Surf_Clam_and_Ocean_Quahog_SOW_1.pdf

DRAFT

STATEMENT OF WORK/SPECIFICATIONS

The contractor shall furnish the necessary personnel, material, equipment, services and facilities (except as otherwise specified) to perform the following Statement of Work/Specifications:

ATLANTIC SURF CLAM AND OCEAN QUAHOG SURVEY VESSEL CHARTER

1.0 OVERVIEW

The Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC), Ecosystem Surveys Branch is seeking a research vessel to participate in a priority resource survey of the surf clam and ocean quahog resources along the continental shelf from Virginia through Massachusetts including the U.S waters of Georges Bank. The survey will be conducted during summer (August) of 2025 with option years through 2029 survey season. The awarded contract will have a one year base period with four one year option periods (5 years total).

2.0 ORGANIZATION

2.1 Organization: The DOC, NOAA, NMFS, NEFSC, is a Government agency charged with conducting ecosystem-based research and assessments of living marine resources, with a focus on the Northeast Shelf, to promote the recovery and long-term sustainability of these resources, and to generate social and economic opportunities and benefits from their use.

2.2 Background and Objective: The NEFSC, Ecosystem Surveys Branch, collects data during standardized surveys on research cruises from Cape Hatteras to the Canadian Scotian Shelf. These surveys are conducted on selected survey vessels and additionally provide platforms for other programs that collect oceanographic and plankton data for monitoring the health and status of marine resources and their habitat.

The Ecosystem Surveys Branch, gathers data on abundance, distribution, feeding ecology, size and age composition of stocks of economically and ecologically important species. The data is vital for assessment, management, and a wide variety of research programs. Additionally, they design, build, and test much of the sampling gear, and evaluate advanced acoustic and optical sensing systems, as well as, conduct vessel and gear standardization studies to ensure the comparability of survey indices over time and to perform statistical evaluations of sampling adequacy.

3.0 GENERAL

3.1 A single vessel will be selected for conducting resource surveys (and associated experiments) up to 15 sea days in total. There are a total of (15) base days and (2) optional days, with two (2) days staging and one (1) day destaging. The survey cruises will be planned to be conducted as three (3), five (5) sea day cruise legs.

Staging, survey activity, and de-staging is expected to occur during a period in July-August with one or more day’s dockside between each survey leg.

3.2 Sea Sampling Equipment: During research operations, the vessel shall provide and deploy a specific official commercial sized survey dredge during standardized 5 minute tows at specific locations provided by the scientific party. The vessel shall provide one of the following two options: 1. an official commercial sized survey dredge (1 and ⅜” bar spacing, 150 inch total width) AND a second commercial sized selectivity dredge (21 mm bar spacing) that shall be brought along for calibration and selectivity experiments and deployed concurrently by region, OR 2. an official commercial survey dredge with adjustable bar spacing that can be used for both the standardized survey, calibration, and selectivity experiments. The selected vessel shall be responsible for owning and maintaining dredge(s) and fishing equipment to standardized survey specifications.

The catch will be transported across a vessel supplied shaker table (0.75” spacing) and sorting conveyor where scientific personnel will sort the catch. Specimens selected for scientific data collection will be moved to a scientific van (modified 8’ X 20’ ISO container) installed onto the deck of the vessel where biological data will be collected including lengths, shell height and meat weight data, and other biological data as required. Additional vessel related data including DGPS location, vessel speed, depth, water hose deployed, pump pressure, wire length deployed and tension will be recorded by the Scientific Party into an electronic recording database.

4.0 SPECIFIC TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

4.1 Project Description: The survey will typically be distributed over three (3) survey legs, with each leg planned to be five (5) days plus in-port days between legs and for the vessel to return to its home port.

Adjustments to survey schedules and sea days due to COVID-19 or other pandemic restrictions or safety protocols may occur by mutual agreement and will be communicated between the vessel and NEFSC prior to implementation (see section 4.5 COVID/Other Pandemics). The Government anticipates requiring the vessel to be available for staging for two (2) days prior to the start of each annual survey and one (1) day destaging for each annual survey. If extra staging days are necessary then seaday charges to the government will incur for those days. NEFSC would like to optimize start and end ports depending on survey objectives, vessel home port and proximity to Woods Hole, MA. The planned area of operation will cover the normal distributional range of surf clams and ocean quahogs along the continental shelf from Virginia through Massachusetts including Georges Bank. The Base Year will focus on surveying the ocean quahog resource in these areas and the remaining option years will be focused on surveying the surfclam resource.

