SOLICITATION NOTICE
V -- Vessel Charter for Steller Sea Lion Research in the Gulf of Alaska (in/out Kodiak, AK)
- Notice Date
- 4/1/2003
- Notice Type
- Solicitation Notice
- Contracting Office
- Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Western Administrative Support Center, 7600 Sand Point Way, Northeast, Seattle, WA, 98115-6349
- ZIP Code
- 98115-6349
- Solicitation Number
- AB133F-03-RP-0056A
- Archive Date
- 7/21/2003
- Point of Contact
- Paul Reed, Contract Specialist, Phone (206) 526-6034, Fax (206) 526-6025,
- E-Mail Address
-
paul.j.reed@noaa.gov
- Description
- This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. Solicitation AB133F-03-RP-0056 is being issued as a Request for Proposals. This solicitation document and incorporated provisions are in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2001-13. This procurement action is not restricted; full and open competition is sought. The associated North American Industrial Classification System code is 488390. A firm is a small business for the purpose of this requirement if its size standard is 1,000 employees. A. Introduction - The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has a requirement to charter a vessel in order to conduct biological studies of Steller sea lions in the Gulf of Alaska. The primary objective of this research are re-sighting branded and tagged sea lions and collecting biological samples at as many as 50 rookeries and haul-out sites. The term of the charter will be for 14 days with an additional six (6) optional days. The charter will commence o/a 12 May 2003 at Kodiak, AK, and will end on or about 30 May 2003 at Kodiak, AK. Accommodations for a scientific party of up to four (4) biologists will be required. Vessel and Crew Specifications: 1. Minimum overall length of 85 ft. (26m), maximum draft of 14 ft. (4.3 m), and height to bridge deck of 14 ft. (4.3 m) from waterline. 2. Minimum cruising speed of 9 knots (17 km/hr). 3. Minimum vessel operating endurance of 14 days (based on average running time of 12 hrs/day at 9 kts. or 17 km/hr). 4. Vessel shall be equipped with appropriate modern electronic navigational and communication equipment, including but not limited to: two all-weather radars (36 mile or 67 km minimum range), VHF radio (one or more fixed installation), synthesized 1-18 MHz SSB radio, and redundant GPS navigational equipment. All communication equipment shall be tested and tuned before the charter begins. The vessel also must be equipped with appropriate charts for operating in coastal waters of the Gulf of Alaska. 5. The vessel shall also have the following: a. Bridge or wheelhouse protected from the weather. b. Minimum of 50 sq. ft. (4.6 sq. m) of additional interior space with table/benches and 110/220 AC electrical service, which can be dedicated to use as a dry laboratory. c. A clean, uncovered flush deck area of at least 500 sq. ft. (46.5 sq m) for storage and launching of two 16-foot (4.9 m) inflatable boats. On deck work area(s) should be relatively clear of running gear, equipment, and stowage. d. Dry storage areas, readily accessible, of approximately 500 cubic feet (14 cubic m) for excess scientific supplies and equipment. e. At least 10 cubic feet (.3 cubic m) of freezer space for specimens. f. Capability for loading and off-loading the scientific party and a 16-foot (4.9m) inflatable boat with outboard motor to and from the water (inflatable boat supplied by Government). Loading and off-loading of the inflatable boat shall be with a crane extendable to 10' (3m) past the side of the vessel and capable of lifting up to two (2) tons. g. Seawater and deck hose for cleaning. h. Potable fresh water supply adequate for vessel and personal use of up to 10 people for 21 days. If a water maker is not available then a minimum of 4,000 gallons (15,000 liters) is required. 6. Minimum crew of vessel shall consist of Captain, engineer-mate, cook and deck hand. The Captain shall have a minimum of five years experience as a master of a vessel comparable in size to the vessel selected; preference will be given to Captains with experience operating in coastal (rather than offshore) waters adjoining the Gulf of Alaska, and with commercial fishing and/or marine mammal experience. The engineer-mate must be qualified for independently taking over operations of the vessel in the event the captain is absent or becomes incapacitated. The cook will be experienced in preparing meals for 10 or more people. 7. Accommodations must be provided for a scientific party of up to four (4) which will include male and female scientists, as well as foreign nationals. These requirements do not include those of berthing for the crew. Temporary, fold-down or undersized bunks are not acceptable for the scientific party. Clean mattresses, covers, and bedding must be provided by the Contractor. 8. Suitable sanitary accommodations, including head and shower separated from the living quarters and within the ship, must be available. Hot, fresh water shower, must be provided at least every third day for each member of the scientific party. A washer-dryer shall be available for personal laundry. 