U.S. Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, WASC, Acquisition Management Division WC3, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Bin C15700, Seattle, WA 98115-0070

V -- MANNED SUBMERSIBLE DIVE DAYS OFF SOUTHEASTERN ALASKA SOL 52ABNF900050 DUE 052299 POC POC: Kristina R. Rodabaugh, (206) 526-6379 This publication serves as a notice of intent to procure, on a sole-source basis, with DELTA OCEANOGRAPHICS, for a submersible system to consist of a manned submersible, support ship, launch and retrieval system, crew and scientific laboratory space. The charter shall be for up to 13 days in August of 1999, to begin and end in Kodiak, Alaska. The charter shall take place in the waters off Southeastern Alaska. The submersible shall be capable of regularly operating to a depth of 360 m and MUST BE ABLE TO OPERATE IN CONTACT WITH THE SEAFLOOR OVER RUGGED SUBSTRATE THAT INCLUDES BOULDERS AND CORAL. The submersible shall also have the capability of carrying aboard at least one (1) observer and one (1) Contractor-provided pilot, and shall have viewing ports accessible to the observer during all portions of the dive. The Contractor shall provide at least two (2) fully qualified pilots for the purpose of alternating dive participation. The submersible and support crew shall provide up to eight (8) hours of submergence during a normal operating day. Performance capability is critical to the success of this research. The submersible must come equipped with two external, high resolution color video cameras (minimum resolution 350 lines) capable of being mounted on the side of the submersible. The support vessel shall have a minimum length of 110 ft. overall, to safely launch and recover the submersible and special oceanographic equipment; shall be capable of remaining at sea for at least ten (10) days without resupplying and capable of cruising at least nine (9) knots to minimize transit time between stations; shall have a complete integrated deck-mounted, hydraulic-powered launch and retrieval system with two times (2X) manned submersible weight capacity for precisely maneuvering the submersible from the deck cradle in and out of the water. The vessel shall provide 10-cu ft freezer storage exclusive of space required for ship's use and 500 cu. ft. of readily accessible, dry, clean storage space for equipment. The Contractor shall provide along with the support vessel and in addition to the submersible, a crew, including berthing for at least a scientific crew of four (4), food and fresh water. All interested concerns must submit documentation demonstrating that they can supply a submersible system with the characteristics mentioned above within 15 days of the publication date of this notice. This notice may represent the only official of such solicitation. See Note 22. Posted 04/08/99 (W-SN317795). (0098)

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