A staging day is defined as the vessel being made available for the installation and removal of scientific equipment, fishing gear and personal gear onto or off of the vessel. During staging days the vessel shall be moored at a pre-agreed docking facility with adequate access for trucks and cranes. The vessel shall be accessible for 12 hours daily from 0700 to 1900 (local time) with vessel crew available upon prior arrangement to assist the staging/de-staging operations and dockside testing of systems and equipment.

A sea day is defined as the vessel being at sea away from its planned departure port, transiting to or from planned areas of operation, conducting scientific operations or laying due to inclement weather or scientific equipment failures. Counting of sea days will be suspended if scientific operations are suspended due to vessel equipment failure or the inability of the vessel and/or crew to carry out operations.

4.2 Cruise Operations: Prior to the commencement of the cruise, the vessel shall be made available for two (2) staging days to NEFSC and cooperating partners on a mutually agreed date and location to inspect the vessel, install scientific equipment, and to meet with the vessel Master.

Any computers, software, shellfish gear, and/or equipment installed on the vessel for the purpose of conducting the research cruise shall be removed at the conclusion of the cruise.

The vessel must provide sufficient crew to support safe, 24-hour operations including at least two (2) licensed operators, two (2) engineers, a cook and vessel crew qualified to both conduct dredging and to support scientific operations. The vessel’s crew must be fluent in English. The NEFSC is not responsible for transportation of vessel crew to and from the vessel. While at sea, the Master is responsible for operation of the vessel and the safety of the scientific staff and crew. The crew is responsible for operation of the vessel, fishing operations and assisting with processing of the catch. Any damage to the vessel and its gear which occurs during the cruise is the responsibility of the vessel. The NEFSC Chief Scientist will be in charge of the cruise track and directing scientific operations.

The vessel will conduct a standardized 5 minute hydraulic dredge tows at predetermined locations contained in a cruise plan to be provided by the NEFSC in advance of the survey using specific industry supplied clam dredge. The location, speed (3 knots), direction, and distance of each tow will be precisely defined by the scientific party in order to complete the scientific objectives of the cruise. The order of station occupation will be determined by the Chief Scientist in conjunction with the vessel’s master to maximize efficiency and minimize steaming distance while taking other factors including weather, vessel traffic and other operational constraints into account. At the completion of the dredge tow, the catch will be deposited on the vessel, cleaned via a shaker and made available to personnel for data collection purposes.

Retention and/or sale of catch from survey tows will not be permitted. Scientific samples may be retained by the NEFSC and its cooperating scientific partners. Cruise Instructions and a Scientific Research Permit from the NOAA Fisheries Northeast Regional Administrator will be obtained by the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) and maintained onboard the vessel during the duration of the survey. Commercial fishing regulations will not apply to the vessel during the duration of survey activities and the vessel will be treated as a NOAA research vessel during the contract period. As a contracted vessel, it is not subject to restrictions of state versus federal waters for sampling. Appropriate permits will be made available to the Master of the vessel by NOAA Fisheries.

Vessels chartered by NOAA shall have as a minimum one of each chart that covers the vessels’ area of operation corrected through the most current Notice to Mariners. Vessels shall also carry copies of the U.S.

Coast Pilot, local tide and tidal current tables in covered areas, and Inland Navigation Rules and International Rules of the Road. Vessels may choose to use USCG approved, up-to-date, electronic charts and publications in lieu of paper charts. If relying on electronic charts, the vessel shall have on board a set of paper charts necessary to navigate safely to a port near the vessel’s area of operation. In addition the vessel shall utilize and maintain a deck log and/or computer software that provide a record of the vessel’s location, operations, operating conditions and any vessel related significant events. These charts, logs and software output(s) shall be made available upon request of the Chief Scientist. The Master shall provide access to scientific personnel of GPS location data, vessel speed, RPM and other available operational data during scientific operations, either by recording or electronically logging these data. At the time of contract award, the vessel owner shall provide a signed waiver agreeing to the release of all data collected during the cruise.

Nothing herein contained shall be construed as creating demise of the vessel to the Government. The Contractor under this contract shall retain complete and exclusive possession and control of the vessel and its navigation.

