REQUIREMENTS-23-0821 DRAFT SOW 043024.pdf

STATEMENT OF WORK

NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ADMINISTRATIVE ASSOCIATION (NOAA)

NOAA FISHERIES – SOUTHWEST FISHERIES SCIENCE CENTER (SWFCS)

ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS SUPPORT SERVICES

SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION

The U.S. Antarctic Marine Living Resources (AMLR) Program of NOAA’s Fisheries, Ecosystem Science Division (ESD) requires logistical support services for its research activities in Antarctica and surrounding regions. The U.S. AMLR Program is tasked with collecting and analyzing ecosystem-based fisheries data from Antarctica from its base at the SWFSC in La Jolla, California. The SWFSC provides scientific support to NOAA Fisheries Offices from its marine research laboratories in La Jolla, Monterey, and Santa Cruz California.

The SWFSC provides scientific information for conserving and managing U.S. and world fisheries, populations of protected marine species, and their habitats. Our research estimates the biological, environmental, and economic impacts of different fisheries management options, and advice is given to domestic and international organizations that manage living marine resources. Besides providing research and scientific information in support of fishery management, the Center maintains large databases that include catch statistics and biological information needed by NOAA Fisheries and resource management and research communities.

SECTION 2: BACKGROUND

In 1984, Congress mandated the development of a directed research program in Antarctica. Since 1988, this program has been carried out by the SWFSC’s U.S. AMLR Program, which provides information needed for U.S. policy relating to the conservation and management of living marine resources in the oceans surrounding Antarctica. The U.S. AMLR Program supports U.S. participation in the Commission and the Scientific Committee of the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), a treaty-based organization with 27 member nations. CCAMLR has established a system for conservatively managing the living resources of the Antarctic ecosystem through international cooperation, towards the goal of preventing overexploitation of resources. U.S.

AMLR scientists assess commercial catch and fishing effort; conduct in situ studies of krill, fish, marine mammals, and birds; and coordinate international research to evaluate the direct and indirect effects of harvesting on the Antarctic ecosystem.

The U.S. AMLR Program depends on chartered research vessels—primarily National Science Foundation ships, although other vendors or NOAA ships may be used—to support research at two (2) field camps on the South Shetland Islands: one (1) on King George Island (Copacabana Field Camp), and one (1) on Livingston Island (Holt-Watters Field Camp). Chartered vessels also support the U.S. AMLR Program’s pelagic and oceanographic research groups in Antarctica by deploying and recovering autonomous underwater instruments (gliders and moorings), and surveying commercially-targeted fishes. Research priorities and resources are evaluated annually to determine the timing and scope of logistics support needs.

SECTION 3: SCOPE OF WORK

The most efficient geographical departure point for the U.S. AMLR Program’s research in the South Shetland Islands is southern Chile.

Beginning in September 2024, shore-based port and vessel logistical services in Punta Arenas, Chile are required to support NOAA’s land-based and oceanographic research in Antarctica. Between 2024 and 2029, port logistical support is needed annually and year-round. The cycle of transportation between the U.S. and Antarctica, data collection periods, equipment and cargo preparation, maintenance and storage happen throughout the calendar year.

The Holt-Watters Field Camp is typically opened in late November and closed in early March, while the Copacabana Field Camp is typically opened in early January and closed in early February. Required services to support these camps include: arranging and receiving sea and air shipments; providing secure storage for a variety of scientific and field equipment; delivering produce, gasoline, propane, medical grade oxygen, and other required supplies; logistics vessel support for remote field camps (opening, closing and resupply) and oceanographic research; and other support as needed.

Due to the highly dynamic nature of the work requirements, as well as the challenging weather conditions in the region, the Government reserves the right to refine the direction of tasks and add additional tasks within the general scope of this contract.

SECTION 3.1: TASKS

The Contractor shall provide annual shore- and vessel-based logistical services in Punta Arenas, Chile and the surrounding region. This includes support for vessel-based instrument deployments and recoveries, and for the two (2) NOAA remote scientific field camps in Antarctica (King George and Livingston Islands) from September 2024 through September 2029.

The Contractor shall provide overall management pertaining to all contractor technical and contractual support, including international, federal, state and local requirements, insurance, and liability coverage for its employees. The Contractor shall be responsible for adherence to all international, federal, state, local, maritime, and site-specific safety regulations including first aid and survival/emergency/training for contractor personnel when required.

The Contractor shall perform all work in accordance with the master IDIQ contract, individual task orders, and associated Statements of Work (SOW). The Contractor shall furnish all personnel, materials, supplies, equipment, transportation, and facilities (except as otherwise specified), to perform the services described in the Statements of Work. Individual task order(s) will outline the services associated with that task. Deliverables must be completed by the due dates and in accordance with the specifications stated in a specific task order and the master IDIQ contract.

