Department of Commerce, NOAA, 200 World Trade Center, Room 209, Norfolk, VA 23510-1624

W -- CHARTER VESSEL SOL RFQ 97-2535 DUE 062697 POC Karen McElheney, Contract Specialist (757) 441-6889; William D. Privott, Contracting Officer (757) 441-6561 The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is seeking interested parties in providing a vessel to time charter to support National Marine Fisheries Service, Northeast Fisheries Science Center, fisheries research in the western North Atlantic Ocean July 21, 1997 through July 29, 1997, with one optional additional underway day. The solicitation will be issued in June with quotes due 14 days after issuance. The vessel will be delivered and redelivered in Woods Hole, Massachusetts. It will operate between 41 and 45 degrees north latitude and west of 66 degrees west longitude. It must have a minimum of 9 days and 2000 nautical miles endurance and accommodate 6 scientific personnel. An A- or J-frame and hydrographic winch or other suitable method of conducting scientific tows, or deck space for a NOAA-supplied winch/A-frame is required. Scientific equipment requirements include a flow-through thermosalinograph, flow-through fluorometer, and a computer system capable of gathering and integrating water depth, ship's speed, and sea surface temperature. If an otherwise suitable vessel does not possess this scientific equipment, then deck space to locate a NOAA-supplied scientific electronics van is required. An additional berth for a technician is required in the event the government-provided scientific equipment is installed. Additional specifications are contained in the solicitation. Copies of the Request for Quotation (RFQ) 97-2535 will be provided in response to written or faxed requests. Telephone requests will not be honored. Requests for copies of this solicitation may be faxed to (757) 441-3735 or mailed to U. S. Dept of Commerce/NOAA/Eastern Admin Support Center, Acquisition Mgmt Div., 200 World Trade Center, Room 209, Norfolk, VA 23510-1624, Attn: Karen McElheney. Numbered Notes 1 and 26 apply. (0149)

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