WHSC Vessel Services Retrieval of RROBS

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Woods Hole Coastal Science Center is seeking vessel services to retrieve 10 rapid response ocean-bottom seismographs (RROBS) in a full and open competitive solicitation. The Request for Quote (RFQ) 140G0125Q0031 requires a vessel that is at least 90 feet long, with specific capabilities including an A-frame or overboarding equipment, winch, and a minimum cruising speed of 8 knots. Vendors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) and submit written quotes by December 30, 2024, at 1700 hours. The solicitation will be officially issued on December 23, 2024, and quotes must be emailed to krschneider@usgs.gov. Evaluation criteria are not explicitly detailed in the documents, but vendors must meet specific vessel and operational requirements.

The contract does not have a specific set-aside designation and is open to all responsible sources under NAICS code 611310 with a size standard of $34.5 million. The vessel must mobilize from Eureka, CA and accommodate up to 4 USGS personnel for 24-hour operations during the retrieval window between January 18 and February 2, 2025. The actual recovery operation is expected to take 48 hours and is contingent on weather conditions. The vessel must be U.S. Coast Guard licensed and carry specific insurance coverage, including $100,000 per person bodily injury, $500,000 per occurrence, and $100,000 property damage. The contract is subject to the availability of funds, and the total operation requires a vessel with at least 400 square feet of deck space.