Inactive

This notice is issued solely for the purpose of conducting market research in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 10 and does not constitute an Invitation for Bids, Request for P... This notice is issued solely for the purpose of conducting market research in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 10 and does not constitute an Invitation for Bids, Request for Proposal, or Request for Quotations. No solicitation is being issued at this time and the Government makes no assertion that a solicitation will be issued. In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract, nor do they affect a potential offeror's ability to respond to any future synopsis/solicitation, which may or may not follow or restrict the U.S. Government's eventual acquisition approach. Additionally, the U.S. Government is not obligated to, and will not provide reimbursement for any information that may be submitted in response to this notice. Respondents are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding. The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (PMEL) requests information on any potential Contractor which may be able to provide the services described below. Entities that are able to provide the services are encouraged to send vessel information and availability to the Primary Point of Contact by the due date. SERVICES Gulf of Alaska Vessel Charter Task Description NOAA PMEL is considering conducting scientific research in the Gulf of Alaska. The specific objectives of the research would be to continue long-term observations of ocean acidification in the Gulf of Alaska to fulfill the Federal Ocean Acidification Research and Monitoring Act of 2009 and the Strategic Plan for Federal Research and Monitoring Requirements of Ocean Acidification and its Implementation Plan requirements. Summary of Requirements One (1) United States Flagged Vessel, an experienced captain and crew, to operate the vessel. Vessel must have a crane, A-frame, or J-frame capable of safely deploying and retrieving oceanographic equipment, 4.5 feet long by 4.5 feet wide by 6.25 feet high weighing up to 2,000 pounds. The oceanographic equipment has conductivity, temperature, and depth sensors and water sampling bottles connected to large metal frame called a CTD. The vessel must have sufficient deck space to mount two Government Furnished oceanographic winches for deployment of the CTD and deck space to collect water samples from the CTD. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (PMEL) would provide the CTD and oceanographic winches. The vessel must provide space for scientific equipment and gear, accommodations for up to 10 scientists, sufficient lab space as described, be equipped with modern navigation and communications electronics, and be able to maneuver at speeds between 1 to 3 knots. The vessel would load and unload survey gear in Seattle, Washington. Period and Place of Performance The charter would begin and end in Seattle, Washington. Scientists would be aboard for fifteen (15) days to conduct oceanographic survey work from Seattle, WA to Juneau, AK. Scientists would disembark in Juneau, AK and the vessel would transit back to Seattle, WA to unload scientific equipment. In addition, two (2) days pre-cruise and one (1) day post-cruise would be required for the loading and unloading of Government equipment. The charter would occur in the months of August and September of 2020. The exact start date would be determined by the Government in consultation with the Contractor but the start date would be between August 25, 2020 and September 5, 2020. NOAA PMEL intends to conduct scientific research with multiple CTD surveys through Queen Charlotte Sound and southeastern Gulf of Alaska. The vessel may be asked to transit Hecate Strait and Dixon Entrance and other parts of the Inside Passage. Research in the Queen Charlotte Sound, Canadian Exclusive Economic Zone, would be pending clearance with Canadian authorities. There would be approximately 70 CTD stations to sample. CTD stations would be located on six onshore/offshore transects, across the entrance of Chatham Strait and Cross Sound entrances, and along the coast from Cape Spencer to Cape St. Elias. The CTD stations would be within 100 nautical miles from shore. Specifications Minimum Vessel Characteristics One (1) United States Flagged, Vessel with current United States Coast Guard (USCG) Certificate of Inspection (COI) inspected as: Freight Vessel (Subchapter I), Offshore Supply Vessel (Subchapter L/I) or Oceanographic Research Vessel (Subchapter U). The vessel’s COI must be endorsed for the carriage of 10 (or more) “persons in addition to the crew” or permit the carriage of 10 (or more) scientific personnel. Vessels ?300 gross tons operating with a valid USCG Letter of Designation (46 CFR Part 3) to operate as an Oceanographic Research Vessel are also be eligible provided vessel design characteristics and stability letter permits the loading/launching/recovery of scientific gear and accommodate 10 scientists as noted within this statement of work. Minimum overall length of 100 feet. There is no maximum length of vessel for this requirement. Minimum cruising speed of 8 knots. Fuel, potable water, and food capacity to operate continuously for 15 days. A well-lit, clean, uncovered, flush deck space suitable for mounting of provided oceanographic winches for deployment and recovery of the CTD. There must be at least 8 feet by 8 feet of deck space for the CTD when placed on deck. Oceanographic winch dimensions are Length 83inches x Width 55inches x Height 60inches, weighing ~5,000lbs. Equipped with “A” or “J” frame or shipboard crane to assist with deployment and recovery of CTD. CTD dimensions are length 4.5 feet x width 4.5 feet x height 6.25 feet weighing up to 2,000 lbs. Available 480V three-phase power for connecting oceanographic winches.\ Equipped with electronic navigational and communication equipment in compliance with industry safety standards. All communication equipment would be tested and in good operating condition before the charter cruise begins. Minimum requirements are: Two (2) all-weather radars with at least a 48-mile maximum range. At least one (1) very high frequency (VHF) radio with a fixed installation. At least one (1) synthesized 1-18 megahertz (MHz) single-side band (SSB) radio capable of communicating with AT&T High Seas Marine Operator. A system for switching to backup power (e.g., battery) for radio operation in the event of interruption of the normal power supply. Two (2) Global Positioning System (GPS) units. One (1) fax machine capable of receiving weather information, or equivalent. Capable of loading and off-loading the scientific party and scientific gear. Crew will operate crane for loading and off-loading scientific equipment. A shore-side crane can be used to satisfy this requirement. Freshwater deck hose for cleaning gear. Provide laboratory space. The space should be an enclosed, weather-proof, temperature-controlled area where at least three lab benches (3 feet by 6 feet each) can be installed for a seawater filtration and chemical titration systems. The lab should also have additional space for storage (approximately 4 feet by 2 feet, shelving space). Space provided does not have to be permanent part of vessel but can include modular lab space with electrical outlets and lighting. If laboratory space is not available, vessel must have deck space and capability to mount and connect electrical power for a 20ft x 8ft lab container supplied by the Government that is powered with 240V. Dedicated 27 cubic feet of freezer space for samples collected. Freezer should be able to store samples below zero. A freezer capable of temperatures 30 degrees Celsius below zero is preferred. The required space does not need to be separate from the vessel’s food stores. If a freezer space is not provided additional interior space to install a government provided freezer in the laboratory space would be needed. Weatherproof area to store all spare gear and packaging. Potable fresh water supply adequate for vessel and personal use of at least ten (10) scientists plus crew for entire cruise. A minimum of 750 gallons per day is required. At least one clothes washers and clothes dryers for use by scientific party for personal laundry. Comply with the safety requirements set forth in 46 CFR Part 28. USCG-approved survival suits and Type I personal floatation devices, which comply with operational safety standards, for all scientists and crew. The vessel shall carry an up-to-date emergency trauma first aid kit in compliance with industry safety standards. It shall be stocked to provide first aid supplies for up to ten (10) scientists plus vessel crew. At a minimum, this kit should be equivalent to the Marine 3000 made by Adventure Medical Kits (https://www.adventuremedicalkits.com/medical-kits/marine/marine-3000.html) and supplemented with a box of nitrile gloves, oxygen therapy bottles, and an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). The Government may inspect the kit at least two weeks prior to the vessel’s departure in Seattle to ensure that all items are unexpired and the kit is inclusive of all necessary items. A Category I 406 MHz Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) must be affixed to the exterior of the vessel in a manner approved by the USCG. The EPIRB must be up to date on all USCG registration and inspection. The ship’s general alarm must be audible from