Statement_of_Need_Trawl_Nets_-_1305M326Q0232.pdf

STATEMENT OF NEED FOR SUPPLY

Bottom Trawls for RACE Division - GAP at NOAA Fisheries, Alaska Fisheries Science Center

Background

The Resource Assessment and Conservation Engineering (RACE) Division’s Groundfish Assessment Program (GAP) at NOAA Fisheries, Alaska Fisheries Science Center conducts annual bottom trawl surveys to estimate the size of important commercial fisheries in Alaska waters. Data from these surveys are used to manage fisheries resources and to provide harvest guidance. Specifically, these surveys provide information on abundance, distribution, demographic composition, and spawning status of a multitude of pelagic and non-pelagic fish and crab species in the North Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea. These surveys are conducted using contracted commercial fishing vessels varying in length and horsepower. These vessels are equipped with 1” main wire winches, auto trawl systems, and are equipped with at least two net reels.

These fishery-independent bottom trawl surveys require a bottom trawl net to collect fish and crab species to determine size composition and abundance, within survey areas. The intent of survey trawling is to capture a representative sample of fauna that are present on or near the sea floor. The 83-112 bottom trawl is the primary sampling tool used for conducting surveys on the eastern Bering Sea (EBS) shelf and in the Northern Bering Chukchi Sea survey areas. The Poly Nor’eastern trawl is the primary sampling tool used for the Aleutian Islands, Gulf of Alaska (GOA), and Bering Sea Slope surveys. Approximately 550 successful station occupation/sampling events are conducted per year between the eastern Bering Sea shelf survey and Northern Bering Sea survey, between 400 and 420 successful station occupation/sampling events are successfully conducted each year of the Aleutians Islands survey, and between 520 and 550 tows are successfully conducted in Gulf of Alaska survey years. Once the trawl has reached the target depth on a typical tow, the trawl generally remains at that depth for 10 - 30 min. The target depth is based on stratum definitions based on bathymetry, ranging from 20 meters to 700 meters. Standard trawling speed is 3.0 knots, but can range from 2.8-3.2 knots depending on weather and current.

The construction materials needed for the existing RACE trawls are becoming increasingly difficult to acquire and must be obtained through high-cost special orders and custom contracts in order to continue the construction and maintenance of such specialized research equipment. A trawl designed with more widely available, modern-day materials would significantly reduce the costs of materials acquisition and improve supply chain security. Costs would further be reduced by the ability to use one universalized trawl net across all RACE surveys, as opposed to two highly specific trawl designs, and would facilitate data comparisons across these same surveys.

The purpose of this contract is to modernize the RACE trawl technologies and designs, as well as incorporate aspects of both the 83-112 and Poly Nor’eastern trawls into one universal trawl design. In this way, a trawl constructed with modern-day materials using interchangeable footrope designs unique to specific survey needs is of high interest to the RACE.

Objectives and Scope

RACE is seeking a single bottom trawl that can replace the different trawl designs currently in use and can be deployed across all of their groundfish and crab surveys in Alaska while meeting all RACE survey requirements. Specifically, the new trawl must meet the following requirements:

1) be a 4-seam bottom trawl net

2) possess an easily interchangeable footrope

3) come with 2 interchangeable footrope designs that meet specific requirements from

RACE

4) conform to an average headrope height of 5-6 meters in operation

5) conform to an average horizontal opening (wing tip to wing tip) of 17-20 meters in operation

6) have durability in hard-bottom environments

7) be easy to operate and maintain

8) come with four (4) interchangeable cod ends to fit the 4-seam trawl (a pre-specified cod end liner will be supplied by NOAA Fisheries)

9) be constructed of materials readily available in today's modern market

10) be constructed of 4.5” mesh size

RACE is soliciting trawl designers and manufacturers to propose a 4-seam trawl design with 4.5” mesh size and two (2) different, interchangeable footrope designs; fabricate two (2) prototypes of these trawls with footrope designs; and potentially modify the prototype based on field trial data.

Additionally RACE requests 2 bales 4.5” web size utilized in the manufacturing of the trawl.

