SOURCES SOUGHT
Y -- Palmer Station Pier Reconstruction - Pier Attachments 1-7
- Notice Date
- 6/27/2013
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 237990
— Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction
- Contracting Office
- National Science Foundation, Division of Acquisition and Cooperative Support, DACS, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Room475, Arlington, Virginia, 22230
- ZIP Code
- 22230
- Solicitation Number
- PALMER_PIER
- Archive Date
- 9/7/2013
- Point of Contact
- Mary C. Rouse, Phone: 703 292-4588, Quyen Diep, Phone: 703-292-4584
- E-Mail Address
-
mrouse@nsf.gov, qdiep@nsf.gov
(mrouse@nsf.gov, qdiep@nsf.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- Attachment 7 Big Rock Attachment 6 Palmer Pier Survey Results Attachment 5 Small Boat Ramp Attachment 4 Post Blasting Rock Removal Attachment 3 Hero Inlet Bathometric Survey Attachment 2 Pier Section Attachment 1 Mooring for LMG at Pier The U.S. Antarctic Program (USAP) is managed by the National Science Foundation, an independent agency of the U.S. Government, pursuant to NSC Memorandum 71 (1971) as reaffirmed in Presidential Memorandum 6646 (1982). PM6646 states: Every effort shall be made to manage the program in a manner that maximizes the cost effectiveness and return on investment. In meeting its responsibilities, the National Science Foundation (NSF) arranges for all USAP logistics and science support activities, including docking facilities at Palmer Station, a year-round U.S. research facility located on Anvers Island in Antarctica. NSF is seeking industry interest, technical input, and cost estimates on a planned design/build for reconstructing, replacing, or revitalizing the current Palmer Station pier. The planned project will provide a viable docking solution for the next 30 years at a cost that provides the best value for the government. The solution could be a wrap, extension or other reconstruction method. Innovation is encouraged. All solutions must consider the logistics limitations of this remote and austere site. Background - Palmer Pier Palmer Station is equipped with a single pier constructed by the Navy in 1967 with access from Hero Inlet. The pier consists of three 27 foot diameter steel sheet pile cells filled with crushed rock arranged in a triangular configuration, with the base of the triangle forming the seaward face of the pier along which ships moor (see Attachment 1). The pier was originally constructed to provide a berth for the research vessel (R/V) HERO, which had an overall length (LOA) of 125 feet. The pier currently accommodates the Antarctic Research and Supply Vessel (ARSV) "LAURENCE M. GOULD" (LMG) with an overall length of 230 feet. Subsequently the mooring arrangements have been enhanced to provide a berth for substantially larger vessels. The seaward face of the pier is fitted with two 10-12 foot diameter fenders for ship mooring. The normal mooring configuration for the LMG is starboard side to the berth, with the fenders contacting the vessel at the stern quarter. Additional mooring is provided with mooring lines to shore. The configuration of the pier is such that it is in sheltered waters from the prevailing wind and wave patterns. Operating draft at the pier is between 19.5 and 26 feet. There is an underwater rock ledge (see Attachment 2) near the pier at a depth of 30 feet that is the main draft restricting feature. Removal of this ledge will allow vessels of greater draft to come alongside. For additional information regarding existing sea bottom depths and features, see Attachment 3 - Hero Inlet Bathometric Survey and Attachment 4 - Post Blasting Rock Removal. USAP is currently executing a project to construct a small boat ramp 5 feet off of the east side of the pier. Proposed construction/modifications must not disturb this structure and the area must be accessible to science and small boat operations during future construction (see Attachment 5). Environmental Antarctica is an extremely harsh and unforgiving environment. On average, it is the coldest and windiest place on earth. The continent spans an area of 5.4 million square miles with an average elevation of 6,500 feet with 98% of the landmass covered by an ice sheet estimated to be 7 million cubic miles in volume. It is surrounded by the Southern Ocean, which is considered to be an extension of the southern parts of the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans. Temperature: The minimum recorded temperature as of 