SOW_Vessel_Charter_PWS_JULY_FINAL_2023.pdf

Statement of Work

Title: MBM-July Vessel Charter PWS

Period of Performance: 10-19 July 2023 (10 Days)

General Description: Contractor shall provide a vessel to include all equipment, materials (i.e., fuels, meals, lodging), and labor in support of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)

Migratory Bird Management (MBM) and the Gulf Watch Alaska Prince William Sound (PWS)

Marine Bird Survey. The vessel shall provide support for nine (9) USFWS MBM passengers and their three (3) 25-foot Boston Whalers, as well as associated expertise to facilitate the boat-based marine bird surveys in the coastal area of southwest PWS (Chenega, Knight, Evans islands; Port

Bainbridge, etc.) and eastern PWS (Port Gravina, Port Fidalgo). Survey vessel and crew support

(1000 gallons unleaded gas (@~$4.60 per gallon) for survey boats, food and lodging for 9 crew members) is needed 10 to 19 July 2023 for ten (10) days. Actual trip timing and length will depend on weather conditions, vessel capabilities (speed, weather conditions vessel can operate

in) and tides. The trip will originate in southwest PWS (TBD, e.g., Sawmill Bay, Evans Island, Alaska). Offers will be evaluated in accordance with the requirements set forth in 52.212-02, Evaluation—Commercial Items.

VESSEL OPERATIONAL SPECIFICATIONS:

1. Name and detailed description of the vessel designated to be used under this contract, and a vessel survey that is not more than two (2) years old. USFWS

Contracting Officer must approve any change in the vessel designated in the contractor’s offer.

2. Vessel must meet U.S. Coast Guard standards for an "oceanographic research vessel" for safe operations at sea in the geographic area of Prince William Sound.

3. Current color photographs of the vessel and of inside spaces shall be provided with the firm’s quote.

4. The vessel shall be made available for inspection by USFWS personnel after bid submission and prior to contract award. Vessel shall be made available for inspection in one of the following ports: Whittier, Valdez, Cordova, Homer, Seward, or Kodiak, Alaska to be coordinated with Government personnel.

5. Name, proof of U.S. Coast Guard license, and a description of the watercraft experience of the Captain. Captain shall have at least three (3) years of experience operating watercraft of the size being offered in the following specific region of Alaska:

Prince William Sound

6. Contracted vessel shall have marine and general public liability insurance with limits of liability in accordance with Department of the Interior insurance regulations, 1452.228-

70 -- LIABILITY INSURANCE - DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR (JUL 96). Proof of insurance shall be provided after contract award.

VESSEL REQUIREMENTS:

1. Vessel shall be fully licensed by the U.S. Coast Guard as required by law and shall have passed all appropriate U.S. Coast Guard requirements for safety and seaworthiness. Proof of certification shall be provided with the quote.

2. Vessel shall be capable of maintaining a cruising speed of at least 6 knots and be willing to move each day to a new mooring spot as directed by the project leader.

Areas of safe anchorage will be identified by the vessel master.

3. Vessel shall be equipped with radar, GPS, depth sounder, EPIRB, safety equipment, medical kit, current nautical charts, two VHF radios, and enough U.S. Coast Guard approved immersion suits to outfit all nine (9) scientists/passengers in addition to vessel crew members.

4. When the crew is not required for the vessel operations, as determined by the vessel master, the crew shall assist scientists with loading and off-loading gear, and supplies, and maintenance of government-owned equipment (for example, assisting in repair of an outboard motor, troubleshooting electrical problems).

5. Contractor shall be able to carry 1000 gallons of unleaded gasoline in either 55-gallon barrels or tanks for survey boats. USFWS will pay separately for gasoline consumed by survey boats. Contractor will be responsible for fueling before leaving the port.

Contractor shall supply gasoline containers. Gasoline containers shall be clean and rust-free, and a fuel pump with a water-separating fuel filter shall be provided for the pumping system.

6. Contractor shall be responsible for providing fuel, lubricants, and other consumables for operating the charter vessel. USFWS will provide oil and other consumables for government boats.

7. Any mechanical breakdowns in excess of 24 hours that cause rescheduling of the

UWFWS operational schedule shall require the contractor to deduct the operational costs (daily contract rate) for that period of time from their final invoice.

8. Vessel shall carry enough fuel, potable water (approximately 100 gal/day), and food sufficient for up to ten (10) days at sea without a port call. All port calls shall be prearranged with the USFWS Project Leader after contract award and prior to vessel departure.

9. Vessel shall be a minimum of 58 feet in length.

GENERAL GUIDELINES:

1. All areas of the vessel shall be accessible to the scientific staff, unless agreed to beforehand.

2. The vessel master or designee will, at all times, maintain contact with scientists working in small boats (25-foot) from the vessel, according to a pre-arranged radio schedule (or similar) to assure their safety. In event of a problem or an accident, immediate steps will be taken to assist scientists. Government to furnish scientists with radios.

