V -- BUOY TRANSPORTATION AND SERVICES

Notice Date

April 5, 2001

Contracting Office

U. S. Department of Commerce, National Data Buoy Center, Stennis Space Center, MS 39529-6000

ZIP Code

39529-6000

Solicitation Number

NWWG95009999999

Response Due

April 10, 2001

Point of Contact

Dennis E. Morris, Contracting Officer, phone (228)688-1706, fax (228)688-3153

E-Mail Address

Use the e-mail address above to contact the contracting (Dennis.Morris@noaa.gov)

Description

This is the second modification to Commerce Business Daily Submission No. 50H3G1 dated March 26, 2001, by the National Data Buoy Center. The CBD cite for the original announcement is W-085 SN50H3G1. The first modification is Submission No. 50H427. The CBD cite for the first modification is W-086 SN50H427. The term "NDBC technicians" is changed to "SAIC contractor personnel technicians". Proof of adequate liability insurance must be provided with bid submission. Description of vessel, equipment and specifications must be provided with bid submission. The following questions were submitted by the industry and include NDBC responses. QUESTION: What is the total number of SAIC personnel that will be onboard and would one cabin be acceptable accommodation for SAIC personnel? ANSWER: The maximum number of SAIC personnel that will support this trip will be three. One cabin will be acceptable provided there are separate bunks for each person. Note that this contract can begin from two distinct point of origin -- the Gulf Coast, or the Atlantic Coast. If the vessel departs from the Gulf Coast, the two service team members would be onboard at departure, would service the buoy south of Ft. Walton Beach, then would be dropped off at Key West. The vessel would then continue on to Charleston where the operations serviceman would board for the return trip to the Pearl River with a stop at Key West to pick up the second buoy. If the vessel departs from the Atlantic Coast, the operations serviceman would board at Charleston for the complete trip. The two service team members would board the vessel at Key West to service the buoy south of Ft. Walton Beach as the vessel continues on with the remainder of the trip. QUESTION: Does the towing vessel have to meet the 7 foot draft restriction at Pearl River, i.e., as the intention would be to tow the buoys upriver singly, this would best be achieved by using an additional shallow draft local vessel for the river towage, while the towing vessel stands by the second buoy at the mouth of the river. ANSWER: The provider must decide whether to tow the buoys in tandem up the river or separately as noted above. If towed separately, the provider will be responsible for acquiring a local, shallow draft vessel to tow upriver, and for maintaining the second buoy at the mouth of the river. The 7 foot draft restriction is the information obtained from the nautical charts for that section of the Pearl River. QUESTION: Would a regular hawser tug (softline) be acceptable? ANSWER: Softline towing is recommended and the lines will be provided by NDBC. There is no requirement for a winch. The buoys can be pigtailed for tandem towing. Proper tandem towing procedures must be followed and the provider will assume all liabilities associated with this service trip. QUESTION: If a winch is required is a single drum acceptable? ANSWER: There is no requirement for a winch. QUESTION: In regards to tandem towing, can the second buoy be pigtailed to the first buoy? ANSWER: Yes QUESTION: What is meant by "total daily price" and "total price"? ANSWER: The duration of the trip can only be estimated at this time, therefore, the total daily price is the only reasonable way to compare offers. The cost of the total trip will be determined by the "total daily price" times the number of days the provider estimates for the complete trip. The actual transit time(s) will be the best estimate from each provider based upon their experience with towing and the capabilities of their vessel. Two days should be allowed for servicing the deployed buoy south of Ft. Walton Beach. One day should be allowed at each port (Charleston and Key West) to prepare the buoys for tow, and get underway. QUESTION: What is the length, height and towing draft of each buoy? ANSWER: Each buoy is a circular, 12-meter discus buoy which extends approximately 30 feet above the water line. The towing draft is approximately 6 feet. QUESTION: What is meant by boat rental fees? ANSWER: Boat rental fee is the daily cost of the vessel only. Other costs are to be itemized separately as noted in the CBD solicitation. QUESTION: Is the contract to conclude once the buoys are delivered to Stennis Space Center locks or after returning from inspecting the W/X buoy 300nm off Ft. Walton? ANSWER: The contract concludes when the two buoys are delivered to the Stennis Space Center locks and the deployed buoy has been serviced off Ft. Walton Beach. Servicing the deployed buoy can occur on the first leg of the trip (if it begins on the Gulf Coast), or on the final leg of the trip (if it begins on the Atlantic Coast). QUESTION: Where are the service technicians boarding the vessel and where should we expect to return them after inspecting the Ft. Walton W/X buoy? ANSWER: Note that this contract can begin from two distinct point of origin -- the Gulf Coast, or the Atlantic Coast. If the vessel departs from the Gulf Coast, the two service team members would be onboard at departure. They would service the buoy south of Ft. Walton Beach, then would be dropped off at Key West. The vessel would then continue on to Charleston where the operations serviceman would board for the return trip to the Pearl River with a stop at Key West to pick up the second buoy. If the vessel departs from the Atlantic Coast, the operations serviceman would board at Charleston for the complete trip. The two service team members would board the vessel at Key West to service the buoy south of Ft. Walton Beach as the vessel continues on with the remainder of the trip. QUESTION: What information should be included in the bid response? ANSWER: The following information is required in the response: 1) solicitation number; 2) name, address, point of contact, and phone number of bidder; 3) total itemized daily price and total price with estimated transit times; 4) boat rental fees; 5) fuel/oil consumption; 6) food and accommodations; 7) copy of Captain's license; 8) vessel registration; 9) vessel inspection certificate; 10)proof of adequate insurance; 11) Description of vessel, equipment and specifications; and 12) completed copy of FAR 52.212-3 Offer Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items.

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010409/VSOL001.HTM (W-095 SN50I4F9)