VESSEL FOR CAPE PERPETUA MARINE RESERVE: HOOK-and-LINE SURVEYS

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is seeking a contractor to provide an at-sea research platform for hook-and-line fishing surveys near the Cape Perpetua Marine Reserve. The procurement involves securing a vessel and crew to conduct marine research in depths ranging from 30-120 feet, with operations based out of Newport, Oregon. The project requires four estimated vessel days during the fall season (late August-October), with each day representing approximately eight hours of fishing effort. Key contractor qualifications include a vessel master with a minimum of three years of professional experience in comparable services and local knowledge of Cape Perpetua fishing areas. Proposal evaluation will focus on the qualifications and availability of the vessel master and crew, vessel suitability for the work, and proposed cost. The Request for Proposal (RFP) was posted on June 7, 2022, with proposals due by June 29, 2022, at 3:00 PM PDT. The anticipated contract term runs from August 1, 2022, through December 31, 2022.

The state encourages participation from small businesses certified by the Oregon Certification Office for Business Inclusion and Diversity, indicating potential set-aside opportunities for disadvantaged enterprises. Respondents are required to submit a Certified Disadvantaged Business Outreach Plan as part of their proposal. While a specific incumbent vendor is not explicitly mentioned, the Notice of Intent to Award document indicates that Robert Paul Waddell of Newport, Oregon, is the selected contractor for this project. The contract will require the successful bidder to provide all necessary equipment, including the vessel, crew, fuel, and operating supplies. Although the exact contract value is not specified in the publicly available documents, the contract appears to be structured on a not-to-exceed basis with reimbursement for approved travel and incidental expenses. The procurement is specifically for marine research services, with the Department of Fish and Wildlife maintaining minimal operational control, focusing primarily on specifying sampling locations.