9. Meals must be provided by the Contractor at no additional cost and will include three balanced, nutritious meals (including fresh fruits and vegetables) per day, one of which may be a shore lunch for the scientific party. Water, juice, soft drinks, fruit, and sandwiches should 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. 10. The Contractor shall provide Arctic-type immersion suits for members of the scientific party. Adequate dry storage space for all immersion suits, including those belonging to government personnel, shall be provided. 11. At least one crewman must be trained in CPR and emergency first aid. The vessel shall carry at least an emergency trauma first aid kit. OPERATING PROCEDURES - 1. The scientific party will be U.S. government employees or cooperators. The purpose of the cruise will be re-sighting branded and tagged sea lions and collecting biological samples at as many as 50 rookeries and haul-out sites in the Gulf of Alaska. The scientific party will board the vessel at Kodiak, AK, departing o/a 12 May 2003 working within a 200 nm (370 km) radius of Kodiak. This includes sites between Chowiet Island (approximately 56 00'N, 156 41'W) to the west and Outer Island (59 21'N, 150 24'W) to the east. The cruise will end in Kodiak o/a 30 May 2003. The exact sequence in which individual sites will be visited may change in response to weather and sea conditions. 2. The vessel will transport scientists to Steller sea lion rookeries and haul-out sites, disembark the scientists, and await their return from the site. The vessel must wait nearby and maintain VHF radio communication with the scientific party. Once the scientists are aboard the vessel, the vessel will depart for the next site. 3. Seabird and marine mammal surveys may be conducted from the bridge during daylight hours. 4. Work day length will be determined each day by the Chief Scientist or appointed alternate, in consultation with the vessel master?decision to be based on type of activity as well as prevailing situation regarding weather, sea state, work schedule, work progress etc. The Chief Scientist or appointed alternate has final authority except for work stoppage resulting from uncontrollable situations such as unsafe weather and sea state conditions and other safety-of-life-at-sea considerations as determined by the vessel Captain. 5. The crew, when not required by the Captain for vessel operations, shall assist the Government field party. COAST GUARD INSPECTION - NOAA's issuance of a Notice to Proceed will depend on the vessel's passing a Coast Guard fire and safety inspection. Unless the Coast Guard's inspection is performed no later than two weeks before the vessel's scheduled departure and Coast Guard certification obtained no later than one week before scheduled departure, the Government may terminate this contract without any payment to the Contractor. Furthermore, the Contractor, in the event of such termination, may be liable to the Government for excess re-procurement costs. The cost for bringing a vessel to passing standard shall be borne by the Contractor. MECHANICAL BREAKDOWNS OR NON-PERFORMANCE OF THE VESSEL - Mechanical breakdown or other non-performance periods of 24 hours or more shall not be considered charter days and the Contractor shall not be compensated for such periods. Mechanical breakdown periods which sum to three (3) days or more may be grounds for termination of this contract. WORKING CONDITIONS FOR GOVERNMENT PERSONNEL - The contractor shall provide safe, efficient working conditions and accommodations to the Government personnel working on board. The contractor, its agents, subcontractors, and employees, including the Captain and crew of the vessel shall not harass, assault, oppose, impede, intimidate, interfere with or make unwelcome advances toward any member of the Government field party. Violation of the contractor's obligation under this clause may result in termination of the contract, at the discretion of the Government under the Termination for Cause Clause (reference 52.212-4(m)) and in consequent liability of the contractor to the Government for any costs incurred. Violation of the contractor's obligations under this clause may result in criminal and/or civil prosecution of the person involved by either the Government or affected Government personnel, as provided by applicable law. FIREARMS - While the vessel is at sea or while work under this contract is being performed in port, all firearms shall be locked in the Captain's quarters. POSSESSION OF LIQUOR OR ILLEGAL DRUGS - During the charter period, the possession or use of intoxicating liquor and/or illegal drugs by any person is not permitted and may be grounds for termination of this contract by the Government. CONTROL OF PLASTIC DISCHARGES - Contractor shall comply with the Marine Plastic Pollution Research and Control Act of 1987, which establishes Federal requirements for controlling plastic discharges from ships. KEY PERSONNEL - The key personnel for this contract shall be the Captain and Engineer-Mate. The Contractor shall make no substitutions of key personnel unless the substitution is necessitated by illness, death, or termination of employment and written approval for the substitution has been granted by the Contracting Officer. The