Special Notice: 24-320 NOAA / NMFS / AKFSC The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AKFSC), intends to award, on a sole source basis, under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), with Yoors Yachting, Inc., of Auke Bay, Alaska to procure the following: Provide a vessel to charter up to six (6) scientists for a research survey for eight (8) days. The survey shall occur sometime between September 1-October 31, 2024, and leave from and return to Ketchikan, Alaska and shall include both government and non-government personnel, to investigate seasonal cetacean density in southern Southeast Alaska, specifically Behm Canal and southern Clarence Strait. Data collection will include: visual observations, passive acoustic monitoring via sonobuoys, and if time allows, photographs for individual identification, biopsy sampling, and collection of water samples for eDNA analysis. Southeast Alaska provides important habitat for many cetaceans (i.e., whales, dolphins, and porpoises). Multiple species listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) occur in this area, including humpback whales (Mexico Distinct Population Segment [DPS]) and fin whales, along with unlisted stocks of killer whales, harbor porpoise, Dall’s porpoise, and other cetaceans. The Navy maintains several in-water assets within Behm Canal, including a pier, seafloor cable, an offshore acoustic static sight, and others associated with the Navy’s installation and operation range. Maintenance of these assets require updated information on marine mammal presence, distribution and density to support the preparation of environmental planning documentation, including National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), and Endangered Species Act (ESA) documents and consultations. The Navy will collaborate with NMFS, Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC) to support field assessments for marine mammals in Behm Canal and Clarence Strait. Although this survey will be designed to collect data on cetaceans, opportunistic sightings of other marine mammals, such as pinnipeds and sea otters, will also be recorded. The MML requires the following vessel configuration: ● Overall vessel length between 70 and 100 feet and maximum draft of 10 feet. ● Minimum cruising speed of 9 to 10 knots. ● A weather proof, heated wheelhouse with room for two computer stations and operators. ● A clean, outside area with unobstructed views suitable for observational work at a height above the water line of at least 15 feet. ● Space to store one 4’ x 4’ crate of sonobuoys in an easily accessible area clear of the rails. ● Ability for an acoustician to install two (2) VHF marine antennas as high on the vessel as possible, preferably in the crow’s nest, and to run cables into the bridge or wheelhouse. Cable runs (i.e., length from antenna installation point to monitoring station) should be no longer than 40 ft to ensure good signal reception. All antenna and installation equipment will be provided by the Government. ● Bow pulpit or bowsprit with safety rails to allow photographer (and biopsier as needed) the ability to collect samples from as far forward on the vessel as possible. ● The outside area for observational work must be proximate to the wheelhouse and on the forward part of the vessel (aft-house vessels are not suitable). There must be room in this area for two (2) visual observers. Each observer will be scanning from their side of the vessel to the forward center line and must have an unobstructed view. ● Room in the wheelhouse for two scientific computer stations ● A clean bench or table inside that is suitable for processing water samples is needed. Minimum size of bench or table is 3 ft by 4 ft. A power outlet for a water filtration system is required ● Vessel shall be equipped with appropriate modern electronic navigation and communication equipment in compliance with industry safety standards ▪ Two (2) all-weather radars (36 mile minimum range). Note, that the angle of the radar beam must be above observer height ▪ At least one (1) VHF radio with a fixed installation. ▪ At least one (1) synthesized 1-18 MHz SSB radio (one or more capable of communicating with AT&T High Seas Marine Operator). ▪ Two (2) GPS or Loran C navigational equipment. ▪ A system for switching to backup power (e.g., battery) for radio operation in the event of interruption of the normal power supply. ● The vessel shall preferably have one (1) skiff or space to accommodate a government provided skiff ~15 to 23-foot rigid-hulled inflatable boat (RHIB or equivalent) which can be used by the scientific crew. The skiff must have a motor with a minimum 115 hp engine, and room for three (3) NOAA scientists and a skiff Captain. The side of the skiff must be low enough to the water for a scientist to be able to collect a water sample from the exact location where a cetacean submerged after the skiff has reached that location. A crew member of the vessel is required to have the necessary licenses to operate (drive) the small boat. ● The vessel must have capability for loading and off-loading the scientific party and the skiff to and from the water; total weight of 3,400 pounds. Loading and off-loading of the skiff shall be with a crane extendable to 10' past the side of the vessel and capable of lifting up to 2 tons. ● Accommodations for a scientific party of six (6) which will include female and male scientists. The scientific party shall be accommodated separately from the crew. The applicable Size Standard is North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code 483114 , with a Small Business size standard of 550 employees. This vessel charter requirement is for a joint Department of Defense, Navy, and NOAA project initiated which was initiated in 2023. The Program Office chartered the Alaskan Song vessel of Yoors Yachting, Inc., for a survey to investigate seasonal cetacean density in Behm Canal and southern Clarence Strait in the spring of 2023 with the intention of completing a repeat and identical survey in the fall of 2023 in order for seasonal comparative sampling. The 2023 fall survey was not completed due to due to funding restrictions and analyses of the spring survey results have been completed provided to the Navy. The AKFSC MML requires that the vessel platform is identical in form, fit and function in order to remove all potential data collection variables. Collected date will be pooled across the two years to complete the survey and obtain meaningful estimates of abundance. Multiple species listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) occur in the Behm Canal and southern Clarence Strait area, including humpback whales (Mexico Distinct Population Segment) and fin whales, along with unlisted stocks of killer whales, harbor porpoise, Dall’s porpoise, and other cetaceans. The Navy maintains several in-water assets within Behm Canal, including a pier, seafloor cable assets, an offshore acoustic static sight, and other in-water assets associated with the Navy’s installation and operation range. Maintenance of these assets requires updated marine mammal mapping to provide temporal and spatial information on cetacean density to support the preparation of environmental planning documentation, including National Environmental Policy Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, and ESA documents and consultations. The survey requires photographs and biopsy samples to be collected for certain marine mammal species. The Alaskan Song, of Yoors Yachting, Inc., has a bowsprit that provides a unique platform for samples and photographs to be obtained as it places the observer as close as possible to a marine mammal group while minimizing disturbance to the animals. The use of the Alaskan Song, of Yoors Yachting, Inc., will allow data collection protocols to be repeated, ensuring total comparability of the data. In addition, the survey requires photographs and biopsy samples to be collected for certain marine mammal species. Failure to perform the necessary data collection and analysis has already delayed incorporation into the Navy’s annual monitoring report to NMFS and incorporation into the Navy’s annual Marine Species Monitoring meeting, documentation that is necessary for the Navy to continue operations and to ensure protected species are not adversely affected during Navy activities. The Government intends to negotiate a firm fixed price contract. This Special Notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals and no solicitation package is available. However, firms that believe they can fully meet the Government's requirements may submit substantiating documentation in writing. Submissions are due no later than August 13, 2024 at 5pm Eastern Time. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice. Responses may be emailed to
[email protected]. Such documentation will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. A determination by the Government not to compete this requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. It is the Government's belief that only can Yoors Yachting, Inc., of Auke Bay, Alaska , can provide the requirements stated above. Attachment Redacted Single Source Determination