About this opportunity
AI summaryThe National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is seeking market research to identify qualified small businesses capable of providing vessel charter services to support the Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary. The contractor must provide a vessel, crew, equipment, meals, berthing, and operational support for resource protection and monitoring missions in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. The scope of work encompasses transits to study locations, small boat launch and recovery, marine debris removal, ecosystem monitoring, and unmanned aerial system survey support. Small businesses under NAICS code 483114 with a size standard of 550 employees are eligible to respond. Interested parties must submit a response of no more than five pages addressing their company information, business size and socioeconomic status, and detailed capability to fulfill the PWS requirements. Submissions must be sent electronically, though specific question and submission deadlines are not provided in the notice.
Scope of work
- Transport to and from research locations in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands
- Segregated gender berthing and lavatory facilities for 10 to 21 science team personnel
- Provision of at least 3 meals daily, snacks, drinks, and fresh potable water
- Dedicated indoor dry workspace and wet lab with running fresh and salt water
- Internet access and local area network for science team data sharing
- Launching, recovering, and supporting small boat operations
- Support for ecosystem monitoring, marine debris removal, and education projects
- Deck storage, crane or davit operations, and safe handling of non-ethanol fuel
Minimum qualifications
- Captain proficient in written and spoken English and deck crew proficient in spoken English
- Captain appropriately licensed by the USCG for the gross tonnage of the vessel
- Captain experienced in navigation, launching and recovering small boats, and nearshore operations
- Vessel equipped to satisfy safety requirements of USCG and permitting requirements of PNMS
- Current external hull inspection for invasive species no more than 14 calendar days prior to departure
- Vessel certified rat-free no more than 48 hours prior to departure
- Working NOAA Office of Law Enforcement type-approved Vessel Monitoring System installed
Documents to include with your response
- Valid Certificate of Inspection or U.S. Coast Guard Letter of Designation
- Merchant Mariner Credentials for the Master
- Certificate of insurance indicating the vessel is adequately insured
- Completed SECNAV 5512 forms for crew base access clearance
Key dates
- Ordering period
- July 1, 2027 to June 30, 2032
- Typical charter timeframe
- May 1 to September 30
Contract details
- Term
- July 1, 2027 to June 30, 2032
- Set-aside / preference
- Small Business
- Place of performance
- Honolulu, Hawaii, Midway Atoll, Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, and NOAA Daniel K. Inouye Regional Center
- Insurance and bonding
- Certificate of insurance that indicates the contractor vessel is adequately insured
Federal notice details
- Solicitation number
- 26-3064
- Agency
- Department of Commerce
- Buying office
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration › Dept of Commerce Noaa
- Notice type
- Sources Sought
- Responses due
- Nov 17, 2026, 12:00 PM ET
- Posted on SAM.gov
- Oct 28, 2026
- NAICS
- 483114 · Coastal and Great Lakes Passenger Transportation
- Place of performance
- HI, 96818
- Contracting contact
- Sarah Appleman
sarah.appleman@noaa.gov
8164267270 - Additional contact
- Dorothy Curling
dorothy.curling@noaa.gov
Source: SAM.gov. Read the official notice for the complete description and current instructions.
Incumbent and award research
No incumbent history found for this requirement. The notice does not cite a current contract, and no earlier award from this buying office matches it.
Market context
Awards in the same category (Coastal and Great Lakes Passenger Transportation). This is not this requirement's award history.
Recent similar awards: Department of Commerce, NAICS 483114, performed in HI
| Vendor and award | Value | Ends |
|---|---|---|
| HAWAII RESOURCE GROUP LLC1305M222PNCNM0279 · RESEARCH AND MONITORING CRUISE TO THE NORTHWESTERN HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. | $577.3K | Sep 30, 2023 |
Top vendors in this category: Department of Commerce, NAICS 483114, since Oct 1, 2024
55 contract awards in this NAICS over the period.
- 1. B & N FISHERIES COMPANY$5.4M
- 2. UNITED STATES SEAFOODS, LLC$4.5M
- 3. ALASKAN LEADER FISHERIES LLC$1.7M
- 4. UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC.$1.3M
- 5. F/V LAST STRAW LTD.$1.1M
Source: USAspending.gov federal award data (U.S. federal public data). A contract is called the incumbent only when the notice or its documents cite it by number.