Description
The U.S. Department of Commerce, National Marine Fisheries Service, in Pascagoula, MS intends to award a purchase order to charter the research vessel Georgia Bulldog. The Harvesting Systems and Engineering Branch of the National Marine Fisheries Service, Pascagoula Laboratory has been tasked with the development of turtle excluder device (TED) gear for the both the Southeastern penaeid shrimp fishery and the South Alantic flynet fishery. NMFS uses the small turtle test protocol (U.S. Federal Register, Vol. 55, No. 195) to certify candidate TEDs, but in addition to this test, it is beneficial to test TEDs to determine if there is a loss of the target catch, the bycatch exclusion rates, and to evaluate the TEDs for their exclusion rates of larger wild turtles. These tests serve to validate the small turtle tests and determine how effective the candidate TEDs are in real world conditions. Harvesting Systems and the University of Georgia Marine Extension Service (UGMAREX) research vessel, the Georgia Bulldog have developed an underwater camera system that will allow real time underwater observations of TEDs to monitor them for wild turtle escapement. Historically, the Cape Canaveral, FL ship channel has been an area with high sea turtle concentrations which allow these tests to be conducted. The research vessel R/V Georgia Bulldog is known to have required equipment and trained personnel to perform these tests. Three objectives will be accomplished with this charter (1) compare bycatch and target catch rates of candidate TEDs to a naked net (no TED installed), (2) determine exclusion rates of wild turtles via real-time video monitoring, (3) install satellite tags and collect data on any captured wild turtles. Salient characteristics about the Georgia Bulldog, are as follows: 1.) Vessel Configuration and Equipment a.) This vessel is powered and rigged for the efficient operation of large fish trawls (a trawl reel and a stern ramp) and standard shrimp trawl gear (outriggers). This project requires that both gear types be evaluated on a day to day basis. In order to quickly and safely change between trawl types the vessel must be suitably rigged. The vessel crew has the ability to make gear changes quickly and efficiently, which will conserve project time and overall expense to the government. b.) The project requires that in-water measurements of the trawls be obtained using electronic net mensuration equipment. The R/V Georgia Bulldog has a SCANMAR netsonde system capable of measuring trawl height and spread in real time. This system will allow us to assess the effect of TED installation on trawl configuration. A net mensuration system is very costly and most commercial fishermen are not known by the government to have such a system. c.) Underwater camera system. The R/V Georgia Bulldog also possesses an underwater camera system capable of mounting on the trawl and providing real time video to the vessel. This system will be used to observe the interaction of sea turtles with fly nets and shrimp nets. The camera system will also be used to count the frequency, and determine how quickly wild sea turtles are able to pass through the TED on a real time bases. This system consists of two underwater cameras and a hydrophone on each net. The cameras and hydrophone are connected via waterproof cabling to a hydraulic cable reel that deploys and retrieves the cable. Inside the cabin the vessel has four digital VCRs all equipped with a flat panel video monitor. d.) Experience. The captain and crew have extensive local knowledge about where turtles are located in and around the Cape Canaveral ship channel and have worked in that area since the 1980s capturing sea turtles for numerous TED tests and turtle tagging expeditions. The captain must have knowledge about video cameras systems including how to repair systems if needed. 2.) Vessel Crew a.) Captain and crew are experienced in the deployment, retrieval and repair of fly net gear and shrimp trawling gear. Captain and crew should be familiar with the operation and maintenance of both gear types. b.) Captain and crew knowledgeable in the use and repair of an electronic net mensuration system and underwater camera system. 3) Vessel documentation/certification. 4) Must pass a USCG, NOAA Office of Marine Operations safety inspection or other third party inspection equivalent to Subchapter U, 46 CFR 188 for life at sea, fire safety, and material condition. This inspection must also be conducted on vessels designated as "uninspected vessels" or "research vessels" by the USCG. 5)Vessel Requirements - Engine power of 375 HP sufficient to tow 90-ft. headrope length fly net gear @ 3.0-3.5 knots. - Hydraulic net reel. - Dry work area for working on underwater camera system. - Stern ramp for deployment of large fish trawls. - Berthing space for 3 scientists. - Meals supplied for 3 scientists (3 meals per day). 6) Other equipment required - Electronic net mensuration system. - Trawl mounted underwater camera system with DV or DVCAM video recorders and monitors. Market research for conventional shrimp trawlers conducted in 2010 and 2011 (associated with Deepwater Horizion and Expanded Stock Assessment sampling projects). The R/V Georgia Bulldog is the only source known vessel to the government able meet the required specifications. To be considered, firms must furnish detailed information concerning their capability to provide the services and satisfy or exceed the Government's needs. Such information shall include, at a minimum, name, telephone number, and address of concerns for which you have furnished this service previously, and detailed narrative that describes the vessel being offered to include photographs and your ability to provide this service. This notice is for a service for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source University of Georgia Marine Extension Service. Any business capable of providing the services is encouraged to respond to this announcement. The NAICS code for this action is 483212. Interested parties must respond within (10) days after publication of this notice. If no affirmative responses are received, the government intends to issue a purchase order to the University of Georgia Marine Extension Service. All contractors doing business with the Eastern Region Acquisition Division (ERAD) must be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM) to include their Representations and Certifications Application. This is a Government initiative was designed to replace the paper Representations and Certifications (Reps & Certs) process. No award can be made unless the vendor is registered with SAMs. For more information and to register access the following website: http://www.sam.gov/. In order to register with the SAM offerors must have a Dun & Bradstreet number. A Dun & Bradstreet number may be acquired free of charge by contacting Dun & Bradstreet on-line at http://www.dnb.com/product/eupdate/requestOptions.html or by phone at (800) 333-0505.