Vessel Charter For The Aleutian Islands Steller Sea Lion Survey

COMBINED SYNOPSIS/SOLICITATION Vessel Charter *Please see full Solicitation (Bid date is extended until 4/22/2022) and Statement of Need for full details. Please provide a quote with a FULL PER DAY price, including fuel and any other daily charges, for the base year AND the option year. (I) This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice and in accordance with the simplified acquisition procedures authorized in FAR Part 13. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotes are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. (II) This solicitation is issued as a request for quotation (RFQ). Submit written quotes on RFQ Number NF-FS7300-22-01186RDS. (III) The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2022-04 (Jan 2022) (Deviation 2021-06) (Sept 2021) (Deviation 2020-11) (Aug 2020) (Deviation 2020-05) (Apr 2020) (Deviation 2017-05) (Sept 2017). (IV) This solicitation is being issued as a total small business set-aside. The associated NAICS code is 336611. The small business size standard is 1,250 employees. (V) This combined solicitation/synopsis is for purchase of the following commercial services. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Marine Mammal Laboratory (MML) currently requires one (1) commercial vessel with an experienced crew is needed to assist with a research survey to look for marked Steller sea lions at known sites in the Eastern Aleutian Islands of Alaska around Unalaska and the Krenitzen Islands, as described in the incorporated Statement of Need. (VI) Description of requirements is as follows: See incorporated Statement of Need for full list of requirements. (VII) PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Vessel must be provided for scheduled days for a base year and an option year. Please provide a quote for a FULL PER DAY cost of the vessel (including fuel, etc.) for the base year and option year. PERFORMANCE LOCATION: The scientific party will embark in Dutch Harbor, AK with the charter cruise taking place in the Eastern Aleutian Islands of Alaska and eastern Bering Sea. Particularly terrestrial sea lion haulout and rookery sites around Unalaska Island, in the Krenitzen Islands and as far as Amak Island in the eastern Bering Sea. The trip could end in Dutch Harbor or another location in the Gulf of Alaska with a commercial air service (Sand Point, Kodiak, or Homer). This is a firm fixed price supply order. Government personnel will be responsible for the overall scheduling of project activity and will provide the Contractor's liaison / project manager with scheduling information as appropriate. Invoicing shall be upon completion. (VIII) FAR 52.212-1, INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS -- COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES (NOV 2021) applies to this acquisition. NOTICE TO OFFERORS: Instructions for submitting quotations under this request for quote must be followed. Failure to provide all information to aid in the evaluation may be considered non-responsive. Offers that are non-responsive may be excluded from further evaluation and rejected without further notification to the offeror. Enter specific Instructions below 1. Submit quotations to the office specified in this solicitation at or before the time specified in the solicitation. Email quotes are acceptable and can be sent to contact@example.gov. 2. Contractor shall have an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM found at www.SAM.gov in order to provide a quote and be eligible for award. 3. Provide all evaluation criteria in accordance with FAR 52.212-2 in this package. Vendors who do not provide all evaluation criteria will not be accepted. "THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR NON-RECEIPT OF QUOTES. IT IS THE CONTRACTOR'S RESPONSIBILITY TO REQUEST AND RECEIVE A CONFIRMATION OF THE QUOTE RECEIPT AS WELL AS ANY QUESTIONS SUBMITTED ". CAR 1352.215-72 INQUIRIES (APR 2010) OFFERORS MUST SUBMIT ALL QUESTIONS CONCERNING THIS SOLICITATION IN WRITING TO contact@example.gov. QUESTIONS ARE TO BE RECEIVED NO LATER THAN 12:00 P.M. MDT/MST 3/31/2022. Any responses to questions will be made in writing (preferred via email), without identification of the questioner, and will be included in an amendment to the solicitation. Even if provided in other form, only the question responses included in the amendment to the solicitation will govern performance of the contract. This contract will be awarded using a tradeoff approach. (IX) FAR 52.212-2, EVALUATION - COMMERCIAL ITEMS (OCT 2014), applies to this acquisition. (a) The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. The following factors shall be used to evaluate offers: (1) Vessel, crew, and accommodation requirements (as seen below); (2) Price; (3) Past Performance Technical and past performance, when