19-02100_Vessel_Charter_SON.pdf

NOAA/NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE

SOUTHWEST FISHERIES SCIENCE CENTER

Marine Mammal and Turtle Division

STATEMENT OF NEED

Mid-sized Vessel Charter for Research off San Diego

INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND: Passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) is an effective means of studying marine mammal species and has shown rapid hardware and software advancement in recent years. Southwest Fisheries Science Center has been a leader in PAM hardware development, including volumetric towed hydrophone arrays and drifting autonomous spar buoy recorders (DASBRs). SWFSC has also developed novel analytical approaches to application of PAM to marine mammal population assessment, including estimating abundance of Cuvier’s beaked whales using DASBRs. DASBRs have also been identified as an ideal platform for monitoring ocean noise, a rising environmental concern. These research and development projects require periodic sea trials to test and troubleshoot new hardware and software developments prior to implementation. To ensure equipment and methods are fully functional for our NOAA Surveys, we will carry out periodic sea trials on a mid-sized charter vessel to test, calibrate, and troubleshoot equipment.

Sea trials require the charter of a mid-sized (50-80 ft) vessel to conduct local research within 120 nautical miles of San Diego. Specific equipment and methods will vary by sea trial but may include testing new equipment, deploying or retrieving equipment, surveying for animals, obtaining biopsy samples from marine mammals, and capturing turtles to obtain blood or other biological samples. One (1) research trip consisting of 6 days at sea (24 hrs/day); or the research trip may consist of 12 research trips consisting of 12 hrs/day (or some combination of the two).

offshore of San Diego, CA.

The SWFSC government representative will carry permits for any research on marine mammals or endangered species.

OBJECTIVES: 1) Test and troubleshoot new acoustic hardware and/or software, 2) test novel experimental designs, including playback experiments and calibrations, 3) conduct opportunistic sampling (e.g., biopsy, photo-ID, oceanographic data collection).

CONTRACT DETAILS: The contract is for a base year in 2019; the contract will include 1 research trip consisting of 6 days at sea (24 hrs/day); or the research trip may consist of 12 research trips consisting of 12 hrs/day (or some combination of the two).

GENERAL SEA TRIAL DESCRIPTION: By definitions, each sea trial will be unique and have its own requirements. In general, sea trials run from 0600 to 1800, with operations conducted offshore San Diego, California. We expect to conduct overnight sea trials such that two 12-hr days may be combined to provide for 24-hr operations. Equipment may be hand-deployed off the vessel and/or towed behind the vessel.

GEAR SPECIFICATIONS:

The contractor will provide an indoor work table (of at least 12 sq ft) with bench seats for the exclusive use of the scientists for their research. The contractor will also provide a minimum of 20 sq ft of indoor storage space for equipment and 100 sq ft of outdoor storage space for equipment. A minimum of one crew member must be available to assist scientists at all times to ensure safe operations.

CAPTAIN AND VESSEL SPECIFICATIONS: The contractor will provide a well-maintained vessel, licensed captain, trained crew, meals for the crew and scientists, and, for trips longer than 12 hours, berthing space for crew and scientists. The captain and crew of the charter vessel shall have all required skills and local knowledge for navigating in and around San Diego waters and local offshore waters. The contractor will operate the vessel in accordance with all applicable Coast Guard and other relevant regulations. Start and end locations will be in San Diego CA.

When contacted by an authorized representative of the Government, the contractor and Government representative will jointly determine a planned date for the needed research activity based on the availability of the vessel and scientific research needs.

The contractor will make the vessel available for loading and unloading for a minimum of 30 minutes before and after scheduled departure times. At least two crew members will be available during those times to aid in loading, unloading, and securing equipment.

The Government’s designated scientific lead (chief scientist for the project) will meet with the captain to explain the scientific objectives and requirement of the research. Frequent and clear communications will be needed on a continuing basis between the captain, chief scientist, crew and other scientists.

The vessel shall be a minimum of 50 ft water-line length with a beam width of at least 20 ft for stability. The vessel must be capable of continuous cruising speed of at least 9 knots. A minimum of 4 galley tables are required and one must be dedicated to scientific research. An A-frame or J-frame with overhead block is not required for this work but would be a valuable addition.

Berth space (including a pillow and blanket) will be provided for up to 6 scientists on trips longer than 12 hours. A light breakfast and a lunch will be provided for up to 10 scientists on 12-hour day trips. A hot breakfast, a lunch, and a hot dinner will be provided for up to 6 scientists on 24-hour trips.

SAFETY: The captain and crew will operate the vessel in a safe manner at all time while striving to meet the scientific objectives of the research. Vessel shall meet minimum equipment carriage requirements in accordance with the Code of Federal Regulations (CFRs) and/or have a valid Certificate of Inspection (COI) or USCG Letter of Designation stating the vessel is approved for oceanographic research operations. Vessel shall be equipped with skiff or inflatable raft large enough to fit captain, crew, and scientific staff for use in case of emergency only.

Communication equipment appropriate for ship-to-shore communications, including emergency communications shall be provided by the Vendor and included in the contract price as part of the daily rate.

CONTRACTOR PROVIDED PROPERTY: The vendor shall provide the vessel and all equipment appropriate to conduct the work described above as well as vessel crew to include, at minimum, a Vessel Captain and one crew. Vendor shall provide safety equipment to include life raft and life vests for up to two crew and ten scientists. Vendor shall provide electronic equipment as described above.

GOVERNMENT PROVIDED EQUIPMENT: The government will provide necessary data collection hardware, computers, and software. All data generated will be the property of the U.S.

government.

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE:

Period of performance will be from the date of award – August, 31st, 2020. Option year 1:

September 1st, 2020-August 31st, 2021.