CE rated.

b. CCR systems must have options for chest mounted, back-mounted, or over the shoulder counter-lungs.

c. CCR systems must be equipped with three independent means of monitoring PPO2 in the breathing loop (Primary Handset, secondary handset, and Head Up Display).

d. CCRs systems must have dual battery systems that are independent and sealed off from the breathing loop.

e. CCR systems must be equipped with redundant O2 sensors that continuous monitor PPO2.

f. CCR systems must be capable of accepting scrubber media with a 3-hour duration.

g. CCR systems must have a means of trapping and expelling excess water from the breathing loop.

h. CCRs must be equipped with a diluent cylinder and O2 cylinder with a mean of manual adding gasses to the breathing loop.

i. CCRs must have an electronically controlled solenoid valve attached to the

O2 supply.

j. CCRs must have an automatic and manual means of adding diluent to maintain loop volume.

k. CCRs must have flexible hose connected to a dive/surface valve with internal mushroom valves to control flow direction.

l. CCRs must have the ability to be configured with an in-line Bail-Out Valve.

m. Must have the option for a back mounted or side mounted configuration for

CCR.

n. Must have hard-wired connections to handsets and HUD.

I. Diver Propulsion Vehicles (DPV):

1. Contractor must be able to provide or procure electronically powered diver propulsion vehicles capable of extended durations and moving a fully outfitted CCR diver through the water.

a. DPV systems must have a maximum operating depth of 200m.

b. DPVs must have a static thrust of at least 70lbs.

c. DPVs must be fitted with a lithium-ion rechargeable battery capable of at least 3hrs duration.

d. DPV must be neutrally buoyant in the water.

e. DPV must have a visual display that indicates battery charge.

J. Photographic Equipment

1. Underwater photographic equipment is one of the primary tools of scientific diving and necessitates specialized equipment. Depending on mission specific requirements this could necessitate a variety of lens, cameras and lighting configurations.

2. Specific configurations must be approved by the Technical Representative.

3. Contractor must be able to provide or procure still cameras in provided timeline.

4. Systems with high resolution sensors. Primary systems must be either DSLRs or mirrorless systems with interchangeable lenses and capable of shooting in RAW format with up to 1TB storage capacity.

5. Video camera systems must be able to collect 8k resolution and have interchangeable lenses.

6. Contractor must provide camera-specific underwater housings, underwater strobes and lighting systems with sync cables and arms, water intrusion detection, and vacuum seal verification.

7. Primary Camera Systems must have a minimum of 45 megapixels and be capable of shooting 20 frames per second in RAW format.

8. All camera systems must have interchangeable lenses and be full frame format available from 14mm – 200mm.

9. Still camera systems must have low light capability with at least 25600 ISO.

10. Still cameras must write to CFexpress or XQD format memory cards.

11. Housings for still cameras must have a 450ft depth rating.

12. Housings for cameras must have interchangeable ports.

13. All camera housings must have a variety of thru-hull connectors, including

Nikonos style sync connections and vacuum seal checking systems.

14. Video cameras must be capable of 8k resolution with a 120fps rate at 8k and have at least a 35megapixel CMOS sensor.

15. Must be able to use ProRes codec and have a native RAW option.

16. All video systems must have interchangeable lenses.

17. Strobe systems must have a 110 degree angle of coverage and a color temperature of 5500K with a 1.8 second minimum refresh rate.

18. Video light must be capable of 20,000 lumens with a 5,500k color temperature.

K. Emergency Equipment

NDP provides operating units across the agency with emergency response equipment for diving operations. An inventory of items required in NOAA divers first aid kit’s is listed in APPENDIX 4 of the NOAA Diving Standards and Safety Manual.

Contractor must provide the following:

1. Provide or procure Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs), including replacement pads and batteries. (Listed in Appendix 4 of the NOAA Diving Standards and Safety Manual).

2. OTC medicine and supplies to replace expired items in NDP provided first aid kits. (Listed in Appendix 4 of the NOAA Diving Standards and Safety Manual).

3. Emergency readiness training equipment must also be provided, such as CPR mannequins, trainer AEDs, diver recall systems, etc..). Kinda need to let them know what ETC is.

a. Replacement parts for OceanEars acoustic recall systems or equal preapproved by Contracting Officers Reprehensive (COR). COR approve.

b. Replacement pads and batteries for Defibtech Lifeline AED systems.

