The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Western Region Acquisition Division (WRAD), is requesting proposals for construction of an 80-90-foot aluminum hull multi-purpose research vessel to conduct research, outreach, and emergency response. The vessel will be operating year round in and around the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, approximately 100 miles off the coast of Texas and Louisiana. The catamaran research vessel will be home ported in Galveston, Texas. The minimum vessel requirements are as follows: This catamaran vessel is to be built using general design specifications capable of operating in the Gulf of Mexico for most of the year, making cruises up to 10 days, traveling 600 miles at a cruising speed of greater than 20 knots; conduct off-shore operations of diving support (NITROX), ROV/AUV operations while moored as well as underway, drop camera, CTD, plankton net tows, single side scan/multi-beam operations while underway in heavy traffic; provide high flexibility in science outfitting with deck bolt downs; capable of accurate station keeping; provide space onboard for 20-25 passengers; provide habitable space for 10 personnel and 4 crew for up to 7 days/trip; provide a hull design which allows for a stable platform for operations in 4-6 seas. It is anticipated that a firm-fixed price contract will be awarded. Performance period is estimated at 14 months. This is a 100% Small Business Set-aside. See Numbered Note 1. The North American Industry Classification Code (NAICS) is 336612 with a size standard of 500 employees. Estimated cost is between $1 and 5 Million. All contractors doing business with the Government are now required to be registered with the Central Contractor Registry (CCR). Documents for the Request for Proposals (RFP) will be available on or about April 12, 2006, to download through the Government's website at http://www.fedbizopps.gov/. Design/performance specifications and drawings will also be posted. No paper copies will be issued. Interested parties should use the FedBizOpps [REGISTER TO RECEIVE NOTIFICATION] and [REGISTER AS AN INTERESTED VENDOR] feature which provides notification when the RFP becomes available for download and all postings associated with the solicitation, thereafter. Each potential offeror is responsible for checking this website to gain all the current information available. Any further announcements regarding this solicitation will be posted at http://www.fedbizopps.gov/. The ESTIMATED response due date is May 11, 2006, but may be adjusted based upon the actual posting date of the solicitation package. Technical questions regarding this solicitation should be addressed to
contact@example.gov. All contractors doing business with the Government are now required to be registered with the Central Contractor Registry (CCR) and may register at the following web site: http://www.ccr.gov. All responsible, responsive sources may submit an offer which will be considered by the Agency.