This spare webbing is to conduct repairs and maintenance to the trawl during testing.

Specific Trawl Requirements Specified by RACE

Below are listed the primary characteristics that are necessary for a new bottom trawl design, as well as the rationale for each item.

Trawl opening within 17-20 meters horizontally and 5-6 meters vertically These trawl opening ranges are derived from our current RACE survey gear parameters and are a representation of the desired parameters we are seeking in the new trawl design. The horizontal opening of the 83-112 trawl is 17-20 meters, and the vertical opening is 1.5-1.9 meters. The horizontal opening of the Poly Nor’eastern trawl is 16-20 meters, and the vertical opening is 5.5-7.0 meters. Horizontal measurements are based on top wing tip to top wing tip distance while fishing. The new trawl design shall spread 15-20 meters horizontally when fishing and have a height of 6-8 meters vertically while fishing in order to both maintain some aspects of our current GAP trawls and also improve upon other aspects.

Maximum catch capacity 10 ton, typical catch 1 ton for EBS and 2 tons for GOA While a 10-ton catch should be considered a rare event for the EBS survey work, this situation can occur; a 10-ton catch is more common in the Aleutian surveys. In the attempt to universalize the cod ends and trawl designs, the new trawl must therefore be built to safely and regularly handle a 10-ton catch capacity.

Towing speeds up to 3.2 knots Sampling tows are conducted in all currents and directions with a target speed of 3.0 knots with a maximum speed of 3.2 knots. Thus, the replacement trawl must be able to maintain optimal vertical and horizontal trawl mouth openings and remain in contact with the bottom at speeds up to 3.2 knots to achieve adequate catch samples.

Ease of repair – colored seams, standard panel materials This feature aids trawl repairs in the field, especially in identifying panel sections of the trawl and identifying the panel on the net plan. The belly section of the trawl must have tear strips to aid in quick belly replacements. The bottom wing must be constructed of double twin web for durability. There shall be a bolsh line and fishing chain along the bottom wing for footrope attachment. The intermediate must be constructed of a double twin. The back end of the trawl must be designed for quick cod end removal and reinstallation. Each panel section must not be longer than 100.5 meshes long.

Ability to trawl at depths of up to 1000 meters This trawl should have the ability to trawl at a depth range of 10 - 1000 m. This 1000 m requirement represents the maximum depth extent for EBS and GOA trawling operations. Trawl manufacturers must state that, if floats are part of their trawl design, the floats can withstand depths of up to >1000 meters.

Ability to make bottom contact without damage The trawls must be constructed of materials that withstand high resistance to abrasion and chaffing in all towing environments. The trawl must be constructed of industry-standard materials easily acquired through vendors.

Cod end design The cod end must be designed similarly to currently used gear (see Appendix C) with built-in floats and chafing gear. The cod end shall have reinforced web for load bearing, dumping straps to accommodate a 10 mt capacity, and the ability to attach a 1 1/4” liner to ensure retention of small organisms. The front end of the cod end must be equipped with fly meshes for attaching to the trawl. The terminal end should use 2 ½” x ¼” SS rings attached to the cod end by ¼” Duralon rope, and use a cow hitch every 12” with five (5) open meshes between each ring. The bag should then close using a 5/8”-3/4” hauling clip. The chaffing mat must cover the three sides of the cod end with chafing hair and leave the top panel open.

Trawl Design Suggestions/Preferred Design

The vendor may find the following suggestions from RACE’s experience with trawls useful in formulating a proposed net design. These are not strict requirements for the trawl design, but may be helpful in meeting the objective of retaining smaller fish per our survey requirements.

Maximum stretch mesh opening 4.5 inches for prototype The 83-112 current stretch measured web is 4”. The Poly Nor’eastern trawl stretch measured web is 5”. Our goal is to universalize the trawls using a mesh size in between the currently used trawl mesh sizes. The focus of the different mesh sizes is to ensure retention of 4-5 cm species, such as juvenile crab.