Contractor shall provide a written explanation of the circumstances necessitating the proposed substitutions and submit any additional information requested by the Contracting Officer. Proposed substitutes shall have comparable qualifications to those of the persons being replaced. VESSEL SAFETY - The contractor shall adhere to the safety regulations as set forth in Coast Guard rules effective on September 15, 1991, and as provided for by the Commercial Fishing Industry Vessel Safety Act of 1988 (specifically, 46 CFR Part 28) or subsequent additions or revisions. These regulations require that specified vessels be equipped with a variety of safety features and equipment. A Coast Guard inspection of the vessel based on an interagency agreement between NMFS and the Coast Guard or 46 CFR Part 28 will be required prior to contract award. Conformance with present regulations for commercial fishing vessels requires that the master or an individual in charge of the vessel ensures that the safety drills and instructions are conducted at least once a month (46 CFR 28.270). Safety orientations must be given to each individual on board that has not received the instruction and has not participated in the drills before the vessel can continue to operate. The contractor shall conduct such safety orientations prior to sailing on each cruise leg. It is recommended that a full drill be completed early on each cruise leg. It is recommended that a full drill be completed early in each cruise leg even if less than a month has elapsed since the last drill due to the frequent wholesale exchange of scientific personnel at cruise breaks. Each vessel must also have all required emergency instructions posted (46 CFR 28.265). EVALUATION - Evaluation shall consist of the following technical factors - Experience/qualifications of Captain/Crew and Adequacy of Vessel and Equipment. The remaining evaluation factors are past performance and price. The technical factors and past performance are considered substantially more important than price. PROPOSAL INSTRUCTIONS - The proposal must be done in two parts: A technical proposal and a business (price) proposal. Each of the parts shall be separate and complete in itself so that the evaluation of one may be accomplished independently from evaluation of the other. The technical proposal shall include proposed Captain's work experience, relevant vessel characteristics, a copy of the Stability Letter from the vessel's Stability Report certified by a licensed naval architect/marine engineer, a description of the deck configuration, and information on any research surveys the vessel and/or Captain have performed in the past, including the date of the research, type of research, and a contact name and phone number for whom the research was performed. Any other pertinent information provided with the technical proposal concerning the vessel and/or crew will also be considered in the evaluation. The price proposed must contain all costs associated with the above defined charter including the vessel, captain and crew, fuel, and equipment. The price shall be proposed as a daily rate for both the base period (14 days) and optional period (6 days). Price will be evaluated based on the 20 day total proposed price (inclusive of options). Unbalanced bids will not be considered. FAR 52.212-2, Evaluation - Commercial Items, is applicable to this acquisition. Offerors shall also include a completed copy of the provision at 52.212-3, Offerors Representation and Certifications - Commercial Items, with its offer. The provisions at FAR 52.212-1, Instruction to Offerors - Commercial Items, FAR Clause 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions - Commercial Items, and FAR Clause 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders - Commercial Items, apply to this acquisition and there are no addenda to these clauses. In addition, the following FAR clauses are applicable to this acquisition: 52.215-5, Facsimile Proposals, 52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns and Small Disadvantaged Concerns (15 U.S.C. 637(a)(14), 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity (E.O. 11246), 52.222-35, Affirmative Action for Special Disabled and Vietnam Era Veterans (38 U.S.C. 4212), 52.225-3, Buy American Act - Supplies (41 U.S.C. 10) and 52.229-5, Buy American Act-Trade Agreements Act-Balance of Payments Program (41 U.S.C. 10, 19 U.S.C. 2501-2582). Full text of the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) can be accessed on the Internet at www.arnet.gov. Proposals may be faxed to (206) 527-7756, or mailed to DOC, NOAA, AMD, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115 Attn: Paul Reed, or sent via email to Paul.J.Reed@noaa.gov. Emailed proposals shall be readable by WordPerfect. Offerors which email proposals, shall fax or deliver a hard copy of a statement with an original signature, of their intentions to be bound by the email proposal. Deadline for receipt of offers is 2:00 PM April 16, 2003. Late or incomplete proposals will not be considered.
- Record
- SN00292728-W 20030403/030401213325 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
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