Page 325 equipment and instruments 423 



423. Leased Launches 



To supplement available launches or to execute a small independent survey, it is 

 sometimes necessary to lease one or more privately owned craft. The procedure to be 

 followed in leasing launches is subject to change and officers are cautioned to familiarize 

 themselves with the most recent instructions on the subject before proceeding. The 

 correct procedure, in effect March 1942, is contained in paragraphs 676 to 678 of the 

 Regulations of the Coast and Geodetic Survey, supplemented by 4231 and 4232 of this 

 Manual. Paragraph 675 of the Regulations has been canceled. 



4231. Procedure in Leasing Launches 



Before leasing a launch, estimates must be submitted in the usual manner and, after their approval, 

 invitations should be issued for competitive bids on Standard Form 33, if the period of time is less 

 than a month; or on Form 508, if the time is longer but the amount involved is less than $5,000. 

 If the total cost of the rent of one or more launches may equal or exceed $5,000 for the period 

 specified, competition shall be obtained through advertising in one or more newspapers as prescribed 

 in paragraph 627 of the Regulations. Time must be allowed for departmental approval for amounts 

 of $5,000 or more (see par. 640 of the Regulations) so as not to delay the beginning of field 

 operations. 



Specifications for the lease of launches should be as broad as practicable to obtain the widest 

 competition, at the same time furnishing a basis for the rejection of bids on unsatisfactory craft. 

 The requirements under such of the following headings as are applicable should be stated definitely 

 in the specifications and the bidder should be required to furnish sufficient information with his bid 

 to show clearly whether his launch meets the requirements: 



Type. 



Length limits. 



Beam limits or fineness ratio. 



Speed requirements. 



Draft. 



Type of engine and control. 



Accommodations. 



Equipment. 



Statement of locality and requirements of work to be performed. 



Period of lease. 



Delivery point. 



Government to furnish fuel and supplies. 



The specifications should also contain the following item regarding the employment of an engineer: 



"Engineer: The owner (lessor) shall designate and employ an engineer who will furnish his own subsistence. The engineer's 

 salary will be paid by the owner, and hence must be included in the bid price for the hire of the launch. The engineer will have full 

 responsibility for the operation and care of the engine and will be the owner's representative." 



The number of launches required must be stated in the invitation, otherwise only one launch can 

 be accepted. 



Any test or trial necessary to determine compliance with the specifications should be made before 

 recommending acceptance. 



Whenever time permits, a copy of the invitation and specifications should be forwarded to the 

 Washington Office and the advertisement made sufficiently in advance to permit forwarding the bids, 

 abstract of bids, and recommendation to the Office by mail for approval of award, thus avoiding the 

 necessity of using the telegraph. 



The lowest bid on a launch complying with the specifications must be accepted. In case the lowest 

 bid is not recommended for acceptance, the recommendation should set forth the items of the specifica- 

 tions with which such low bid does not comply. 



Before a bid is accepted, the results of the bidding, including any particulars which are important, 

 should be forwarded to the Washington Office— by wire, if time is important^and authority should be 

 requested to accept the low bid meeting the specifications. After authority has been received, the 

 bid should be accepted and, if the period of time is more than 1 month, a formal contract should be 

 signed with the owner of the craft, using Form 509, Lease of Launch. This lease with accompanying 

 bids and papers should be forwarded to the Washington Office promptly after the contract has been 

 signed. 



