The International Pacific Halibut Commission is requesting proposals from industry to provide bait for the year 2003 summer halibut surveys in Area 2A (Oregon and Washington).

The only bait used for the Commission's standardized stock assessment survey is Chum salmon. Due to the scientific nature of the study, our bait quality requirements and standardization exceed those normally provided by industry as "bait chums". The Commission's minimum quality requirement is #2 semi-bright (ASMI grade A through E), H&G, IQF, Chum salmon with "meat colored" flesh. The preferred size grade is 6 to 9 pound chums but smaller fish will be considered. The salmon must have been caught and processed no earlier than June of 2002. We require information on the month of capture and the run for each unit/tote of bait purchased. Bait may be inspected for quality prior to accepting a proposal.

The Commission is interested in purchasing about 27,000 pounds of bait to provide for survey operations in Washington and Oregon. Interested parties may submit proposals to provide all or only part of the total amount. Bids for less than 7,000 pounds will not be accepted. The bait may be stored at a central location and shipped in lots of roughly 6-8,000 pounds during the summer of 2003. Typically the bait is loaded in smaller coastal ports such as Astoria, Newport, Coos Bay/Charleston, Oregon, and Bellingham, Washington. Proposals should include shipping and/or storage costs.

If the proposal does not include shipping and/or storage, the location of the bait will be considered in regard to shipping and storage costs to the Commission and used in evaluating the proposal. Another point used in evaluating proposals will be the possibility of deferring all or a portion of payment until bait is removed from the storage facility. The Commission will not necessarily accept the lowest or any of the bids received.

Proposals must be received by 0800 March 3, 2003. Interested suppliers may send a letter of proposal to the IPHC, Attn. Kelly Van Wormer; P.O. Box 95009, Seattle Washington 98145-2009; Phone (206) 634-1838, ext. 202 or Fax: (206) 632-2983.