Pacific Offshore Oceanographic Science Vessel Service

The Contract aims to procure a chartered vessel with a qualified crew to perform offshore oceanographic science missions in the Northeast Pacific, replacing the decommissioned Canadian Coast Guard Ship John P. Tully. The vessel must be capable of operating up to 200 nautical miles offshore in sea state 5 for missions lasting up to 21 consecutive days without port calls, supporting deep-sea habitat mapping, plankton monitoring, and geological surveys from its base at the Institute of Ocean Sciences in Sidney, British Columbia. The contract requires full integration of vessel, crew, logistical planning, and scientific equipment, including certified and calibrated instruments, approved mission plans, Safe Operating Procedures, and post-mission reporting. All crew must be experienced in deep-sea operations, fluent in English, and adequately trained with valid certifications, while sufficient lifesaving equipment must be available for the crew and at least 24 scientific personnel. The contract term extends from the award date to March 31, 2029, with an estimated 30 days of mandatory work between May and November, plus up to 90 optional days subject to written authorization. Pricing is structured with fixed daily rates inclusive of mobilization and demobilization, separate direct costs for fuel estimated at $1.85 per litre, and a maximum allowable $100,000 for port and freight expenses, all in Canadian dollars with no exchange rate protection. The solicitation requires offers to be submitted in three distinct sections—Technical, Financial, and Forms—with strict compliance to evaluation criteria, including mandatory minimum requirements and a 20-point technical threshold out of a possible 44 points awarded for relevant offshore experience in CTD casting, plankton towing, mooring deployment/recovery, and RHIB operations. Offers must demonstrate compliance with integrity certifications, disclose any former public servant involvement, and certify eligibility under the Ineligibility and Suspension Policy, including full disclosure of affiliations or subcontractors. Insurance must include Protection and Indemnity coverage meeting Marine Liability Act standards, with excess collision and pollution liability, and crew liability if not covered by workers’ compensation, supported by a Certificate of Insurance submitted within ten business days of award. The Contractor is responsible for all health, safety, environmental, and legal compliance, including adherence to anti-forced labour and anti-trafficking laws, and the Federal Contractors Program for Employment Equity. Invoicing must be submitted per delivery with detailed expenditure breakdowns, tax identification, and deductions for holdback, and payment is