This is a request for information only and does not constitute a commitment, implied or otherwise, that a procurement action will be issued or awarded. This is not a solicitation. This is not a Request for Quote (RFQ), Invitation for Bid (IFB), Request for Proposal (RFP), Request for Application (RFA) or announcement of a solicitation, and does not assume the Government will award a contract or proceed with any of the above solicitation efforts in the near future. No entitlement to payment of direct or indirect cost or charges by the Government will arise as a result of the submission of information. All information considered proprietary shall be marked accordingly, and properly identified proprietary information will be safeguarded in accordance with federal regulations. The Government shall not be liable for or suffer any consequential damages for improperly identified proprietary information. The purpose of this announcement is solely to gather information from the marketplace, and any responses received will neither be considered an offer by the responding party nor returned to the responding party. No telephone inquiries will be accepted, and requests for solicitation packages will not be honored at this time since no solicitation has been prepared.

Synopsis: Sources Sought

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC), Marine Mammal Laboratory (MML) has conducted research in the Bering Sea of Alaska since the early 2000’s to obtain information on ice-associated seal ecology including seasonal movements, timing of haul-out, vital rates, habitat, foraging behavior, health and body condition. There are four species of ice-associated seals that are found in the Bering Sea - ribbon, spotted, bearded and ringed seals.

All species are protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and two of these species - ringed seals and bearded seals - are listed as threatened for part of their range under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). NOAA is mandated to monitor and manage these seal populations.

As such, the MML will conduct a research expedition to the southern edge of the Bering Sea ice in the spring of 2024 to sample and tag ice-associated seals. The length of the charter shall be ~6 weeks (or up to 42 days) approximately 21 April - 1 June, 2024.

The minimum specifications for the vessel are:

1. 1. Minimum overall length of vessel of 100 feet (30.5m), capable of operating in offshore waters at the edge of the pack ice in the Bering Sea. Single engine/single screw configurations are acceptable. Additional consideration may be given to vessels with two engines or to single engine vessels with an auxiliary propulsion unit (e.g., hydraulic powered by a generator).
   2. Minimum fuel efficient cruising speed 9 knots (17 km/hr) maintained in average sea conditions within the operating area. Preference may be given for vessels with faster fuel-efficient cruising speeds.
   3. Minimum vessel operating endurance (e.g., fuel and water storage/making capacity) of 28 days, based on average times of cruising for 7 hours per day at 9 knots (or most fuel efficient speed) and stopped during science operations for 17 hours per day at 0 knots.
   4. Vessel must be USCG designated as Oceanographic Research Vessels and fully licensed by the U.S. Coast Guard as required by law.
   5. Vessel shall be equipped with appropriate modern electronic navigational and communication equipment in compliance with industry safety standards.

***DRAFT STATEMENT OF WORK ATTACHED***

INFORMATION REQUESTED:

The Government is requesting that all interested vendors provide information regarding their experience and capability to provide a qualified crew and eligible vessel.

NOAA may utilize the responses to this Sources Sought to conduct additional market research. Information obtained from this Sources Sought, and the subsequent communication with the vendors, if any, may be utilized to assist NOAA in developing a formal Request for Proposal (RFP) or Request for Quote (RFQ).

In addition to addressing technical capabilities, responses must include the following:

• Name and address of firm
• Size of business (e.g. small, small disadvantaged business, woman owned, etc.)
• Average annual revenue for the past 3 years and number of employees
• Ownership
• Number of years in business
• Affiliate information
• Parent company, joint venture partners, potential teaming partners, prime contractor (if potential subcontractor) or subcontractors (if potential prime contractor)
• Point of contact - address and phone number

SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS:

Telephone responses are NOT solicited and will not be accepted. No solicitation exists at this time. This synopsis is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to award a contract, nor will the Government pay for the solicited information.

Please submit your response to the attention of the Contracting Specialist, Amanda Rossiter (Amanda.Rossiter@noaa.gov) no later than November 1, 2023 at 2:00 p.m., Pacific Time. Each response shall be no more than 15 single-sided, single-spaced pages (excluding the cover page), and each page shall be separately numbered, and shall be in .pdf format.

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