The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is inviting bids on a new class II research vessel for operations at the Papahanaumokuakea National Marine Sanctuary in Oahu, Hawaii.
Quotations under the amended solicitation are due at noon EST on Friday, September 25. The competition is unrestricted and is expected to produce a purchase order on a firm-fixed-price basis, with delivery required within 12 months of the award.
The new and unused monohull must be no longer than 35 feet (11 metres) and no wider than 10 feet (three metres), including fendering. The maximum draught should be 2.5 feet (0.8 metre), excluding the engines.
The boat will carry science and dive parties of up to nine people. Its layout must feature a forepeak, an enclosed cabin containing a control station and an aft working deck, and it must accommodate personnel and up to 2,800 pounds (1,300 kg) of mission equipment stored at deck level.
NOAA intends to use the vessel for dive training and proficiency work, emergency response, acoustic studies, whale-entanglement response, vessel inspections, partner missions, baseline data collection, and specimen collection.
With a full load aboard, the vessel must cruise at no less than 20 knots using 85 per cent engine power and achieve at least 30 knots at maximum speed. It must be capable of covering 150 nautical miles or more.
The vessel's operating specification allows for combined winds reaching 25 knots and ocean swells reaching six feet (two metres). Optional items include a trailer, a flybridge operating station, and an autopilot.
The vessel is to be built for a minimum 20-year service life, with its welding carried out by certified personnel. It must also meet applicable US Coast Guard regulations for small passenger vessels and American Boat and Yacht Council standards.
