Replacement of Hydraulic Hose for R/V Chesapeake

The U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), is soliciting bids for the replacement of approximately 68 hydraulic hoses on the 55-foot research vessel R/V Chesapeake as part of its biennial preventative maintenance program. The contract, identified by solicitation number 1305M226Q0110 and amended to extend the response deadline to May 25, 2026, at 5:00 PM EST, is a total small business set-aside under NAICS code 336611, with an emphasis on firms located within 70 nautical miles of Cambridge, MD. The work involves removing old, tagged orange and red hoses and installing new ones that meet or exceed OEM or military-grade standards, specifically Aeroquip FC300 or Parker equivalent hoses, including FC234 for fuel systems. All replacements must include permanent engraved metal tags with detailed specifications and updated installation dates, accompanied by an updated Excel log and successful operational leak testing conducted with the vessel captain and operations coordinator present. Performance must occur within 70 nautical miles of Cambridge, MD, with final delivery to NOAA’s Cooperative Oxford Laboratory in Oxford, MD, and all work must be completed within 21 calendar days of award or as soon as parts are available, with a contract performance period extending through September 30, 2027. The solicitation follows a low-price, technically acceptable (LPTA) evaluation model, where all proposals are assessed on a pass/fail basis across technical capability, past performance, and price, with failure in any single element resulting in rejection. Technical acceptability requires demonstrated experience within the past two years, compliance with ABYC, 46 CFR Subchapter T, ABS, NOAA Small Boat Program, and OSHA standards, and confirmation of proximity to Cambridge, MD. Past performance must reflect quality, timeliness, cost management, and customer satisfaction, verified through references or databases. Price submissions must be firm fixed-price, submitted via SF-1449 or letterhead, and evaluated without trade-offs. Payment will be processed electronically through the Treasury’s Invoice Processing Platform (IPP), with remittance to EAD-SAP in Norfolk, VA. Contractors must be SAM-registered with an active UEI/CAGE code, and all personnel must comply with security, training, and access protocols, including sexual harassment prevention training and security clearance verification for non-U.S. citizens. Organizational