M--TRANSIT THE ST LAWRENCE SEAWAY AND WELLAND CANAL

Amendment / Modification

• This amendment (0001) extends the solicitation offer due date. Bidders should refer to SAM.gov for the new date.

• The solicitation offer due date is affected.

• The proposal deadline has been extended. Bidders are instructed to acknowledge and sign this amendment. All other terms and conditions remain unchanged.

Statement of Work (SOW)

To detail the requirements for agent services for the NOAA Ship Thomas Jefferson during its round-trip transit through the St. Lawrence Seaway and Welland Canal between April and September 2026.

• The NOAA Ship Thomas Jefferson will conduct hydrographic research in Lake Erie and Lake Ontario from April through September 2026.
• The vessel will transit the St. Lawrence Seaway upbound in April 2026, the Welland Canal downbound in June 2026, and the St. Lawrence Seaway downbound in September 2026. Transit dates are estimates.
• The agent will provide services for these transits, including pilotage, coordination of pilots, locks, and anchorages, and payment of associated fees and tolls.

March 1, 2026 – October 31, 2026. Alternate dates may be agreed upon, not exceeding two weeks beyond the stated period.

• CLIN 0001: Transit of the St. Lawrence Seaway upbound (approx. April 7, 2026). Requires English-speaking pilotage, pilot coordination, lock/anchorage coordination, and fee/documentation handling.

• CLIN 0002: Transit of the Welland Canal upbound (approx. April 12, 2026). Requires English-speaking pilotage, pilot coordination, lock coordination, and fee/documentation handling.

• CLIN 0003: Transit of the Welland Canal downbound (approx. June 2026). Requires English-speaking pilotage, pilot coordination, lock coordination, and fee/documentation handling.

• CLIN 0004: Transit of the St. Lawrence Seaway downbound (approx. September 2026). Requires English-speaking pilotage, pilot coordination, lock/anchorage coordination, and fee/documentation handling.

• Services not to be charged independently without government authorization.

• Requires 24-hour advance confirmation.

• May include pilot delay time, pilot transfer services, tie-up services, and anchorage fees.

• A seaway inspection is not expected to be required.

• All quotes and invoices in US dollars.

• Vessel will communicate arrival/departure updates at least 48 hours in advance.

• Locks are restricted to daytime transit.

• The ship does not have a landing boom, requiring specific tie-up services.

• Contracting Officer: Alexander Cancela

• Technical Point of Contact: Lt. Cmdr. Chris Duffy

• Payment: Within 30 days of invoice receipt; partial payments may be made per trip leg. Invoices to be sent to both CO and TPOC.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is a solicitation (RFQ) for vessel transit services along the St. Lawrence Seaway and Welland Canal. The government is procuring these services to facilitate the movement of NOAA vessels.

• Transit Services: The core requirement is to provide English-speaking pilotage, coordinate pilot and vessel movements, manage lock transits, and handle all associated fees, tolls, documentation, and administration for upbound and downbound transits of the St. Lawrence Seaway and Welland Canal.

• Specific Transits:

  • Upbound St. Lawrence Seaway transit (Les Escoumins to Cape Vincent), estimated arrival at Les Escoumins around April 7, 2026.
  • Upbound Welland Canal transit (Port Weller), estimated arrival around April 12, 2026.
  • Downbound Welland Canal transit (Port Colborne), estimated arrival around June 2026.
  • Downbound St. Lawrence Seaway transit (Cape Vincent), estimated arrival around September 2026.

• Performance Standards: Services must be performed to specific standards, including providing English-speaking pilots, coordinating movements, and paying associated fees.

• Independent CLINs: Each CLIN is independent, and vendors will only be paid for actual usage of services, not for standby time.

• Contract Type: Firm Fixed Price.

• Period of Performance: March 1, 2026, through October 31, 2026 (base period).

• Evaluation: Best value to the government, considering experience, past performance, and price. Option CLINs will be evaluated based on best price.

• Submission Deadline: November 28, 2025, at 5:00 PM Eastern Time.

• Submission Method: Via electronic means (email) to alexander.cancela@noaa.gov. The government is not responsible for non-receipt of email.

• Questions Deadline: November 24, 2025, at 9:00 AM ET. Questions must be submitted in writing.

• Required Information:

  • Offeror's name, address, telephone number, email, Unique Entity ID, CAGE code, and Tax ID.
  • A copy of the SAM registration (active account).
  • Detailed, itemized cost proposal in Excel format, with explanations for each service.
  • Statement of agreement with all terms and conditions of the RFQ.
  • Acknowledgement of any solicitation amendments.
  • At least three references for similar jobs performed within the past three years.
  • Point of contact information with a detailed description of services and price.

• NAICS Code: 488310 (Port and Harbor Operations).

• Set-Aside: Unrestricted, available under full and open competition.

• Offerors are encouraged to register with the FedBizOpps Vendor Notification Service and the Interested Vendors List.

• Quoters must be registered in SAM.gov to be considered.

• The document includes numerous FAR clauses and provisions related to representations, certifications, and contract terms.