Subject: NSF Request for Information No. DCCA-050044; Time Charter Party
Agreement for Ice-Breaking Vessel(s) to Assist Re-supply of McMurdo
Station, Antarctica

**To Whom It May Concern:**

The National Science Foundation, an independent agency of the United
States Government, is seeking information regarding the availability of
capable ice-breaking vessels to support the re-supply of the U.S.
Antarctic Program's McMurdo Station. The National Science Foundation is
the lead U.S. Government Agency responsible for directing and funding
the U.S. Antarctic Program (USAP).

The Foundation is interested in chartering an ice-breaking vessel or a
combination of vessels that can break the channel, and escort an
ice-strengthened tanker and an ice-strengthened cargo ship to the pier
at McMurdo Station, located at 77°51' S, 166°40' E. We are specifically
interested in vessels that are available for the Austral summer of
2005-2006. We are also seeking information on vessels that may be
available for one or more periods from the Austral summer of 2006-2007
through the Austral summer of 2010-2011. NSF is not seeking binding
offers to contract at this time; however, based upon the information
received the Foundation may initiate discussions, seek offers, and award
a contract or contracts with one or more owners or operators per the
authority at 42 U.S.C. 1870(c).

*[The United States Antarctic Program]{.underline}* \-- Scientific
research, and operational support of that research, is the principal
activity supported by the United States Government in Antarctica. The
goals are to expand fundamental knowledge of the region, to foster
research on global and regional problems of current scientific
importance, and to utilize the region as a platform from which to
support research. For projects involving fieldwork, the U.S. Antarctic
Program supports only that research that can be done exclusively in
Antarctica, or that can be done best from Antarctica.

The program has been in continuous operation since the 1957-1958
International Geophysical Year; continuation into the foreseeable future
is anticipated. U.S. activities in Antarctica support the Nation\'s
adherence to the Antarctic Treaty, which reserves the region for
peaceful purposes and encourages international cooperation in scientific
research. At present, 45 nations adhere to the treaty, and 29 of them
are involved in Antarctic field activities. The United States cooperates
scientifically and operationally with many of the Antarctic Treaty
nations.

The National Science Foundation funds and manages the U.S. Antarctic
Program (USAP). The major logistics hub for the support of this science
is McMurdo Station. McMurdo is located on Ross Island in the Southern
edge of the Ross Sea. It is the furthest south exposed land that a ship
can sail to. Refer to [http://nsf.gov/od/opp/prss/]{.underline} for a
description of the USAP research support facilities including McMurdo
Station.

The icebreaker typically arrives at the McMurdo ice edge on or about
December 31. Anticipated departure is mid-February of the following year
(6-8 weeks after arrival). The basic tasks are to break a channel to the
McMurdo Station pier, and escort a tanker and a freighter through the
sea ice and channel to the pier.

The freighter used during the 2004/2005 season was the AMERICAN TERN
(17,350 tons, 158.8m/23.16m). This vessel will be replaced by another
vessel in the 2005/2006 season, but the vessel size is expected to
remain similar. The tanker to be used will be one of five sister ships
of the T-5 class (33,093 tons, 187.5m/21.2m). Additional information for
the former can be found at ...

<http://www.msc.navy.mil/inventory/ships.asp?ship=americantern&type=ContainerShip>

... and for the latter at :

[http://www.msc.navy.mil/inventory/ships.asp?ship=paulbuck&type=GovernmentownedTanker]{.underline}.

The U.S. Navy, Military Sealift Command provides these vessels for the
USAP. The tanker arrives at the McMurdo ice edge on or about January 16
each year, and departs on or about January 20 each year. The freighter
is arrives at the McMurdo ice edge on or about February 1 each year, and
departs on or about February 11 each year.

Previously, the USAP has used one U.S. Coast Guard POLAR class
icebreaker to perform this task. However, because of the extraordinary
ice conditions over the past four years due at least in part to the
large icebergs partially blocking McMurdo Sound it is expected that
there will be extensive first year ice with some inclusions of second
year extending from McMurdo to about 100 miles north. Further, second
year ice is expected to extend from the McMurdo ice pier to a point
approximately 10 miles north.

