DRAFT PWS.pdf

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

WATER TAXI SERVICES

1.0 INTRODUCTION

This requirement is to provide water taxi service for Commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic (CNSL) assist teams, Afloat Training Group (ATG) visits, Engineering Assessments Atlantic (EAA) and other personnel to train and support all Navy afloat units operating in the Virginia Capes region, year round. Personnel will be transported to and from the vicinity of the Rudee Inlet Fishing Center and Lynnhaven Inlet via water taxi.

2.0 BACKGROUND

Several training and certification events have been cancelled or postponed due to the inability of assessors to reach particular vessels during inclement weather. These schedule changes have a ripple effect on the overall ship’s certification and training/deployment cycle. Navy RHIBs are small and more susceptible to weather conditions than a large, covered water taxi. Transporting personnel via military aircraft is much more costly, difficult to schedule and further constrained by inclement weather.

3.0 WORK REQUIREMENTS

3.1 The Contractor shall provide water taxis to transfer ship personnel to and from Rudee Inlet fishing Pier and Lynnhaven Inlet for 25 personnel with the availability to surge up to 50 personnel with baggage (1 sea bag per person). At the commencement of service, the Contractor is required to advise the ship of scheduled breaks and any changes to the taxi service schedule.

3.2 Water taxi service shall include a minimum of two (2) qualified operators (a driver and one other operator).

Operator qualifications are set forth in Paragraph 4.7 below.

3.3 Service begins when the first water taxi is alongside the designated pick-up point and ends when the last passenger disembarks from the water taxi at the designated drop-off point as ordered by the ship. However, when required to arrive early for inspection as a force protection measure, service begins at time of inspection. Request will be made NLT 48 hours of required transfer date. There are no restrictions on the hours of the day that trips can be made. If a ship requires both inbound and outbound transfers, they will be conducted in succession if possible and be charged as one trip.

3.4 If the Contractor cannot provide the size of water taxi ordered, the Contractor shall provide a larger size water taxi, or a combination of water taxis, that in total capacity equates to the size of the water taxi ordered. In any event the ship will be charged for the size of the water taxi ordered.

3.5 Except as otherwise specified herein, the service shall include all equipment needed to transport personnel between the Rudee Inlet fishing Pier, Lynnhaven Inlet and vessels anchored in the outer harbor, or in the inner harbor. If it becomes necessary to change the landing point of the water taxi within the port, the Contractor shall dock at the new landing point. In the event this occurs, it will be considered to be a “Change” to the contract. Any entitlement to and any amounts of additional or reduced charges shall be determined pursuant to the clause entitled “Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Items (FAR 52.212-4)”.

4.0 WATER TAXI REQUIREMENTS

4.1 Water Taxi must adhere to the requirements of “Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular Subj: Guidance On The Passenger Vessel Safety Act Of 1993.” The Contractor shall ensure that the water taxi is in sound mechanical condition and meets all maintenance, safety, and other periodical inspections as required by the United States Coast Guard regulations and local laws to preclude breakdown and injury. Apart from compliance with local laws and regulations, the Contractor shall meet all additional requirements as set forth throughout. Water taxis shall be watertight, staunch, strong, seaworthy, in sound mechanical condition, and fitted for service required. All water taxis used by the Contractor shall provide full protection from the weather elements, be enclosed, and be heated or air conditioned dependent upon the weather. Further, water taxis shall be in a clean condition when presented for service and shall be free of debris. The water taxi shall be sufficiently clean so as not to soil passengers, their clothing, or possessions with dirt, grease, oil, or other matter. If the water taxi does not meet the requirements of this paragraph as determined by the Government Service Representative (uniform or civilian), the U.S. Government shall have the right to reject the water taxi for performance of services.

4.2 Each water taxi shall be equipped with at least one clean and serviceable life jacket for each passenger and crewmember, and all jackets shall be stowed in a readily accessible place. Each water taxi shall provide emergency lighting, both permanent and hand held, shall be available and in working order at all times.

4.3 Water Taxi will provide all equipment that is unique to their vessel in order for passengers to safely board U.S.

Navy Cruisers (CG), Destroyers (DDG), Landing Ship Dock (LSD), Landing Platform/Dock (LPD), Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) and Multi-Purpose Amphibious Assault Ships (LHD). Requesting unit will ensure all shipboard required boarding equipment is safe and ready to use, and will be properly configured to come alongside a US Navy vessel without damaging the ship or taxi.

4.4 The following information shall be clearly posted in English.

a. Current operator’s/captain’s license.

b. Passenger/weight capacity limits notice.

c. Location of life jackets and other lifesaving equipment.

d. Location of all exits indicated in large letters.

e. Emergency procedures.

