Chickamin Barge Towing

General Conditions: This solicitation assumes multiple awards; a minimum of one and up to three contracts may be awarded. Towing companies are encouraged to bid on any and all segments. Vendor shall schedule the project with breaks in the weather sufficient to allow for having the barge in the designated locations by the dates shown. Description of Barge and Floats: Barge is 32 ft x 85 ft. Anchor cables are wound onto four manual deck-mounted Beebe anchor winches; anchors will not be present on the barge. Four shore lines are coiled in the forward hold of the barge. The Chickamin is available in downtown Ketchikan now for towing. Contractor shall give one week notice of the departure date from Ketchikan. The Steelhead Barge is a sister barge very similar to the Chickamin Barge currently moored by shore ties and anchors in Neets Bay. Six 20x24 accessory floats are currently located in Neets Bay with the Steelhead; three are associated with the Steelhead, and three are associated with the Chickamin. All six will remain in Neets Bay and must be secured properly after the Chickamin has been secured to the Steelhead. Secure Chickamin such that three floats are readily available to move with the Chickamin in the future. Item 1 Tow the Chickamin Barge, from Berth IV in downtown Ketchikan, Alaska to the Transient Float, Finger C, South Harbor in Petersburg, Alaska. Upon arrival in Petersburg, the barge will be secured to the designated dock. Use of anchors is not required for securing in Petersburg. The Chickamin shall be moored in Petersburg by March 13, 2009 and shall remain in Petersburg through May 3, 2009. Item 2 Tow the Chickamin Barge, from the Forest Service Marine Facility in downtown Petersburg Alaska to Coffman Cove and secure to the Coffman Cove Dock. Barge shall be secured to the dock and the aluminum ramp deployed in the location designated by the Coffman Cove Harbormaster or City Official. The Chickamin shall be moored in Coffman Cove by May 14, 2009. Item 3 Tow the Chickamin Barge from Coffman Cove to Neets Bay on the northwest side of Revillagedo Island. Secure aluminum access ramp. Barge shall be moored adjacent and secured to Forest Service Steelhead Barge currently located in Neets Bay. The Chickamin Barge may be loosed from its moorage in Coffman Cove for towing no sooner than May 25, 2009. Contractor is required to stow the aluminum ramp and redeploy on accessory floats after secured in Neets Bay. OBTAINING A SOLICITATION: The solicitation will be posted on FedBizOpps website on or about February 26, 2009 for viewing and printing. Potential Offerors are requested to obtain the solicitation from the Internet. If unable to successfully obtain the solicitation from the Internet, then a hard copy of the solicitation documents may be requested via fax at +1 (555) 000-0000. Fax requests must reference solicitation number AG-0116-S-09-0038 Telephone requests will not be honored. Offers will be due approximately 10 calendar days after the solicitation issue date. NOTIFICATION OF SOLICITATION AMENDMENTS: The Forest Service will not notify you of any changes to this requirement; the vendor is required to monitor this solicitation through this system. IMPORTANT NOTE: In order to receive any contract award, Vendors must be registered in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) and Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA) databases. To register your firm in the CCR system, go to: http://www.ccr.gov or by calling +1 (555) 000-0000 or +1 (555) 000-0000. To register your firm in the ORCA system, go to: http://www.bpn.gov. The USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. This notice meets the requirements of FAR 5.201. However, the Forest Service reserves the right not to release a solicitation.