Alaska Fisheries Science Center Longline Charter

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), specifically the National Marine Fisheries Service, is seeking to award a Firm-Fixed Price contract for a chartered longline survey vessel to conduct marine research in Alaskan waters. The vessel will be used to conduct scientific surveys in the Gulf of Alaska during 2025 and the Eastern Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands region during 2026, with the primary objective of measuring groundfish abundance and collecting size and age data for sablefish and other species. Key contract requirements include providing a vessel at least 35 meters long with 1,000+ horsepower, capable of 10 knots cruising speed, and equipped with specific longline fishing gear and electronic systems. Technical evaluation factors will focus on vessel characteristics, experience of the vessel/captain/crew, and past performance. Quotes are due by March 7, 2025 at 2:00 PM Pacific Time, with a base performance period from May 20, 2025 to May 19, 2026 and an optional extension period from May 20, 2026 to May 19, 2027.

This solicitation is a 100% small business set-aside under NAICS code 483114 with a size standard of 550, targeting coastal and great lakes passenger transportation businesses. The contract includes a Not-To-Exceed fuel allowance of $450,000 for each performance period, with the expectation that the contractor will process and sell marketable fish, with revenues deducted from the total contract cost. The vessel must accommodate two NOAA contract biologists and a crew of 4-6 fishermen and 4-7 catch processors, totaling 50 survey days in 2025 (46 sampling days) and 34 survey days in 2026 (30 sampling days). The contractor must provide 21 metric tons of specific squid for bait, maintain government-provided fishing gear, and have freezer storage capacity for approximately 90 metric tons of fish. Performance will occur in marine areas along the Alaskan coast, specifically between longitudes 135W and 170W, with strict requirements for vessel safety, crew qualifications, and scientific data collection protocols.