4.3 Provisions Three (3) meals per day (breakfast, lunch and dinner) shall be prepared by the vessel cook for 7-

9 scientists plus the vessel crew. Meats shall be included at each meal along with vegetables, dessert and/or fruit. Milk, coffee, tea, water, cold juice, soft drinks and snacks shall be available at all times. Meals, in unregulated quantities, shall be prepared for all members of the scientific crew during each day of vessel operations under this contract.

4.4 Emergency Medical Care, Safety and Health

Medical Services. The Contractor shall provide a qualified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) holding current National certification (preferred) or at least two (2) crew members trained in advanced first aid, CPR and automated external defibrillator (AED) use while underway for the duration of the contract.

The medical person in charge is responsible to the Master for the health of crewmembers and Scientific Field Party personnel including emergency and routine care, preventative medicine and medical administration. The medical person in charge shall assist the Master in developing plans and procedures for dealing with medical emergencies, including obtaining shore side medical advice/assistance and designating and training other shipboard personnel to provide assistance in emergencies.

Medical Provisions. The Contracted vessel shall be outfitted with a current first aid manual, complete first aid kit and automated external defibrillator (AED). The Contractor shall provide a designated area to accommodate first aid treatment, medical equipment and other medical provisions. The Contractor shall establish adequate and reasonable controls and procedures for the custody and safekeeping of all medical supplies, equipment and controlled medical substances.

Medical Records. The Contractor shall maintain medical records aboard the vessel for Scientific Field Party personnel containing a minimum medical history and on-board treatment records. All Federal and State privacy mandates, including but not limited to, the Privacy Act of 1974 as amended by the Federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996.

Hazardous Materials. The Contractor shall maintain a current library of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for all hazardous materials aboard the vessels and shall make them readily available to all personnel on board. The Field Party Chief will provide the Contractor with a current copy of an MSDS for any/all hazardous materials brought onboard the vessel by the Scientific Field Party. The Field Party Chief will be responsible for the removal of all hazardous materials not consumed during scientific operations and for the removal of all hazardous materials, if any, generated by the Scientific Field Party. The Government will provide the personal protective equipment required for the safe handling of those hazardous materials brought onboard by the Scientific Field Party. The Contractor is responsible for the compliance with all applicable environmental, health and safety laws and regulations pertaining to shipboard operations, including the use of hazardous materials, and the treatment, storage and disposal of hazardous materials (if any) generated by the vessel. It is not anticipated at this time that any hazardous materials will be brought on board. However, if this changes, arrangements will be made with the Master to accommodate the above requirements. Additional safety requirements such as a portable emergency eye wash station will be provided by the government. These arrangements will be made in cooperation with the Master

4.5 Living and Working Conditions for Scientific Personnel

Accommodations. All vessels chartered by NOAA shall be outfitted with accommodations for NOAA-authorized personnel at least equivalent to that which is minimally required for crew members and in keeping with good marine practice. In the case for the clam survey, NOAA requires berthing for at least seven (7), although accommodation for nine (9) is preferable in order to operate two (2) full watches of four

(4) scientists for twenty-four hour operations. For overnight cruises, as a minimum, an individual bunk and locker shall be provided for each NOAA-authorized person unless mutually agreed upon arrangements are made between NOAA-authorized personnel and the vessel operator. An adequate number of staterooms, heads and showers shall be provided to accommodate gender differences and total number of persons aboard to the extent possible. All living and working spaces, including galleys, mess rooms, heads, showers, berthing spaces, passageways, lounges, recreation areas, store rooms, and laboratory spaces, shall be free of pests and vermin and shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition for the duration of the charter.

The vessel shall have ship service electrical, potable water, ventilation, heating or cooling, marine sanitation, and pollution control equipment of sufficient capacity to support NOAA-authorized personnel and mission-related equipment and activities. All ship service systems, ship equipment, and vital systems, shall be operational and maintained in good working order for the duration of the charter.

Liquor or Illegal Drugs. During the charter period, the possession or use of intoxicating liquor and or illegal drugs by any person, aboard the vessels, is not permitted and may be grounds for termination of the Contract by the Government. The Contractor shall comply with the requirements to maintain a Drug Free Workplace contained in FAR 52.233-6. The Contractor shall comply with all the requirements of 46 CFR Part 16 for chemical Tests for dangerous drugs and alcohol.

Firearms. During the charter period, all firearms, should any be onboard, shall be kept under lock and key by the Master.

Smoking. Smoking, including electronic cigarettes, shall be prohibited in all interior spaces occupied by or utilized by the Scientific Field Party. Smoking on deck shall be in designated areas only.

