NOAA-nefsc- multipurpose vessel with subchapter t compliance

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION (NOAA)
NORTHEAST FISHERIES SCIENCE CENTER (NEFSC)

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION FOR A MULTIPURPOSE VESSEL WITH SUBCHAPTER T COMPLIANCE

This is a Request for Information (RFI) only and does not constitute a commitment, implied or otherwise, that a procurement action will be issued or awarded. This RFI requests industry input for market research purposes in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) Part 10 Procedures. This is not a solicitation, nor does it guarantee a solicitation will be issued. Requests for a solicitation will not receive a response. This is not a request for proposals and it does not obligate the government in any manner.

No entitlement to payment of direct or indirect costs or charges by the Government will arise as a result of the submission of information. All information considered proprietary shall be marked accordingly, and properly identified proprietary information will be safeguarded in accordance with federal regulations. The Government shall not be liable for or suffer any consequential damages for improperly identified proprietary information. The purpose of this announcement is solely to gather information from the marketplace, and any responses received will neither be considered an offer by the responding party nor returned to the responding party. No telephone inquiries will be accepted, and requests for solicitation packages will not be honored at this time since no solicitation has been prepared.

Synopsis: RFI to Purchase a Vessel

The Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) is responsible for the stewardship of the nation’s living marine resources and their habitats. Scientific research is an important means of gathering valuable information about fish species and is necessary for making informed management decisions on these fish stocks. The NEFSC conducts research and provides scientific advice to manage fisheries and conserve protected species on living marine resources in marine and estuarine habitats of the Mid-Atlantic and New England areas.

The NEFSC requires a monohull designed offshore capable vessel with a maximum Length Overall (LOA) of 100’, limited endurance, and maximum flexibility of operations. The vessel shall have operational capability during all seasons in the coastal and offshore waters of New England and Mid-Atlantic, the ability to conduct offshore operations for up to ten (10) Days at Sea (DAS), and the ability to conduct 24-hour operations. 

The NEFSC is seeking information on new (built) vessels that meet the requirements outlined below. 

1. Technical Specifications

The monohull design should maximize interior deck space (raised foc’sle) and have a general configuration allowing for various modifications including wet lab space, gear storage, hazmat storage, freezer, and berthing spaces. In addition, allow for adding the following equipment: dynamic stern A-frame, side J/U-frame, support winches, and knuckle crane and/or boom(s). Also, the vessel should be able to accommodate various electronic equipment upgrades such as multibeam/singlebeam sonar, and/or live-feed camera systems.

A. VESSEL CONFIGURATION AND PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

1. New build
2. Maximum overall length (LOA) of 100 ft.
3. Steel monohull 
4. Built in the United States
5. Built in compliance with United States Coast Guard Regulations Subchapter T
6. Adequate back deck space to accommodate trawling ops, fish processing, moorings, AUVs, lines, buoys, coolers, and other sampling gear.
7. Speed - 9 knots minimum transit speed
8. Bow thruster preferred
9. Minimum continuous output from the main engine(s) of 500 horsepower.
10. The Government prefers designs based on Western-rigged trawlers, modern scallop vessels, or mini supply vessel configurations, but other vessel designs meeting the specifications are also encouraged
11. Aft facing doghouse style control station

B. ENDURANCE, SEAKEEPING, AND ACCOMMODATION REQUIREMENTS

1. Endurance
   • Seven (7) days minimum
   • Ability for zero discharge when needed, five (5) days with no discharge (preferred)
2. Seakeeping
   • Able to safely transit in sea state 6 - sustained winds to 30 knots and seas to 12 ft
   • Stabilization preferred - outriggers, Canadian-style wings, gyro stabilizers, or bilge keels 
3. Accommodation 
   • Berthing - 10 minimum, 12 preferred (3 staterooms minimum)
   • Heads (including showers) - 2 preferred
   • Galley to accommodate 8 persons minimum (preferred)

C. TRAWL CAPABILITY

1. A vessel with the capability to accommodate the following equipment: stern trawling ops,  trawl winches, net drum, gallows and blocks, boom, boom winch, trawl ramp, and/or Gilson winch. 

D. PREFERRED CAPABILITIES

Vessels that can reasonably accommodate the equipment below are preferred.  

1. Side Sampling Capabilities 
   • 2000 lb SWL J/U-Frame
2. Mooring Capability
   • A-Frame 12,000 lb (Stern)
   • Crane/boom

INFORMATION REQUESTED:

The Government requests that all interested vendors provide information regarding their experience and capability to build an eligible vessel. 

NOAA may use the responses to this Sources Sought to conduct additional market research. Information obtained from these Sources Sought and the subsequent communication with the vendors, if any, may assist NOAA in developing a formal Request for Proposal (RFP) or Request for Quote (RFQ).

In addition to addressing technical capabilities, responses must include the following:

1. Name and address of firm
2. Size of business (e.g., small, small disadvantaged business, woman-owned, etc.)
3. Point of contact - email address and phone number
4. Interested vendors shall describe their capabilities or ability to subcontract to design and build a vessel meeting the requirements
5. Rough order of magnitude for the cost of a new vessel meeting the specifications
6. Estimated timeframe of vessel availability
7. Interested firms shall complete Column E of the attached spreadsheet detailing the vessel characteristics. Vendors are encouraged to identify multiple vessels and can create copies of the tab for each vessel. 
8. OPTIONAL - any drawings, specifications, brochures, or links that provide supplemental information to help the Government determine vendor capabilities.