SOLICITATION NOTICE
J -- Monitor and Maintain the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary Mooring Buoy System
- Notice Date
- 3/27/2006
- Notice Type
- Solicitation Notice
- NAICS
- 488310
— Port and Harbor Operations
- Contracting Office
- Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Mountain Region Acquisition Division, 325 Broadway - MC3, Boulder, CO, 80305-3328
- ZIP Code
- 80305-3328
- Solicitation Number
- RA133C06RB0020
- Response Due
- 4/13/2006
- Archive Date
- 6/15/2006
- Small Business Set-Aside
- Total Small Business
- 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. The solicitation number is RA133C-06-RP-0060 and is being issued as an invitation for bids (IFB). The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2005-07. The NAICS Code is 488310. This is a 100% Small Business Set-Aside and the size standard is $23.5. Any amendment(s) hereto will only be published in the Federal Business Opportunities website. INTRODUCTION The U.S. Department of Commerce, Flower Garden National Marine Sanctuary is in need of Mooring Buoy Maintenance services. The East and West Flower Garden Banks (EFGB and WFGB, respectively) are shelf-edge topographic features capped by the northernmost coral reefs in North America. Roughly 350 acres of coral reefs cap the banks, which are home to more than 80 species of algae, 250 species of invertebrates, and 200 species of fish. They are also important habitat to sharks, sea turtles, and manta rays. Primary users of the resource are sport divers, sport and commercial fishermen, boaters, and scientists. Stetson Bank is a claystone and siltstone topographic feature with minimum depths of approximately 65 feet. Roughly 20 acres of the feature is above 100 feet depth, with numerous pinnacles and dramatic drop-offs. Hard outcrops are dominated by sponges and fire coral, and reef fish abundance is very high. The bank is also home to a rich assemblage of invertebrates, stingrays, and sharks, is frequently visited by mantas and whale sharks. The Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (FGBNMS) was designated on January 17, 1992, and was modified in 1996 to include Stetson Bank. It is one of thirteen protected marine sites in the coastal waters of the United States managed by the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The Sanctuary consists of three separate areas, located between 70 and 100 nautical miles SSE of Galveston, Texas. The East Flower Garden Bank is located near 27?54.5'N, 93?36.0'W; the West Flower Garden Bank is located near 27?52.5'N, 93?49.0'W; and Stetson Bank is located near 28?10.0'N, 94?17.9'W. The FGBNMS is 42.4 square nautical miles in size (19.2 square nautical miles at the East Flower Garden Bank, 22.6 square nautical miles at the West Flower Garden Bank, and 0.6 square nautical miles at Stetson Bank). FGBNMS regulations prohibit anchoring of all vessels within the Sanctuary boundaries. Vessels less than 100 feet in registered length may utilize mooring buoys provided for that purpose. NOAA seeks to minimize anchor damage by educating the public, enforcing Sanctuary regulations, and providing alternatives to anchoring. The mooring buoy system installed in the FGBNMS is intended to alleviate the problem of anchor damage to the coral reefs This contract will allow for the regular inspection and maintenance of the mooring buoy system. The FGBNMS will provide the necessary materials for fabricating and repairing the buoys. The contractor will be responsible for inspecting each buoy on a routine basis, repairing or replacing buoys or buoy components to ensure that the system is in optimum operating condition, and regular reporting of system conditions. BACKGROUND The Sanctuary consists of three separate areas, located between 70 and 100 nautical miles SSE of Galveston, Texas. The East Flower Garden Bank is located near 27 degrees 54.5'N, 93 degrees 36.0'W; the West Flower Garden Bank is located near 27 degrees 52.5'N, 93 degrees 49.0'W; and Stetson Bank is located near 28 degrees 10.0'N, 94 degrees 17.9'W. The FGBNMS is 42.4 square nautical miles in size (19.2 square nautical miles at the East Flower Garden Bank, 22.6 square nautical miles at the West Flower Garden Bank, and 0.6 square nautical miles at Stetson Bank). FGBNMS regulations prohibit anchoring of all vessels within the Sanctuary boundaries. Vessels less than 100 feet in registered length may utilize mooring