Professional Work and Living Environment. The vessel crew and participating scientists shall jointly promote a professional work and living environment free of sexism, racism, bigotry, pornography and other activities normally not tolerated in a professional work environment.

COVID/Other Pandemics. During the COVID-19 and other pandemics, agreed upon prevention procedures for sheltering-in-place and testing before boarding the vessel, vessel operations, survey operations, and handling emergent or suspected COVID infections shall be communicated and followed at the start of and during each survey leg. Interested contractors shall submit their COVID-19 or other pandemic Safety Protocols with bid package and will be included as part of the review process.

4.6 Passengers

The Contractor shall not permit any passengers to be transported aboard either vessel for any reason without specific approval of the COR. This restriction applies to Government employees, Contractor’s employees who are not crewmembers, Scientific Field Party personnel not assigned and the general public.

4.7 Security

The vessels shall provide a security watch while in port to ensure that unauthorized personnel are not permitted to board the vessels from shore or via the harbor. Emergency phone numbers for local port officials and law enforcement shall be available to the person on watch. Best marine practices shall be in place while underway to ensure that unauthorized personnel or craft are not permitted to approach the vessel. The Master of each vessel shall take all additional customary and reasonable precautions to ensure that no harm befalls the vessel while in port and at sea.

5.0 VESSEL REQUIREMENTS

5.1 Minimum Vessel and Gear Specifications

The vessel and gear must be capable of safely conducting clam dredge tows along the continental shelf in waters ranging from 5 to 77 fathoms. In other words, the vessel is required to be able to deploy 155 fathoms of hose, hauser, and deployment cable to attain maximum depths of 77 fathoms on a subset of stations in the deepest strata set. The vessel crew must be knowledgeable and experienced with fishing for surf clams and ocean quahogs in the region described and with conditions in the target sampling area. The vessel must be capable of carrying and towing two commercial sized clam dredges described in section 3.0 General.

The vessel must have:

● Sufficient berth space and lavatory facilities (hot water shower, sink and toilet) for crew members and seven (7) to nine (9) scientific personnel

● Mess facilities for concurrent seating of five (5) scientists

● Fuel and potable water capacity to operate continuously for six (6) sea days;

● Adequate deck space to accommodate a scientific van (analogous in size to a 8’ X 20’ ISO container) containing scientific equipment OR a comparable enclosed space suitable for processing catch.

● Equipment to monitor vessel speed, direction, bearing and water depth including

○ Two (2) operational conventional and/or electronic compasses

○ An echo-sounder capable of accurately determining the water depth throughout the survey area (each sounder must have a data output cable available for NOAA –Fisheries data collection)

○ Sensors should be serviced and calibrated prior to the survey

● Navigation equipment to include:

○ Two (2) satellite navigation systems (DGPS) (each GPS must have a data output cable from the sensor for NOAA Fisheries data collection)

○ at least two radar units

● Communications Equipment to include:

○ A VHF radio

○ A UHF radio

○ Cellular phone

○ Email capability to a distance of 100 nm offshore.

● Freezer storage for the exclusive use for storage of scientific samples (minimum 20 cubic feet; not collocated with frozen food stores)

● Safety equipment to include:

○ A minimum of two EPIRBs

○ Survival suits for each of the vessel’s crew and master

○ Life rafts sufficient to accommodate both the vessel’s crew and nine (9) embarked scientists

● Fishing equipment maintained to standardized survey specifications:

■ Commercial sized survey dredge(s) fitting either of the two options below, Option A is preferred, Option B is acceptable:

● Option A: 1. Official commercial sized survey dredge (1 and ⅜” bar spacing) with a 150 inch total width, AND 2. Commercial sized selectivity dredge with 21 mm bar spacing

● Option B: A single commercial sized survey dredge with adjustable bar spacing (150 inch width preferred)

○ Equipment to safely deploy clam dredges up to 150 inches wide to depths of up to 77 fathoms

○ Free spooling winches for deployment of gear

○ A conveyor belt system for moving the catch from port to starboard hoppers across a shaker table and onto a sorting belt

