V -- SOURCES SOUGHT FOR UPCOMING BUOY DEPLOYMENTS IN THE PACIFIC

This is not a solicitation. The National Data Buoy Center (NDBC) is currently searching for sources for two (2) upcoming missions. Mission 1 is to deploy (1) DART system and all associated mooring located at (42 degrees 52 minutes 11 seconds N 130 degrees 54 minutes 32 seconds W) and (1) 6 meter buoy and all associated mooring located at (42 degrees 34 minutes 39 seconds N, 130 degrees 21 minutes 35 seconds W) used for open ocean meteorological data. The time frame for the deployment of these two buoys is early June 2004. Mission 2 is to deploy (1) DART system and all associated mooring located at (45 degrees 51 minutes 32 seconds N 128 degrees 46 minutes 41 seconds W) and to recover (1) DART system located approximately 32 nm NNW of (45 degrees 51 minutes 32 seconds N 128 degrees 46 minutes 41 seconds W). The time frame for the deployment of these two buoys is early to mid July 2004. The following provides general information and specifications for the minimum vessel requirements known to safely and successfully work these 4 afore mentioned buoy system work in June and July 2004. Mission 1 is scheduled to commence on or about June 01, 2004. Mission 2 is scheduled to commence on or about July 5, 2004. and shall conclude with return to the designated west coast port. Once at deployment sites, the ship shall deploy the buoy and mooring components and wait a maximum of 12 hours on station until ground truth can be completed. The 6 meter buoy in Mission 1 can either be loaded on deck or towed by the mooring to the deployment site. To tow by the mooring a hawser will be connected to the first 90 feet of chain and the buoy towed by the hawser. After the buoy has been successfully deployed, the vessel is required to remain on station a minimum of three hours for system testing. The DART buoy systems in Missions 1 and 2 cannot be towed and must be loaded and deployed from the deck of the vessel. General Vessel specifications for both missions include: Captain shall be licensed for offshore transportation to the location specified. The vessel must meet all United States Coast Guard requirements. Vessel specification sheets shall be provided with the bid. The contracted vessel will load and offload the NDBC gear, personal, and buoy systems at port and return to the same location. The ship will require a minimum working deck area of 25 X 50 feet. Must have sufficient pad-eyes or hold-downs on the deck to accommodate equipment for transit and to conduct operations. The hold-downs or pad-eyes must be capable of supporting 6,000lbs. An assortment of winches and capstans will be required as they are very helpful in cross deck operation. Capable of transporting a full mooring consisting of 500 feet of 1-1/2 inch OLC (11,000lbs.), one 6,000 lb anchor that must be “faked out” on the stern or side of the-vessel. On-board equipment must be provided for welding, acetylene cutting, electrical power of 120/208 VAC. Communications equipment to maintain contact with shore based personnel. The ship must have the ability to hold position (within 25 meters) and have DGPS for marking the position of the anchor. The amount of notice needed to ship equipment: 5 days, there are three personnel traveling to station. The ship will provide a crane operator and sufficient personnel to assist in handling of tag lines while on-station. Time on station: 12 hours. A small boat (minimum 5 meter RHI) and operator is required to service the buoy if damaged during deployment. The boat must be capable of operations in Beaufort Force 4 seas. The stern section of the vessel shall be free of bulwarks and obstructions to accommodate deployment of the mooring. The edge of the deck that runs along the stern section must not have any sharp edges to chaff the mooring line. Capable of conducting deck operations in Beaufort Force Sea State 4. Comfortable, quarters and mess facilities for as many as 3 NDBC personnel for the duration of the trip. NDBC reserves the right to conduct a survey of the vessel prior to awarding the contract. The contractor must carry adequate liability to cover persons, equipment, and any damage/loss that might result from operations during the course of the trip. Note: Complete replacement cost for a 6-meter buoy is approximately $ 245,000. Complete replacement cost for a DART buoy system is approximately $120,000. Please submit contact information, qualifications and availability of vessel(s) to accomplish this requirement no later than April 30, 2004. Please include any brochures and past performance information to help the government establish qualifications. Please do not submit prices at this time. This is a sources sought request only.