L. Educational/Consumables:

1. Educational support supplies: must provide training materials, books, multimedia products, printing, projectors, microphone and speaker systems.

2. Provide gasses in grade E or be pre-mixed with aviator or medical grade gas as follows:

a. Nitrox.

b. Trimix.

c. Heliox.

d. Pure O2.

e. Argon

3. Provide chemical CO2 absorbent material, which may include loose scrubber material in a variety of granule sizes (typically 797 8-12 mesh), as well as pre-packed scrubber cartridges.

4. Surface supplied diving equipment as follows:

a. Desco dry-hats.

b. Full mask/dry-hats for Aqualung/Gorski systems, and Kirby Morgan systems.

c. Tender systems and associated umbilical systems for Aqualung/Gorski systems, and Kirby Morgan systems.

3.0 DELIVERABLES

A. Monthly Progress Report. The Contractor shall deliver a Monthly Progress Report summarizing equipment provided, actual costs, and problems encountered.

B. Annual Accomplishments Report. The contractor shall produce and an annual operations and accomplishments report.

3.0 PLACE OF DELIVERY

The primary place of delivery is the NOAA Diving Program in Seattle, WA. NDP is administered from Silver Spring, MD. Our primary operational facility is in Seattle, WA, and we have operating units across the Continental US, in Alaska, HI and U.S. Territories

(approximately 48 operating units in total). Delivery of supplies or services could be required at any operating unit or other locations as needed. Specific delivery of supplies will be identified in task orders.

NOAA OMAO/NDP HQ

SSMC 3

1315 East HWY 10th Floor Silver Spring, MD 20910

5.0 TRAVEL

Travel, lodging and meals (per diem) for attending NDC supplies evaluations and assessments are reimbursable with prior approval from the COR. Travel and per diem expense shall be in accordance with Federal Travel Regulations (FTR) at the website https://www.gsa.gov.regulations .

The contractor shall maintain records to support and provide copies for review and approval to the Government. The Government will only pay actual cost for travel as markup is prohibited.

t. Travel is estimated at approximately $40,000. Trip lengths may vary from day trips to several weeks in length.

6.0 ORDERING PERIOD

5 years from date of award

7.0 INVOICING

The Contractor must submit payment requests electronically through the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Invoice Processing Platform (the IPP) System. The Contractor must use the IPP website to register, access, and submit payment requests. The IPP website address is https://www.ipp.gov.

"Payment request" means any request for contract financing payment or invoice payment to the Contractor. To be considered proper, invoices must be prepared in accordance with, and contain all elements specified in, the contract payment clause (e.g., FAR 52.212-4(g), FAR 52.232-25(a)(3), FAR 52.232-26(a)(2), FAR 52.232-27(a)(2)). All supporting documents required by the Contracting Officer must be included as attachments to payment requests submitted through the IPP.

In an effort to reduce errors and to expedite the invoice approval process, it is recommended that the Contractor email invoices to the Technical POC and the COR identified in sections 8.0 and 9.0, as well as the Contract Specialist, Jessica Loftus at 757-441-6454 or Jessica.loftus@noaa.gov, for review prior to submitting invoices through IPP.

8.0 TECHNICAL POINT OF CONTACT (TPOC)

Joe Hoyt NOAA Diving Program Manager joseph.hoyt@noaa.gov 757-805-3554

9.0 CONTRACTING OFFICER’S REPRESENTATIVE (COR)

https://www.gsa.gov.regulations/ mailto:joseph.hoyt@noaa.gov

TBD

10.0 REFERENCES

NDCSB Manual-https://www.omao.noaa.gov/sites/default/files/documents/NDSSM%20Final_041217.

Approved for Navy Use (ANU) – https://www.navsea.navy.mil/Portals/103/Documents/SUPSALV/Diving/02- 23_ANU.pdf?ver=y1NaKwrbqWLE1Pr2ukriMw%3d%3d https://www.omao.noaa.gov/sites/default/files/documents/NDSSM%20Final_041217 https://www.navsea.navy.mil/Portals/103/Documents/SUPSALV/Diving/02-23_ANU.pdf?ver=y1NaKwrbqWLE1Pr2ukriMw%3d%3d https://www.navsea.navy.mil/Portals/103/Documents/SUPSALV/Diving/02-23_ANU.pdf?ver=y1NaKwrbqWLE1Pr2ukriMw%3d%3d