2006 at Palmer Station was minus 24 degrees Fahrenheit and the maximum 48 degrees Fahrenheit. Storms and Precipitation: Weather events occur frequently at Palmer Station with approximately 14 - 20 inches of water equivalent precipitation received annually in the form of snow and rain. Winds: Persistent winds are generally light to moderate in strength, prevailing from the northeast. Average wind speed: 12.5 mph (6-22 mph typ. range) Average monthly fastest wind: 69 mph (46-101 mph typ. range) Waves: Significant wave height: 2.7 feet Maximum wave height: 5.6 feet Tides: Extreme High Water: +3.5 feet Mean Higher High Water: +2.7 feet Mean High Water: +1.1 feet Mean Sea Level: 0.0 feet Mean Low Water: -1.1 feet Mean Lower Low Water: -2.7 feet Extreme Low Water: -3.5 feet Ice: Ice conditions at the Western Antarctic Peninsula (WAP) area are highly dynamic, being affected by many factors including the prevailing westerly atmospheric and oceanic circulation; and the annual advance and retreat of seasonal sea ice. Although the extent of sea ice remains somewhat unpredictable, it has been found that sea ice in this region does co-vary strongly with both air temperatures and southern oscillation index (SOI). The following websites include further information regarding ice conditions: http://arctic.atmos.uiuc.edu/cryosphere/ http://pal.lternet.edu/sci-research/si_wap/ The most significant ice presence is "brash ice", ranging from light to heavy and lasting from hours to days. USAP allows small boat (zodiac) operations to take place in light to moderate brash ice conditions although at reduced speeds. Larger vessels will be slowed significantly or even stopped by heavy brash ice. Occasionally there is solid ice that can be safely traversed on foot or ski. Current usage The station relies on the pier for all major cargo deliveries and resupply. At present the LMG is the primary logistics asset for Palmer Station. It has performed this task since 1997 and is scheduled to perform until 2015. Detailed specifications of the LMG can be found at: www.usap.gov/USAPgov/vesselScienceAndOperations/documents/LMG_Guide.pdf The Research Vessel - Ice Breaker (RVIB) "NATHANIEL B. PALMER" (NBP) makes port calls to Palmer Station; however, the ship currently cannot tie up to the pier due to draft limitations. The NBP either anchors in the bay or ties up to the LMG to transfer cargo to the pier via the LMG. Detailed specifications of the NBP can be found at: http://www.usap.gov/USAPgov/vesselScienceAndOperations/documents/NBP_Guide.pdf Most supplies to Palmer Station are carried from the NSF depot in Port Hueneme, California, by commercial surface transport to Punta Arenas, Chile. The LMG generally transits to Punta Arenas between visits to Palmer Station (approximately a four day voyage). The schedule can be characterized as allowing the LMG to call at Palmer Station with resupplies and personnel exchange on roughly a monthly basis. In addition, the LMG also hosts scientific research during transits and resupplies seasonal research sites. The LMG moors starboard side to the Palmer Station pier for dry cargo discharge (often in 20 foot containers) by crane, and fuel discharge by fuel hose to shore based storage tanks. It is estimated that approximately 210 tons of dry cargo in about 20-30 containers and as break bulk are delivered on an annual basis. Currently, most of this cargo is delivered in 20 foot shipping containers with a maximum container weight of 10 tons, but most containers weigh around 5 tons. Typically, cargo is placed on the pier and then opened and unloaded with the various supplies being dispersed throughout the station. At times, containers are moved within the station; however, due to the limited lifting capacity of the equipment on site (only a few tons), these containers are moved empty. A typical discharge and loading of return items takes two days. Loading and discharge are constrained by limited pier staging space. Only a few containers are loaded and discharged at each vessel call. The station is operated on a carry-in/carry-out basis. As such, garbage and broken or obsolete equipment is continuously removed for proper disposal. This material is usually carried-out from the base in 20 foot containers. Current Pier Conditions The existing pier consists of sheet pile cells filled with gravel/rock and surfaced with gravel. Hull protection is provided by two Yokohama style fenders. The pier has not received any significant modifications and is now approaching