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COMMERCE BUSINESS DAILY ISSUE OF MARCH 19,1998 PSA#2055NOAA/Systems Acquisition Office (SAO), 1315 E. W. Highway, Mail Code
SAOX2, Silver Spring, MD 20910 19 -- FISHERIES RESEARCH VESSELS REQUEST FOR INFORMATION DUE 051598
POC Michael Knowles, (301) 713-3478, Fax (310) 713-4155 The National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is conducting a market
survey to determine potential sources for the detailed design,
construction and provision of one, and possibly two, new classes of
Fisheries Research Vessels (FRVs). These complex vessels are required
to be acoustically quiet and are intended to support a broad spectrum
of living marine resources, research, conservation, and management
programs administered by NOAA. Requirements for the FRVs have been
developed through a comprehensive assessment of National Marine
Fisheries Service (NMFS) mandated survey needs, which considered
current technology for improved survey efficiency, safety and comfort
of scientific personnel and crew, ecosystem survey responsibility, and
commonality of vessel requirements between various NMFS regions. A
feasibility design study was conducted for the first vessel class to
verify that at least one acceptable solution is possible and to provide
NOAA with sufficient detail to produce a reliable program cost estimate
for budgetary purposes. Design and engineering investigations have been
ongoing to minimize the technical risks associated with acoustic
quietness, vessel stability, electrical propulsion and power
generation, and arrangement of work spaces. NOAA contemplates that
these vessels will replace the Agency's existing fleet of aging FRVs
with expanded capability using new technology and improved design.
Missions include stock assessment and life history, physical and
biological oceanography, marine mammal assessment and biological
research, habitat studies, fisheries research gear evaluation,
atmospheric and sea surface observations and measurements, and
development of advanced technologies for fisheries research and
assessment. An extensive suite of state-of-the-art mission gear and
laboratories to support stock assessment and sampling, diving and
oceanography will be required. Dimensional constraints were analyzed
and an overall vessel length of about 65 meters is anticipated for
thefirst vessel class, along with an air draft less than 41.4 meters.
A 40 day vessel endurance is required, with accommodations for 38
persons (19 in crew, 19 in scientific party). It is intended that the
vessels comply with all U.S. and International Rules and standards
applicable to oceanographic research vessels, including those of the U.
S. Coast Guard, the American Bureau of Shipping, and the International
Convention for Safety of Life at Sea, as well as the International
Council for Exploration of the Sea (ICES) radiated noise standard for
hydroacoustic survey operations. A vessel requirements document, a
feasibility design study and the proposed approach for acquisition of
the new class of FRV are available for review and comment by potential
sources. Recipients are encouraged to provide input concerning
technical aspects of the FRV requirements document and feasibility
design, as well as Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) estimates of expected
vessel final design and construction costs, and other pertinent
information such as component or subsystem costs, etc., useful to
government program managers to establish credible budgets. Industry
comments and recommendations are also requested concerning the
acquisition approach and contracting considerations. This announcement
is not a Request for Proposals (RFP) nor an announcement of
solicitation. Current plans include release of a formal Request for
Proposals in Fiscal Year 1999. Active industry involvement is sought
for refining the current approach and contributing to overall future
program success. Comments are requested by May 15, 1998 to allow
sufficient time for inclusion in the acquisition planning process. The
following documents, on compact disk, are available upon request: 1.
Forty Day Endurance Fisheries Research Vessel Requirements (in MS
Office 95) 2. Fisheries Research Vessel -- 40 Day Endurance Feasibility
Design (in MS Office 95, with electronic drawings in AUTOCAD 12) 3. FRV
Acquisition Approach (in MS Office 95) 4. (Notional) FRVProcurement
Schedule (in MS Office 95) For copies of the above information,
interested firms should contact Mr. Michael Knowles at 301-713-3478
(Voice) / 301-713-4155 (Fax). (0075) Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0140 19980319\19-0001.SOL)
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