Inactive

Disclaimer: This is not a solicitation. This is not a Request for Quote (RFQ), Invitation for Bid (IFB), Request for Proposal (RFP), Request for Application (RFA) or announcement of a solicitation, an... Disclaimer: This is not a solicitation. This is not a Request for Quote (RFQ), Invitation for Bid (IFB), Request for Proposal (RFP), Request for Application (RFA) or announcement of a solicitation, and does not assume the Government will award a contract or proceed with any of the above solicitation efforts in the near future. This request is for information purposes only and does not constitute a commitment, implied or otherwise, that a procurement action will be issued or awarded. No entitlement to payment of direct or indirect cost or charges by the Government will arise as a result of the submission of information. All information considered proprietary shall be marked accordingly. The Government shall not be liable for or suffer any consequential damages for improperly identified proprietary information. Properly identified proprietary information will be safeguarded in accordance with federal regulations. The purpose of this announcement is solely to gather information from the marketplace, and any responses received will neither be considered an offer by the responding party nor returned to the responding party. No telephone inquiries will be accepted, and requests for solicitation packages will not be honored at this time since no solicitation has been prepared. Synopsis: Sources Sought The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC), Resource Assessment and Conservation Engineering (RACE) Division of the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is conducting market research for the purpose of identifying businesses that have demonstrated capability to provide a commercial trawl vessel, with experienced crew to conduct stock assessment bottom trawl surveys of groundfish in the Gulf of Alaska in 2021. The vessel will need to be completely rigged for trawling with a stern ramp and gallows or gantry, two net reels each with capacity for one standard, four-seam Poly Nor’Eastern bottom trawl, and be equipped with modern navigation, fish-finding, and communications electronics. The AFSC, RACE Division will provide the trawls, bridles, and trawl doors. The survey areas comprise stations at depths that range from 10 m to 1,000 m (6 fm to 550 fm), requiring the vessel to have split trawl winches with a minimum of 1,463 m (800 fm) of 2.53 cm (1 in) diameter steel core trawl cable in good condition and available for fishing on each drum (not total capacity), but a preference for vessels having 1,830 m (1,000 fm) of 2.53 cm (1 in) diameter steel core trawl cable or more available for fishing on each drum (not total capacity) to ensure complete coverage of the deeper sites in the study areas. An experienced skipper and a four-member fishing crew will be needed to operate the vessel and the fishing gear, while a team of six scientists will direct survey operations. The Gulf of Alaska survey spans up to 85 days (55 base charter days and up to 30 optional charter days) and will be conducted from mid-May to late July or early August 2021. Approximately 300 15-minute tows will be conducted. Optional charter days (referenced above), if needed are to allow for the full completion of each survey and for related research. Related research includes, but is not limited to: expanded trawl survey stations; collection of auxiliary oceanographic, acoustic or biological samples; experimental gear comparison trials; and deployment of drop camera systems or camera equipped autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) or remotely operated vehicle (ROV) as needed to improve or enhance the delivery estimates of groundfish and crab biomass and population size in support of stock assessments, within the Alaska EEZ. Key requirements to Establish Technical Capability: VESSEL REQUIREMENTS 1. Minimum overall length (LOA) of 36.5 m (120 ft.) and the vessel will have been actively used for commercial bottom trawling or research where bottom trawl gear was used in the past 12 months. 2. Minimum continuous horsepower output from main engine of 1,000HP. a. Vessel must be able to tow the standard survey bottom trawl, a 27.4/36.5 m (90/120 ft.) Poly Nor'Eastern bottom trawl (see Attachment 7) with rubber bobbin roller gear at a continuous speed of 5.6 km/hr. (3 kts) under weather conditions considered safe and typical for survey sampling. b. Vessel must be able to maintain a minimum cruising speed of 16.8 km/hr. (9 kts) in low sea states. 3. Completely rigged for trawling including: a. A stern ramp and gallows or gantry. b. Two net reels each with capacity for one standard Poly Nor'Eastern bottom trawl equipped with roller gear as described above and in Attachment Net and gear. An aft location of the two net reels that keeps the trawl alley open is preferred. c. Split trawl winches with a minimum of 1,463 m (800 fm) of 2.5 cm (1 in) diameter steel core trawl cable in good condition and free of signs of excessive wear (frayed, burrs, broken strands, corrosion) and available for fishing on each drum let out to the mark point). Vessels with 1,830 m (1,000 fm) trawl cable available for fishing on each drum (not total capacity) are preferred. At the beginning of the charter, the trawl cable shall be measured with Government provided wire counters and the crew shall mark the trawl wire at 45.7 m (25 fm) intervals. The trawl wire and marks may also be measured at the completion of the survey and may be measured during the survey if there are indications that the wire has stretched or if significant differences are found between the wire measurements from both trawl winches. d. An auto-trawl system with the capability of adjustable winch brakes and measurement of trawl wire deployed. This auto-trawl system must be annually certified by factory inspectors to be operating as designed and maintained in usable condition throughout the duration of each survey. e. Trawl cable must lead directly from the winches to the gallows trawl blocks. 