SUPPLY A ICE-HULL SHIP AND CREW FOR SCIENTIFIC/BIOLOGICAL WORK -- NOAA

This is a Source Sought Synopsis only. The purpose of this synopsis is to obtain capabilities information from all size and types of firms to determine the degree of competition. Information received will be used to make a determination regarding the use of full and open competition or to set aside the procurement. No solicitation exists at this time; therefore, do not request a copy of the solicitation. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized in FedBizOpps. The anticipated contract will be a contract for the supply of a ship and crew. The resultant contract will be firm fixed-price, with reimbursable line items for fuel and related port charges. A paraphrased version of the requirement follows. NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Southwest Fisheries Science Center is planning a research survey in the Southern CA Bight for highly migratory species including pelagic sharks, albacore, and swordfish during the summer, 2010. The overall goals of the survey are: 1) to conduct a fishery-independent longline survey for juvenile mako and blue sharks continuing a 14 year abundance time series; 2) to conduct trolling for albacore for the deployment of archival tags and to collect biological samples to examine age and maturity, feeding habits, and the potential for stock heterogeneity of North Pacific albacore entering the U.S. West Coast fisheries; 3) to conduct longline fishing for swordfish to deploy archival tags and collect biological samples to examine age and maturity, feeding habits, and the potential for stock heterogeneity of swordfish entering the U.S. West Coast fisheries; and 4) to collect oceanographic data to examine environmental effects on the distribution and catch rates of sharks, albacore, and swordfish. The survey is being conducted to support research and data needs identified by NMFS and affiliated scientific organizations and committees including the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC), the International Scientific Committee for Tunas and Tuna-like Species in the North Pacific (ISC), and the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC). Conducting albacore and swordfish sampling will also help address some of the objectives of the SLUTH Initiative and the SWFSC/Albacore Industry Cooperative Research program and provide a better examination of the large pelagic fish component of the Southern CA Bight (SCB) ecosystem. PERIOD OF PERFOMANCE AND SAMPLING AREAS (See figures 1 and 2): Duration: Twenty (24) days minimum; if funding is available, charter will be extended to thirty (30) days. All offerors must be available for the full thirty (30) days. The research cruise is to be conducted continuously beginning during the months of June through August. Ideally, the charter would be conducted between June 15 - July 31. Schedule will be finalized at time of award. The chartered area will be primarily in the SCB. ITINERARY: First 12 days: Conduct 2 daytime pelagic longline sets in each of the following CDFG Blocks: 707, 723, 742, 805, 828, 846, 848. Conduct trolling for albacore in the identified albacore trolling area for four days and opportunistically between survey efforts. Conduct swordfish sets at night when in areas with high SST gradients and fronts. - Return to port to exchange scientific personnel and resupply if needed. - Next 12 days: Repeat pelagic longline sampling of 2 sets in each of the following CDFG blocks: 707, 723, 742, 805, 828, 846, 848. Conduct trolling for albacore in the identified albacore trolling area for four days and opportunistically between survey efforts. Conduct swordfish sets at night when in areas with high SST gradients and fronts. - Return to port to exchange scientific personnel and resupply vessel, if funding is available. - Final 6 days (funding permitted): Conduct pelagic longline sets in alternate areas that may include Tanner or Cortez banks, coastal areas within the SCB or fishing areas north of Point Conception. Research objectives include swordfish targeting for deployment of electronic tags and characterization of swordfish habitat. Conduct daytime trolling for albacore in the identified albacore fishing area. As time permits, additional longline sets may be conducted for ancillary objectives that may include circle vs. J-hook comparison studies or other gear comparison studies, or testing the efficacy of shark deterrents. FISHING GEAR: Longline survey for sharks: Drift longline with vessel attached to one end or suspended free between buoys: 1. Length: mainline ~ 2 miles, stainless steel 2. Number hooks per set: ~ 200 3. Hook type: J 4. Hook size: 9/0 5. Bait type and size: whole mackerel (100 to 120 count per 50 lb case) 6. Leaders: ~ 16 gauge stainless steel; length 5 meters 7. Buoy (dropper) line length: 5 meters Trolling for albacore: 1. Two trolling booms that can be lowered during fishing operations 2. Minimum of 10 total trolling lines 3. Live bait tank for chumming and baiting hooks 4. Landing table with de-hooker 5. Sorting area (checkerboard) 6. High pressure deck hose 7. 