The U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, Office of Exploration (DOC/NOAA/OAR/OE) is seeking available sources to procure ship rental for the purpose of conducting oceanographic exploration and research in areas of the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. The vendor is to provide licensed personnel in the areas of surface oceanographic procedures and submersible launch and recovery and shall operate the vessel, manned submersible, and any necessary launch, recovery and support equipment. Some of the minimum requirements for this acquisition include providing a research vessel greater than 175 feet between perpendiculars, able to accommodate up to 40 people including crew and science party, have 360 degree bow and stern thrusters for maneuverability and a dynamic positioning and navigation system that will enable it to hold its position while supporting oceanographic exploration and research. The contractor shall also provide a submersible capable of carrying at least two (2) observers in addition to the operator(s) classed and certified to an operating depth of 3,000 feet by the American Bureau of Shipping. No work will be done deeper than 3,000 feet. The submersible shall include manipulator arms, suction devices, and rotary plankton samplers. It shall also have active sonar and laser aimed still and broadcast quality video cameras. The research vessel shall be able to support applications such as submersible operations; large towed systems; deployment and retrieval of moored devices; surface oceanographic applications; and diving. Work may include benthic or mid-water observations, sampling and collection of organisms, site inspection, and punch and box coring. Anticipate need of vessel and submersible for a total of approximately 50 days/year. The duration of this contract is anticipated to be 60 months. The possibility exists of conducting one or two port calls that may involve transfer of scientists and scientific equipment, and/or public outreach events that may include tours by the public of the ship. The research vessel shall be available for public tours during port call visits. Interested parties with the ability to furnish the minimum requirements for this requirement should provide a description of capabilities, experience and references to substantiate their ability to provide the required services (maximum of 20 pages). Any suggestions and/or comments are welcome as to which procurement technique would be most beneficial. This information will be used in conducting market research to identify potential sources and to help determine the most effective acquisition strategy to procure these services. Specifically, NOAA is interested in locating small businesses who can perform this work, although input is encouraged from large business as well. Responses are due not later than 1:00 p.m. (EST) on February 29, 2008 to the contracting office address identified above, as well as electronically (in MS Word or PDF format) to
[email protected]. This notice shall not be construed as a formal solicitation nor an obligation on the part of the Government to acquire any products or services. THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT INTEND TO AWARD A CONTRACT ON THE BASIS OF THIS NOTICE OR TO OTHERWISE PAY FOR THE INFORMATION SOLICITED. This request is for planning purposes only and shall not be considered as an Invitation for Bid (IFB), Request for Quotation (RFQ), or Request for Proposal (RFP) or as an obligation on the part of the Government to acquire any products or services. Responses to this notice will be treated as information only. No entitlement to payment by the Government of direct or indirect costs or charges will arise as a result of contractor response to this notice or Government use of such information. The Government reserves the right to reject, in whole or part, any contractor input resulting from this request. The information provided may be used by the government in developing its acquisition strategy and associated Statement of Work/Statement of Objectives and Performance Specifications. All proprietary information should be marked as such. This inquiry neither states nor implies that future contracts will be awarded to persons, firms, or other entities responding to this inquiry. The Government is in no way obligated to do business with or to enter into any form of contract with any person, firm or other entity as a result of this inquiry.