V--HUMBOLDT VESSEL LEASE ELFERS PCMSC

Amendment / Modification

This amendment (0002) to solicitation 140G032600067, dated 03/31/2026, is issued to:

• Provide responses to vendor questions.

• Clarify Statement of Work (SOW) requirements.

• Clarify fuel reimbursement structure.

• Extend the quotation due date.

• Vessel Speed Requirement (Question 1): The government will consider vessels that do not meet the 20-knot cruising speed requirement if the Offeror demonstrates the ability to complete Mission 1 within four (4) hours or less and Mission 2 within twenty-four (24) hours or less.

• A-Frame / Overboarding Equipment (Question 2): The government requires the use of an A-frame or crane meeting the specifications in the SOW. Alternative configurations will not be accepted.

• Fuel Reimbursement Cap (Question 3): Fuel shall be proposed and reimbursed under CLIN 00040. Offerors must provide estimated fuel consumption and supporting assumptions. The reimbursable fuel amount is currently capped at $3,250.00 (estimated at 650 gallons at $5.00 per gallon). The Contracting Officer may adjust this amount based on the selected vessel and justification. Fuel costs are not to be included in other CLINs.

• Period of Performance: Extended to 07/01/2026 to 11/30/2026.

• CLIN 00040 (Fuel): Modified to state reimbursement is at actual cost without fee, limited to fuel consumed in direct performance of missions. Dated fuel receipts and a mission-based summary are required. The government reserves the right to review fuel consumption reasonableness. Offerors must include estimated fuel consumption and supporting assumptions in their quotation.

• The quotation due date has been extended (specific date not provided in this amendment excerpt).

• Offerors must acknowledge receipt of this amendment.

Statement of Work (SOW)

To support the deployment and retrieval of scientific equipment offshore of Humboldt Bay for the USGS Subduction Zone Marine Geohazards Project.

• Deployment Mission: Tentatively scheduled for August 13–18, 2026, to deploy one (1) wave glider near the entrance of Humboldt Bay.

• Retrieval Mission: Tentatively scheduled for September 21–25, 2026, to retrieve:

  • One (1) transponder at Latitude 41.6497°N, Longitude 125.5047°W (approx. 3,095 meters depth).
  • One (1) wave glider (approx. 5-6 weeks after deployment).

• The overall goal is to launch a wave glider to measure seafloor geodetic stations in southern Cascadia and recover a transponder for battery replacement.

• Deployment: August 13–18, 2026.

• Retrieval: September 21–25, 2026.

• Mobilization/Demobilization: Eureka, California.

• Transit for retrieval: Approx. 78 nautical miles (145 km) from Humboldt Bay entrance.

• Vessel Specifications:

  • At least 78 feet overall length.
  • Licensed by U.S. Coast Guard, meeting safety and seaworthiness requirements.
  • Equipped with radar, depth sounder, EPIRB, safety equipment, medical kit, charts, GPS.
  • Must have a working deck, A-frame or overboarding equipment, and winch.
  • Cruising speed of at least 20 knots (exceptions considered if missions can be completed within specified timeframes).
  • A-frame: 15 ft vertical clearance, 10 ft horizontal clearance, 3,500 lbs. SWL.
  • Winch: 3,500 lbs. SWL.
  • Deck space: At least 400 sq ft, sufficient for monument base, gear basket, float package, and wave glider.
  • Crane: 1,000 lbs. SWL for relocating equipment.

• Operational Requirements:

  • Accommodate up to eight (8) personnel.
  • Provide three meals per day for eight personnel, with flexibility for odd hours and snack food.
  • Vessel captain must have at least 4 years of experience as vessel master in the Pacific.
  • Vessel must have a shipboard crane or arrange shoreside services for loading/offloading.
  • Redundant systems for mission completion and safe return.
  • Sufficient deck space for equipment storage and deployment.

• Other: Safety and seaworthiness are paramount; experience in scientific work is required; workspace accommodations and method of equipment deployment are critical.

Amendment / Modification

• This amendment revises the minimum vessel length requirement in the Statement of Work to potentially expand competition.

• Statement of Work: The minimum vessel length requirement has been changed.

  • Original Requirement: Vessel must be at least 90 feet overall length.
  • Revised Requirement: Vessel must be at least 78 feet overall length.

• All other terms and conditions remain unchanged.

• The Period of Performance remains unchanged: 07/01/2026 to 11/30/2026.

• This change may affect which vessels are eligible to meet the solicitation requirements.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation is a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for a firm, fixed-price contract to provide vessel services for the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Pacific Coastal & Marine Science Center (PCMSC) in Santa Cruz, California. The services will support offshore scientific operations, specifically the deployment and retrieval of a wave glider and associated equipment offshore of Humboldt Bay, California.

