SOURCES SOUGHT
99 -- CHARTER RESEARCH VESSEL
- Notice Date
- 2/29/2012
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 483114
— Coastal and Great Lakes Passenger Transportation
- Contracting Office
- Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Eastern Region Acquisition Division-KC, 601 East 12th Street, Room 1756, Kansas City, Missouri, 64106, United States
- ZIP Code
- 64106
- Solicitation Number
- NFFN7600-12-02315SLW
- Point of Contact
- Sharon L. Walker, Phone: (816)426-7470
- E-Mail Address
-
sharon.walker@noaa.gov
(sharon.walker@noaa.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- Total Small Business
- Description
- The U.S. Department of Commerce, National Marine Fisheries Service, in Miami, FL intends to award a sole source purchase order to charter a research vessel the M/V Spree, operated by Spree Expeditions, Ins. This requirement is for a 7-day cruise operation in the Tortugas Region of Florida. The research cruises will involve intensive scuba operations. Due to overfishing of the snapper-grouper complex, research to assess the effectiveness of a network of no-take marine ecological reserves in the Florida Keys is a high-priority item for the National Marine Fisheries Service, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, National Park Service, and State of Florida. Research has been conducted intensively in the Florida Keys since the mid-1990s. This research cruise, supported by the NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program, is critical for the continuation of the research to assess marine protected areas (MPAs) and to support the NMFS ecosystem based approach to fishery management for the Florida coral reef tract and the NOAA marine and coastal spatial management goals. A 7-day research cruise will be conducted in along the deeper areas of the Florida reef tract (SE Gulf of Mexico). Diving operations require ten full operational days. Charter vessel and operations will be in accordance with NOAA Charter Vessel Policy. The charter will include accommodations and food for a party of 24 researchers, and diving support for researchers including Nitrox gas compressor system and scuba tank fills. Salient characteristics about the Spree, are as follows: 1) Capable of providing berthing and three meals per day for a minimum of twenty-four (24) personnel for up to 10 day cruises. 2) A nitrox compressor operated and monitored by vessel crew personnel for filling scuba cylinders is required. Must have documentation of meeting CGA Type 1 Grade E or better within six months of the beginning of the mission. The compressor must be able to produce 36% nitrox gas for a minimum of one hundred and ten (11) aluminum, 80-cu.ft cylinders each day. 3) Electrical system to support operations of 8 computers, 2 printers, and battery recharging for camera and electronic gear. 4) Vessel captain and crew with demonstrated past experience supporting extensive research and management- related diving operations. (This easily leads to safety and effectiveness issue if training a new captain and crew for these operations.) 5) Overall vessel length not less than ninety (90) feet, and minimum cruising speed of ten (10) knots. 6) Storage Space of eight hundred (800) square feet of open deck is required for storage and work area. Vessel Requirements: A. General Information 1. Support vessel suitable for use as a field laboratory and a tender/mother ship for research diving operations. Overall length not less than ninety (90) feet, and minimum cruising speed of ten (10) knots. 2. Vessel crew, including United States Coast Guard (USCG) licensed captain (with working knowledge of English), experienced in undersea research operations and live-boating multiple groups of scuba divers, who shall be responsible for operation and maintenance of all equipment owned, leased, operated or otherwise under the control of the Vendor. 3. Vessel to be fully founded. Founded requirement includes, but is not necessarily limited to: a. Accommodations and linens for a minimum of 24 science personnel, not including crew. b. Three meals daily plus additional snacks and drinks. c. Liability insurance protection for vessel operations and personnel while conducting scuba diving operations. d. Docking, harbor, pilot fees, etc. e. Taxes, duties, etc. f. All crew expenses. g. Fuel and oil charges. h. All other expenses arising from operations considered being routine in the operation of a research vessel. i. Any and all expenses associated with upgrading the vessel or any other equipment required to comply with these specifications. 4. Climate controlled (72F ± 5) berthing for a minimum of twenty four (24) mission personnel (scientists and support staff). 5. Vessel documentation/certification. 6. Must pass a USCG, UNOLS, or NOAA Office of Marine Operations safety inspection or other third party inspection equivalent to Subchapter U, 46 CFR 188 for life at sea, fire safety, and material condition. This inspection must also be conducted on vessels designated as "uninspected vessels" or "research vessels" by the USCG. Spree Expeditions is the only source known to the government able meet the required specifications. To be considered, firms must furnish detailed information concerning their capability to provide the services and satisfy or exceed the Government's needs. Such information shall include, at a minimum, name, telephone number, and address of concerns for which you have furnished this service previously, and detailed narrative that describes the vessel being offered and your ability to provide this service. This notice is for a service for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source Spree Expeditions. The Eastern Region Administrative Division (ERAD) requires that all contractors doing business with the Acquisition Office must be registered with the Central Contractor Registry (CCR). No award can be made unless the vendor is registered in CCR. For additional information and to register in CCR please access the following website: http://www.ccr.gov/. In order to register with the CCR offerors must have a Dun & Bradstreet Number. A Dun & Bradstreet number may be acquired free of charge by contacting Dun & Bradstreet on-line at https://www.dnb.com/product/eupdate/requestOptions.html or by phone at (800) 333-0505. The government now requires all contractors submit their Certification and Representation thru the on-line website https://orca.bpn.gov/ or fill out Far Part 52.212-3 Offeror Representations or Certification. Interested parties must respond within (10) days after publication of this notice. If no affirmative responses are received, the government intends to issue a purchase order to Spree Expeditions. Faxed information can be sent to 816-274-6983 or physically sent Department of Commerce, Attn: Sharon Walker, 601 E. 12th St, Room 1756, Kansas City, MO 64106. Email responses can be sent to Sharon.walker@noaa.gov.
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/DOC/NOAA/CASC/NFFN7600-12-02315SLW/listing.html)
- Record
- SN02685506-W 20120302/120229234543-87103a1ec2ab5218eb9c1d956c2a7d3e (fbodaily.com)
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