● Desirable equipment includes:

o Printer o Fax machine

5.2 Safety

All U.S. flag vessels chartered by NOAA shall have and shall maintain for the duration of the charter a current Certificate of Inspection, valid for the vessel’s intended service, or a fishing vessel safety decal issued by the USCG as applicable. The vessels shall meet all safety, firefighting and lifesaving equipment requirements as found in applicable sections of Title 46 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 28. The vessels shall be outfitted with personal floatation devices and survival craft of sufficient number and capacity to accommodate all on board including visiting scientific party and of the type required for a vessel of its size, class, and service in accordance with 46 CFR. Survival suits for the ship’s crew must be provided by the Contractor; the scientific party will provide their own survival suits. The government reserves the right to inspect the vessels for safety, firefighting and lifesaving capabilities in accordance with a memorandum of understanding between NMFS and the USCG prior to award and commencement of the charter. A pre-cruise orientation meeting aboard each vessel shall be conducted for the scientists and crew regarding the vessel’s safety, firefighting and lifesaving capabilities assigned responsibilities and procedures.

Means of escape. Aboard all vessels chartered by NOAA there shall be two (2) identified escape routes from all general areas. At least one (1) of these two (2) means shall be independent of watertight hatches and doors, except for quick acting watertight hatches and doors giving final access to weather decks.

Fire protection. All vessels chartered by NOAA shall have in place fully functional fire protection systems and equipment, such as portable and semi-portable fire extinguishers, fire pumps, fire mains, fixed gas extinguishing systems, and fire detection and alarm systems in accordance with USCG or SOLAS requirements.

If vessels under charter to NOAA experience a significant event during a cruise that may affect the safety of the vessel (e.g. a breach of watertight integrity, fire or significant equipment failure), or a significant safety related condition is noted, a re-inspection will be conducted at the earliest opportunity. If repairs are necessary, the re-inspection will be conducted after repairs have been completed but prior to proceeding with the cruise. The local USCG Marine Safety Office will be requested to conduct the re-inspection under the Memorandum of Understanding between NOAA and the USCG. Costs associated with repairs and the re-inspection shall be the responsibility of the vessel owner and may not be added to the cost of the vessel charter.

5.3 Stability

The vessel shall have, as a minimum, a Stability Letter that reflects the vessel’s current configuration and intended service, signed by a qualified individual (a recognized naval architect or naval architecture firm having been trained in and having experience in matters of stability calculations) certifying that the vessel meets intact stability requirements, taking into account the loading, over-the-side lifting, and at-sea conditions under which the vessel will reasonably be expected to operate during the charter. The stability letter shall contain instructions and guidance for the vessel’s operating personnel intended to maintain satisfactory vessel stability and shall include information regarding loading constraints and operating restrictions under varying conditions. The vessel shall be operated in accordance with the conditions identified in the Stability Letter.

5.4 Material Condition, Structural and Watertight Integrity

The contractor shall provide one (1) or more of the following, reflecting the vessels current configuration, as evidence of the vessel being maintained in a seaworthy condition: evidence of a dry docking survey, or underwater survey in lieu of dry docking, and an internal structural examination within the two (2) years prior to the initiation of the cruise; or proof of satisfactorily passing an inspection completed by the contractors marine insurance carrier within one (1) year of initiation of the cruise. The Government reserves the right to inspect the vessel’s material condition with respect to maintenance of vital systems, vessel configuration, and watertight integrity prior to award and commencement of the charter.

5.5 Regulatory Compliance

The vessel shall be outfitted, operated and maintained to meet all applicable federal, state and local environmental, health, safety and pollution control regulations. The Contractor shall have on board during the currency of this contract all certificates, records and other documents required by applicable laws and regulation. The vessel must not have any current operator or vessel permit sanctions.

5.6 IT Requirements

This will not require assignment of a user account and access to the DOC data systems. This contractor will not have access to and use Government hardware, application software, system software or sensitive data as needed.

This service will not be performed on federal government property. IT security consideration and controls will be put in place before commencement of service.

6.0 POST-AWARD AND POST-SURVEY MEETINGS

6.1 Upon award of contract and prior to the start of the charter, a post-award meeting will be held by telephone/video conference to discuss issues relating to the charter and survey. The vessel manager and all vessel Captains participating in the charter are required to attend the meeting. The date and time of the meeting will be scheduled by the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) following award of the contract at a time mutually agreeable between the Government and the contractor.

6.2 Following completion of each annual survey, a post-survey debriefing meeting will be held at telephone/video conference. The purpose of the debriefing is to provide the charter operator an evaluation of the performance of the vessel and crew during the charter. At a minimum, the vessel manager is required to attend the debriefing. The date and time of the meeting will be scheduled by the COR upon completion of the survey at a time mutually agreeable between the Government and the contractor.