Vessel Charter for Scientific Survey Operations

The contract entails the full charter of a qualified vessel to support NOAA’s West Coast Groundfish Bottom Trawl Survey, covering up to 47 fishing days each year. The service includes comprehensive operational support with a trained crew, specialized scientific equipment, and all necessary logistics to conduct annual bottom trawl sampling along the U.S. West Coast. The vessel must be equipped and crewed to meet federal scientific standards, ensuring reliable data collection for fishery management and ecosystem monitoring. The contract is classified under NAICS code 483111, indicating it pertains to coastal and Great Lakes water transportation, and is structured as a subcontract under the Department of Commerce, NOAA. Performance is expected to occur across the West Coast marine region without a specified fixed location, allowing flexibility for survey routes based on seasonal and biological needs. The solicitation was posted on April 30, 2026, and the contract underscores NOAA’s commitment to maintaining a consistent, high-quality scientific dataset to inform sustainable fisheries policies.