Swan - winter marine bird survey vessel charter

The National Park Service's Southwest Alaska Inventory and Monitoring Network (SWAN), operating under the Department of the Interior, is soliciting vessel charter services to support nearshore monitoring and winter marine bird surveys in coastal areas of Katmai National Park and Preserve or Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska. The procurement requires a minimum 65-foot vessel meeting U.S. Coast Guard standards that can accommodate up to eight NPS/USGS personnel, maintain a cruising speed of at least six knots, carry two rigid hull inflatables, provide eight permanent bunks, supply three meals daily, and operate safely in winds up to 30 knots. The captain must possess at least three years of experience operating similar-sized watercraft in Cook Inlet and the outer coasts of the Alaska and Kenai Peninsulas. Award decisions will be made using simplified acquisition procedures based on vessel suitability, captain experience and licensing, past performance, and price. The deadline for quote submission is January 27, 2026 at 1500 Alaska Standard Time, with an anticipated award date of February 2, 2026; prospective quoters should direct all questions to darcy_skinner@nps.gov and monitor SAM.gov for any amendments.

This procurement is set aside 100 percent for small business concerns under the relevant NAICS code 483114 (Coastal and Great Lakes Passenger Transportation), with a 500-employee size standard. The contract includes one base year running from March 1 through April 15, 2026, followed by up to four optional one-year periods extending through 2030, each with a maximum seven-day deployment window. No incumbent contractor is identified in the solicitation materials. The contractor must provide all equipment, materials, fuels, meals, lodging, and labor, and must possess current U.S. Coast Guard certification and marine/general liability insurance complying with Department of Interior regulations. The place of performance is the coastal waters of either Katmai National Park and Preserve or Kenai Fjords National Park in Alaska, with vessel inspections to occur in designated Alaska ports prior to award. All quoters must be actively registered in SAM.gov at the time of quote submission.