Vessel Charter – Pelagic Fishing

NOTICE OF PROPOSED PROCUREMENT (NPP)Solicitation No.: 30002757Contracting Authority: Denise Chessie Telephone No.: 506-238-1308E-mail Address: DFOtenders-soumissionsMPO@dfo-mpo.gc.caTITLE: Vessel Charter – Pelagic FishingTRADE AGREEMENTS: Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA).DESCRIPTION OF REQUIREMENT:The Science Sector of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is mandated to provide scientific information essential to the conservation and sustainable use of fisheries resources. The overall objective of this project is to conduct an acoustic survey to estimate the abundance and distribution of Atlantic Herring in NAFO Divisions 4R and 4Sw. To do so DFO needs to charter a fishing vessel to validate data collected during the acoustic survey by fishing for herring samples.The study area is located on the west coast of Newfoundland, from St. Georges Bay (47°53'35"N; 59°25'25"W) to Savage Point (north of St. Barbe, 51°20'21"N, 56°41'57"W), and on the Lower North Shore of Quebec, from Forteau (Labrador; 51°27'48"N, 56°55'26"W) to La Tabatière (50°49'17"N, 58°58'20"W), but may extend to other areas of NAFO Divisions 4R and 4S (Belle Isle Strait). The study area will be divided into strata and the hydroacoustic vessel will survey each stratum by following parallel transects that are perpendicular to the coast.The contract will begin on July 21 until March 31, 2023. The Contractor must perform two surveys, one in August and another in October-November, ending no later than November 10. The duration of each survey (days at sea) is approximately 8 days.DURATION OF CONTRACTThe period of the contract is from July 21, 2022 to March 31, 2023 inclusive, with the option to extend the term of the Contract by up to two (2) additional one year periods.ENQUIRIES – BID SOLICITATIONAll enquiries must be submitted in writing to the Contracting Authority no later than seven (7) calendar days before the bid closing date. Enquiries received after that time may not be answered.PROCESS AND SELECTION METHODOLOGYA bid must comply with all requirements of the bid solicitation to be declared responsive. The responsive bid with the lowest evaluated price will be recommended for award of a contract.SECURITY REQUIREMENTSThere is no security requirement associated with this bid solicitation.