V--Research Vessel Charter for Walrus Tagging Mission

The U. S. Geological Survey (USGS) is interested in chartering an offshore research vessel capable of working in broken sea ice to support a walrus radio-tagging project in the northern Chukchi Sea for a maximum of 14 days between July 11 and 25 2013. Actual trip timing and length will depend on the weather and sea ice and the billing will reflect actual charter days. The work area will be the northeastern Chukchi Sea at the southern edge of the retreating pack ice. The vessel will support two workboats in performing the science mission: One workboat will be outfitted and provided by USGS (USGS owned and equipped workboat) and must be loaded onto the charter vessel from a port with road access near Anchorage, Alaska. A second (similarly outfitted) workboat will be provided by the contractor. The vessel will be required to transit to Nome, or other appropriate port near the target field work, board the science crew, and continue to the work area for arrival to the work area by about July 14, 2013. The estimated location of the initial target area will be 150 nautical miles west of Barrow, but is ultimately dependent on sea ice conditions at the time. The vessel will operate within the sea ice margin. Radio-tagging will occur for up to 10 days, and then the vessel will return the science crew to the nearest suitable logistics base, with a preference for Wainwright or Nome. The vessel will provide transportation and support for the science crew of up to 9 people working for USGS, as well a suitable workboat and boat operator experienced in small boat handling offshore in sea ice. Detailed requirements for vessel, Captain, and crew as well as furuther details are contained in the solicitation. Please Note: Responses and offers to this solicitation shall be via email to the buyer listed herein and in the solicitation. Responses and offers submitted via FedConnect are not reliable and may not be received by the buyer. Please email your offer to the Buyer to insure your offer is received and considered. This is a 100% small business set-aside and the procurement will be conducted under FAR Part 12 - "Acquisition of Commercial Items". Offers from other than small business will not be considered for award. All offerors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) to be eligible for awaard (formerly CCR and ORCA). Place of Performance: Anchorage, AK north to the Chukchi Sea, southern edge of the retreating pack ice. Contact the Buyer if you have questions or require further information: Don Shannon, [email protected] (916) 278-9342.