FD26-284 NMFS Southeast Fisheries Science Center c

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial services to support the National Coral Reef Monitoring Program (NCRMP) in Florida. The government is procuring vessel services for performing dive survey cruises in the Florida Keys. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation, and a separate written solicitation will not be issued.

• Contractor services to provide a vessel capable of supporting dive survey operations.

• Services include providing captain, crew, meals, nitrox air, dive gear, depth finder, topside support, dive safety equipment, and first aid.

• Specific tasks include providing berthing and boarding for at least 10 divers for at least 10 consecutive days, including 7-dive and 10-dive cruises.

• Provision of at least three meals per day, with at least two being hot meals prepared on-site.

• Accommodation for vegetarian meals and food allergies with at least two weeks' notice.

• Provision of an experienced NOAA certified Divemaster or agency personnel to oversee diving operations.

• Supply of nitrox air for SCUBA tank fills, meeting NOAA standards (32±2% for nitrox mix).

• Vessel must be equipped with a depth finder, topside support, and accommodate four divers for shallow surveys.

• Vessel must be available for diving operations from 0730 to 1800.

• Provision of standard dive-safety equipment and sufficient oxygen for emergencies.

• Deck space for NOAA-provided safety equipment (approx. 50 sq ft).

• 120V AC power and space for a portable wireless network system.

• Provision of appropriate first-aid and medical supplies, including an AED.

• Vessel must meet all US Coast Guard requirements, and operators must be licensed.

• Contractor employees must complete mandatory sexual assault and sexual harassment prevention training.

• Contract type: Firm-fixed-price purchase order.

• Period of Performance: May 22, 2026, through December 31, 2026.

• Place of Performance: The Florida Keys, extending from Key West to Key Biscayne, Florida.

• Invoices to be billed in arrears.

• Offerors must submit quotations on the attached SF18 form or company letterhead.

• Quotes must be submitted electronically via email to AMY.GILLILAND@NOAA.GOV by the close of business on 05/08/2026.

• Offerors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM).

• Evaluation will be based on Technical Approach, Experience, and Cost/Price.

• Non-price factors (Technical Approach and Past Performance) are significantly more important than price.

• Award will be made to the responsible offeror whose offer is most advantageous to the Government.

• This acquisition is set-aside for small business concerns.

• The associated NAICS code is 483114.

• The small business size standard is 550 employees.

• Questions concerning the solicitation must be submitted in writing via email to Amy Gilliland no later than three days before the RFQ close date.

• Responses to questions will be made in writing and included in an amendment to the solicitation.

• The government will utilize the FedConnect® web portal for contract administration.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document outlines the required contents of a bid package for offerors responding to a solicitation. It details the specific information and documentation that must be submitted for a bid to be considered compliant and eligible for award.

• Quote Submission: Offerors must submit a quote on vendor letterhead, including specific page requirements (Page 1 for blocks 12-16, Page 3 for pricing) or adhere to FAR 52.212-1 instructions. A statement of acceptance of terms and conditions is required if submitting on company letterhead.
• Contact Information: Provide an email address and phone number for correspondence.
• Unique Entity ID (UEI) and CAGE Code: Must be provided.
• WILL/WILL NOT Statement: Required per FAR 52.204-24 (NOV 2021), unless Reps and Certs are updated in SAM per 52.204-26 (OCT 2020).
• Offeror Representations and Certifications: Required as per clause 52.212-3.
• Applicable Documents: Submission must include copies of Merchant Mariner Credentials for the Master and any additional operator for voyages over 12 hours. The vessel must meet US Coast Guard requirements, and all operators must be licensed commensurate with the vessel.
• SOW and Evaluation Factor Fulfillment: All documentation required to meet the Statement of Work (SOW) and Evaluation Factor requirements must be provided.

This document is critical for bidders as it explicitly lists all mandatory submission items. Failure to provide any of the required documents or information may result in the bid being considered non-compliant. It also clarifies how the Government will evaluate offers, including the addition of option prices to the total evaluated price, except under specific circumstances.

• The Government will evaluate offers by adding the total price of all options to the total price of the basic requirement to determine the total evaluated price.
• This includes options under FAR clause 52.217-8, Option to Extend Services.
• Evaluation of options does not obligate the Government to exercise them.