19--NEFCS Acoustic Recorder Vessel Charter

The contract pertains to the charter of commercial vessels to support NOAA’s Northeast Fisheries Science Center acoustic recording operations, with a base period of performance from October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027, and four optional one-year extensions available through September 30, 2031. The scope includes up to 12 base sea days per year, 20 dock days, 50 optional sea days, and 24 mobilization/demobilization days, all conducted aboard the contracted vessel, which serves as the place of performance and acceptance. Vessels must be equipped to safely deploy and retrieve acoustic equipment, meet specific scientific accommodation standards, and be certified by a licensed naval architect. The contract is strictly set aside for small businesses under NAICS code 483114, with a size standard of 550 employees, and no other socioeconomic set-asides apply. Offerors must submit detailed attachments covering vessel characteristics, master and crew experience, commercial fishing history, past performance, and a code of conduct, alongside SF-18 and SF-30 forms. Proposals are evaluated on vessel capabilities, operational experience with acoustic equipment, and past performance using adjectival ratings, with price assessed only for reasonableness and not scored, in a trade-off process. Fuel costs are capped at increasing thresholds ranging from $93,000 to $163,000 depending on the service period. Contractors must designate key personnel—captain, mate, engineer, and chief steward—whose substitutions require 15 days’ prior written approval and qualification validation. Vessel safety compliance with 46 CFR Part 28 and MARPOL Annex V is mandatory, requiring U.S. Coast Guard certification, an EMT or two trained crew members in advanced first aid and AED use, current MSDS libraries, and strict prohibition of alcohol and illegal drugs onboard. Payment requests must be submitted electronically via the Treasury’s Invoice Processing Platform, and compliance with whistleblower protections, subcontractor restrictions, and prohibitions on inverted domestic corporations and Sudan/Iran-linked activities is enforced through mandatory certifications and disclosures. The contracting officer retains final authority for inspection and acceptance, with oversight exercised by a designated Contracting Officer’s Representative, and scientific integrity principles prohibit fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism in all deliverables. All submissions must be received by June 1, 2026, via email to the designated point of contact, structured