ADF&G RFQ # 1126181 - 2026 Scallop Survey

The Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G), Division of Commercial Fisheries, is soliciting competitive quotes for vessel charter services to conduct a 2026 scallop survey via Request for Quotation (RFQ) #1126181. The procurement seeks a fully functional scallop fishing vessel measuring a minimum of 100 feet in length overall to serve as living quarters and an operations base for research activities in the Yakutat and Kayak scallop districts during April-May 2026. The vessel must be equipped with deck rigging capable of safely deploying and recovering two 8-foot survey dredges and must be staffed by a USCG-licensed captain with at least five years of scallop fishing experience in Alaska waters, plus a minimum of three experienced crewmembers including one engineer with five years of vessel experience. The anticipated charter period is approximately 21 continuous days, consisting of one day for equipment installation and testing at dock in Kodiak, 18-20 days of at-sea survey operations, and one final day for equipment offload. Quotations are due by March 20, 2026, at 2:00 PM AKST, and must include the completed RFQ front page with pricing, vessel information forms, captain and crew experience documentation, and proof of USCG licensing and safety certifications. Bidders must provide separate daily rates for full survey operations and standby days, with evaluation based on 18 full-rate days and 3 standby days, and the successful bidder must submit marine survey documentation and a letter of stability within 21 days of bid closing. The contractor is responsible for all vessel crew wages, fuel, maintenance, three meals per day for all personnel during at-sea operations, and provision of required safety equipment including USCG-approved life rafts and survival suits.

No specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises or minority-owned businesses are identified in this RFQ; however, Alaska bidder preference of five percent will be applied to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. The contractor must maintain specified insurance coverage including $1,000,000 commercial general liability, $300,000 maritime/Jones Act coverage, and workers' compensation insurance with a waiver of subrogation favoring the State. The State reserves the right to deduct hourly prorated rates for lost contract time due to equipment failures or delays exceeding 24 hours and may terminate the contract without liability for vessel condition issues lasting over 72 hours, lack of funds, crew insubordination, or failure to report at the specified time and location. Payment will be made upon completion of the charter with a single invoice; no progress or partial payments will be made during the contract period. No budget range or award value is specified in the RFQ documentation, and no incumbent vendors or current contractors are identified, indicating this may be a new procurement or a recompete of previous vessel charter services.