Attach_3_-_Vessel_charter_SOW_final_(3).pdf

SCOPE OF WORK: Small Vessel Charter for Ecological Restoration in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (USFWS – Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office)

PIFWO Project Contact: Sheldon Plentovich, Email: Sheldon_Plentovich@fws.gov, Phone:

808 792-9400

NOTE: This contract is for Year One of a contract with four option years. Option years subsequent to this year will be activated by modification to add funds.

Background: The Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office (PIFWO) has undertaken a project to protect and restore ecosystems on Nihoa Island in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. This effort includes invasive species removal, native species monitoring and translocations of endangered species. Nihoa lies within the remote Northwestern Hawaiian Islands and Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (PMNM). Because of small and isolated populations, many of Nihoa’s endemic species face a high risk of extinction from environmental catastrophes such as severe storms, disease outbreaks, and introduction of alien species. Control of invasive plants such as Sandbur (Cenchrus echinatus) and establishment of additional populations of rare species are necessary to buffer Nihoa’s endemic species [e.g., Nihoa Finch (Telespiza ultima), Nihoa Fan Palm (Pritchardia remota)] from this high extinction risk. Development of detailed translocation methods is essential to the successful establishment of additional populations and that process has begun.

Currently, our team is conducting work on Nihoa Island to protect native species and in preparation for translocations, including monitoring, invasive species removal, seed collection, captive feeding trials of Nihoa Finches, habitat studies, and other tasks that necessitate camping on Nihoa island for periods of five to 15 days at a time, one to two times each year. Nihoa Island is a small, steep volcanic fragment with no lagoon and little fringing reef to provide a protected landing site. Nihoa is an undeveloped wilderness. Other than the Refuge sign, there is no permanent infrastructure on the island. Transportation to Nihoa is only by sea, and landing on the island can be accomplished only at a single, rocky point in a semi-protected cove and is not possible during some sea states.

Objective: PIFWO seeks a small vessel capable of multiple days of open ocean travel to support fieldwork on Nihoa Island. It is well established that approaching and landing on Nihoa requires knowledge and skills that can only be acquired through extensive experience working in high surf conditions with the objective of safely landing personnel and gear on rocky ledges in high surf conditions. .

The vessel will be responsible for the following:

• transport from three to 11 USFWS personnel, project scientists, native Hawaiian cultural practitioners, and/or other project partners from Honolulu to Nihoa;

• land personnel and gear on Nihoa for field camps that can lasting from several days to several weeks;

• extract personnel and gear from the island; and transport back to Honolulu.

mailto:Sheldon_Plentovich@fws.gov

• provide berthing on the vessel when anchored offshore

Schedule/Period of Performance: This contract will be for a base period of one year, with four 1-year options. In the base period, PIFWO will conduct at least one trip to Nihoa lasting seven to 16 days. Trip dates will be scheduled based on the needs of the Nihoa restoration project and availability of the vessel. In future (option) years, trips may occasionally include travel to Laysan, Lisianski or Kure Atoll (also within PMNM).

Vessel Requirements: The vessel must be suitable for open-ocean travel with sufficient fuel, water, and food stores, and must undertake regulatory compliance (see below) to transit to and operate within the PMNM as well as within the main Hawaiian Island waters. The vessel must have, in proper working order, all required USCG approved safety, navigation and communication devices. The vessel must also be compliant with existing PMNM regulations including obtaining a vessel permit, rodent inspection, type-approved Vessel Monitoring System units, and hull, tender vessel, gear and ballast water inspections .

The contractor shall furnish the necessary personnel, equipment, services, and facilities to accomplish the objective and as follows below (except as otherwise specified). Any delays exceeding six hours due to failure of contractor furnished equipment, facilities, services, or assets shall result in the loss of that sea day at the contractor’s expense, excluding failures due to unforeseen weather, natural disasters, or health reasons. Scientific and camp equipment will be furnished by the USFWS biologists and partners.

VESSEL TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

1. The vessel captain and crew must have demonstrated experience operating in PMNM waters and demonstrated experience in adverse sea conditions that include landing people and gear on rocky ledges in high surf conditions.

2. Vessel must be able to maintain a minimum cruising speed of 8 knots in average sea conditions within the operating area.

3. Vessel must have fuel capacity for at least 21 days at sea.

4. Soft-hulled/inflatable skiff such as a Zodiak of 20-ft. minimum and 35-ft.

maximum length and 75 hp-minimum engine to maneuver quickly and safely in near-shore surge to land personnel and gear on a rocky terrace in a small cove. The skiff must be capable of run up on the rocky landing site, providing addition stability and safety while disembarking or embarking people and gear. Gasoline fuel for the outboard motor must be stored in Coast Guard and/or DOT approved tanks or containers.

5. Seawater and freshwater deck hose for cleaning gear.

6. Deck storage area of at least 200 sq ft for storing and transporting scientific and camp gear and accessories. Deck storage area may be continuous or separated into sections throughout the vessel.

7. Dry storage area of at least 100 cu ft in the interior of the vessel for holding scientific equipment and electronics. Dry storage area may be continuous or separated into sections throughout the vessel.

8. Clean and sanitary accommodations for crew and field party (variably numbering from three to 11 personnel) which may include both males and females. Stateroom and berthing arrangements must allow for separate rooms for male and female scientists.

9. Potable fresh water supply adequate for vessel and personal use (including showers and laundry) for all personnel aboard for at least 15 days. If a water-maker is not available, then a minimum of 4,000 gal is required.

