NEFCS Acoustic Recorder Vessel Charter

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration seeks charter of one or more qualified vessels to support acoustic recorder servicing operations in Northeast U.S. waters, with quotations due June 1, 2026. No set-aside is used. Amendment 0001, effective May 26, 2026, revised the Statement of Work; acknowledgment of this amendment is mandatory prior to proposal submission.

Place of performance is primarily Woods Hole, Massachusetts, with operations in the Gulf of Maine, southern New England, Georges Bank, and other continental shelf areas. The contract period runs October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027.

The vessel must accommodate 2–6 scientists and 2–3 crew members, provide three meals daily with dietary accommodations, and carry specialized equipment including an open flybridge, winches or A-frames capable of handling loads up to 900 pounds for deep-sea mooring recovery, and sufficient deck space for gear and instrumentation. Electronic equipment includes minimum two VHF radios, single side-band radio, offshore communication capability, two radar units with 40-nautical-mile minimum range, two GPS units, depth sounder, and minimum two electrical outlets. Prior experience with passive acoustic recording unit deployment and retrieval is desirable. The vessel must operate safely in deep Gulf of Maine waters and shallow southern New England areas. One research site (GOM_USTR_11) lies in Canadian waters; NOAA will obtain the required Letter of Authorization.

Work consists of three trip categories: bottom-mounted recorder turnarounds every five months (12 sea days expected in base period); deep-sea mooring servicing once every two years (up to 3 sea days, anticipated Summer 2028); and drifting recorder deployment/retrieval up to twice yearly (up to 28 sea days per performance period). Individual trips range 2–8 consecutive days. Sea days are counted on a 24-hour basis; fuel costs are reimbursed separately upon receipt of paid invoices. Staging/destaging days take 2–4 hours directly before departure or after return. The contractor is placed off-hire for loss of time due to contractor or vessel deficiencies. NAICS 483114, PSC 1910.