U.S. Department of Commerce/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/OFA/AGFS/AMD -- OFA51, 1305 East West Highway -- Station 7604, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910

D -- SHIP REPORTING SYSTEM SOL FY88WHALE DUE 073198 POC LaMar Carlson, Contract Specialist 301-713-0839x196 E-MAIL: LaMar Carlson, Lamar.Carlson@noaa.gov. US Dept of Commerce/NOAA and the U.S. Coast Guard request a response from companies that have the interest and capabilities to establish and maintain a ship reporting system off the east coast of United States to reduce the threat of ship strikes to Northern right whales. Ship collisions with right whales are a major source of mortality in this highly endangered species. To establish such a system for international maritime traffic, the United States has submitted a proposal to the International Maritime Organization (IMO). If accepted and implemented, the system will require all ships 300 gross tons (about 150 feet in length) or greater that enter a pre-designated area to report their name, call sign, position, speed, course, route, and destination to a shore-based station. An automated message will be returned to the ship from the shore station informing the mariner about right whales and advising mariners about where they can obtain guidance on avoiding whales. In addition, the system will yield data on ship traffic volume, routes, and ports of call which will assist in tailoring any necessary future ship strike mitigation measures. The system is expected to be operational by June 1999. Geographic Area: The mandatory ship reporting system will be in effect in two areas: one each off the northeastern and southeastern coasts of the United States. The proposed northeastern area includes the waters of Cape Cod Bay, Massachusetts Bay, the Great South Channel, and the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary; in the southeastern, the area includes waters within about 25 nm of the coast along a 90 nm stretch of the Atlantic seaboard at the Florida/Georgia border. Operation: It is estimated that a total of 5,000 ships annually will report to the system. The majority of the ship-shore-ship dialog will be conducted via INMARSAT-C, using a mobile tele-communications service provider (e.g., COMSAT). Two things will occur when an incoming message is received: (1) a standardized message will be automatically returned to the ship; and (2) the information from the ship will be added to a data base. The dialog is completed after this two-way exchange. The data base will be accessible from remote sites, but will have limited entry access. Incoming information will be delivered, perhaps via an Internet address, to a server which will automatically send the return message and deliver the incoming information to the data base. The incoming INMARSAT satellite-linked message will probably be routed through COMSAT, and from there via an Internet or dedicated phone line to the server. The incoming message will be tightly formatted for specific fields that will facilitate downloading to a data base. An estimated 10 % or less ships over 300 gross tons may not be equipped with INMARSAT C. These ships will report by voice (e.g., VHF) or printing-telegraphy (e.g., SITOR) and incoming messages will by handled by existing Coast Guard communication facilities. The system will need to be able to accept messages from a Coast Guard radio operator; that will then trigger the return message described above and provide the incoming information to the data base. The National Marine Fisheries Service/NOAA and the Coast Guard will share responsibility for oversight of the program, and compliance with, and enforcement of, the system. NMFS/NOAA will assist in updating the outgoing message and NMFS/NOAA or a contractor (e.g., an academic institution) will periodically access the data for analysis of ship traffic volume and routes. The Coast Guard will, in their regular port state control boarding, educate the mariner about the system, and gather information for enforcement. Requirements: A contractor will be sought to (a) establish and maintain a low-maintenance server system that has 24 hours/day, 7 days/week capabilities to receive and transmit messages via a service provider; (b) develop any programs to address "a" above; (c) capture the incoming information, and format, (possibly encrypting the data) and deliver it to the data base; and (d) provide the data base to an external (computer) entity. Offerors who believe they can satisfy the requirement must demonstrate their ability in writing. All written responses must include a written narrative statement of capability, including detailed technical information and other technical literature demonstrating the ability to meet the above requirements. The response must be sufficient to permit agency analysis to establish a bona fide capability to meet the requirements. Please provide a cost estimate for 1) establishing the system and 2) a monthly cost for system operation. Base you estimate on a contract with a base year plus 4 one year options. Further information (i.e., a schematic of the proposed communications system and sample incoming and return message) is available upon request. Responses due NLT July 31. For inquires and mailing address: Dept of Commerce/NOAA, ATTN: LaMar Carlson, 1305 East West Hwy, 7th floor. Silver Spring, Maryland 20910. Phone 301-713-0839x196. E-mail address: Lamar.Carlson@noaa.gov Posted 07/15/98 (W-SN223536). (0196)

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