4. A deck area, clear of obstructions, of at least 55.7 m2 (600 sq. ft.) for sampling equipment supplied by the government including a 1.5 m X 3.0 m (5 ft. X 10 ft.) sampling/sorting table and one 1.2 m X 1.2 m (4 ft. X 4 ft.) sampling table for working on catches and obtaining biological data as well as a 1.2 m X 0.6 m (4 ft. X 2 ft.) table to house a platform scale with electrical power requirements. The work area should allow the sampling table to be positioned so that all four sides of the table can be used to conduct work, there is easy access to the rail or scuppers to discard catch, and access to deck bins described in Item A.8. Deck space should also include a 1.2 m X 1.2 m (4 ft. X 4 ft.) area for anchoring a holding tank with raw seawater supplies for keeping fish alive pending tagging. On deck work area(s) shall be clear of running gear, equipment, vertical obstructions (e.g., hatch coamings) and stowage. 5. Protected (sheltered from wind) and lighted areas on back deck with a combined area of at least 27.9 m2 (300 sq. ft.) where a minimum of two additional work tables can be set up for collection of weights and other biological data from specimens retained from the catch using electronic scales. (In particular, specimen scales need to be protected from wind and spray which can affect scale calibration and the accuracy of weight data). 6. Electric power (110/115 VAC.) outlets (minimum of two) near on-deck work area. This may be a temporary installation, if necessary, but must be safe to use. 7. Seawater deck hose for cleaning sorting table and sampling gear and for supplying fish holding tanks. On/off switch should be readily available from the working deck. 8. Easy access to fresh water either on deck or from the deckhouse. 9. A deck bin or trawl alley subdivided with bin boards able to contain large catches up to 10 mt for catch sub-sampling and sorting. Bin boards must be in good condition; easy placement and removal is essential. Extra bin boards shall be available to replace any broken during use. 10. Efficient and effective overboard discard of samples. A system should be in place to service both the sorting table and the deck bins. An overboard discarding system that does not require lifting is preferred. 11. A hydraulic crane with the capability to extend out 3 m (10 ft.) past the side of the vessel and lifting winches rated for handling fishing gear, sampling gear, and catches weighing as much as 5.4 mt under dynamic load conditions. The crane must be rated to 10,000 lbs. (4.5 mt) and capable of raising or lowering the codend anywhere along the centerline of the working deck and must easily reach sampling tables described above. 12. Dry storage area of at least 56.6 m2 (2,900 cu ft.) in the hold for fishing gear and accessories. The vessel must have capacity to store up to seven trawls equipped with roller gear in the hold and/or on deck, along with two spare doors and scientific supplies. 13. Dry storage area of at least 5.4 m3 (190 cu ft.) in the main house for holding scientific supplies. 14. A minimum of 4.2 m3 (150 cu ft.) of freezer storage (exclusive of space for ship's stores) for stowing scientific samples and supplies. Freezer space must be reasonably and safely accessible from the deck and must be available at all times to the scientific party. 15. A suitable dedicated dry counter work space at least 0.6 m X 1.2 m (2 ft. X 4 ft.) with adjacent 110/ 115 volt power outlets on the bridge for installation of Government-supplied personal computers, printer, GPS and trawl mensuration electronics. 16. Access to and use of a suitable chart table. 17. Two 1-inch diameter through-bulkhead access holes to the outside from bridge for the passage of GPS and hydrophone cables to Government computers and trawl mensuration units on the bridge. 18. An office with a desk area (exclusive of galley and accessible at all times) at least 0.6 m X 1.2 m (2 ft. X 4 ft.) with adjacent 110/115 volt power outlets for data management and analysis. Government-supplied personal computers and printer will be installed here for logging data. The additional space is needed for storing data notebooks and office supplies. 19. Clean and sanitary accommodations for crew and six Government Scientists (prefer berthing capacity for up to 8 Government Scientists) which may include both male and female scientists. Stateroom and berthing arrangements must allow for separate rooms for male and female scientists. Bunk areas will shall contain at least one drawer or closet per occupant for storage of clothing and personal gear. 20. Potable fresh water supply adequate for vessel and personal use (including showers and laundry) for 11 people for at least 25 days. If a water-maker is not available, then a minimum of 22,000 L (6,000 gal) is required. 21. Clean mattresses preferably with clean fitted covers for all Government Scientists. 22. A minimum of one head and one shower shall be available to Government Scientists. Additional heads/showers available to the Government Scientists are preferable. Facilities shall be separate from the living quarters. Adequate soap, toilet paper, and paper towels shall be provided by the vessel. 23. Workspaces, berthing, and galley spaces shall be adequately ventilated and free from tobacco smoke, vaping odors, excessive engine noise, and hydrocarbon or other noxious fumes. 24. Washer and dryer for personal laundry. 25. A skiff or rigid hulled inflatable boat (RHIB) measuring at least 4.3 m (14 ft.) LOA with an outboard motor (minimum 15 hp). Skiff to be rated at minimum of 400 kg (880 lbs.) total carrying capacity; must be Stored away from the work area but be accessible so as to be easily deployed. A RHIB type skiff is preferred. Gasoline fuel for the outboard motor must be stored in Coast Guard approved tanks or containers. 