• Vessel Services: Provision of a licensed, seaworthy vessel (at least 90 ft overall length) equipped with necessary navigation and safety equipment (radar, depth sounder, EPIRB, GPS), a working deck, A-frame, winch, and a cruising speed of at least 20 knots.

• Crew Support: Sufficient crew to support 24-hour operations, with a vessel captain having at least four years of experience in the Pacific.

• Equipment: Vessel must accommodate up to eight personnel and include specific handling gear, workspace, and equipment (A-frame, winch, decks, crane) as detailed in the SOW.

• Meals: Provision of three meals per day for eight personnel, with flexibility for odd working hours and snacks.

• Missions: Two scientific missions:

  • Deployment of a wave glider (tentatively August 13-18, 2026).
  • Retrieval of a transponder and the wave glider (tentatively September 21-25, 2026).

• Mobilization/Demobilization: To take place in Eureka, California.

• Fuel: Reimbursed at actual cost, with an estimated consumption of 650 gallons at $5.00/gallon, not to exceed $3,250.00 without prior approval.

• Weather Days: Limited to one estimated weather day, compensated at the daily vessel lease rate.

• Period of Performance: July 1, 2026, to November 30, 2026.

• Contract Type: Firm, Fixed-Price.

• Acquisition Procedures: FAR Part 12 (Acquisition of Commercial Products and Commercial Services) and FAR Part 13 (Simplified Acquisition Procedures).

• NAICS Code: 488390 (Other Support Activities for Water Transportation).

• Size Standard: $47 Million.

• Submission Deadline: April 14, 2026, 0500 PD.

• Submission Method: Via email to joel_berberena@ios.doi.gov.

• Quote Requirements: Must include firm, fixed price for all services, a technical description of the proposed vessel, and UEI. SAM Representations must be current or completed.

• Quote Validity: Minimum of 30 calendar days after RFQ closing.

• Evaluation Factors: Technical approach/capability, operational capability, equipment and redundancy, crew qualifications and experience, mission execution approach, logistics and support, safety and seaworthiness, past performance, and price.

• Award Basis: Best overall value to the Government.

• Not a Small Business Set-Aside.

• All information submitted is voluntary; the Government will not pay for information requested.

• This is an all-or-none requirement; partial quotes will not be accepted.

• Questions and Answers period is from March 31, 2026, to April 7, 2026. Answers will be provided to all prospective quoters.

• Verbal responses are not binding; only written responses are official.

Sources Sought Notice

This notice is for market research by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to determine the availability of qualified businesses capable of providing vessel services to support the deployment and retrieval of scientific equipment offshore of Humboldt Bay. This is for informational and planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation or RFQ. The government is not obligated to issue a solicitation or award a contract, and will not reimburse costs associated with responding.

• Support two offshore scientific missions near Humboldt Bay.

• Mission 1: Deployment of one (1) wave glider, tentatively scheduled for August 13–18, 2026.

• Mission 2: Retrieval of one (1) transponder and one (1) wave glider, tentatively scheduled for September 21–25, 2026.

• Vessel transit approximately 78 nautical miles offshore to the work site, support operations, and return to port.

• Vessel: Minimum 90 feet overall length, cruising speed of at least 20 knots, equipped with radar, depth sounder, EPIRB, GPS, safety equipment, medical kit, and nautical charts. Must accommodate up to eight (8) personnel during 24-hour operations and have sufficient crew for continuous 24-hour operations.

• Equipment: A-Frame (15 ft vertical clearance, 10 ft horizontal clearance, 3,500 lbs SWL), Winch and Wire (3,500 lbs SWL), minimum 400 sq ft working deck space, Crane (1,000 lbs SWL).

• Mobilization and demobilization in Eureka, CA.

• Vessel must support loading/off-loading via shipboard crane or arranged shoreside crane services.

• Provision for 8 personnel, including three meals per day.

• Bodily Injury: $100,000 per person / $500,000 per occurrence

• Property Damage: $100,000 per incident / $500,000 aggregate

• Capability Statement Requirements:

  1. Vessel name and description, including specifications.
  2. Crew qualifications and captain experience (offshore/scientific operations).
  3. Examples of similar work performed.
  4. Evidence of U.S. Coast Guard licensing and safety compliance.
  5. Confirmation of ability to meet insurance requirements.
  6. Description of additional relevant capabilities.
  7. Company information (business size, UEI, SAM registration status).

• Submission: Via email to Joel Berberena at jberberena@ios.doi.gov.

• Deadline: Must be received before the close date of this notice. Late responses or responses not submitted via email will not be considered.

• NAICS Code: 488390 (size standard $47.0 million).

• PSC Code: V124.

• Responses will be used to determine the appropriate acquisition strategy.