U.S. Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, WASC, Acquisition Management Division WC3, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Bin C15700, Seattle, WA 98115-0070

V -- VESSEL CHARTER, GULF OF ALASKA & THE ALEUTIANS SOL 52ABNF800061 DUE 043098 POC Don Caldwell, Contract Specialist (206)526-4549 for copy of Solicitation call (206) 526-6425 The Government intends to charter multiple vessels to assist in bottom trawl surveys of groundfish resources on the continental slope of the west coast. Two vessels at a time will operate, for shorter periods of time, between 1 August and 31 October 1998. It is expected that charters will begin and end in mutually agreeable ports. There will be additional optional charters. Vessels must be at least 50 feet long, have a 350 horsepower engine, and be able to accomodate a Government field party of two, which may include women. This will be a "Fish for Research" charter. That is, part of the contractors' compensation will be in the form of monetary payments, and part by allowing the contractors to sell fish caught on the charters and issuing exempted fishing permits for additional quantities of fish. (0068)

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