V -- SCIENTIFIC VESSEL CHARTER, ANTARCTIC REGION POC: Kristina R. Rodabaugh (206) 526-6379: Response Date: 022899 Solicitation No: 52ABNF900028 Request for Industry Comment: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is seeking information to aid in the chartering of a research vessel to support the U.S. Antarctic Marine Living Resources (AMLR) program. The AMLR program provides information necessary to formulate U.S. policy on the conservation and international management of resources living in the oceans surrounding Antarctica. The vessel will operate out of Punta Arenas, Chile, and will be operating in the vicinity of the South Shetland Islands, and possibly in waters surrounding the South Orkney Islands and South Georgia Island. The ship will be required to transit the Drake Passage and may be required to work in the Bellinghausen and Weddell Seas. A multi-year (maximum of 5 years) seasonal charter is being considered, commencing in January of 2000. During each year, the contract will consist of 70 calendar days (63 days underway and 7 days in port) for the execution of a cruise in the Antarctic study area during the January to early March period. The vessel will be required to conduct a brief shake-down cruise of approximately 3 days duration for equipment check-out and then two legs (approximately 30 days each in length) in the Antarctic study area, with short (approximately 1-3 days) port calls in Punta Arenas, Chile (before and after shake-down cruise, between legs, and after last leg) to resupply and exchange personnel; for a total of 70 days. Each year will also have an option for a third research leg with a maximum of 30 days underway and 3 days in port for a total of 103 calendar days (i.e. 93 days underway and 10 days in port). The scientific research includes: bioacoustic surveys, physical oceanography studies, phytoplankton studies, zooplankton surveys, bottom trawl surveys, and seabird and marine mammal observations. Small boat operations for logistical support of field camps will be conducted from the vessel. A suitable vessel must have an ice-strengthened hull, have the capability of conducting bottom trawling operations, have specialized deck equipment (i.e. A- and J-frames, winches, conducting core wire, slip rings, etc.) to support the deployment and recovery of scientific equipment, small boats (zodiacs) and scientific laboratories. Deck space for scientific vans will be required. Meals and berthing for 22-30 scientific personnel are required. Access to electronic outputs from ship's Global Positioning System, gyro compass, positioning equipment, and echo sounders is required. Environmental monitoring instrumentation (e.g. Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler, thermosalinograph, carousel water sampler, etc. ) is desired. Hull mounting of AMLR program supplied transducers is required. The Government is soliciting industry reaction/level of interest in the above project, specifically as it relates to the following: (1) types of vessels that may be available, including technical and operational capabilities and required vessel modifications to conduct the various research operations above; (2) rough order of magnitude cost estimates and desired contract pricing arrangements; (3) ports of origin of potentially available vessels and transit time to/from the research area. Industry comment on additional factors that should be addressed in the solicitation to encourage submission of proposals is welcome. Written responses should be received by March 1, 1999. All responsible sources may respond to the synopsis. As a result of analyzing responses to the synopsis, NOAA may determine that a solicitation is issued. If a solicitation is issued, an additional synopsis of the procurement will be published. Any such solicitation will be issued to all firms responding to the notice, as well as to any subsequent announcement. Posted 02/05/99 (W-SN295801).

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