Antarctic Support Associates, Contracts Administration Office, 61 Inverness Drive East, Suite 300, Englewood, Colorado 80112

19 -- SOURCES SOUGHT FOR ANTARCTIC RESEARCH VESSEL SUPPORT SOL n/a DUE 022699 POC Reginald P. Thomas Antarctic Support Associates (ASA) under contract with the National Science Foundation, is seeking sources interested in providing long term charter with option to purchase a Research Vessel with Ice Breaking Capabilities (RVIB) capable of operating in all oceans including the Southern ocean, in support of the United States Antarctic Program (USAP). The vessel should be approximately 4,000 square feet suitable for laboratory use which should include a Wet Lab with direct access to the working deck; winches consisting of a main trawling winch and a minimum of two hydrographic winches with a minimum of 30,000 feet of wire rope and conducting wire capacity; A-frames booms or davits to support multidisciplinary marine research; and cranes and cargo tackle capable of self loading/discharging and capable of carrying break bulk or containerized (standard ISO 20 feet shipping containers up to 20 tons fully laden) cargo above or below decks. The U.S. Government owned winches and other equipment might be made available for use on the vessel. The vessel must have a minimum ice class of ABS-A2 or equivalent. The vessel must be capable of extended operations at sea of 75 days underway, and have a helicopter capability and accommodations for 37 or more scientific personnel in single and/or double berths in addition to the vessel's crew. The vessel chartered for the support of the USAP shall be of U.S. registry, inspected by the U.S. Coast Guard, and be classed by a recognized international classification society acceptable for U.S. registry. Fax Number is (303) 790-9130. NO PHONE CALLS. Posted 12/10/98 (W-SN279352). (0344)

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