Maintenance and funding issues have made the availability of USCG
icebreakers uncertain for the 2005/2006 season. It is a certainty that
no more than one USCG icebreaker will be available. It is not likely,
but possible, that no USCG icebreaker will be available. While we
believe that one POLAR class vessel can do the mission alone, there is a
risk of failure. We believe that using two icebreakers will reduce the
risk considerably.

Satellite images and an ice thickness measurement chart for the
2004/2005 season are attached. Respondents should review the ice images
at <http://rapidfire.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/subsets/?RossSea/>, and
[http://www.polar.org/sat_image/]{.underline}

for archival information regarding McMurdo Sound Sea ice and iceberg
images. In particular:
[http://rapidfire.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/subsets/?RossSea/2005057/RossSea.2005057.aqua.250m.jpg]{.underline}

clearly shows break-out of ice to within about ten miles from the ice
pier in February of 2005.

*[Information Being Sought]{.underline}* -- Interested parties are free
to provide any information that they believe may assist NSF; however,
the Foundation will not pay for any information submitted. Except as
identified herein, no specific format is required. To assist your
efforts, the Foundation has identified topics of particular interest, as
follows:

-   Vessel's or vessels' name and specifications using BIMCO Supplytime
    89, Annex A as the format

-   Vessel's or vessels' owner

-   Period of availability

-   Ship's registry

-   Certificate of current classification

-   Time remaining prior to any major maintenance activity and dry
    docking

-   Approximate price per day, and any extras (e.g., taxes, victuals,
    commissions, communications)

-   Expected mobilization and demobilization charges

-   Past performance contact information

-   Preferred charter terms and conditions (e.g., MSC *Specialtime 99*
    Charter Party, BIMCO *Supplytime 89* Charter Party, BIMCO *BALTIME
    1939* Charter Party or some other form)

-   Special operating restrictions or conditions

-   Preferred rules and forum for dispute resolution

Given the uncertainty of the USCG icebreaker availability, we are
seeking information regarding availability of two commercial
icebreakers. Respondents to this RFI are asked to provide availability
of one or two ships and a discussion of your concept of operations to
provide the requested support. You should discuss whether you believe
that your one proposed ship can perform the work alone or if two ships
would be required.

McMurdo has an all purpose diesel fuel, JP-5. Specifications for this
fuel are set forth on Page 4 of the publication titled *Fuel Users
Guide, 2000*. It can be found at
[http://usapc.army.mil/miscellaneous/2000%20fuel%20users%20guide%20(sep%202000).pdf](http://usapc.army.mil/miscellaneous/2000 fuel users guide (sep 2000).pdf).
Respondents are asked to review this fuel specification and comment on
its suitability. If another diesel fuel must be used, NSF can have it
delivered by the tanker coming to McMurdo. Please provide an estimate of
the quantity of fuel that must be delivered estimating fuel consumed
during mobilization and during ice breaking operations up to the time of
the scheduled tanker arrival. The tanker cannot deliver heavy fuels. In
the event of a need for heavy fuel, if necessary, the icebreaker could
go to New Zealand to refuel -- this will take time away from icebreaking
duties and is not desirable. It may be wise for the icebreaker to refuel
in Hobart or New Zealand (Timaru or Lyttleton) prior to heading to
Antarctica.

Thank you in advance for your interest in the acquisition programs of
the National Science Foundation. Though NSF will consider any
information interested parties choose to submit at any time, the
privilege of your submission on or prior to April 4, 2005 is requested.
Inquiries of a technical nature may be addressed to Mr. Al Sutherland,
Ocean Projects Manager, at the letterhead address, Office of Polar
Programs, Room 755; by telephone to +1 (703) 292-7457; or by e-mail to
<alsuther@nsf.gov>. Submissions and other inquiries may be addressed to
the undersigned at the letterhead address, Division of Contracts and
Complex Agreements, Room 475; by telephone to +1 (703) 292-4593; or by
e-mail to [bbridwel@nsf.gov]{.underline}.

> Sincerely,
>
> Bart Bridwell
>
> Contracting Officer

Listing of Attachments:

-   Attachment 1 -- *2004-2005 Temperature Monitoring Stations*

-   Attachment 2 -- *Coast Guard Recon Stations, 16 December 2004*

-   Attachment 3 -- *Sea Ice Map, November 8, 2004*

-   Attachment 4 -- *Sea Ice Monitoring -- 2003*

-   Attachment 5 -- *Sea Ice Monitoring -- 2004*

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