SOURCES SOUGHT FOR RESEARCH VESSEL CHARTER The U.S. Geological Survey may have a requirement for a fully found, general purpose, multi-disciplinary research vessel to conduct marine geophysical and geological operations. The objective of the marine geology and geophysical investigations is to acquire high-quality reflection seismic data, acoustic imagery and bottom samples. The vessel must cruise at sea at least three weeks at five knots without resupply. Up to 12 scientists may be aboard the vessel. The vessel should be acoustically quiet so as not to interfere with sonic studies. Specific mission needs include, but are not limited to deployment of shallow-towed or surface-towed vehicles, hydrophone streamers, deep-towed vehicles and extensive over-the-side wire-line operations. After mobilization at Redwood City, California, the vessel will cruise coastal waters from San Diego to southeast Alaska. The research is likely to begin in May and extend through September. The cruises will be broken into segments of approximately one to three weeks with one to two days ashore between cruise segments. Scientific operations may be conducted continuously while at sea. The vessel should be approximately 100 -- 150 ft. long and have accommodations for 12 scientists, in two person staterooms, plus ships crew. The vessel should have a transit speed of at least ten knots and a sustainable surveying speed of three knots. Additionally, the vessel must station keep, follow track-lines, and be capable of normal deck work through sea state five in 35 knot winds, permit limited deck work through sea state seven, and maintain track-line at three knots speed through the water. We require an inside laboratory (room) with 10 kW of 115 volts, 60 Hz clean power, undisturbed by other shipboard activity. On the fantail deck, we require 50 kW of 440 volts for winch hookups. Deck Work Area: a large open (minimum of 40 feet from stern to deck house) steel surface fantail clear of ship's structures so as to accommodate placement of USGS equipment. This area needs to accommodate winches, work vans, generators and compressors. Other space on the vessel can be considered for installation of USGS equipment. Vessel owners or operators having a vessel with these characteristics available in the summer of 1998 should contact the contracting Officer (above). Be prepared to discuss vessel characteristics, availability, and charter pricing. This is a sources sought notification. No specific project is identified or funded at this time. E-MAIL: click here to contact the contracting officer via e-mail, WSAUL@WR.USGS.GOV.

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