Generally, the Contractor shall provide the following services:

SECTION 3.1.1: BONDED STORAGE AND CONTAINER MOVEMENTS

The Contractor shall provide secure Chilean Customs-bonded storage, both indoors in a warehouse environment, and outdoors, including coordination and management of all of the associated customs/import/export documentation and expenses.

The Contractor shall also provide equipment and cargo movement management and services, which include: transporting and storing shipping containers; providing necessary equipment and operators to transport containers and additional equipment (toplifter, forklift, etc.); receiving (including customs support), handling, loading and unloading containers, and providing paperwork processing/filing associated with port calls.

SECTION 3.1.2: FRESH PROVISIONS

The Contractor shall provide provisioning of food (non-perishable and perishable), fuel and supplies for each field season at the Holt-Watters Field Camp on Livingston Island, and at the Copacabana Field Camp on King George Island. All provisions shall be subject to inspection by the NOAA Project Leader or Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR).

SECTION 3.1.3: AIR AND VESSEL TRANSPORTS

The Contractor shall provide transportation between mainland Chile and Antarctic locations, between Antarctic locations on King George and/or Livingston Islands and between the field camps on these islands (Intra-Antarctic Transportation).

Transportation shall occur by aircraft or vessels, and include all logistics vessel support related to camp opening, closing and resupply.

SECTION 3.1.4: EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR

The Contractor shall perform general equipment (generators, forklifts, etc.) maintenance and/or repair, including purchasing and replacing unrepairable equipment.

SECTION 3.1.5: GENERAL PORT CALL SUPPORT, ADMINISTRATION AND LOCAL TRANSPORT ASSISTANCE

General port call support takes place at the beginning and end of most research evolutions, and has a typical duration between one (1) and 14 days. General support includes routine office support such as internet and various communications equipment use, general administrative tasks, and proper disposal of hazardous materials (e.g., expired batteries including lithium batteries, gasoline) and expired medications. The Contractor shall also provide local transportation including, but not limited to, assisting with customs and immigration and facilitating flight connections at the Santiago airport, assisting with transport to/from the Santiago or Punta Arenas airport, local shopping, arranging for medical appointments, and other local transportation needs.

SECTION 3.1.6: HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SHIPPING ASSISTANCE

The Contractor shall maintain all appropriate hazardous materials handling and shipping certifications and international shipping accounts to permit shipping hazardous materials by land, sea, and air.

SECTION 3.1.7: ASSISTANCE WITH OTHER COSTS AS NEEDED (OPTIONAL)

Due to the unpredictable nature of our work in Antarctica, unexpected services and costs may arise. In these instances, the Contractor shall agree to provide needed services at the best available rate and/or cost. In such cases, additional costs must be approved by the contracting officer in advance and funding shall be applied to a new contract line item number.

SECTION 4: DELIVERABLES

SECTION 4.1: TYPES OF DELIVERABLES

Deliverables must be completed by the due dates and in accordance with the specifications stated in a specific task order and the master IDIQ contract. Individual task order(s) will outline deliverables associated with that task.

Generally, the Contractor shall perform and complete assigned projects and documents as requested or required, with completion of all tasks no later than the end of the period of performance of the line item. Activities to be performed may occur on a routine or recurring basis, with deliverables being due on an as-needed basis. In the event of weather delays or similar contingency situations, the Contractor shall make every effort to complete the deliverables to the maximum extent practicable for the situation and available time frames.

SECTION 4.2: GENERAL DELIVERABLES

● Provides shipment, transportation, loading, and unloading of shipping containers, maintains security, ensures equipment and supplies are not damaged or made inoperable and are available for use at the desired location in a timely manner.

● Contractor provided Chilean Customs-bonded storage is secure and weather appropriate.

● Coordinates and manages customs/import/export documentation; processes/files paperwork associated with port calls including, but not limited to cargo, personnel, and biological samples;

and ensures paperwork related to receiving sea and air shipments is completed timely and satisfactorily enough to avoid schedule delays.

● Non-perishable and perishable food, fuel, medical supplies and other provisions shall meet or exceed the NOAA inspection requirements and be delivered on schedule and without damage.

● Maintains and repairs general equipment (generators, forklifts, etc.). Ensures that purchasing and replacing unrepairable equipment is completed as expediently as practicable.

● General port call administrative and office support occurs satisfactorily and without delay.

Disposal of hazardous materials occurs as required by law and in the timeframes mandated.

Local transportation coordination maintains the safety of the individuals requiring transport, and does not cause project schedule delays.

Section 1: Introduction