Vessel Charter for Snow Crab Survey

1.2	Objective
An annual snow crab survey is conducted on the Scotian shelf by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) for the purposes of stock assessment. The snow crab fishery is one of the most valuable fisheries in Atlantic Canada and the Scotian Shelf component of this fishery is considered to be the most conservatively managed and relies heavily on quality data from this survey to make informed management decisions.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) requires the service of a vessel to  use as the platform for this research. This vessel will carry a crew complement of at least four members in addition to four scientific personnel (DFO Staff and Contractors) which will be contracted separately.  The objective of the contract is the successful completion of all planned stations in the annual snow crab trawl survey, up to a maximum of 420 stations and 20 “expanded sampling” stations on an annual basis. 

1.3	Contract Period
On or about August 1, 2015 through to April 30, 2016, with options to renew for 3 additional 1 year periods at the sole discretion of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO).

Option periods if exercised will be May 1, 2016 through to April 30, 2017 (12 months), May 1, 2017 through to April 30, 2018 (12 months) and May 1, 2018 through April 30, 2019 (12 months).

A maximum of 420 stations (plus up to 20 additional “expanded sampling” stations) will be completed each year.  

The Project work will take place between approximately August 15 and January 15 annually.  Exact dates will be determined by the DFO scientist in-charge. These dates (and the required working days throughout) will be contingent on operational considerations of the charter based on such factors as weather, vessel maintenance/ repair requirements, etc. The contractor will be informed of the exact dates for the given year by the chief scientist with a minimum notice of two weeks before work commences annually.

1.4	Contract Area of Operation
The work will be conducted throughout the Scotia Shelf in Crab Fishing Areas: N-ENS, 23, 24 and 4X.

The vessel must be willing to berth at various ports along the Atlantic Coast of Nova Scotia for the duration of the project as determined by operational requirements.

1.5	Estimated Value/Level of Effort
An estimated usage is up to 420 survey stations (may be less in a given year based on operational requirements) at an estimated cost range of $750 - $1000 (+ HST) per station. The contractor is paid based on number of survey stations completed each year. 

An additional set of up to 20 stations may be required annually with expanded scientific sampling. These “expanded sampling” 20 stations would be paid at twice the normal station rate as these stations require additional time and effort. 

Additionally, the contractor will be paid $11,000 (+HST) each year to construct 3 trawl nets to DFO blueprint specifications with all required materials being provided by DFO. This contract will be for one year with three additional option years. 

	1.6	Background, Assumptions and Specific Scope of the Requirement
A snow crab trawl survey of this scope has been completed annually in the Maritimes Region since 2004. Consistency in sampling vessels is essential to ensure consistency of quality (and directly comparable) data being collected.