VESSEL CHARTER IN SUPPORT OF THE U.S. AMLR PROGRAM ANNUAL SURVEYS TO THE SOUTH SHETLAND ISLANDS

The National Marine Fisheries Service, Southwest Fisheries Science Center's Antarctic Marine Living Resources (AMLR) has a requirement for a vessel charter (including master and crew) to conduct oceanographic and fisheries research in support of the AMLR Program beginning in fiscal year (FY) 2011 through FY 2015. The contractor will be required to provide support to accomplish duties including bio-acoustic surveys, physical oceanography studies, phytoplankton studies, zooplankton surveys, bottom trawl surveys, and seabird and marine mammal observations, as well as small boat operations for logistical support of field camps. The survey period consists of a base charter of 70 days beginning on or about January 1, 2011. There are four (4) option periods for the resulting contract. This Program provides information needed to formulate U.S. policy on conservation and international management of resources living in the oceans surrounding Antarctica. A suitable vessel must have the following: an ice-strengthened hull, be capable of conducting 2-warp commercial size bottom trawling operations, deck equipment (i.e. A- and J-frames, winches, conducting core wire, slip rings, etc.) to support the deployment and recovery of scientific equipment, small boats (Zodiacs), and scientific laboratories. Additionally, the vessel must have deck space for scientific vans; meals and berthing for not less than 27 scientists; access to electronic outputs from ship's Global Positioning System, gyro compass, positioning equipment, and echo sounders; and hull mounting of acoustic transducers (owned and provided by the AMLR Program). The contractor will be required to provide a vessel which can accommodate a scientific party of up to thirty-two (32). Contractor shall provide all personnel, equipment, tools, materials, supervision, transportation and services necessary to perform these services. The proposed contract is unrestricted and open for full and open competition. The NAICS code for this procurement is 483112 and the size standard is 500 employees. Any resulting contract will be awarded as a firm-fixed price contract. Solicitation documents will be made available for download on or about June 24, 2010 at http://www.fedbizopps.gov/. Paper copies of this solicitation will not be issued. Interested parties should use the FedBizOpps [Add To Watchlist] and [Add Me To Interested Vendors] features which provide a notification when the RFP becomes available for download as well as all postings of information associated with this solicitation, thereafter. Each potential offeror is responsible for checking the FedBizOpps website to gain all current information related to the solicitation. The solicitation and any further announcements regarding the solicitation will be posted only at http://www.fedbizopps.gov/. The estimated response due date is July 26, 2010; however, the actual date offers are due will be stated within the solicitation documents. All questions of any nature regarding this procurement are to be sent to Contract Specialist, Crystina Elkins at contact@example.gov or via fax at +1 (555) 000-0000. All vendors doing business with the Government are required to be registered with the Central Contractor Registry (CCR). NO award can be made unless the vendor is registered in CCR. For additional information and to register in CCR, please access the following web site: http:///www.ccr.gov/. In order to register with the CCR and to be eligible to receive an award from this acquisition office, all offerors must also have a Dun & Bradstreet Number. A Dun & Bradstreet number may be acquired free of charge by contacting Dun & Bradstreet on-line at https://www.dnb.com/product/eupdate/requestOptions.html or by phone at +1 (555) 000-0000. This procurement also requires offerors to complete the On-Line Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA) at https://orca.bpn.gov/. All responsible and fully responsive sources may submit a proposal which will be considered by the Agency.