FBO_Announcement_1.pdf

Intent to Award Notice – 140G0124Q0226

The US Geological Survey (USGS) has a requirement for the USGS participation and role within the University of Washington School of Oceanography -National Oceanographic Laboratory System (UNOLS) program for the period of August 1, 2024 through July 31, 2029.

UNOLS is a consortium of 58 United States (US) academic institutions and National Laboratories with research and educational programs in the ocean sciences and dedication to the major shared-use facilities that support these programs. These institutions support a broad array of facilities and support services, which include research vessels, submersibles, remotely operated vehicles, autonomous underwater vehicles, aircraft, icebreakers, major instrumentation and national facilities. The institution or the supporting federal agencies own these shared-use assets and it is through the UNOLS system that the community is able to access them.

The USGS is aware of no other source that can provide the above. Therefore, it intends to make an award to the University of Washington School of Oceanography. unless it is contacted by any vendor who believes they have similar product that can meet the needs of this requirement. Vendors are invited to contact the Contract Specialist, Patrick Anderson via email at panderson@usgs.gov no later than 1:00 PM EDT, Friday, July 26, 2024 with an affirmative answer.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) considers employee signatures to be Personal Protected Information, and therefore all employee signatures have been redacted. By posting this document, the Contracting Officer attests all appropriate signatures have been obtained.

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION (FAR 13.1)

The following information is provided to demonstrate the proposed contractor’s unique qualifications:

As part of implementation of Executive Order 13547--Stewardship of the Ocean, Our Coasts, and the Great Lakes, Federal agencies use the inventory of vessels in the Federal Oceanographic Fleet. Many of these vessels are managed through the University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System (UNOLS) which is currently managed by the University of Washington. Implementation of the Executive Order is set out in the National Ocean Policy Implementation Plan, which sets the framework for meeting the requirements. One element is an assessment of the status of the Federal Oceanographic Fleet to inform future planning and to ensure a more efficient interagency approach to managing the Fleet. The Federal Oceanographic Fleet is a critical national infrastructure that supports Federal agency and academic oceanographic operations, surveys, and research across a broad spectrum of needs. Ships provide access to the sea and Great Lakes and enable us to gather critical information that supports our responsible use and management of marine resources. Federal agencies use the inventory and status report of the Federal Oceanographic Fleet to identify its capacity to support a range of requirements nationwide, including in the Arctic, such as data collection and research, weather and climate, ocean mapping, and the understanding of ocean and seafloor physical, chemical, geological, and biological processes. Beyond scheduling of these Federal vessels, as a coordinated effort with the National Ocean Council Interagency Working Group on Facilities, UNOLS is responsible for:

1) providing strong support for ocean research, including ample access to modern research vessels,

2) coordinating use of Federally-supported oceanographic facilities, and

3) suppling a cost-effective alternative to Federally owned vessels for agencies (like the USGS) which require occasional or small-scale use of oceanographic vessels. The UNOLS organization provides a forum for facility users, operators, and supporting Federal agencies to cooperate in achieving common goals; including ensuring universal access to major research vessels and facilities; coordinating efficient scheduling; improving the safety and quality of the facilities; and planning for replacements and upgrades. Continued support for UNOLS administrative functions ensures that an efficient and effective project governing structure is in place throughout the award period for all critical or significant project activities. In addition, the supporting Federal agencies participate in and fund the UNOLS effort.

mailto:panderson@usgs.gov

UNOLS is the only organization that coordinates the use of federally supported oceanographic facilities with academic oceanographic institutions, and it is the only organization where the ocean research and education community, research facility operators, and supporting Federal agencies work cooperatively to improve access, scheduling, operation, and capabilities of current and future academic oceanographic facilities.

The UNOLS fleet will greatly aid in the research necessary to meet our mission. As stated in the Program Strategy, the USGS is developing an integrated coastal program "...that effectively applies the breadth of USGS expertise towards the objective of providing national and regional capabilities to characterize coastal systems and to measure, analyze, understand, and forecast coastal changes (natural and anthropogenic) that affect coastal economies, resource availability, recreational quality, and the integrity and sustainability of the Nation's coastal ecosystems."