4.5 ‘Adverse weather’ conditions are weather conditions in which operations of water taxis are unsafe for passengers and shall be determined by the Commanding Officer, Command Duty Officer, Operations Officer, or the Officer of the Deck. Operation of the water taxi shall be in a safe and seaworthy manner. Personnel water taxi transfers will be able to operate in sea state up to and including 5. Water taxi personnel transfers are restricted in a sea state above 5.

4.6 The consumption of alcoholic beverages shall not be permitted aboard the water taxis.

4.7 Operator qualifications: The Master Operator shall have a minimum of 2 years’ experience boarding vessels.

The contractor shall provide any other helpers or crew members required by local authorities, all insurance, fuel, holiday surcharges, overtime, and other operating expenses. All personnel or employees of the Contractor operating water taxis shall have all certifications required and issued by the law of the country in which the port is located for the operation of the type, class, or size of water taxi being operated by such personnel. In addition, all such personnel shall have requisite experience, skill, knowledge, and familiarity with the water area in which the water taxis are to be operated to ensure the water taxis are operated in a safe and seaworthy manner.

4.8 Security: During the term of this contract, the ship(s) to be serviced will provide adequate and sufficient security personnel for maintaining the orderly transportation of its personnel and such civilians who may be transported.

Such naval personnel will be assigned at the discretion of the ship’s Commanding Officer or designated representative. When such naval personnel are embarked in a Contractor-operated water taxi, he will be responsible for the good order and discipline of naval personnel.

4.9 In the event of a water taxi breakdown, immediately prior to, or during a trip, the Contractor shall immediately provide a replacement water taxi that complies in all respects with this contract, at no additional cost to the U.S.

Government. If a water taxi is not operable when required under this contract, the Contractor shall immediately provide at no additional expense to the U.S. Government, a replacement water taxi which complies in all respects with this contract.

4.10 Any personal articles or items found on the water taxi after completion of each trip shall be turned over to the ship’s Security Officer, his direct representative, and/or the COR.

4.11 To verify a claim by the Contractor for any damage or destruction caused by the U.S. Government, it shall be the responsibility of the Contractor to ensure that the water taxi is jointly inspected before and after each trip by the Contractor and an authorized senior government representative (uniform or civilian).

4.12 Inspection and acceptance criteria for water taxi services: Contractor shall make the water taxi available to the ship’s Commanding Officer or designated representative for inspection as required. The Commanding Officer or his designated representative of the ship shall inspect and accept all water taxis prior to transporting any personnel.

Each order for water taxi services is made on the basis that the request is to be considered a final order/obligation of the US Government only after each water taxi has been inspected and accepted by the ship’s representative. The ship’s Commanding Officer is solely responsible for the safety of his crew and the subsequent acceptance of water taxi services. Upon ships, Commanding Officer’s security personnel can inspect the water taxi’s personnel. If the Contractor has a claim of damage or destruction caused by the U.S. Government, the contractor shall request a joint inspection with the ship’s Commanding Officer or designated representative to assess claims for review which shall be submitted to the Contracting Officer. The following features or components may be inspected prior to acceptance:

a. HULL

i. Watertight integrity of weather decks, bulkheads, watertight closures and interior hull structure.

ii. Superstructure (including masts and stacks).

iii. Railings, bulwarks and their attachment to hull, especially guardrails and lifelines.

iv. Provisions for drainage of seawater from exposed decks.

b. MACHINERY

i. Main propulsion and auxiliary machinery essential to operation of craft.

ii. Sea and bulkhead closure valves.

iii. Bilge suction strainers and dewatering systems bilge pumps to be tested by operation.

iv. Bilges free of flammable liquids.

c. ELECTRICAL

i. Cables.

ii. Navigation, deck and emergency lighting.

iii. Rotating electrical machinery, e.g., generators and motors.

iv. Storage batteries.

d. LIFESAVING EQUIPMENT

i. Life preservers sufficient number for maximum capacity of craft, accessible and in satisfactory condition.

ii. Life raft(s) and hydrostatic release (where applicable) sufficient for maximum capacity.

iii. First aid kits, life rings and distress lights.

iv. Distress signaling devices.

e. FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT

i. Fire pump subject fire hose to fire pump pressure.

ii. Portable fire extinguishers.

iii. Fixed systems, e.g., CO2 cylinders

f. STEERING APPARATUS

g. MISC SYSTEMS AND EQUIPMENT

i. Harbor charts.

ii. Ground tackle and mooring lines.

iii. Whistle/fog horn, bell.

iv. Compass.

v. Radar.

vi. 2 way radio capable of bridge to bridge communications.

vii. Current licenses.

4.13 In the event the U.S. Government rejects a water taxi, the U.S. Government shall not be liable for any costs the Contractor incurs in presenting said water taxi for inspection.

4.14 The Contractor shall obtain written acknowledgement of water taxi service by an authorized ship representative. Logs shall be used to document arrival and departure times. Logs must be available upon request for U.S. Government review and inspection.