V -- BUOY TRANSPORTATION AND SERVICE

Notice Date

March 26, 2001

Contracting Office

U. S. Department of Commerce, National Data Buoy Center, Stennis Space Center, MS 39529-6000

ZIP Code

39529-6000

Solicitation Number

NWWG95009999999

Response Due

April 24, 2001

Point of Contact

Dennis E. Morris, Contracting Officer, phone (228) 688-1705, fax (228) 688-3153

E-Mail Address

Use the e-mail address above to contact the contracting (Dennis.Morris@noaa.gov)

Description

The National Data Buoy Center, Stennis Space Center, MS intends to contract for transportation of two 12-meter discus buoys to the Stennis Space Center (SSC), MS (Lat 30 degrees 21' N, Long 89 degrees 37' W). One buoy is located adjacent to the Navy's Space and Naval Warfare (SPAWAR) Center at Pier P, in Charleston, SC. and the other is located at the Key West Trumbo Point Annex, Naval Warfare Detachment, Pier D1 (adjacent to U S Coast Guard Station) in Key West, FL. In addition, a service visit stop will be conducted at a buoy presently deployed approximately 300 miles south of Fort Walton, FL. at Lat 26 degrees 00' N, Long 87 degrees 45' W. The award will be a firm-fixed price on a per day charge. Quoted estimates are to be itemized on a per day basis and shall identify estimated transit times, boat rental fees, fuel/oil consumption, food and accommodations, and all other charges necessary to complete the trip. The contractor must be able to commence operations within two weeks of the date authorization to proceed is received, weather permitting. The contract will conclude with the delivery of both buoys to the SSC locks. The bidder will determine the safest route from Charleston and Key West to the mouth of the East Pearl River, LA. NDBC service technicians will board the vessel at the port of departure to service the existing deployed buoy approximately 300 miles south of Fort Walton Beach, FL. They will be dropped off at the most convenient port for return to the SSC. An NDBC operations technician will be aboard the vessel for the towing operations from Charleston and Key West and will remain on board for the trip back to the SSC to provide consultation and assistance relative to tandem towing of these 12-meter buoys. Service equipment, towing harnesses, equipment for the 360 degrees lighting for both buoys, and other equipment necessary to conduct a safe tow will be provided by the NDBC. This equipment will be loaded by the vessel operator at the port of departure and off-loaded at the SSC by NDBC personnel. The contractor will be responsible for providing a portable, gas-powered, 2 inch, water pump with a minimum of 10 feet of suction hose and 35 feet of discharge hose for ballasting the buoys for towing. Prior to the commencing operation, the NDBC technicians will conduct a meeting with all vessel personnel to assure that everyone understands the details of the operations and what each must do to assure a safe and successful mission. Disagreements with the NDBC's operational requirements will be settled prior to commencement of the trip. Inability to settle the disagreements to the satisfaction of the NDBC, especially if it is felt that failure to follow the NDBC procedures may result in personnel injury or damage/loss of a buoy(s), will result in cancellation of the contract. The provider will be responsible for conducting towing operations in accordance with the established procedures for tandem towing, especially with regards to lighting the buoys in tow for 360 degrees visibility. Precautions must be taken when towing the buoys up the East Pearl River thru restricted bridge openings and around river bends. If the contractor deems it necessary to tow the buoys up the East Pearl River singly, they will be responsible for mooring one buoy at the mouth of the river until it is later retrieved. At a minimum, the vendor shall provide the following capabilities: (1) The captain must be licensed for offshore transportation to the location specified; and (2) The vessel must meet all United States Coast Guard requirements for 300 nautical miles (min.) offshore certification. It must be capable of towing two 12-meter discus buoy weighing approximately 100 tons each, when ballasted for sea towing, at a minimum speed of 5 knots in a seastate of 2 and must be able to transit the East Pearl River and the SCC canal-controlled depth of 7 feet. On-board equipment must be provided for welding, acetylene cutting, electrical power of 120/208 VDC, and all other support operations. NDBC equipment may consist of up to 6 seaworthy containers approximately 12 cu. feet and weighing up to 150 lbs. each. Equipment must be sheltered and tied down during transit. There must be sufficient pad-eyes or hold-downs on the deck, or ability to install sufficient hold-down points, to accommodate equipment for transit and to conduct operations. Accommodations must include food and air conditioned quarters for up to three persons. Note: A site survey of the vessel may be required prior to any contractual agreement. The contractor must carry adequate liability to cover persons, equipment, and any damage that might result from operations during the course of the service trip. (Note: Complete buoy replacement cost is approximately $ 2,000,000.00 for the deployed buoy and $ 250,000.00 each for the two to be towed.) The contractor shall also provide the following services: Loading equipment from the dock onto the vessel. NDBC personnel will unload at SSC. Small boat transportation from tow vessel to deployed buoy and technicians drop off. Safe transfer of technicians and equipment to/from the buoy in seas up to 4 feet. Communications equipment to maintain contact with shore based personnel. Positioning capabilities to within 100 meters. There are maximum sea states in which the vessel would be expected to operate. The decision whether to go or no-go when considering weather conditions will be made by mutual agreement between the NDBC representative and the boat Captain, with the Captain having the final authority to postpone, cancel, or delay a mission. Due consideration will be given to the safety of the vessel and personnel aboard at all times. A no-go decision because of weather will not be considered cancellation of the contract. CLAUSES: The following provisions apply to this acquisition: FAR 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors-Commercial Items; FAR 52.212-2 Evaluation-Commercial Items; FAR 52.212-3 Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items; all offerors are to include with their offer a completed copy of FAR 52.212-3; FAR 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Items; FAR 52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required to implement Statutes or Executive Orders-Commercial Items. The following clauses cited in FAR 52.212-5 are applicable to this acquisition: FAR 52.222-21 Prohibition of Segregated Facilities; FAR 52.222-26 Equal Opportunity (E.O. 11246), FAR 52.222-35 Affirmative Action for Disabled Veterans and Veterans of the Vietnam Era (38 U.S.C. 4212 ), FAR 52.222-36 Affirmative Action for Workers with Diabilities (29 U.S.C. 793), FAR 52.222-37 Employment Reports on Disabled Veterans and Veterans of the Vietnam Era (38 U.S.C. 4212); FAR 52.222-41 Service Contract Act of 1965, As amended (41 U.S.C. 351, et seq.). The full text of clauses may be accessed electronically at : http://www.arnet.gov/far. Offerors must provide; (1) solicitation number, (2) name and address, point of contact and telephone number, (3) total daily price and total price, and (4) copies of the Captain's license and the Vessel registration. Offerors are due by 04/24/01, 2:00 PM CDT. Offers may be faxed to (228) 688-3153; Attn: Dennis E. Morris. Offers may be mailed to: National Data Buoy Center, Attn: Dennis E. Morris, Building 1100, Room 360, Stennis Space Center, MS 39529-6000.

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010328/VSOL004.HTM (W-085 SN50H3G1)