NOAA Fisheries Special Notice of Intent to a Single Source_Trawl Materials

Special Notice: ACQ-26-0498
NOAA / NMFS / AFSC

The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC), intends to award, on a sole source basis, under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), with LFS, Inc., of Bellingham, Washington, to procure the following:

Provide trawl materials and supplies that will be to construct seven (7) new trawls in preparation for surveys and research conducted in Alaskan waters.

The Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC) conducts five distinct bottom trawl surveys in Alaska; some are performed annually and some biennially. The data collected on these fishery-independent surveys are integral to the stock assessments of all commercial fish and crab species in Alaska, and successful completion of these surveys is a core function of the AFSC. This requires both fishery-independent surveys and scientific research fieldwork in which trawls are often used. The trawls suffer damage and wear during these activities and need repair and eventual replacement to continue operating as designed. In order for the trawl surveys to provide reliable and unbiased information, the fishing gear and methods are strictly standardized so that observations are consistent and unbiased from location to location and from year to year so that the change in materials or methods does not bias abundance estimates. A variety of materials are used to construct and repair these trawls, including wire rope, floats, Poly web, and assorted hardware. These materials must be the same from year to year, and the specifications must remain the same over time to ensure standardization. Rope and twine looming techniques are held to secrecy and patented, where each manufacturer produces the specific fibers, natural or synthetic, used for their product and specific to each reseller. The rope and twine fibers are twisted and braided together to create a specific tensile strength. The specific fibers used and the tensile strength applied by each manufacturer is distinct and unique. The rope and twine selected for the AFSC trawl nets must support a certain amount of stress when stretched. The constructed trawl net receives considerable impact and force when fishing on the sea floor, where the average catches within the trawl net is approximately 1,100 - 1,200 kg. It is imperative that the rope and twine is manufactured to withstand the stress and weight of both the bottom fishing and the resultant catch.

The AFSC Research Fishing Gear Program is responsible for the construction and repair of all trawls used for both survey and research purposes. There are a variety of trawl types that all have different characteristics to meet the requirements of the survey or research to be completed.

• WEB: #60 TW Nylon x 4” DG&B approx. 308 lbs 921mL x 100.5MD, 7 BALES
• WEB: #96 TW Nylon x 3.5” DG&B approx. 343 lbs 614mL x 100.5MD, 2 BALES 
• WEB: 4mm DBL 5" approx. 325 lbs 250 mL x 100.5, 5 BALES
• WEB: 4mm DBL 6" approx. 346 lbs 200 mL x 100.5MD, 3 BALES 
• WEB: F15mm SUPRA x 5" OP x 100.5MD, approx. 327 lbs 350 mL x 100.5MD, 5 BALES
• WEB: 4mm x 5" OP x 100.5MD, approx. 350 lbs 875 mL x 100.5MD, 6 BALES
• WEB: 4mm DBL 3.5” SUPRA, approx. 325 lbs 250mL x 100.5MD, 4 BALES 
• HARDWARE: 1-1/4" Galv BT Chain Shackles, 8 EACH 
• HARDWARE: 7-12 Boss Cod End Release, 8 EACH 
• HARDWARE: 3/4" Hammerlock Gunnebo, 7 EACH 
• HARDWARE: 3/4" Gunnebo Pin & Spacer Set, 7 EACH

The applicable Size Standard is North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code 314994, with a Small Business size standard of 1,000 employees.

The NOAA Fisheries AFSC is responsible for research on living marine resources in the coastal oceans off Alaska and off parts of the west coast of the United States. The AFSC Groundfish Assessment Program conducts five different fishery-independent groundfish trawl surveys in Alaska. All of these surveys utilize trawl nets to collect data that is used to derive a standardized catch per unit effort (CPUE). To avoid biased estimation of CPUE, it is very important that the collection methods used are the same between tows and between years so that the observed change in populations over time reflect actual changes and not due to differences in collection gear. Even small differences in webbing can influence drag, turbulence, and the vertical or horizontal opening of the trawl. The collected data from these utilized trawl nets are used for Congressionally-mandated stock assessment of all commercial fish and crab species in Alaska.

The Government intends to negotiate a firm fixed price contract. This Special Notice of Intent to a Single Source is not a request for competitive proposals and no solicitation package is available.  However, firms that believe they can fully meet the Government's requirements may submit substantiating documentation in writing.  Submissions are due no later than April 23, 2026 at 5pm Eastern Time.  Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice.  Responses may be emailed to Christie.Lang@noaa.gov. Such documentation will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis.  A determination by the Government not to compete this requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. It is the Government's belief that only can LFS, Inc., of Bellingham, Washington, can provide the requirements stated above.

Attachment
Redacted Single Source Determination