Vessel charter to carry out snow crab trawl surveys

This requirement is for Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Canadian Coast Guard

Title: Vessel charter to carry out snow crab trawl surveys

Objective:

Request to charter a vessel to carry out trawl surveys at up to a maximum of 355 stations to assess stock conditions and study the biological cycle of snow crab in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence. The decision to add or eliminate the number of stations is to the discretion of the department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO).

Background:

The southern Gulf of St. Lawrence (sGSL) snow crab fishery began in the mid-1960s. During this first period (1960-1980), the status of this snow crab stock was poorly understood and the analysis was mostly based on fishery data. New management measures for the snow crab fishery were introduced in 1990, and it included the determination of total allowable catch (TAC) based on a trawl survey estimate of commercial biomass. Since then, DFO in collaboration with the fishing industry has been conducting a fishery independent trawl survey. This survey is conducted annually and is the main assessment tool for determining the population status and dynamics. It provides indices of future recruitment to the fishery, spawning stock size, natural mortality, molting cycles and relative exploitation rates. The survey spatial sampling design is based on a survey area partitioned into 355 square grids. The work described in the section below is seeking a Contract for a charter vessel to carry out the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence trawl survey.

Scope of Work:

The work will be conducted throughout the southern Gulf of Saint Lawrence.

The vessel must be available to start work by July 2nd of the corresponding operational year at the berthing port. The Project Authority or the Science Supervisor will inform the Contractor at which berthing ports for loading/unloading the work will begin at least two (2) weeks before the beginning and end of the project (loading and unloading of the vessel usually occur in Souris (PEI) and Cheticamp (NS), respectively). As an example, during the last three (3) years, berthing ports included Caraquet (NB), Souris (PE), Grande-Riviere (QC), Gaspé (QC), Cap-aux-Meules (QC) and Cheticamp (NS).

The vessel must be willing to berth at various ports in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence during the survey period.

Comprehensive Land Claims Agreement:

This procurement is not subject to a Comprehensive Land Claims Agreement:

Ownership of Intellectual Property:

Fisheries and Oceans Canada has determined that any intellectual property rights arising from the performance of the Work under the resulting contract will belong to Canada, for the following reasons, as set out in the Policy on Title to Intellectual Property Arising Under Crown Procurement Contracts: statutes, regulations or prior obligations of Canada to a third party or parties preclude Contractor ownership of the Intellectual Property Rights in Foreground Information.

Security Requirement:

There is no security associated with this requirement.

Period of Contract:

The period of contract shall be from date of award to March 31, 2026. There are two (2) option periods of one (1) year to be exercised at the discretion of the Department.

Trade Agreements:

The requirement is subject to the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA).

Contract Authority:

Name: Manon Paulin

Phone Number: 438-468-3247

Email Address: DFOtenders-soumissionsMPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca and Manon.Paulin@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Inquiries:

Inquiries regarding this RFP requirement must be submitted to the Contracting Authority named above. BIDDERS ARE ADVISED THAT “BUYANDSELL.GC.CA” IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DISTRIBUTION OF SOLICITATION DOCUMENTS. The Crown retains the right to negotiate with any supplier on any procurement. Documents may be submitted in either official language.

A contracting officer can use limited tendering for specific reasons outlined in the applicable trade agreements. The reason for this contract is described below:

• None