| R -- ROV Support Services for the NOAA Vessel OKEANOS EXPLORER |
| Program Summary |
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| Description |
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General Information
| Document Type: |
Sources Sought Notice |
| Solicitation Number: |
Reference-Number-AB133C-08-OOE-ROV |
| Posted Date: |
Mar 14, 2008 |
| Original Response Date: |
Apr 28, 2008 |
| Current Response Date: |
Apr 28, 2008 |
| Original Archive Date: |
May 13, 2008 |
| Current Archive Date: |
May 13, 2008 |
| Classification Code: |
R -- Professional, administrative, and management support services |
| Naics Code: |
541712 -- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology) |
Contracting Office Address
Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Western Region Acquisition Division, 7600 Sand Point Way, Northeast, Seattle, WA, 98115-6349, UNITED STATES
Description
The NOAA?s Office of Ocean Exploration intends to issue a sole source contract to Eastern Oceanics of Redding, CT for support activities specific to the operations and staffing of a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) on the NOAA Ship OKEANOS EXPLORER. The contractor shall be able to provide ROV support services and maintenance as follows: (1) Provide ROV staff for each OKEANOS EXPLORER cruise as appropriate to the cruise plan. To include selecting, assigning and managing the team members and coordinating their work with the ship?s force. Primary ROV staff required from the contractor will be ROV pilots, co-pilots and engineers/technicians. The OKEANOS EXPLORER anticipates providing ROV navigators. Each cruise plan will identify the required number of staff depending upon anticipated tempo (16 or 24 hour operations). A minimum ROV team includes one pilot, one co-pilot one navigator and one video technician. (2) Perform ROV maintenance to include specification, ordering and installing spare/replacement parts, consumables, and similar service items. Contractor staff will perform these maintenance services as required during periods of ROV operations or between ROV cruise legs as the field season schedule allows. (3) In collaboration with NOAA, contractor shall specify and oversee development/procurement of ROV sensors, samplers and major subcomponents such as cameras/lights as new scientific requirements emerge during the field season. Contractor may be required to assist NOAA in development of budgets, negotiation of pricing and review of technical design details for such items. (4) In collaboration with OKEANOS EXPLORER crew, development and updating as required of ROV standard operating procedures (SOPs) for ROV operations and maintenance and ROV and related systems electronic drawings (e.g., CAD). Contractor will regularly update and adapt these SOPs and drawings as each field season proceeds and each ROV related system or component changes. (5) Contractor shall develop and execute a training plan for both contractor and NOAA staff engaged in the operations and maintenance of the ROV. This plan shall be regularly updated to account for developments in the ROV, the vessel or NOAA ocean exploration and research objectives.
Contractor?s engagement is expected to begin immediately after the installation of the ROV aboard the OKEANOS EXPLORER and with the commencement of vessel/ROV shakedown in July 2008. Flexibility and innovative approaches to staffing and ROV operations will be required as the OKEANOS EXPLORER concept of operations evolves.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: (1) Significant experience in the operation of ROVs for ocean exploration and research is required. Proven track record in all major aspects of this activity including: a) maritime cultural heritage, b) biological oceanography c) chemical oceanography and d) geology and geophysical oceanography. Demonstrated field work including: a) creation of video records, b) creation of photomosaics of work sites, and c) collection of all manner of scientific samples by ROVs (e.g. sediment cores, biological samples). Interested party must show a track record of successful projects as well as a publication record demonstrating scientific quality and impact of their work. (2) Demonstrated track record of operating and maintaining a science class ROV over extended periods, not simply individual projects, is required. The interested party must demonstrate knowledge and experience in the management of tools, spare parts, consumables and hazardous materials associated with science class ROVs. (3) Experience with the use of ?two body? ROV systems for science and exploration is required. Interested party must provide an explanation of the two body ROV systems they have used and how they have been applied to ocean exploration and research activities. Demonstrated experience in the operation of two body ROVs to depths greater than 3,500 meters is required. (4) The interested party must be familiar with both academic and commercial organizations in the ROV sector. Demonstration of past experience with academic and commercial organizations such as the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), Deep Submergence Lab, and the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) shall be provided. Demonstrated track record of working with commercial ROV and ROV support entities (e.g. cable, sensor and camera manufacturers) is required. (5) Interested party must have a proven track record of performing commercial ROV support services. Execution of research programs under grants alone is insufficient. A list of major contract customers and the nature of services provided is required. Points of contact for reference checks is required. (6) Interested party must have a demonstrated track record with scientific sampling systems for ROVs (e.g. push cores, suction samplers). A list of sample systems used is required. Demonstrated experience with development and integration of unique and/or specialized samplers or sensors on ROVs is required. (7) Interested party must have experience and industry knowledge sufficient to manage a pool of ROV operations personnel (e.g. pilots, technicians). Interested party must present a staffing model that provides 4-6 ROV personnel (depending on operations tempo) for each OKEANOS EXPLORER cruise that requires ROV operations. A minimum of 120, and a maximum of 240 days, of ROV operations are anticipated each year, organized into approximately 4 to 12 cruises per year. Interested party?s staffing model must demonstrate that experienced ROV staff will be available as required. (8) Interested party must demonstrate an understanding of ship operations (e.g. launch and recovery, dynamic positioning) pertinent to two-body ROVs. Demonstrated experience working with vessel crews and officers to optimize ROV and vessel interaction is required. (9) Interested party must demonstrate acceptable past performance in the development and execution of training programs for ROV personnel. The interested party must provide examples of development of training materials and published curricula specific to ROV repair and maintenance, and piloting and navigation.
Eastern Oceanics is believed to be the only source capable of meeting the stated requirements. All interested concerns must submit documentation (limit three, 8.5? x 11? typed pages) in writing addressing the requirements stated herein to demonstrate the capability, expertise, qualifications, experience, and ability to perform the necessary work to Contracting Officer Paul Reed at Paul.J.Reed@noaa.gov no later than May 1, 2008. It is requested that all submittals and inquiries be submitted via email to the stated address. Telephone inquiries will not be honored. See numbered note 22.
Point of Contact
Paul Reed, Contract Specialist, Phone (206) 526-6034, Fax (206) 526-6025, Email paul.j.reed@noaa.gov
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