NEFCS Acoustic Recorder Vessel Charter

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

To provide charter vessel services for acoustic recorder servicing (retrieval and redeployment) trips in multiple locations throughout Northeast waters for NOAA Fisheries' Passive Acoustics Branch (PAB).

• The project involves three types of acoustic equipment deployment and retrieval trips:

  • Bottom-mounted mooring servicing (approximately every 5 months).
  • Deep-sea mooring servicing (approximately every 2 years).
  • Drifting recorder deployment and retrieval (up to 2 times per year).

• Trips will typically range from 2 to 8 consecutive days at sea.

• Primary departure port is Woods Hole, MA.

• Services include supporting bottom-mounted mooring turnarounds, deep-sea mooring turnarounds, and drifting buoy deployments and retrievals.

• Specific locations include the Gulf of Maine, Southern New England, and the New England Sea Mounts.

• Additional field activities such as eDNA water sampling and towed array surveys may be conducted.

• Vessels must be capable of safe operation in specified waters.

• Vessels must have adequate deck space for mooring gear and instrumentation.

• Vessels must provide clean, sanitary berths and a minimum of one head, one shower, and sink with hot water for the scientific crew.

• Vessels must have sufficient potable water and fuel capacity.

• Vessels must have adequate galley facilities for concurrent seating of scientists.

• Electronic and communication equipment requirements include VHF radios, single-side-band, offshore communication phone, radar, GPS, depth sounder, and electrical outlets.

• Email and Weather FAX capability are desirable.

• Trips occur at various times, including Winter and Summer 2027 for bottom-mounted recorders, Summer 2028 for deep-sea moorings, and throughout the year for drifting recorders.

• Primary departure port: Woods Hole, MA.

• Service areas include the Mid-Atlantic, Gulf of Maine, and Southern New England waters.

• Vessels must be equipped to handle specific mooring components (e.g., 150 lb I-beam anchor, 550-900 lb deep-sea mooring components).

• Crew must include Master, mate, engineer, and chief steward.

• Master and at least one crew member must be fluent in English.

• Post-award and post-trip meetings are required.

• A Scientific Research Permit will be maintained onboard.

• NOAA will be responsible for obtaining a Canadian fishing vessel Letter of Authorization for sites in Canadian waters.

• Provisions (meals and drinks) for scientists are to be provided by the vessel chief steward.

• Vessels must have experience collecting scientific data or a track record of prior work with passive acoustic recording unit deployment/retrieval (desirable).

• One site (GOM_USTR11) is in Canadian waters, requiring a Canadian fishing vessel Letter of Authorization.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is a combined synopsis/solicitation (RFQ) for commercial products or services, issued in accordance with FAR Part 12. It serves as the sole solicitation, and a separate written solicitation will not be issued. The acquisition is 100% set-aside for small business concerns, with a NAICS code of 483114 (Coastal and Great Lakes Passenger Transportation) and a small business size standard of 550 employees.

The solicitation details requirements for vessel charter services, including:

• SEA DAYS: Vessel charter for twelve (12) sea days per CLIN (multiple CLINs available).

• FUEL: Not-to-Exceed amounts specified per CLIN (e.g., $93,000.00, $107,000.00, $124,000.00, $163,000.00).

• OPTIONAL SEA DAYS: Up to fifty (50) sea days, as needed.

• STAGING AND DE-STAGING DAYS: Up to twenty-four (24) days, as needed.

• MOBILIZATION-DEMOBILIZATION DAYS: Up to twenty-four (24) days, as needed.

• DOCK DAYS: Up to twenty (20) days for unplanned delays.

• Period of Performance: October 1, 2026, to September 30, 2027 (base period). Option periods extend through September 30, 2031.

• Contract Type: Not explicitly stated, but implied to be a type that accommodates CLINs for services and fuel.

• Acceptance: Will take place aboard the contracted vessel.

• Offer Submission Deadline: June 1, 2026, 2:00 PM EST.

• Questions Deadline: May 22, 2026, 2:00 PM EST.

• Submission Method: Via email to Amanda Rossiter, Contracting Officer, at amanda.rossiter@noaa.gov.

• Evaluation Factors: Technical capability (Vessel Characteristics, Experience of Vessel, Captain and Crew), Past Performance, and Price.

• Quotation Format: Must be submitted in two parts: Technical Quote and Business/Price Quote. The technical quote should not contain price references.

• This acquisition is 100% set-aside for small business concerns.

• The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses can be accessed at www.acquisition.gov.

• The Statement of Work (SOW) is located in Section 3 and is attached.

• Offerors must submit pricing for firm-fixed-price CLINs. Pricing for fuel CLINs (Not-to-Exceed) is optional.

• The contract will be administered via the FedConnect® web portal.

Forms / Attachments / Pricing Sheets

This document, "Attachment 1: Vessel Characteristics," is a form designed to collect detailed information about a vessel being offered for charter. It requires offerors to provide specific data points related to the vessel's general characteristics, power systems, equipment, deck and storage spaces, navigation and fishing electronics, communications, accommodations, safety equipment, and other relevant features.

• General Vessel Characteristics: Includes details like vessel name, registration, owner/manager information, availability for inspection, hull type, year built, dimensions, tonnage, fuel capacity, speed, range, and endurance.
• Main & Auxiliary Power: Information on engines (type, manufacturer, model, HP, nozzle, propeller type) and auxiliary engines.
• Equipment and Gear: Number of lifting winches.
• Deck, Office and Storage Spaces: Details on seawater/freshwater access, electrical outlets, lighting, dry storage areas, office space size and amenities, wheelhouse space, chart table availability, and hazardous materials storage.
• Navigation and Fishing Electronics: Make and model of GPS, plotters, radar, depth sounders, and other beneficial electronic equipment.
• Communications: Details on radio equipment, emergency power, satellite, and cellular communication systems.
• Scientific Staff and Crew Accommodations: Information on heads, showers, galley/mess area size, freshwater capacity, and bunk arrangements.
• Safety Equipment: Details on immersion suits, EPIRBs, stability letter, watch alarm systems, and crew training.
• Other Vessel Features: Relevant features not covered elsewhere.
• Vessel Configuration: Requires submission of blueprints or scale drawings showing deck and deckhouse layouts, including specific equipment and space arrangements.

This form is crucial for bidders to accurately describe their vessel's capabilities and suitability for the charter. The information provided will be used to assess whether the vessel meets the technical and operational requirements of the opportunity. Bidders must complete all relevant sections thoroughly and accurately to ensure their vessel is properly evaluated.