300 lb monofilament line 8. Barbless tuna hooks (Nos. 6/0-8/0) and a variety of albacore lures, for example counterfeit squid, spoons, feathered jigs, plugs, etc. Swordfish longlining: 1. Length: mainline between 2 and 8 miles, monofilament 2. Number hooks per line or per set: ~ 200 to 800 3. Hook type: C (suggested) 4. Hook size: 14/0 (suggested) 5. Bait type and size: whole squid (each ~100 - 200 g) 6. Leaders: monofilament; length ~15 meters 7. Buoy (dropper) line lengths ~6 meters 8. Light sticks (5 - 10 cm long) spaced every 2 or 3 hooks OCEANOGRAPHIC GEAR: 1. Oceanographic sampling gear will be provided by SWFSC; vessel must be able to meet handling requirements as stipulated in Vessel Requirements below. VESSEL REQUIREMENTS: Vessel must have a current Coast Guard safety inspection. Vessel should be a commercial pelagic longline vessel (or research vessel with longline capability) and equipped with outriggers and hauling gear to efficiently conduct all described work. Vessel length shall be between 60 and 100 feet, with the ability to cruise at a minimum of 8 knots and with a range of up to 12 days. It should also be capable of accommodating at least five (5) fishery scientists/observers in addition to a minimum crew of four (4) needed to deploy and retrieve the longline and troll gear, and conduct all fishing and piloting operations. Skippers and crew should have sufficient experience in conducting pelagic longlining and troll fishing, each with a minimum of three (3) years pelagic longline and troll experience. The vessel shall have a marine head (toilet) and shower facilities and be capable of carrying provisions for up to 12 days at sea for all personnel. The contractor is responsible for providing fuel (billable) and all bait for the survey. The vessel should have a freezer or sufficient ice box for storage of bait necessary to conduct twelve (12) days of fishing at a time and for storage of up to ten (10) whole shark specimens and twenty five (25) whole albacore for biological studies. In addition, a dry area for storage of tagging equipment is required (estimated 10 square feet). The charter is required to provide three (3) meals and a light snack each day for all personnel. Required electronic equipment include GPS, computer for accessing satellite weather information, satellite phone, fish finder, depth sensor, and water temperature sensor. At least three 110v outlets must be provided to charge batteries and plug in personal laptop computers. A work area and table inside the vessel where laptop computers can be used is requested. An overhead hydraulic crane, with a minimum boom length of 12 feet, and the ability to lift a minimum of 2000 pounds is required in order to lift a tagging cradle and oceanographic instrumentation from the water to the vessel deck. A bait tank to keep live bait for albacore trolling and chumming operations is required. Deck space to land sharks in the cradle and room for scientists to conduct biological sampling is required (minimum 50 square feet open deck space). Access to a saltwater and freshwater on deck is necessary. Interested parties should submit: 1) a brief description of their capability to provide the required cable, 2) evidence of experience and past performance (including a contact name and telephone number), 3) intention to submit a proposal as a prime contractor, and 4) business company size, point of contact and DUNS number. The business size shall include any applicable preference program (i.e., 8(a), HUBZone, Service Disabled Veteran Owned, Small Business, etc.) For the purposes of this requirement, the NAICS size standard for small business is 500 employees or less. Questions concerning this notice shall be emailed to Sharon.S.Kent@noaa.gov. Responses shall be submitted via email or facsimile at 206-527-5875 by COB March 30,2010. This notice is for informational and market research purposes only. Failure to submit all information requested may result in an unrestricted acquisition.