all sleeping locations. Smoke alarms must be wired into the ship’s electrical panel. MORE FAVORABLE VESSEL CHARACTERISTICS Cruising speed of more than 8 knots. Additional dry bench space or lounge with alternating current (AC) outlets to be used for computer work. Capacity to supply distilled water for use by the scientific party. Distilled water supply directly from evaporators is preferred to a reverse osmosis purification system. Supply of an ultrapure water filtration unit, making water purified to 18 ohms, is highly preferred. Installed continuously flowing uncontaminated surface seawater system for scientists to easily sample. If possible, a four feet by 2 feet bench should be installed near a sink that includes the continuously flowing surface seawater system. Chemical Fume Hood installed in the laboratory space. Cabinet for storage of corrosive Hazardous Material, approximately 3 cubic feet (HCl (l; 10%, 6L, H3PO4 (l; 12N, 1L), and HgCl2(s, powder, 100g)). A Small boat for possible deployment and recovery of autonomous sampling equipment is desired. Access to satellite internet for the scientific party with cost included in daily rate. Electronic engineering assistance in the case that the conductive oceanographic electro-mechanical cable or wire rope needs to be re-terminated at sea is desired. Initial connection and termination on both winches will be completed by NOAA prior to the start of the cruise. CREW REQUIREMENTS Crew must be capable of conducting scientific operations 24 hours a day. Captain must have a minimum of three (3) years of experience as a master of a vessel comparable in size to the vessel selected and at least one-year experience aboard the vessel. Additional consideration will be given for captains and crew with experience operating in the Gulf of Alaska and Inside Passage. The crew assisting the scientists must be able to safely operate ship equipment. There shall be at least two (2) crewmembers available on deck for all scientific operations 24 hours a day, one to operate ship deployment equipment and one to assist the scientific party. The cook must be experienced in preparing nutritionally balanced meals for ten (10) or more people, including vegetarian meals and/or specific food requirements such as gluten free, kosher foods, or avoidance of particular food because of allergies. At least one crewmember must be currently certified in first aid or emergency medical technician, CPR and AED use. At least two (2) crewmembers must be formally trained in survival skills and firefighting at a level equivalent to that offered by the North Pacific Fishing Vessel Owners Association (http://www.npfvoa.org/index.html). Replacements for Key Personnel must possess qualifications equal to or exceeding the qualifications of the personnel being replaced. Any changes to Key Personnel specified must be approved by the Contracting Officer and the Contracting Officer Representative (COR). ACCOMMODATION REQUIREMENTS Accommodations for a scientific party of as many as ten (10) that will include female and male personnel. The scientific party shall be accommodated separately from the crew. The scientific party will consist of United States Government employees and their contractors and volunteers and may consist of Canadian Government employees. Berthing spaces shall be adequately ventilated and free from excessive engine noise and fumes. Clean mattresses, covers, bedding, and blankets shall be provided by the Contractor. Suitable sanitary accommodations, including availability of at least three (3) heads for scientific party use and at least three (3) showers shall be available. Hot, fresh water shower shall be provided. Soap, toilet paper, and paper towels shall be provided by the Contractor. The crew shall clean common spaces and hallways at least twice a week. Three (3) balanced, nutritious meals shall be provided by the Contractor per day. All meals shall include fresh fruits and vegetables. Vegetarian meals may be required for some members of the party. Any food allergy information of prospective scientific party members or other special food requirements will be provided to the Contractor at least two (2) weeks prior to sailing to allow for proper provisioning. Water, juice, soft drinks, fruit, and snacks shall be available throughout the day. Due to the nature of the operation, meal hours must be flexible. The Captain and Chief Scientist will set meal hours that are mutually agreeable on a daily basis. During 24-hour operations, nutritious meals that meet any special dietary needs must be available for scientific and crew personnel outside of normal meal hours. This requirement can be met by easy access to substantive food (e.g., refrigerated leftovers) in the ship’s mess.