West Coast Groundfish Bottom Trawl Survey

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries, Northwest Fisheries Science Center is soliciting quotations for up to two commercial fishing vessels to conduct the 2026-2030 West Coast Groundfish Bottom Trawl Survey. The Request for Quotation (RFQ 1305M326Q0088) requires fully equipped research vessels capable of towing an 85/104 four-panel Aberdeen trawl at 2.7 knots at depths up to 700 fathoms, with minimum length specifications and stern trawling capability. Vessels must be equipped with advanced navigation and sonar systems including dual radars, multiple GPS receivers, echo sounders (Simrad ES60/EK60 or ES80/EK80), and meet extensive deck space and living quarters requirements for scientific personnel. Evaluation will be based on vessel characteristics, commercial fishing experience of the vessel and crew, past performance with government or commercial contracts, and price. Quotations must be submitted electronically by April 3, 2026 at 12:00 PM Pacific Time, with technical quotations limited to 60 pages (excluding resumes and appendices) and separate business/price quotations submitted with no page limitation.

This solicitation is designated as a 100% small business set-aside with a size standard of 500 employees, and the Government intends to award two firm fixed-price commercial item contracts. The base period of performance runs from May 1, 2026 through April 30, 2027, with four one-year option periods extending through April 30, 2031. The contract includes 47 fishing days, 12 break days, 8 mobilization/demobilization days, and associated transit and support costs, with specific not-to-exceed amounts for mooring/communication/ice expenses ($9,000), travel expenses ($2,080), and vessel haul-out costs ($10,400) during the base period. Survey operations will be conducted off the U.S. West Coast from mid-August through the third week of October annually, requiring vessels staffed with a Captain experienced in government charter work and crew members with current sea-safety, fire-fighting, and first aid certifications. Interested parties must submit vessel blueprints, deck and wheelhouse layout drawings, commercial and research fishing history for the past three to ten years, and past performance references with their quotations.