combined, are equally important. (b) Options. The Government will evaluate offers for award purposes by adding the total price for all options to the total price for the basic requirement. The Government may determine that an offer is unacceptable if the option prices are significantly unbalanced. Evaluation of options shall not obligate the Government to exercise the option(s). (c) A written notice of award or acceptance of an offer, mailed or otherwise furnished to the successful offeror within the time for acceptance specified in the offer, shall result in a binding contract without further action by either party. Before the offer's specified expiration time, the Government may accept an offer (or part of an offer), whether or not there are negotiations after its receipt, unless a written notice of withdrawal is received before award. (End of provision) VESSEL REQUIREMENTS Minimum overall length of vessel of 40 feet (12m), maximum draft of 14 feet (4.3 m). For vessels that can reach Amak Island (and Sea Lion Rock) in the eastern Bering Sea, a minimum length of 70 feet (21 m) Minimum fuel efficient cruising speed 9 knots (17 km/hr) maintained in average sea conditions within the operating area. Preference may be given for vessels with faster fuel-efficient cruising speeds. Minimum vessel operating endurance of 6 days (based on an average running time of 8 hours per day at 9 kts or 17 km/hr. Bridge or wheelhouse protected from the weather and heated. Interior space with table and 110/220 AC electrical service, which can be used for laptop computers and charging other electronics/gear. A clean, uncovered flush deck area of a least 250 sq. ft. (23 sq. m) for storage and launching of one 16-foot (4.9 m) inflatable boat (to be supplied by the Contractor). On deck work area(s) should be relatively clear of running gear, equipment, and stowage. A clean, outside area suitable for the scientific crew to suit up and prepare for boarding the skiff with their gear. Vessel shall be equipped with appropriate modern electronic navigational and communication equipment in compliance with industry safety standards. All communication equipment shall be tested and tuned before the charter begins. Minimum requirements are: Two (2) all-weather radars (36 mile or 67 km minimum range). At least one (1) VHF radio with a fixed installation. At least three (3) portable VHF radios: one (1) for the skiff operator, one (1) for the scientific party, and one (1) for the spike camp crew to be dropped off at Ugamak Island (weather permitting). At least one satellite phone available for the scientific crew to use to communicate. At least one (1) synthesized 1-18 MHz SSB radio. Two (2) GPS navigational equipment. A system for switching to backup power (e.g., battery) for radio operation in the event of interruption of the normal power supply. The vessel also must be equipped with appropriate charts for operating in coastal waters of the eastern Aleutian Islands and eastern Bering Sea (when applicable). The vessel shall have a minimum of two (2) skiffs or inflatable boats with rigid hulls and outboard engines which can be used by the scientific crew and operated by a vessel crew member: The Primary skiff or boat shall be a minimum of 16 feet (4.9 m) long and shall be used to transport scientific crew to sea lion sites to look for marked animals from the skiff, and in some cases offload and load crew on land at rocky intertidal areas. The secondary skiff (when applicable) or boat shall be a minimum of 10 ft long and will be on standby and ready to deploy for emergencies if the primary skiff is otherwise occupied. It will also be used as a back-up skiff if the primary skiff is not operational. The vessel must have capability for loading and off-loading scientific crew and driver onto the skiff with outboard motor. The contractor shall be able to deploy the skiff and crew safely in moderate weather. When applicable, loading and off-loading of the inflatable boat with a crane that is extendable to 10' (3 m), past the side of the vessel, and capable of lifting up to 2 tons. There shall be safe operations for the scientific crew and driver to board the skiff in moderate weather by a rope ladder or similar. A hinged, drop-down hard ladder that is not fixed to the vessel and has potential to move during loading in moderate seas is not allowed for safe deployment in moderate weather. The vessel must provide two (2), 55-gallon drums including a pump to store gasoline for the skiff. Seawater deck hose for cleaning. Potable fresh water supply adequate for vessel and personal use of a minimum of two (2) scientific crew for smaller vessels and up to four (4) scientific crew (when applicable) for the duration of the charter period. For vessels with longer operating endurance and charters longer than 6 days, washer-dryer is required for personal laundry. The