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Gulf of Maine Acoustic Recorders Servicing and Southern New England Acoustic Recorders Servicing

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

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC), Protected Species Branch (PSB) of the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is conducting market research for the purpose of identifying businesses that have demonstrated capability to provide a commercial vessel, with experienced crew to conduct several acoustic recorder servicing (retrieval and redeployment) trips of up to a maximum of 8 calendar days, every 5 months (total 16 sea days) to two separate area locations: southeastern Gulf of Maine and southern New England. The southeastern Gulf of Maine (5 sea days each trip) and southern New England (3 sea days each trip which can be individual day trips) areas. The work for the Gulf of Maine and southern New England locations need not occur consecutively. A base year and three option years are needed.

Minimum Vessel Specifications

1) There are two separate needs. The first vessel needs to be capable of safe operation in the southern Gulf of Maine, north of Georges Bank, Franklin Basin, and George’s Basin to the Canadian border, and across Georges Bank on the continental shelf in waters. The 2nd vessel needs to be capable of safe operation in waters closer to shore throughout the southern New England area, from Nantucket shoals to Cox Ledge areas.

2) The contracted vessel shall have experience collecting scientific data and/or a track record of prior work with passive acoustic recording unit deployment and/or retrieval is desirable.

3) Sufficient deck space to put all mooring gear and instrumentation. Space is needed for up to 20 recorders and moorings which include anchors (~100 lbs. per recorder) as well as additional space for cases and gear.

4) Clean, sanitary, and sufficiently ventilated berths with mattresses for contracted vessel crew and 2 scientists. Bunk areas shall contain at least one drawer or closet per occupant for storage of clothing and personal gear.

5) A minimum of one head, one shower and sink with hot water that is available to the scientific crew.

5) Sufficient potable water for the duration of the trip.

6) Galley facilities for concurrent seating of 2 people

Electronic and Communication Equipment Requirements

1) Radios:

a. VHF (minimum 2)

b. Single side-band

2) Radar (2 units with minimum range 40 nm)

3) Global Positioning System (GPS) (minimum 2 units)

4) Plotters with capability of plotting input from GPS desirable

5) Depth sounder

6) Email capability desirable

7) Weather FAX machine desirable but not required

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 or Vessel Characteristic Form 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 November 18, 2022 at 2 PM Eastern 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.

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