Suggested trawl construction web requirements Bottom wing: 4.5” double 4mm Side and top wings: 4.5” single 5mm Body, side, and top panel: 4.5” 5mm Belly: 4.5” double 4mm tear strips with 4.5” single 5 mm belly Intermediate: 4.5” double 4mm Cod end: 4.5” double 4mm with 1 ¼” liner up to the 10 mt mark.

Suggested footrope requirements The suggestion for an EBS footrope would be 2-3” inch rubber cookies with a center hole punch of ¾” for ¾” cable. Droppers would be every 10-12” inches apart with a dropper length of 6-8”.

The GOA footrope would utilize our current design, but with one alteration: the continuation of 4” rubber discs from the center section out into the wing section. RACE would provide the design alteration plans to fit the new trawl design.

The vendor shall supply RACE with a full net plan that will be sufficient for other qualified personnel aboard the commercial fishing vessels and AFSC Net Loft to both maintain and repair the trawl or rigging. The final plan will be accepted after award and prototype testing.

Tasks Project milestones/completion dates following selection of a vendor based on a preliminary trawl design.

Task 1- Review and evaluate initial proposed design

Based on the information contained in this document, vendors shall develop a preliminary, general design for a trawl, as well as any comments related to the overall project, timelines, and requirements. This information, which will be used for selecting a vendor, will also be used to guide initial meetings to further refine trawl design specifics, options, and any other inputs needed by the vendor to complete a revised fabrication-ready design for a prototype trawl.

Task 2 - Design review This stage will involve an extensive RACE review of the proposed trawl design, including an independent consultation with trawl gear experts, but not those associated with other local commercial trawl manufacturing companies. Any trawl gear experts or other trawl manufacturing companies will be subject to a non-disclosure agreement prior to viewing any proposal information and will be barred from discussing or disclosing any proprietary information. Further clarifications or discussions may be sought from the vendor if the Government deems necessary, but are not guaranteed. The finalized proposal design from the Contractor shall be due two weeks after this review is completed and the results reported to the vendor. The Government reserves the right to request that additional design work be made by the vendor if the final submitted proposal does not sufficiently address the stated objectives or is incomplete.

Task 3 - Construct prototype trawl based on accepted design The vendor shall construct a full-scale, operational trawl prototype, including any associated rigging required for deployment aboard contracted fishing vessels following the timeline stated earlier. The vendor must take into consideration that the trawl will be used over a long-term period (potentially decades) and must be constructed of modern-day materials that are likely to still be relevant and readily available in the future. Initial tests will be performed using existing trawl doors (4.5 m or 4 m NET Systems Hi-lift) unless the vendor can provide convincing evidence that these trawl doors will adversely affect trawl performance. In this case, alternative arrangements to obtain appropriate trawl doors shall be made at vendor cost for the duration of the initial trawl test period. Initial trawl tests will be performed in the Bering Sea, with the vendors available for troubleshooting calls from RACE representatives on board the vessel. RACE will supply basic net mensuration equipment, including door spread sensors and a headrope unit (Marport system), as well as multiple bottom contact sensors on the footrope and bridles.

Findings from the initial tests may require modifications to be made to the design and the prototype trawl. This determination will be made jointly by RACE and the vendor, with a detailed discussion on how modifications will improve the trawl’s ability to better meet the design criteria. Modifications will be completed, and subsequent sea trials will be scheduled with the improved trawl prototype as soon as practicable based on vendor and RACE staff availability. The subsequent gear trials will be conducted by RACE and must occur within six

(6) months of the initial field test. We request the vendor be local to the Seattle, WA area for consulting of designs and potential alterations prior to prototype manufacturing.

Task 4 - Sea trials of the trawl prototype and modification period Extensive sea trials will be conducted to evaluate trawl performance under survey conditions.