contractor shall provide Arctic-type immersion suits, which are in compliance with operational safety standards, for all personnel including crew and scientists. Adequate dry storage space for all immersion suits, including those belonging to government personnel, shall be provided. The vessel shall carry at the least an emergency trauma first aid kit. Vessel shall have a valid stability letter from a certified marine architect/engineer, and be inspected by the USCG under the fishing vessel voluntary inspection program at least five days prior to departure. A Category I 406 MHz EPIRB must be affixed to the exterior of the vessel in a manner approved by the U.S. Coast Guard. The EPIRB must be up to date on all Coast Guard registration and inspection. CREW REQUIREMENTS Minimum crew shall consist of Captain, engineer-mate, cook, and deckhand which shall be fulfilled by a minimum of 2 people for smaller vessels that won't run continuously or a minimum of four crew that may be able to run continuously. The Captain shall have a minimum of five (5) years experience as a master of a vessel comparable in size to the vessel selected, with experience operating in coastal (rather than offshore) waters of the Aleutian Islands, and with commercial fishing and/or research experience. The engineer-mate must be qualified to independently take over operations of the vessel in the event the captain is absent or becomes incapacitated. The cook must be experienced in preparing meals for 8 or more people including vegetarian meals and/or specific food requirements that will be described in advance of the cruise. The deckhand must be experienced in working on vessels and able to assist in launch and retrieval of the skiffs. The crewmember who will act as the skiff driver must be experienced with operating the skiff to maneuver around sea lion sites and land on shore to deploy the scientific team on land. Minimum two (2) of the crew shall be experienced skiff or inflatable boat drivers and required to have the necessary licenses to operate (drive) the skiff. Experience includes operating in launch/retrieval operations near-shore in open, exposed marine environments and moderate weather as well as offloading and loading people to/from shore (rocky and/or cobble sites). All crew must have the skills to deploy and operate the skiffs. At least one crew member must be currently certified in CPR and emergency First Aid. Offerors must provide proof of certification in their proposal. At least one crew member must be formally trained in survival skills and firefighting at a level equivalent to that offered by the North Pacific Fishing Vessel Owners Association (http://www.npfvoa.org/index.html). Offerors must provide proof of the successful completion of this training in their proposal. Replacements for Key Personnel must possess qualifications equal to or exceeding the qualifications of the personnel being replaced. Any changes to Key Personnel specified must be approved by the Contracting Officer and the COR. ACCOMMODATION REQUIREMENTS (all costs associated with accommodations and meals for crew and party shall be included in the daily rate) Accommodations for a scientific party of a minimum of two (2) and maximum of four (4) for Option Task vessels with open water abilities, which could include female and male scientists. Provide schematics or descriptions of the number of berths and bunk rooms available to the scientific party with your proposal. Berthing spaces shall be adequately ventilated and free from excessive engine noise and fumes. Clean mattresses, covers, and bedding shall be provided by the Contractor. Suitable sanitary accommodations, including a minimum of one (1) head and one (1) shower separated from the living quarters and within the ship, shall be available to the scientific crew. Hot, fresh water shower, shall be provided at least every second day for each member of the scientific party. The bathroom areas (including head and shower) and hallways shall be cleaned at least twice a week by the crew. Three balanced, nutritious meals shall be provided by the contractor per day, one of which may be a shore lunch for the scientific party. All meals shall include fresh fruits and vegetables. Vegetarian meals may be required for some members of the party. Any food allergy information of prospective scientific party members or other special food requirements will be provided to the contractor at least one (1) week prior to sailing to allow for proper provisioning. Water, juice, soft drinks, fruit, and snacks shall be available throughout the day. Due to the nature of the operation, meal hours must be flexible. The Captain and Chief Scientist will set meal hours that are mutually agreeable on a daily basis. The scientific crew that may be deployed on Ugamak will not require meals or food from the contractor while they're on island.