V--VESSEL CHARTER SERVICE

Amendment / Modification

This amendment (0001) to solicitation 140G032600094 has the following changes:

• Answers submitted questions.

• Extends the RFQ due date to 05/18/2026 at 1500 PST.

• No further questions will be accepted.

• The due date for the RFQ has been changed.

• The proposal deadline has been extended to 05/18/2026 at 1500 PST.

• Contractors are required to sign and return copies of this amendment.

• The period of performance is from 09/01/2026 to 10/31/2027.

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document contains responses to vendor questions regarding a solicitation for vessel services to support the U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) collection of long sediment cores and sub-bottom seismic data.

• Period of Performance (PoP): The PoP is confirmed as 09/01/2026 - 10/31/2027, with a preferred survey window of 09/01/2026 - 10/31/2026.
• Operational Days: The survey will involve approximately 7-9 operational days at sea, plus transit and mobilization/demobilization days.
• Transit & Coring: Transit will be to the Palos Verdes target area (2 days coring), then north to Pt. Sal and San Luis Obispo Bay (7 consecutive days sampling/surveying), followed by transit back to San Diego.
• Weather Standby: Weather days are included in the firm-fixed price, with contingency regions available.
• Vessel Requirements: The vessel must be at least 150 feet long, capable of 24-hour operations, accommodate 12 USGS/contract personnel, and have specific A-frame, winch, and deck space requirements for coring and seismic equipment.
• Government Furnished Equipment: USGS will provide the Piston Corer, Vibra Corer, Chirp fish, GPS setup, deck unit, and core processing materials.
• Contractor Provided Equipment: The contractor must provide over-boarding equipment, a 12-ton SWL winch with line out and tension monitoring, and access to 480 V 3-phase power.
• Evaluation Criteria: Technical Capability, Experience, and Past Performance are SIGNIFICANTLY MORE important than price. Past performance as a prime contractor is required.

This Q&A document clarifies key operational details, vessel specifications, equipment responsibilities, and evaluation factors, providing essential information for bidders to prepare accurate proposals. It also confirms an extension for the RFQ submission date to 5/18/26, 1500 PDT.

Solicitation

This document is a Statement of Work (SOW) detailing the U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) requirement for a vessel to support the collection of long sediment cores using specialized equipment (Jumbo Piston Corer, Vibra Corer, and sub-bottom seismic data collection). The USGS will provide all necessary equipment, instrumentation, and support personnel.

• Vessel Specifications: Must be fully licensed by the U.S. Coast Guard, equipped with radar, depth sounder, EPIRB, safety equipment, medical kit, GPS navigation, and at least 150 feet in length with a 14-day endurance.

• Capacity: Must accommodate up to 12 USGS and contract personnel for 24-hour operations.

• Deck Space: Sufficient deck space for deployment/recovery of coring equipment and storage of up to 750 meters of core samples.

• Equipment: Must support Jumbo-Piston-Corer (JPC) and Vibra-Corer operations (specific A-frame, winch, wire, and deck space requirements listed), and seismic tows.

• Power: Must provide 480 V 3-phase power.

• Station Holding: Capable of holding station with 5-meter accuracy for up to 30 minutes.

• Crew: Captain must have at least four years of experience as a vessel master in the Pacific.

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

• Insurance: Marine and general public liability insurance with specified limits.

• Period of Performance: Up to 10 working days with 3 days of transit, scheduled between September 2026 and October 2027. On-site operations are dependent on USGS personnel availability and funding.

• Place of Performance: Offshore central California, specifically the Palos Verdes Fault area.

(Note: This information is derived from other sections of the solicitation, not solely this SOW document, but is critical for bidders.)

• Evaluation Factors: Technical Capability, Experience, Past Performance, and Price. Technical Capability, Experience, and Past Performance are significantly more important than price.
• Technical Capability: Requires documentation demonstrating ability to meet SOW requirements, including work plan, equipment/personnel availability, and timeline adherence.
• Experience: Preference for work with federal agencies.
• Past Performance: Requires at least two references for prior similar services within the last four years.

(Note: Derived from other sections of the solicitation.)

• Includes various solicitation provisions and clauses related to small business representations, certifications, and program requirements.

• USGS personnel will mobilize equipment on the vessel up to two days prior to operations.

• Mobilization and demobilization ports are flexible, with preference for San Diego Bay.

• The document references specific maps (Image 1 and Image 2) for the area of operations.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items, issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ) under FAR Part 15. The acquisition is set aside for small business concerns. The government is procuring vessel charter services.

• Vessel charter services, including MOB/DEMOB (Mobilization/Demobilization).

• Lease or rental of equipment for ship and marine equipment.

• Fuel (liquid propellants and petroleum base).

• Wire for coring, welding, soldering, and brazing supplies and accessories.

• The contract type is not explicitly stated, but it is an RFQ.

• Period of Performance: September 1, 2026, to October 31, 2027.

• Subject to availability of funds.

• Award will be based on the tradeoff method.

• Offerors must submit:

  1. Signed SF 1449 form with firm information and pricing.
  2. Firm, fixed-price quote (7-10 working days in a separate attachment from technical submission).
  3. Technical submission detailing qualifications and experience.
  4. Listings of prior relevant contracts with project descriptions and professional references.
  5. System for Award Management (SAM) UEI.

• Questions are due by May 4, 2026, 1500 PST.

• Responses (quotations) are due by May 12, 2026, 1500 PST, submitted via email to yangzhideng@usgs.gov. Hardcopy quotations will not be accepted.

• This acquisition is set aside 100% for small business concerns.

• The North American Industry Classification Standard (NAICS) code is 483113 (Coastal and Great Lakes Freight Transportation) with a size standard of 800.

• The solicitation incorporates provisions and clauses by reference, effective through Federal Acquisition Circular 2026-01 dated 03/13/2026.

• Attached documents include the Statement of Work (4 pages) and Clauses and Provisions (5 pages).