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FBO DAILY ISSUE OF JANUARY 07, 2006 FBO #1503
MODIFICATION

V -- Ice-Breaking Services, Antarctica

Notice Date
1/5/2006
 
Notice Type
Modification
 
NAICS
483112 — Deep Sea Passenger Transportation
 
Contracting Office
National Science Foundation, Division of Contracts & Complex Agreements, DCCA, 4201 Wilson Boulevard Room 475, Arlington, VA, 22230
 
ZIP Code
22230
 
Solicitation Number
DCCA-060024
 
Response Due
2/28/2006
 
Archive Date
3/15/2006
 
Point of Contact
Jillian Pate, Contract Specialist, Phone (703) 292-8252, Fax (703) 292-9140, - Patricia Williams, Deputy Chief, Contracts Branch, Phone (703) 292-4596, Fax (703) 292-9140/9141,
 
E-Mail Address
jpate@nsf.gov, pswillia@nsf.gov
 
Description
To Whom It May Concern: The National Science Foundation (NSF), an independent agency of the United States Government, is seeking information regarding the long-term (10 or more years) availability of icebreaking services capable of enabling the re-supply of the U.S. Antarctic Program?s (USAP) McMurdo Station. NSF is the U.S. Government Agency responsible for directing and funding the USAP, and manages the entire United States national program in Antarctica, including logistic support activities, so that the program may be managed as a single package. Background NSF is interested in contracting for icebreaking services to annually open a channel through 1-2 year 10/10ths sea ice, and then escort an ice-strengthened tanker and an ice-strengthened cargo ship to the pier at McMurdo Station, located at 77?51? S, 166?40? E. NSF intends for this to be a long-term arrangement. It is expected that a contract would include annual mobilization and de-mobilization periods (length of time to be determined based on location of home port) and an operating period in the Southern Ocean south of 60? S of approximately 6 to 8 weeks. After that period the vessel would be off-contract and free to engage in other work. Traditionally, the USAP has relied on the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) to perform the McMurdo break-in and ship escort service using its POLAR class ships. However, these vessels are 30 years old and are reaching the end of their design life. NSF is now seeking alternative means of opening the supply channel to McMurdo Station through a reliable long-term arrangement, either with a commercial or governmental provider, or through a multi-national arrangement. NSF is not seeking binding offers to contract at this time; however, based upon the information received the Foundation may initiate discussions, seek offers, and award a contract with an owner or operator per the authority at 42 U.S.C. 1870(c). The United States Antarctic Program Scientific research, and operational support of that research, is the principal activity supported by the United States Government in Antarctica. The goals are to expand fundamental knowledge of the region, to foster research on global and regional problems of current scientific importance, and to utilize the region as a platform from which to support research. For projects involving fieldwork, the USAP supports research that can only or can best be done in Antarctica. The Program has been in continuous operation since the 1957-1958 International Geophysical Year and continuation into the foreseeable future is anticipated. U.S. activities in Antarctica support the Nation's adherence to the Antarctic Treaty, which reserves the region for peaceful purposes and encourages international cooperation in scientific research. At present, 45 nations adhere to the treaty, and 29 of them are involved in Antarctic field activities. The United States cooperates scientifically and operationally with many of the Antarctic Treaty nations. The major logistics hub for the support of this science is McMurdo Station. McMurdo is located on Ross Island in the Southern edge of the Ross Sea. It is the furthest south exposed land to which a ship can sail. Refer to http://nsf.gov/od/opp/prss/ for a more complete description of the USAP research support facilities including McMurdo Station. Typical Schedule and Operations The icebreaker typically arrives at 60? S on or about December 25. Anticipated departure from McMurdo is mid-February of the following year (6-8 weeks after arrival). The basic tasks are to open a channel to the McMurdo Station pier, and escort a tanker and a freighter through the sea ice and channel to the pier and back to the open ocean as required The freighter to be used during the 2005/2006 season will be the AMERICAN TERN (17,350 tons, 158.8m/23.16m). The tanker to be used will be one of five sister ships of the T-5 class (33,093 tons, 187.5m/27.4m). Use of supply ships of similar capacity and size are anticipated over the life of the contract. Additional information on these vessels may be found at: http://www.msc.navy.mil/inventory/ships.asp?ship=paulbuck&type=GovernmentownedTanker. The U.S. Navy, Military Sealift Command provides these vessels for the USAP. The tanker arrives at the McMurdo ice edge on or about January 16 each year, and departs on or about January 20 each year. The freighter arrives at the McMurdo ice edge on or about February 1 each year, and departs on or about February 11 each year. Sea Ice The fast ice in McMurdo Sound has typically been between 7 to 10 feet maximum thickness for a distance of 10 to 20 miles from