the end of its service life. It has significant thinning of the sheet piles and various corrosion holes that allow fill to wash out. In 2008, the existing steel was surveyed and a maintenance program started to weld additional steel to cover holes and strengthen portions of the sheeting (see Attachment 6 for survey results). The pier has started to list landward and at least one of the mooring bollards has pulled out. Reconstruction Requirements Known requirements for the reconstructed pier will be: 1. Adherence to applicable U.S. laws during construction including the US Antarctic Conservation Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act, with specific attention to environmental discharges and wildlife disruption. 2. Replicate the existing pier's flat top surface and elevation at eleven feet above mean tide. 3. Orientation of the new dock apron along a line 260 degrees from true north (current face is oriented to 279 degrees) to enable a moored vessel to surge in a fore and aft movement versus a side to side movement. 4. Retain docking ability of LMG and add ability for the NBP (or vessels with drafts of possibly 33 feet) to tie up directly to the pier. 5. Provide a flat face for fenders and vessels to rest against. 6. Mitigate docked vessel shipping hazard of large rock located 120 feet west of the current dock face (see Attachment 7 - Big Rock). (This might be achieved through changing the angle of the pier face, moving the face out, or some other method.) 7. A stainless steel ladder from the pier top to the sea placed between the dock apron and the closest approach of the ship side. 8. Passive anodes for galvanic protection sized for a five year replacement cycle. 9. Provisions for cargo operations during construction. 10. Planning and provisions made for science operations during construction. However, the entire station may stop science activities to perform this construction initiative if needed. 11. If there is dredging, detailed plan for use or disposal of all spoils. 12. Removable and sectioned stainless steel guard rails with drainable sockets along the edge of the dock apron. 13. Remove all trash, demolition and construction debris from the construction site and dispose of in accordance with applicable U.S. law and Antarctic Treaty obligations. 14. All fill brought to station will need to be sterilized before delivery. 15. Reroute the sewer outfall as needed (see current location on Attachment 1). 16. Repair pier access road damage caused by reconstruction. 17. Dock apron bumpers for the supply ships 18. Mooring bollards as appropriate on the pier and/or on shore. 19. Weatherproof power receptacles at two strategic points on the pier. The following services are planned to be available during this construction project. 1. On-site medical services to the construction crew. 2. A limited quantity of diesel fuel and/or unleaded gasoline required by the construction crew can be supplied by the station. The Palmer site could provide several thousand gallons of diesel and up to 200 gallons of gasoline given sufficient notice. 3. On-site power available for construction: 50KW, 208 and 120v. Additional needs are to be supplied by the contractor. 4. On-site heavy equipment is limited to large all-terrain forklift (Skytrack) support. Additional equipment is to be supplied by the contractor. 5. The LMG could be completely dedicated to the construction and/or the construction firm may bring a boat and/or barge. The pier reconstruction design and construction are planned to be a design/build solicitation. Partnering arrangements or turnkey solutions are welcomed. All interested parties are encouraged to respond with detailed technical input, a capabilities statement, and confidential cost estimate(s) to include applicable estimating assumptions. All questions and responses are to be made in writing to the Contracting Officer. Attachments Attachment 1 Mooring for LMG at pier Attachment 2 Pier section Attachment 3 Hero Inlet Bathometric Survey Attachment 4 Post Blasting Rock Removal Attachment 5 Small boat ramp Attachment 6 Palmer Pier Survey Results 2009-02-18 Attachment 7 Big Rock
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/NSF/DACS/DACS/PALMER_PIER/listing.html)
- Place of Performance
- Address: Palmer Station, Anvers Island, Antarctica
- Record
- SN03102280-W 20130629/130628001235-1a4e6bd00b44b5fe324f8bb0843f97d5 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
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