SUBMERSIBLE OR REMOTELY OPERATED VEHICLE

This publication serves as notice of intent to procure services for the Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service, Ted Stevens Marine Research Institute located in Juneau, AK on a sole source basis with Delta Oceanographics. The government intends to acquire services using FAR Part 13, Simplified Acquisition Procedures. Proposed vendor will provide a submersible to complete offshore Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) research in the Gulf of Alaska in August of 2009. This research will examine sponge recruitment and recovery from commercial trawl gear near Salisbury Sound. In 1996 a NOAA research team initiated this study when they used the Delta submersible to observe the immediate effects of a single trawl pass on seafloor epifauna. In 1997, the Delta was used again to observe the seafloor one year post-trawling. Damage and recovery of sponges was determined by comparing the density and incidence of injuries among sponges on trawled and untrawled transects. In 2009, NOAA scientists are revisiting the study site to examine recruitment and recovery of sponges 13 years post-trawling. In order to compare study results between years, it is absolutely necessary to replicate the study methods used previously. Therefore, a requirement of the study is to reuse the Delta submersible and its suite of cameras and laser-scaling devices. A manned submersible is essential to the study because a scientist must be present in situ on the seafloor to make real-time audio observations of seafloor biota and trawl disturbances while the submersible completes video transects. Observations made in situ are priceless in the laboratory while interpreting the data recorded on video transects. The conning tower on the Delta allows for 360º of visibility which allows the pilot to search the seafloor for transect markers and selected biota. This feature of the submersible is unequaled by any ROV and not known to exist among other submersibles. Without this ability, the probability of relocating transect markers is severely diminished and therefore the objectives of the study are jeopardized. The government intends to negotiate a firm- fixed price contract which will include 2 days of mobilization, one day of demobilization, seven days at-sea days and transportation and logistics. The period of performance will be 5 Aug through 14 August 2009. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. However, all proposals received within 15 days of publication of this synopsis will be considered by the government. All responses must be in writing and may be faxed attention to Maria Mendoza at (206)527-7513or email at [email protected]. This is a small purchase action estimated value not to exceed $100,000.00. ****The Western Regional Acquisition Division, requires that all contractors doing business with this Acquisition Office be registered with the Central Contractor Registry (CCR) as of October 1, 2003. After this date, NO award can be made unless the vender is registered in CCR. For additional information and to register in CCR please access the following web site: http://www.ccr.gov. In order to register with the CCR and to be eligible to receive an award from this acquisition office, all offerors must have a Dun & Bradstreet Number. A Dun & Bradstreet number may be acquired free of charge by contacting Dun & Bradstreet on-line at www.dnb.com/eupdate or by phone at (800) 333-0505. All contractors are also required to complete online Representations and Certifications at HTTP://ORCA.BPN.GOV.