V--FD26-285 NMFS request for vessel charter for Coral

The solicitation 1333MF26Q0023, titled "V--FD26-285 NMFS request for vessel charter for Coral," is a total small business set-aside under NAICS code 483114 for deep sea passenger transportation, with a size standard of 550 employees, issued by NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service through the Department of Commerce. The contract seeks a vessel and licensed crew to support biennial coral reef monitoring surveys in the Dry Tortugas, Florida, from May 1 to December 31, 2026, with an option to extend services for up to six months under FAR 52.217-8. Performance requires a US Coast Guard-compliant vessel with a captain holding at least two years of live boating experience and crew with current USCG licensing and International or Professional Divemaster certification. The vessel must provide continuous nitrox air supply meeting NOAA and OSHA standards, 120V AC power, wireless connectivity, deck space for equipment, automated external defibrillators, and full safety and medical support during daily operations from 0730 to 1800, subject to weather conditions. All deliverables and performance occur aboard the vessel or at port locations near Miami, Florida, with FOB destination terms applying to inspections and acceptance. The solicitation requires electronic submission of two separate proposals—technical and business/price—via email to amy.gilliland@noaa.gov by the extended deadline of 05/05/2026 at 1600 PM CST, with the SAM.GOV Notice ID clearly indicated in the subject line. Offerors must be registered in SAM.gov with a valid Unique Entity ID and CAGE code, and must certify small business status under FAR 52.219-6. The government will evaluate proposals using a best value trade-off approach, prioritizing technical approach, experience, and cost realism without assigning numerical weights. Contract administration is governed by clauses addressing whistleblower rights, prohibitions on internal confidentiality agreements, SAM.gov registration and maintenance, prohibition on contracting with inverted domestic corporations, and representations regarding tax delinquency or felony convictions, all incorporating deviations effective January 2026. Payment must be submitted electronically through the Invoice Processing Platform (IPP), and strict IT security protocols prohibit the use of personal devices; all data must be stored exclusively on government equipment. Contractors are required to implement and enforce sexual assault