Sources Sought Department of the Interior, United States Geological Survey (USGS) Pacific Coastal & Marine Science Center Santa Cruz, CA The USGS Pacific Coastal & Marine Science Center in Santa Cruz, CA, is conducting market research to determine the availability of qualified businesses capable of providing deployment and subsequent retrieval of a seafloor geodetic monument and wave glider, including sound velocity measurements, as described in the attached statement of work. This sources sought announcement is not a request for quote or proposal, and the Government is not committed to award of a purchase order or contract pursuant to this announcement. The information resulting from this market research is simply for planning purposes to assist the Government in determining its acquisition strategy. The Government will not pay for any costs incurred in the preparation of information for responding to this notice. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 488390 and Associated size standard $47M apply to this announcement. All responsible sources may submit capabilities statement detailing the ability of their service to meet the statement of work included with this announcement. Responses to this announcement shall only be accepted through electronic mail addressed to Joel Berberena at
[email protected] and must be uploaded and received in their entirety no later than 11 March 2024 at 1200 hours PST. Responses submitted by other than electronic mail shall not be accepted or considered. RFI Information Requested: 1. Vessel Name and Capabilities: Detailed description of the vessel, including all specifications that meet or exceed the requirements outlined above. 2. Crew Identification and Experience: Information on the crew's qualifications and the captain's experience, specifically regarding their expertise in supporting scientific missions. 3. Operational History: Examples of previous missions or projects that demonstrate experience with similar operational requirements. 4. Compliance and Certification: Evidence of U.S. Coast Guard certification and compliance with safety standards. 5. Insurance Documentation: Confirmation of the ability to meet the specified insurance requirements. 6. Additional Services: Description of any additional services or capabilities that could support the USGS missions, including technological advantages or logistical support. 7. Proof of Insurance. 8. Company Information: Business size, UEI, and SAM registration status SOW Introduction: The USGS Pacific Coastal & Marine Science Center in Santa Cruz, CA, invites qualified maritime service providers to submit information for vessel services. These services are crucial for two scientific missions: deployment and subsequent retrieval of a seafloor geodetic monument and wave glider, including sound velocity measurements. 1. Deployment Mission: Slated for August 18-29, 2024, involving the deployment of a seafloor geodetic monument and wave glider. 2. Retrieval Mission: Scheduled for September 16-27, 2024, focusing on the retrieval of a wave glider near Humboldt Bay, approximately 3-4 weeks after deployment. Operational Details: 1. Preparation and Mobilization: USGS personnel will load scientific equipment onto the vessel one day prior to and after operations, with the vessel transporting equipment and personnel to the study site offshore the southern Cascadia subduction zone. 2. Equipment Specifications: Monument assemblies include a benchmark base (800 lbs.), an acoustic release (100 lbs.), connected by 50' of line to a float package (300 lbs.), with each assembly approximately 10' in length. 3. Once overboard, the entire assembly free-falls to the bottom, and the acoustic release and float package return to the surface to be recovered and set for the next deployment. Objective: To deploy 1 benchmark and measure existing seafloor geodetic stations to understand strain accumulation and release (locking) along the shallow subduction megathrust interface in southern Cascadia. This work is being done as part of the USGS Subduction Zone Marine Geohazards Project and in collaboration with scientists at the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program, Scripps Institute of Oceanography, and University of Stuttgart, Germany. Specifications and Requirements: 1. The vessel shall be fully licensed by the U.S. Coast Guard as required by law and shall have passed all appropriate U.S Coast Guard requirements for safety and seaworthiness. 2. The vessel shall be equipped with radar, depth sounder, EPIRB, safety equipment, medical kit, current nautical charts, and GPS navigation. 3. The vessel shall be at least 90 feet overall length with a working deck, A-frame or over boarding equipment, winch, and a cruising speed of at least 8 knots. 4. The vessel must be able to accommodate up to four (4) USGS. The contractor shall provide the appropriate number of personnel to safely accommodate 24-hour operations. 5. Three meals per day will be provided to USGS personnel. The intended work will require odd working hours and thus, flexibility in mealtimes and provision of snack food throughout the day. Breakfast and lunch may be either hot or cold meals, but dinner must be a hot meal. Meals must be well balanced, nutritious, palatable, and varied. If special dietary needs (e.g., low-sodium, vegetarian, diabetic, etc.) are required, USGS will notify the contractor at least 10 days prior to scheduled departure of the nature and number of special dietary requirements. 6. The vessel captain must have at least four years of experience as vessel master in the Pacific. 7. Mobilization and demobilization of the vessel shall take place in Eureka, CA, at the ship's port of choice sufficient to load and off-load from a flatbed truck. The vessel must have a shipboard crane able to load all equipment or arrange shoreside crane services for both on- and off-load. 8. The vessel must be equipped with appropriate systems and equipment redundancy to ensure successful completion of the mission and/or safe return to port in the event of equipment failure at sea. 9. The vessel must have sufficient deck space for the storage and deployment of the Seafloor monument assemblies, float package, wave glider, and gear basket. 10. The vessel shall be equipped with handling gear, workspace, and equipment with the following minimum specifications: a. A-Frame: 15 ft vertical clearance, 8-ft horizontal clearance (for wave-glider deployment), 3,500 lbs. SWL, minimum reach 8ft outboard and 4ft inboard b. Winch and Wire: 3,500 lbs. SWL on Winch, Wire, and all-over boarding equipment in the wire train, including sheaves, fairleads, and blocks. c. Deck(s): At least 400 square ft of working deck, or sufficient space for 1 monument base (36' in diameter, or 42' x 48' if on pallets); 1 gear basket (48' x 48'); 1 float package (48' x 48') and 1 wave glider (5' x 13') and enough clear deck space for deployment operations. d. Crane: 1,000 lbs. SWL to relocate science equipment stored on an upper deck, if necessary. Insurance Requirements: 1. Prior to award, vendors must provide marine and public liability insurance with minimum limits of liability for bodily injury at $100,000 per person and $500,000 per occurrence, and for property damage at $100,000 per incident and $500,000 in aggregate. Other Requirements: 1. Safety and seaworthiness of the vessel are paramount. 2. Experience in this type of work. 3. Workspace accommodations. 4. Method of equipment deployment. 5. Ability to maintain station.