3. Safety orientation shall be given on the first day by the vessel master to all scientists/passengers aboard, including location of exits, locations and operation of life rafts, communications, storage of immersion suits, vessel evacuation and man overboard procedures and procedures for evacuation of vessel in the event of an emergency.

4. The length of the work day will be jointly determined each day by the Captain and the

USFWS project leader. In the event of a disagreement, the USFWS project leader has final authority, except for work stoppage due to uncontrollable circumstances, such as unsafe weather or sea conditions, or other safety-at-sea considerations as determined by the Captain. The Captain will have ultimate authority and responsibility for the vessel and all personnel aboard and therefore retains the right to operate the vessel in a safe manner based on his/her best judgment. With this responsibility in mind, the Captain must ensure that enough crew members are on the vessel to run a safe 24-hour operation.

ACCOMMODATIONS:

1. Vessel shall have at least nine (9) permanent bunks with mattresses and bedding available for personnel and additional permanent bunks for required crew members. Bunks shall be a minimum of 76 inches in length and 30 inches wide and, if stacked, there will be a minimum space of 24 inches between upper and lower bunks.

2. Berthing area(s) shall be separate from the galley, wheelhouse, and deck areas, and shall be heated and have adequate ventilation.

3. Vessel shall be clean and provide quality living conditions. This includes being free from continuous noise levels greater than 80 db in the living and work areas and from undesirable and noxious odors.

4. Vessel lights, heat, hot water, sanitation facilities (including wash basins, toilet, and shower), galley, and cooking and eating supplies shall be appropriate to support nine (9) scientists and the vessel's crew members. Berthing spaces, heads, sinks, and showers will be thoroughly cleaned daily by a vessel crew member.

5. Vessel shall be capable of providing a hot water shower for each scientist every two days.

6. Vessel shall have a heated drying area separate from living accommodations and routine work areas, and must be capable of drying wet clothing, rain gear, etc. overnight for nine

(9) people. The drying area must be large enough to hang these items away from walls.

7. Vessel shall have a flat, dry space available for setup and operation of USFWS laptop computer(s).

8. Vessel shall have 110-volt AC electricity to recharge USFWS computers and VHF radios.

MEALS:

Three meals per day for nine (9) scientists/passengers shall be provided. The intended work will require odd working hours and, thus, flexibility in meal times and provision of snack food throughout the day. Breakfast and lunch may be either hot or cold meals, but dinner shall be a hot meal. Meals shall be well balanced, nutritious, palatable and varied. If special dietary needs

(e.g., low-sodium, vegetarian, diabetic, etc.) are required, USFWS will notify the contractor at least 10 days prior to scheduled departure of the nature and number of special dietary requirements.

SCHEDULE/DEPARTURE:

1. Research passengers/personnel will meet the vessel in southeast PWS (e.g., Sawmill Bay, Evans Island, near the village of Chenega, in Prince William Sound, Alaska). There is no need to load field equipment or supplies in any port as individual survey boats will transport personal gear.

2. For trip planning and billing purposes, a day is defined as a 24-hour period starting at a time agreed upon by the skipper and the USFWS project leader prior to the beginning of the trip. The trip officially ends when all USFWS gear is off-loaded from the charter vessel. This is a fixed price contract and contractor shall invoice based on per day rate.

OTHERS:

1) PUBLIC AFFAIRS:

The Contractor shall not make available to the news media or publicly disclose any data generated or reviewed under this contract. When approached by the news media, the Contractor shall refer them to the

US Fish and Wildlife Service External Affairs office or their representative for response. Project reports and data generated under this contract shall become the property of the government and distribution to any other source by the Contractor, unless authorized by the Contracting Officer or his/her representatives, is prohibited.

2) CONTRACTING OFFICER AUTHORITY (per Federal Acquisition Regulation 1.602-1):

The Contracting Officer is the only person with the authority to act as agent of the Government under this contract. Only the Contracting Officer has authority to:

(a) direct or negotiate any changes in the Statement of Work or specifications;

(b) modify or extend the period of performance;

(c) change the delivery schedule; or

(d) otherwise change any terms and conditions of this contract.

The Contracting Officer is the only person authorized to make or approve any changes in any of the requirements of this contract and not withstanding any provisions contained elsewhere in this contract, the said authority remains solely in the Contracting Officer. In the event the Contractor makes any changes at the direction of any person other than the Contracting Officer, the change will be considered to have been made without authority and no adjustment will be made in the contract price to cover any increase in costs incurred as a result thereof.

END OF SOW