VESSEL SUPPORT IN THE GULF OF AK

This is a request for information only and does not constitute a commitment, implied or otherwise, that a procurement action will be issued or awarded. This is not a solicitation. This is not a Request for Quote (RFQ), Invitation for Bid (IFB), Request for Proposal (RFP), Request for Application (RFA) or announcement of a solicitation, and does not assume the Government will award a contract or proceed with any of the above solicitation efforts in the near future. No entitlement to payment of direct or indirect cost or charges by the Government will arise as a result of the submission of information. All information considered proprietary shall be marked accordingly, and properly identified proprietary information will be safeguarded in accordance with federal regulations. The Government shall not be liable for or suffer any consequential damages for improperly identified proprietary information. The purpose of this announcement is solely to gather information from the marketplace, and any responses received will neither be considered an offer by the responding party nor returned to the responding party. No telephone inquiries will be accepted, and requests for solicitation packages will not be honored at this time since no solicitation has been prepared. Synopsis: Sources Sought In collaboration with the U.S. Navy, the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC) seeks to charter a vessel to support up to twelve (12) scientists that will conduct cetacean surveys in the western Gulf of Alaska, specifically the shelf, slope and basin regions from approximately Unimak Pass to Chiniak Bay for 30 consecutive days (with an option to extend up to 3 days) within the time period of June 1 to July 31, 2023. The minimum specifications for the vessel are: The vessel shall be able to accommodate one (1) skiff, ~17 to 23-foot rigid-hulled inflatable boat (RHIB) or equivalent for use by the scientific crew (government-provided, see below). This will require a clean flush deck space of 10 x 24 near a rail or A-frame, or a cradle of appropriate size, for ease of deployment. The vessel must have capability for loading and off-loading the scientific party and the skiff with outboard motor to and from the water; total weight of 3,400 pounds. Loading and off-loading of the skiff shall be with a crane extendable to 10' past the side of the vessel and capable of lifting up to 2 tons. The skiff must be stored on the deck after each use and cannot be towed behind the support vessel. The vessel must provide fuel for the inflatable boat, stored in two (2), 55-gallon drums including a pump, also provided by the vessel. INFORMATION REQUESTED: The Government is requesting that all interested vendors provide information regarding their experience and capability to provide a qualified crew and eligible vessel. A vessel data sheet may be submitted to address the minimum requirements. NOAA may utilize the responses to this Sources Sought to conduct additional market research. Information obtained from this Sources Sought, and the subsequent communication with the vendors, if any, may be utilized to assist NOAA in developing a formal Request for Proposal (RFP) or Request for Quote (RFQ). In addition to addressing technical capabilities, responses must include the following: Name and address of firm Size of business (e.g. small, small disadvantaged business, woman owned, etc.) Average annual revenue for the past 3 years and number of employees Ownership Number of years in business Affiliate information Parent company, joint venture partners, potential teaming partners, prime contractor (if potential subcontractor) or subcontractors (if potential prime contractor) Point of contact - address and phone number SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS: Telephone responses are NOT solicited and will not be accepted. No solicitation exists at this time. This synopsis is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to award a contract, nor will the Government pay for the solicited information. Please submit your response to the attention of the Contracting Specialist, Ms. Amanda Leal (Amanda.Leal@noaa.gov) no later than January 25, 2023 at 10:00 a.m., Pacific Time. Each response shall be no more than 15 single-sided, single-spaced pages (excluding the cover page), and each page shall be separately numbered, and shall be in .pdf format.