140PS125R0009_Amendment_002_Solicitation_Questions_Response_0002.pdf

Park/PMIS: ISRO 295911 Solicitation: 140PS125R0009 Amendment: 0002 – Answers to Questions

Amendment 0001 was posted due to system error in transmitting attachments. There were no changes in amendment 0001.

QUESTION 1: Can we submit a proposal for only CLIN # 00010? Will you be awarding the CLIN items to different companies?

ANSWER QUESTION 1: The solicitation will result in a single contract award.

QUESTION 2: The solicitation indicates that the MVPM must perform a competitive shipyard RFP process and select the shipyard prior to the response date of December 12th. We wanted to confirm this was your intent. We would recommend the shipyard selection process be deferred until after the MVPM is awarded, which would empower us to negotiate with the builders. This would be handled through an initial task order (CLIN 0001). The deliverables would include a completed shipyard selection report, total construction price, and a negotiated shipbuilding subcontract ready for execution. Until the MVPM is selected and awarded by NPS, we would be limited in our ability to aggressively negotiate on behalf of the government. Additionally, the subcontract terms would likely change following MVPM negotiations/award.

ANSWER QUESTION 2: Yes, the solicitation is structured to result in a single contract award that includes both Marine Vessel Project Manager (MVPM) services and vessel manufacturing.

The Government’s intent is for offerors to identify and select a shipyard as part of their proposal submission due by December 12th. This requirement applies regardless of whether the MVPM is proposed as the prime contractor or as a subcontractor to the shipyard, or the CLINs provided under the same company, —either arrangement is acceptable and meets the solicitation requirements.

We understand your recommendation to defer shipyard selection until after MVPM award;

however, the Government requires this information at the time of proposal submission to support a comprehensive best value tradeoff analysis in accordance with FAR Part 15.1. The

MVPM is not expected to negotiate on behalf of the Government. Rather, the offeror’s ability to present a complete and competitive proposal.

QUESTION 3: Can NPS share the budget for this build program? There are several requirements and factors in the solicitation that are going to drive the cost of the shipbuilding subcontract. We have heard anecdotally what the budget might be and are concerned that the available funding might not be sufficient for this program.

ANSWER QUESTION 3: The Government's budget is based upon the construction cost estimate that was provided by the with the Phase I preliminary/contract design that was completed in October 2024, with additional factors for the MVPM and Delivery. The specific budget will not be shared at this time.

QUESTION 4: Delivery of the vessel is contemplated to be at Houghton, MI. This implies that the Contractor is responsible for repositioning the vessel, which is certainly possible. However, one key principle in a VCM contract is that the VCM does not take title to the vessel, even momentarily. This would invoke significant insurance and risk that is disproportionate with the size of the opportunity, and would be very costly to NPS. The Contractor can certainly reposition the vessel from the shipyard, which would include crewing, fuel, provisions, Safety Management System (SMS), etc., but NPS should accept delivery of the vessel at the shipyard and immediately take title to the vessel. The Contractor would perform the repositioning under a separate CLIN. Please confirm this change can be integrated into the solicitation and is acceptable.

ANSWER QUESTION 4: The solicitation in Section B Price Schedule already lists CLIN 0030

Ranger IV Delivery as a separate CLIN (see C.3 for the definition of the CLIN). Section E.7 details E.7 Passage of Title, Identification and Risk of Loss. If there is a follow up question please submit to ConOps_Strategic_Team@nps.gov referencing the specific language in the solicitation documents with your question.

QUESTION 5: Based on the vessel description in the pre-solicitation documents, it seems that the appropriate underway modes of operation include Diesel-only mode, Power Take-In (PTI) Mode, and Power Take-Off (PTO) Mode. We can also provide a “Boost Mode” which combines the power output of the main diesel engine and electric motor. This Boost Mode, despite not being explicitly included in the “Bidding Specs” document, is described in Appendix A of “DRAFT_Design_File_3_or_3_6.pdf”. While “Boost Mode” is a capability of this system, I don’t see where it fits into the stated mission profile of the vessel. Is this feature something that NPS wants included for Ranger IV?

ANSWER QUESTION 5: Attached are DI-035_REV 7_Bidding Specifications that provide the updated bidding specifications incorporating the requirement for the hybrid system ‘boost mode.’

The changes have been made in Track Changes for clarity.

In section 010, the modified paragraph reads: The vessel shall be a monohull hybrid diesel and electric powered ferry capable of 14 knots under diesel power with a 15% sea margin, and fully electric propulsion up to 8 knots. Additionally, the vessel shall be capable of hybrid ‘boost-mode’ operation to combine the power output of the main diesel engines and electric motors. Use of ‘boost-mode’ would not be used in normal operating conditions, but shall be available for situational emergency needs requiring higher speeds.

In section 202, the modified sentence reads: All control stations shall have the ability to change operating mode of the Main Propulsion System (diesel-only, electric-only, and additional hybrid modes, including a ‘boost-mode’ combining both diesel and electric power).

QUESTION 6: Do you have a separate solicitation for the purchase of the twin CAT 3512E diesel engines & electric motors?

ANSWER QUESTION 6: No, there is no separate solicitation. Vendors can click the “Add Me to Interested Vendors List”. This creates a public list of companies that are interesting in partnering on that opportunity.

mailto:ConOps_Strategic_Team@nps.gov