buoys provided for that purpose. NOAA seeks to minimize anchor damage by educating the public, enforcing Sanctuary regulations, and providing alternatives to anchoring. The mooring buoy system installed in the FGBNMS is intended to alleviate the problem of anchor damage to the coral reefs This contract will allow for the regular inspection and maintenance of the mooring buoy system. The FGBNMS will provide the necessary materials for fabricating and repairing the buoys. The contractor will be responsible for inspecting each buoy on a routine basis, repairing or replacing buoys or buoy components to ensure that the system is in optimum operating condition, and regular reporting of system conditions. DESCRIPTION OF THE MOORING BUOY SYSTEM The mooring buoy system currently consists of seventeen (17) anchor points for attachment of mooring buoys: five (5) on the WFGB, seven (7) on the EFGB, and five (5) on Stetson Bank. All buoys are in depths shallower than 90 feet, in the high diversity, high relief reef zones on the Flower Garden Banks, and near the pinnacles at Stetson Bank. Anchor points are in hardened reef rock or in claystone. Future installations will depend on vessel use rates and the condition of existing mooring points, and will be arranged separately. During the period of this contract, up to three (3) mooring buoys may be added to the system. The locations of the existing mooring buoy anchor points are as follows: East Flower Garden Bank EFG Buoy #1 - 27 degrees 54' 35.9" N, 93 Degrees 35' 49.7" W EFG Buoy #2 - 27 degrees 54' 31.9" N, 93 degrees 35' 49.0" W EFG Buoy #3 - 27 degrees 54' 27.0" N, 93 degrees 35' 57.4" W EFG Buoy #4 - 27 degrees 54' 33.0" N, 93 degrees 35' 59.7" W EFG Buoy #5 - 27 degrees 54' 38.7" N, 93 degrees 36' 00.5" W EFG Buoy #6 - 27 degrees 54' 39.9" N, 93 degrees 35' 55.6" W EFG Buoy #7 - 27 degrees 54' 32.8" N, 93 degrees 35' 55.1" W West Flower Garden Bank WFG Buoy #1 - 27 degrees 52' 35.1" N, 93 degrees 48' 54.1" W WFG Buoy #2 - 27 degrees 52' 31.3" N, 93 degrees 48' 51.3" W WFG Buoy #3 - 27 degrees 52' 27.5" N, 93 degrees 49' 00.4" W WFG Buoy #4 - 27 degrees 52' 29.4" N, 93 degrees 49' 04.1" W WFG Buoy #5 - 27 degrees 52' 30.6" N, 93 degrees 48' 54.7" W Stetson Bank SB Buoy #1 - 28 degrees 09' 57.4" N, 94 degrees 17' 51.5" W SB Buoy #2 - 28 degrees 09' 59.1" N, 94 degrees 17' 50.5" W SB Buoy #3 - 28 degrees 09' 59.2" N, 94 degrees 17' 47.5" W SB Buoy #4 - 28 degrees 09' 57.8" N, 94 degrees 17' 52.3" W SB Buoy #5 - 28 degrees 09' 55.1" N, 94 degrees 17' 46.1" W The mooring buoys in use in the FGBNMS consist of following components: Pickup line -- An approximately 15' x 1-1/2" UV-treated polypropylene line is used for the pickup line. This line has an eye spliced into each end. Mooring Buoy and Through-Buoy Line -- The buoys are tapered, 30" in diameter, and are constructed of white plastic, with a blue band. A 2" diameter PVC pipe passes through the center of the buoy and a PVC bushing is fitted to each end of the PVC pipe in order to minimize line chafing at both ends of the buoy. Included on each buoy in 3" block lettering is: "PROPERTY OF NOAA", "NO VESSELS OVER 100 FEET", "USE AT OWN RISK", and "FLOWER GARDEN BANKS NMS (800) 715-3271." Buoys also contain reflective tape approximately 2" wide around their circumference. The through-buoy line is made of 1-1/2" nylon and passes completely through the buoy and is attached by interlocking eye splices to the pickup line and the drop line. Alternate buoy types may be substituted at the discretion of the FGBNMS. Drop Line -- The drop line is made of 1-1/2" 8-braid, UV-treated polypropylene line. The length of the drop line varies with the depth of the particular mooring buoy location, but total length of the through-line and drop line should be maintained at approximately water depth plus 30 feet. An eye is spliced into the lower end of the drop line and contains a section of anti-chafing material. A 3/4" diameter galvanized or stainless steel shackle attaches the drop line to the anchor point. Anchor Points -- The anchor points are 1" diameter stainless steel, U-shaped rods with 2" tabs welded perpendicular to each end. Parallel portions of the U-bolts are 12" apart. Parallel holes 12" apart, 3" in diameter, and either 22"-24" or 60" deep were drilled in the hard substrate. U-bolts are secured in holes using a mixture of Portland Type II Cement and molding plaster (14:1 ratio). The points have an exposed, curved section of stainless steel rod for attaching a drop line with a shackle. Spare shackles may be attached to the U-bolts to reduce contact between shackles attached to drop line and the reef surface. SCOPE The Contractor shall provide the necessary personnel, equipment, services and facilities to monitor and maintain the FGBNMS and continue the technical evaluation of system and maintenance standards. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS The mooring buoy system shall be inspected at the specified intervals by the Contractor. The Contractor should expect, and shall allow for the participation of the FGBNMS Contracting Officer?s Technical Representative (COTR) or designee on service trips. Sanctuary personnel may conduct unannounced inspections of the mooring buoy system at any time. Performance shall be considered satisfactory when not more than two of the required number of installed buoys are unserviceable or have excessive marine growth. During the "high-use" season (between 1 May and 30 September), all system buoys shall be installed and maintained. During the "low-use" season (between 1 October and 30 April), the total number of buoys in the system may be reduced, but at no time will there be less than two (2) operational buoys at the WFGB, and three (3) each at the EFGB and Stetson Bank. The number of buoys to be maintained during the "low-use" season will be determined in consultation with and approval by the FGBNMS COTR or designee. BID FORMAT 1. (Base Period): Line Item 0001: 1 Yr of Mooring Buoy Maint.: $_____________ (17 anchor points) Line Item 0002: Cost per additional Buoy $____________(ea) 2. (Option Period 1) Line Item 0003: 1 Yr of Mooring Buoy Maint.: $_____________ (17 anchor points) Line Item 0004: Cost per additional Buoy $____________(ea) 3. (Option Period 2) Line Item 0005: 1 Yr of Mooring Buoy Maint.: $_____________ (17 anchor points) Line Item 0006: Cost per additional Buoy $____________(ea) TOTAL (Line Item's 0001, 0003 & 0005) $_____________ MATERIALS Component materials for the mooring buoy system (buoys, lines, shackles, etc.) will be provided by the FGBNMS. All other materials necessary for maintenance of the mooring buoy system (tools, dive gear, vessel support, cleaning supplies, etc.) will provided by the Contractor. The Contractor shall be responsible preparing the mooring buoys for use at each location (i.e. cutting lines to proper lengths, splicing lines, assembling components, and applying decals to buoys, etc.). The Contractor shall keep a written record of materials on hand, and will notify the FGBNMS COTR or designee of requirements for additional materials at least sixty (60) days in advance of their use, if possible. Mooring buoy materials shall be stored at a location provided by the Contractor. MAINTENANCE / INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS Upon award of the procurement, the Contractor and the FGBNMS COTR will review the status of the mooring buoy system. A schedule shall be established for inspection and maintenance by the Contractor and approved by the FGBNMS COTR or designee. During the "high-use" season (between 1 May and 30 September), the mooring buoy system will be inspected and maintained at least monthly. During the "low-use season" (between 1 October and 30 April), the system will be inspected and maintained once every two months (typically in November, January and March). The following items shall be accomplished on each buoy at the specified interval: A. During each maintenance event the mooring buoys shall be inspected for general condition, both above and below the water. Buoys and buoy components shall be kept clean and free of excessive marine growth (algae, barnacles, etc.). B. All components of each buoy (pickup line, through-buoy line, drop line, shackle, etc.) shall be inspected, and shall be cleaned, repaired or replaced as necessary. The condition of the mooring buoy anchor points shall also be inspected. Report the incidence of worn anchor points to the FGBNMS designee. Repair or replacement of worn or damaged anchor points will be the responsibility of the FGBNMS. C. All buoys should be deployed by the beginning of the high-use season (1 May). D. Buoys observed or reported out of service to the Contractor shall be replaced or repaired during the next scheduled maintenance event. E. In the event that prolonged inclement weather or other factors