Science Vessel Charter: Information Session on Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) Requirements – Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of St. Lawrence

Request for Information/Letter of InterestScience Vessel Charter: Information Session on Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) Requirements – Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of St. Lawrence Description: Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) intend to solicit Requests for Proposals (RFPs) seeking availability of capable non-Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) research vessel charter(s) (vessel and crew) to conduct and deliver its 2019 field programs on oceanography/geosciences within the Northwest Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of the St. Lawrence. The potential requirement for research vessel charter(s) is for multiple programs and could range from 27 to 265 days.In order to help potential vessel operators and/or bidders increase their understanding of the science requirements for vessel capabilities as well as the Federal Government of Canada’s procurement process for vessel charters, an information session will be held on February 28, 2018 at the Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada.This one day session will include:

an overview of the science programs and technical requirements of the DFO and NRCan research missions that will be taking place during the 2019 field operations within the Northwest Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of the St. Lawrence; a presentation by procurement advisors that will detail key elements of the procurement process; and an opportunity to see first-hand some of the scientific instrumentation that will be used and/or deployed during the missions at sea.

Comments and feedback from vessel operators and/or potential bidders concerning draft elements of the potential solicitation will be accepted in the form of Q&As on each individually released element comprising the solicitation (i.e., draft Vessel Specifications, draft Concept of Operations and draft SOWs). The goal being to improve the drafts, where deemed necessary, and post the finalized solicitation package in March 2018. There are two ways to attend this information session, both methods require you to RSVP to Vessel-Clearance.XNCR@dfo-mpo.gc.ca. If you would like to attend this information session in person, your response needs to indicate the name of the individual(s) and the company or affiliation that they are representing. This is mandatory in order gain access to this government facility. If you would like to attend virtually via the online meeting platform WebEx, please indicate the email address you would like the meeting invitation sent to. The deadline to RSVP for either method is February 23, 2018 at 16:00 Eastern Time.This is not a solicitation, and there is no commitment with respect to the issuance of a future contract/solicitation.