10. Clean mattresses with clean fitted covers, pillows, and linens for the scientific field party.

11. A minimum of two heads and two showers shall be available to the scientific field party. Soap, toilet paper, and paper towels shall be provided by the vessel.

12. Workspaces, berthing, and galley spaces shall be adequately ventilated and free from tobacco smoke, excessive engine noise, and hydrocarbon fumes.

13. In an effort to reduce marine debris pollution, the Captain shall comply with waste management regulations as described in Section V of MARPOL and as regulated by the PMNM. The vessel shall be required to have a storage facility, with or without a trash compactor, to retain all refuse (except food and paper materials) or a means to incinerate this refuse so that it is not disposed of at sea.

B. ELECTRONIC and COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS

1. VHF Radio; a minimum of two radios, one of which must be fixed mounted in the bridge.

Two additional radios are required for each skiff. (The PIFWO project will provide VHF radios for scientists' use while on-island).

2. Single side-band unit.

3. GPS (Global Positioning System).

4. Radar ― 2 units with a minimum range of 38.6 km (24 miles).

5. Satellite telephone with internet access. Vessel Monitoring Equipment.

C. CREW REQUIREMENTS

1. The contractor shall provide a licensed Captain for each cruise. The captain must have experience operating in the PMNM and landing personnel in gear in high surf conditions on rocky shorelines.

2. The contractor shall provide adequate crew to effect the safe operation of the ship and provide appropriate watch standing. Skiff operators must have specific, demonstrated experience handling small boats for landing and extracting personnel and gear at Nihoa Island or other remote islands lacking infrastructure.

3. The contractor shall also provide a dedicated cook/steward for the duration of each cruise.

4. All ship’s crew must comply with USFWS personal conduct, alcohol, and drug policies.

5. Government personnel will provide their own safety, survival, and emergency equipment for operations conducted away from the vessel, i.e., on Nihoa island.

E. OPERATING PROCEDURES

1. Three meals will be provided by the vessel for the resident field party during each charter day including in-port days, unless notified by the Chief Scientist that the field party will not be eating one or more meals aboard the vessel that day. Reasonable accommodations shall be made for personnel on restricted diets. Meal times will be coordinated with the Chief Scientist. Packaged lunches and refreshments will be provided for field party personnel who are berthed aboard the vessel while at anchor in the field and for crew while conducting operations away from the vessel and will comply with quarantine requirements within PMNM. Field party personnel camped on the island will provide their own meals and water. The Chief Scientist will notify the cook one day prior to needing packaged lunches.

3. The Captain will maintain close communication with the Chief Scientist, at least once each day while the vessel is at anchor, to discuss daily operations, weather forecasts, and resolve any problems that occur.

4. The Chief Scientist and Captain will work together to resolve all problems which occur regarding the charter and scientific operations while at sea. In the event the Field Party Chief and Captain are unable to resolve any problem which has the potential for invalidating the scientific research or threatens the safety of the field party, the Chief Scientist will direct the vessel to return to port where an acceptable solution will be arranged between the Government and the Contractor, or the charter will be terminated.

The vessel will be off charter if required to return to port and will remain off charter until the problem has been resolved and the vessel has returned to the survey area.

5. The Captain and crew shall exercise due caution and follow safety procedures as directed by the Field Party Chief to help prevent damage or loss of Government gear and equipment. Specific safety procedures may be presented in writing to the Captain by the Chief Scientist. Repair or replacement costs may be deducted from charter payments if loss or damage to Government equipment is the result of negligent disregard of such instructions and procedures.

6. All equipment and gear specified in the Government's statement of work and that which is not specified but is necessary to the safe and continued operation of the vessel shall be operational at the beginning of the charter and maintained in working order throughout the duration of the charter.

7. The Contractor shall provide for all operating expenses of the vessel exclusive of scientific equipment and supplies.

F. SAFETY

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 each cruise leg. The Contractor shall provide U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets for all personnel aboard. The Government may provide additional personal flotation devices as deemed necessary by the Chief Scientist.

2. The Contractor shall provide a first-aid kit, an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and a small boat emergency kit with appropriate visual distress signal devices (as required by the USCG federal required items for boats). The Government will provide additional first aid kits/medical supplies, and emergency equipment for operations conducted away from the vessel.

3. At the time of submission of the proposal and bid, the Contractor shall indicate that they have or can obtain a vessel Stability Report, certified by a licensed naval architect/marine engineer, which describes the vessel's stability characteristics for the intended charter operations. 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.

G. MISSION PLAN, PRE/POST CRUISE MEETING, AND CRUISE REPORT

1. The Chief Scientist will draft a Mission Plan that will detail the mission, itinerary, scientific personnel, program provided equipment, and operations conducted on the cruise. The Mission Plan will be provided to the vessel prior to departure.

2. Pre-cruise meetings will be scheduled by the Chief Scientist with the Captain of the vessel to review the Mission Plan and discuss cruise related issues. Additional personnel may attend, including but not limited to program leaders, directors office representative, scientific staff, and essential ship crew. A safety briefing for all crew and scientific staff and a cultural briefing shall be prior to leaving port in Honolulu.

3. A post-cruise meeting will be scheduled by the Chief Scientist and the Captain of the vessel to review the cruise and provide feedback to the Contractor and Contracting Officer/COR. Any un-resolved issues that arose during the cruise shall be discussed at this time. Additional personnel may attend, including but not limited to program leaders, directors office representative, scientific staff, and essential ship crew.