prevent the Contractor from meeting the maintenance and F. Inspection schedule, an extension may be requested from the FGBNMS COTR. EVALUATION AND ACCEPTANCE (a) The Sanctuary COTR or duly authorized representative will perform the evaluation and acceptance of supplies and/or services to be provided under this procurement. (b) Evaluation will be performed at the specified locations of the mooring buoys. (c) Acceptance will be performed at: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary 1200 Briarcrest Dr., Suite 4000 Bryan, Texas 77802 DELIVERABLES OR PERFORMANCE The contract period is for one (1) base year and two (2) option years. REPORTS The following reports shall be submitted to the FGBNMS COTR or designee: 1. Status report after each system inspection. The report shall be submitted along with each inspection/maintenance invoice, and shall list each mooring buoy showing the date of inspection, condition of components, and any repairs or replacement accomplished. Also listed shall be type and quantity of materials used for repairs or replacements. Reports shall be submitted within seven (7) calendar days following inspection/maintenance. 2. Seasonal report (at the beginning of the "high-use" and "low use" season). This report shall list the type and amount of the FGBNMS mooring buoy component supplies in possession of the Contractor. This report shall also identify the numbers and location of buoys removed, left in place, or installed during that season. This report shall be submitted within seven (7) calendar days after the beginning of the ?high-use? or ?low-use? season. DELIVERY LOCATION The reports shall be sent to: Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary 1200 Briarcrest Dr., Suite 4000 Bryan, Texas 77802 Forms and clauses stipulated herein may be downloaded via the internet at the following address: http://www.arnet.gov/far/. Interested parties are responsible for accessing and downloading documents and forms from that (or any other) site. Firms without access to the internet may call 303-497-3487 and request that copies of the clauses, provisions and/or forms be either mailed or faxed to them. Bidders shall include a properly completed and signed Standard Form 1449. The following provisions and clauses are hereby incorporated by reference: FAR 52.212-1 (JAN 2006) (provision), Instructions to Offerors ? Commercial Items; FAR 52.212-3 (MAR 2005) (provision) Offeror Representations and Certifications ? Commercial Items. (NOTE: As of January 1, 2005, vendors will be required to use the Online Representations and Certifications (ORCA). The Help Section of the website at http://orca.bpn.gov includes ORCA background information, frequently asked questions, the ORCA Handbook and whom to call for assistance.); FAR 52.212-4 (SEPT 2005) (clause) Contract Terms and Conditions ? Commercial Items; FAR 52.212-5 (FEB 2006) (clause) Contract Terms and Conditions Required to implement Statutes of Executive Orders ? Commercial Items including the following additional FAR clauses referenced in FAR 52.212-5, Subparagraphs (b)(1), (14), (15), (16), (17), (18), (19), (20), (23), (26) and (31). This contract is subject to Wage Determination No. 94-2515 Rev. 32. A copy of the Wage Determination will be provided upon verbal or written request. Bids shall be evaluated in accordance with the Test Program procedures at FAR 13.500. For further information, please contact Rhonda Nelson at 303-497-3487. BIDS ARE DUE AT 3:00 P.M., Thursday, April 13, 2006, and shall be mailed to Bid Depository/DOC, NOAA, MRAD, MC3, Acquisition Division, David Skaggs Research Center (DSRC), Room 33-GB506A, 325 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80305-3337. Please reference the Solicitation number on the outside of the package. All hand-carried bids must be scanned in Building 22, 325 Broadway, Boulder, CO prior to being delivered to DSRC, Room 33-GB506A, 325 Broadway, Boulder, CO. If the bids are not scanned, they may be refused. E-MAIL OR FACSIMILE OFFERS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
- Place of Performance
- Address: The Sanctuary consists of three separate areas, located between 70 and 100 nautical miles SSE of Galveston, Texas.
- Zip Code: 77554
- Country: United States
- Zip Code: 77554
- Record
- SN01015245-W 20060329/060327211657 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
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