Great Lakes Fisheries Research and Assessment Vessel

The US Fish & Wildlife Service Region 3 is seeking to procure a custom-designed research and assessment fishing vessel intended for native fish species studies on the Great Lakes. This procurement will be conducted through a full and open competitive process but is exclusively set aside for small business concerns under the NAICS code 336612, which pertains to boat building, with a small business size standard of 500 employees. The solicitation, containing detailed specifications and drawings, was scheduled for release around February 7, 2011, and would be accessible primarily via federal online platforms, including the Federal Business Opportunities website. The contract solicitation is categorized as a total small business set-aside under FAR 19.5, emphasizing support for small business participation. It is managed by the Department of the Interior, specifically the Fish & Wildlife Service Headquarters located in Falls Church, Virginia. Interested parties could request the solicitation documents by email, reflecting an emphasis on digital distribution rather than traditional mailed copies. The vessel will support research efforts focused on Great Lakes fisheries, aiding conservation and resource management initiatives.