26. Vessel should be ballasted to maintain sea-kindliness during the charter. If crab tanks are used to ballast or trim the vessel, overboard (not on deck) discharge must be employed. Fuel oil considered as ballast should not be considered in the vessel's fuel-endurance estimation. 27. Provide a safe and stable portable gangway for use in boarding and debarking vessel while in port. ELECTRONIC and COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS 1. Radios: a. VHF-- a minimum of two working sets. b. Two working single side-band units with at least one being synthesized in the 2-18 MHz range. c. A system for switching to backup power (e.g., battery) for radio operation in the event of interruption of the normal power supply. 2. Working video plotter with capability of plotting input from GPS. 3. GPS (Global Positioning System) with a minimum of two working units with at least six-channel, sequential capability to track satellites. 4. Radar--2 working units with a minimum range of 77.2 km (48 miles). 5. Working Depth sounders: a. Minimum range of 1,100 m (600 fm) and operating in the 38-50 kHz range. b. Back-up unit with a recording unit with equivalent ranges as above. 6. A working Simrad ES60 echo sounder system with either a 38-kHz single or (preferred) split beam transducer. In addition to the 38-kHz system, a working Simrad ES60 echosounder system simultaneously operating at 120 kHz with either a single or split beam transducer is also preferred. The ES60 echo sounder system(s) should be connected to the ship's GPS unit and should be running the most recent version of the Simrad ES60 software. All sources of noise and interference should be eliminated. Conventional fisheries sounders of the same or potentially interfering frequencies to the ES60 38 kHz system must either be synchronized with the ES60 38 kHz transducer or turned off during data collection. The Simrad ES60 sounder(s) will be calibrated before and after the survey under the supervision of Government Scientists. 7. An electronic charting system that will allow for continuous recording of position and depth by the scientific staff and allow the importation of point and line information. 8. An e-mail system with capabilities for sending and receiving messages, a satellite or broadband telephone, and a cellular telephone for use when service is available in the survey area or in port. The Government will reimburse the Contractor for transmission costs of Government messages and calls, or the cost of any necessary increase in system bandwidth to achieve mission communication goals if applicable. CREW REQUIREMENTS 1. The minimum crew shall consist of a Vessel Captain, lead-fisher, engineer-fisher, general-fisher, and cook or cook-fisher and a Mate if required by law. 2. The Vessel Captain shall have a minimum of three (3) years of bottom trawl fishing experience as master of a comparable¬ sized trawler in Alaskan waters and at least five (5) years total fishing experience as a master. 3. The lead-fisher shall have a minimum of five (5) years’ experience in otter trawl fishing and demonstrated experience in building, rigging, repairing, and operating bottom trawls. He/she must possess demonstrated competence for repairing damaged trawls to their original government specifications. 4. The engineer-fisher, general-fisher, and cook-fisher shall have a minimum of three (3) years' experience in trawl fishing and have the necessary net mending skills to assist the lead-fisher in bottom trawl repair. 5. In addition to the required fishing experience, the cook-fisher shall have a minimum of two (2) years’ experience in the planning and preparation of three daily meals for a group of at least 11 people. INFORMATION REQUESTED: The Government is requesting that all interested vendors provide information regarding their experience and capability to provide a qualified crew and eligible vessel. A vessel data sheet or the attached Trawl Vessel Characteristic Form may be submitted to address the minimum requirements. NOAA may utilize the responses to this Sources Sought to conduct additional market research. Information obtained from this Sources Sought, and the subsequent communication with the vendors, if any, may be utilized to assist NOAA in developing a formal Request for Proposal (RFP) or Request for Quote (RFQ). In addition to addressing technical capabilities, responses must include the following: Name and address of firm Size of business (e.g. small, small disadvantaged business, woman owned, etc.) Average annual revenue for the past 3 years and number of employees Ownership Number of years in business Affiliate information Parent company, joint venture partners, potential teaming partners, prime contractor (if potential subcontractor) or subcontractors (if potential prime contractor) List of customers covering the past five years (highlighting relevant work performed, contract numbers, contract type, and dollar value of each procurement) Point of contact - address and phone number SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS: Telephone responses are NOT solicited and will not be accepted. No solicitation exists at this time. This synopsis is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to award a contract, nor will the Government pay for the solicited information. Please submit your response to the attention of the Contracting Officer, Ms. Crystina Jubie (Crystina.r.jubie@noaa.gov) no later than January 14, 2021 at 9:00 a.m., Pacific time. Each response shall be no more than 15 single-sided, single-spaced pages (excluding the cover page), and each page shall be separately numbered, and shall be in .pdf format.