McMurdo. It is often first or second year ice and had rarely been third year ice until very recently. Appendix I provides a listing of the extent of sea ice and the vessels used since 1957. For the past four years there have been extraordinary ice conditions due at least in part to the presence of large icebergs that were partially blocking McMurdo Sound. For those past four years there has been extensive first year ice with some inclusions of second year ice extending from McMurdo to about 100 miles north. Ice thicknesses were as great as 12 feet. Ice in the channel has blown out to open water once in that four-year period, but the surrounding ice extending approximately 14 miles north from McMurdo is multi-year ice. The two largest of the icebergs have moved out of the area since last year and it is expected that the coming season?s ice should start to return to a more normal status in the short term, but clearly conditions can change rapidly and persist for extended periods. A chart showing sea ice thickness measurements for 1987 to 2004 is included as Attachment 2. Recent archival images may be viewed at: http://rapidfire.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/subsets/?RossSea/, and http://www.polar.org/sat_image/ Evaluation Information Interested parties are free to provide any information that they believe may assist NSF in its evaluation of the availability and reliability of icebreaking services; however, the Foundation will not pay for any information submitted. Except as identified herein, no specific format is required. Among the evaluation factors that NSF would consider in determining suitability of an existing or to-be-built vessel for icebreaking services would be: Vessel?s ice classification and maximum ice thickness and speed of advance for continuous progress Vessel?s displacement Statement of availability Ship?s registry Vessel?s or vessels? name and specifications using BIMCO Supplytime 89, Annex A as the format Name/address of vessel?s owner and vessel?s operator (if different) Certificate of current classification Time remaining prior to any major maintenance activity and dry docking Approximate price per day, and any extras (e.g., taxes, victuals, commissions, communications) Expected mobilization and demobilization charges and port of initiation/return Past performance contact information Special operating restrictions or conditions It is highly desirable that the vessel have sufficient fuel storage to complete the entire Antarctic operation without any re-fueling from McMurdo. Please specifically indicate whether the intended vessel has the fuel storage capacity to enable this. If the vessel must receive fuel during the period of time while operating in the Southern Ocean, McMurdo can provide an all purpose diesel fuel, JP-5. Specifications for this fuel are set forth on Page 4 of the publication titled Fuel Users Guide, 2000. It can be found at http://usapc.army.mil/miscellaneous/2000%20fuel%20users%20guide%20(sep%202000).pdf. Respondents are asked to review this fuel specification and comment on its suitability. If another diesel fuel must be used (e.g. MGO or MDO), NSF can have it delivered by the tanker coming to McMurdo. Please provide an estimate of the quantity of fuel that must be delivered (fuel consumed during mobilization and during ice breaking operations up to the time of the scheduled tanker arrival). There is no tankage for storage of specialty fuels in McMurdo, thus the fuel must be delivered directly from the tanker. The tanker cannot deliver heavy fuels. Where fuel is expected to be provided at McMurdo, appropriate adjustments shall be made to the approximate price per day. In the event of a need for heavy fuel, if necessary, the icebreaker could go to New Zealand to refuel ? this will take time away from icebreaking duties and is not desirable. Respondents are asked to indicate if this mode of refueling will be required. The Committee of Managers of National Antarctic Programs (COMNAP) is currently developing ballast water management plans for the Antarctic. A draft management plan is attached. Please comment on your ability to comply with this plan. Thank you in advance for your interest in the acquisition programs of the National Science Foundation. Though NSF will consider any information interested parties choose to submit at any time, the privilege of your submission on or prior to February 28, 2006 is requested. Inquiries of a technical nature may be addressed to Mr. Michael Van Woert, Executive Officer, Office of Polar Programs, at the letterhead address, Room 755; by telephone to +1 (703) 292-8030; or by e-mail to mvanwoer@nsf.gov. Submissions and other inquiries may be addressed to the undersigned at the letterhead address, Division of Contracts and Complex Agreements, Room 475; by telephone to +1 (703) 292-8252; or by e-mail to jpate@nsf.gov . Sincerely, Bradley J Poston Contracting Officer Attachments: Attachment 1 ? Annual Extent of Sea and vessels used since 1957 Attachment 2 ? Sea Ice Thickness Measurements Attachment 3 ? Draft Ballast Management Plan Attachment 4 ? United States Antarctic Program Environmental Requirements
 
Place of Performance
Address: McMurdo Station
Country: Antarctica
 
Record
SN00961933-W 20060107/060105212414 (fbodaily.com)
 
Source
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
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