The Eastern Region Acquisition Division (ERAD) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in Norfolk, VA is soliciting quotes on behalf of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) for the charter of one (1) vessel in accordance with the attached Statement of Work (SOW). BACKGROUND: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) is seeking a charter vessel partner to participate in a cooperative research study to estimate trawl gear capture efficiency in order to improve assessments of commercially important fish populations in the Northwest Atlantic. A commercial fishing vessel is needed to research bottom trawl hauls for a ten (10) to fifteen (15) day period. It is anticipated that the sea days will be separated into shorter duration legs of up to eight (8) days each. To allow for greater collaboration on the study, the exact number of legs, and duration of each leg and timing of each leg will be determined in consultation with the contracted vessel. The study is anticipated to use standard NEFSC 4-seam, 3-bridle survey, or similarly sized bottom trawl gear, provided by NEFSC. Bottom trawl hauls will be conducted in areas of relatively high abundance of commercially important species with the exact haul locations to be determined in consultation with the contracted vessel. The anticipated Period of Performance is approximately ten (10) days at sea, to occur during the June 2015 to August 2015 time-frame; exact dates to be determined through planning with the Contractor. An additional five (5) days at sea may be required. Research activities will take place in the continental waters of New England including Georges Bank and the Gulf of Maine in water depths ranging from 5 to 200 fathoms. Fishing will occur day and night, at pre-determined haul locations selected after consulting with the contracted vessel and provided to the Master prior to departure for his/her review. Fuel costs will be reimbursed separately from the vessel charter rate at actual costs. This is a best value, competitive requirement. The Government expects to award a firm-fixed-price contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible quoter whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be the most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. The Government reserves the right to award to other than the lowest priced quoter with the highest technical score if the Contracting Officer determines that to do so would result in the best value to the Government. The following factors, which are listed in descending order of importance, shall be used to evaluate offers: (1) Vessel characteristics and configuration, particulars and general arrangement (preferably with photos of deck configuration, berthing arrangement and wheelhouse electronics). (2) Vessel's commercial fishing history and any other information important in evaluating the vessel's fishing capability. (3) Master's and crew's work experience and qualifications including copies of licenses held and emergency medical qualifications and descriptions of research qualifications and past research performed. (4) Past Performance - Identify vessel, master's and crews past performance experience. Quoters shall demonstrate relevant past performance or affirmatively state no relevant past performance. (5) Price. Factors 1-4, when combined, are significantly more important than price. The solicitation will be competed as a 100% total small business set-aside. The North American Industry Classification Code System (NAICS) code for this procurement is 541712, Research and Development, Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. The small business size standard is 500 employees. NOAA anticipates awarding one firm-fixed-price contract as a result of this solicitation. All responsible and fully responsive small businesses may submit a proposal which will be considered by the agency. The response due date is June 4, 2015, at 12:00 PM ET. All responsible sources may submit a quote, which shall be considered by the agency. For information concerning this acquisition, please forward inquiries via e-mail to Christie McCloud, Contract Specialist, at Christie.Mccloud@noaa.gov or via telephone at (757) 605-7407. Companies offering a response to this notice shall ensure that they are registered in the System for Award Management (SAM), www.sam.gov, prior to submission of proposals. All vendors doing business with the Government are required to be registered with the SAM. NO award shall be made unless the vendor is registered in SAM. For additional information and to register in SAM, please access the following web site: https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/. In order to register with the SAM and be eligible to receive an award from this acquisition office, all offerors shall also have a Dun & Bradstreet Number. A Dun & Bradstreet number may be acquired free of charge by contacting Dun & Bradstreet on-line at: http://www.dnb.com/ or by phone at (800) 333-0505. This procurement also requires offerors to file veteran employment reports at http://www.dol.gov/vets/programs/fcp/main.htm.
