THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is seeking sources capable of performing detail design and construction of a 40 Day Endurance NOAA Fisheries Survey Vessel (FSV 1 Class) with regional-specific equipment additions and mission space arrangement preferences. A detailed Statement of Requirements (SOR) will be supplied to competing shipbuilders along with Project Peculiar Documents (i.e., hull lines and offsets, propeller and appendage designs, and arrangements drawings) and Guidance Documents (i.e., existing detail design drawings). FSV 1 Class ships are state-of-the-art research ships with multiple science mission capabilities. Foremost among these capabilities is acoustic quieting technology, which enables NOAA scientists to monitor fish populations without altering their behavior. The ships also have the capability to conduct hydroacoustic surveys of fish populations and simultaneously collect physical and biological oceanographic data. Major FSV 1 Class dimensions and characteristics include:

• Length (LOA): 208.6 ft
• Breadth: 49.2 ft
• Draft:
o Centerboard Retracted- 20.1ft
o Centerboard Extended- 30.3ft
• Full Load Displacement: 2479 mt
• Lightship Displacement: 1840 mt
• Speed
o Sustained: 14.0 knots
o Hydroacoustic Survey: 0-11 knots
• Range: 12,000 nm @ 12 knots
• Endurance: 40 days

The acquisition schedule is dependent upon funding and cannot be articulated at this time. Contract structure is anticipated to be Fixed Price.

This request for information does not constitute a commitment, implied or otherwise, that a procurement action will be issued. No entitlement to payment of direct or indirect costs or charges by the Government will arise as a result of the submission of contractor's information. The Government shall not be liable for or suffer any consequential damages for proprietary information not properly identified. Proprietary information will be safeguarded in accordance with the applicable Government regulations. Please submit information to include: (1) a description of available ship construction facilities and (2) past experience performing detail design and construction of complex ships of similar dimensions and characteristics. Information must be received by Mr. Paul Reed at paul.j.reed@noaa.gov by 30 June 2008. Firms who wish to respond to this RFI should include their business size based on NAICS code 336611 (1,000 employees), CAGE code, and Dun and Bradstreet number.