These evaluations will include preliminary catch comparisons with the existing trawl (83-112) and evaluation of improvements in handling, durability, and potential maintenance schedules of the prototype trawl compared to the 83-112. Evaluation of these last three factors (handling, durability, maintenance schedule) will allow assessment of the potential long-term usability of the trawl. Test results will be used to evaluate whether the prototype trawl performance exceeds that for the 83-112 (e.g., fish length distributions are greater or equal for the prototype net compared to the 83-112, CPUE for prototype trawl is greater or equal to the 83-112, time to deploy/recover prototype trawl is less than the 83-112). Interpretation of the test results will determine whether another modification period is necessary. If another modification is needed, the vendor will undergo a final design and prototype trawl revision. Assuming successful test results, the prototype trawl will then receive final acceptance in writing from the RACE group and any further modifications would be negotiated separately. The vendor shall supply RACE with a full set of net drawings, plans, and any other information necessary to operate, maintain, and repair the trawl.

For Tasks 1-4, the vendor must be locally based in the Washington State area for ease of design consultation, alterations, and gear transportation.

Deliverable Schedule

Description Completion

Date Deliver two RACE prototype trawls manufactured in 4.5” web along with trawl design plans for at sea repairs, One Race trawl with EBS foot rope and One Race trawl with GOA footrope Delivered to 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle WA along with net plans sufficient for any net builder to construct future nets along with recommended configurations for doors, door legs, bridles, floats

8/31/2026 or as soon as manufacture

Deliver one modified PNE prototype trawl manufactured in 4.5” web W/EBS Foot rope along with trawl design plans for at sea repairs. delivered to 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle WA along with net plans sufficient for any net builder to construct future nets along with recommended configurations for doors, door legs, bridles, floats

8/31/2026 or as soon as manufacture

Deliver GOA 1 footrope 8/31/2026 or as soon as manufacture

Deliver 3 Codend for RESEARCH TRAWL 78/100 4-1/2" Double 4.2mm SNG Web 88ma (22ma x 4) x 100.5md Install 1-1/4" Mesh Liner Web, from Fwd End to All the codend length ( Use NOAA, AKFSC RACE's Liner Material ) 1-1/4" 8-strand Blue Steel Poly Rope Riblines 3/4" Pear/Slig Link on Riblines w/ 3/4" Amsteel (Dyneema) Lifting Straps w/ 3/4" Hammerlock as Lifting Link 13 pcs 5/8" 3-strandUltra Blue Container Straps 1/4" Tenex Flymesh on Fwd End 2-1/2" x 1/2" SS Rings w/ Codend Release on Aft End 18pcs 8" Center Hole Floats 5-1/2" Double 5.0mm Olivene web Chafer with 200 lbs Chaffing Hula

8/31/2026 or as soon as manufacture

Vender available for troubleshooting and rigging questions 7/27/2026 to 8/17/2026

The completed trawls are to be delivered to Alaska Fisheries Science Center, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115 upon completion of manufacturing.

Travel

Travel to NOAA Fisheries, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115 will be required for one, no more than five (5), meetings to outline the plan and discuss potential options. The Vendor shall build travel costs into their price quote.

Place of Performance

One or more meetings to outline a trawl design will be conducted at NOAA Fisheries, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115. Trawl construction will be performed at the Contractor’s facility.

Trawl Performance Testing

Three trawl evaluation periods are proposed. The first trawl evaluation will be attempted at the end of survey season 2026 when all study data has been compiled. The first evaluation will focus on trawl hydrodynamics, rigging setup, and general handling issues. The cod end will be closed to evaluate catch data. The vendor shall be available to take NOAA staff at-sea calls to assist with any questions or troubleshooting issues during testing. All evaluation periods will occur under standard survey conditions in Alaska and will involve capturing fish. RACE staff will perform the tests and will present a full report to the vendor regarding performance and potential concerns. Additional prototype modifications may be required to address these concerns.

Vendor Experience Quoters will be expected to provide past performance history that demonstrates full understanding of the scientific and operational requirements outlined in this SON. The quoter must have technical familiarity with the latest materials and capability in production of Alaskan water trawls

Technical Point of Contact Email: Shawn.russell@noaa.gov Phone: 206-228-8446

Current Trawl gear and foot rope schematics utilized by NOAA to be replaced with universal trawl on pages 8 - 13.

mailto:Shawn.russell@noaa.gov