Response_to_Dive_Boat_questions_21_Mar_14.pdf

Section Question/Comment Answer/Response

070-2

What is the justification for the 125F ambient temperature. Previous vessels have experienced main engine and generator power reduction as machinery space ventilation cannot generate the temperature delta required at engine air inlet for maximum power. Does the mission require significant operational time in this environment to justify the added cost?

As stated in the Specification, "most operational time is spent moored alongside other naval vessels". In this scenario, the main engines will be secured. The temperature requirement are as stated to ensure world wide operational capability where naval vessels may deploy.

070-2 Does operation in 3ft (4ft reduced) significant wave height include dive operations? If so, please define range of allowable vessel motions and accelerations.

As stated in the Specification "For normal operations, the boat is underway in a harbor or transiting between operational sites, but spends most of its operational time moored alongside other vessels." Dive operations in 3 feet waves are not anticipated, those represent wave conditions encountered during transit.

070-9 Maintaining surface temperature of exterior mounted equipment at less than 120F (higher requires insulation) will be very difficult in ambient conditions of 125F. Will the government consider a reduction in ambient temperature?

The ambient temperature requirement is as stated in the Specification. There is no requirement to 'maintain surface temperature of exterior mounted equipment' as stated in the question. The requirement is to simply guard, protect or warn against the hazard.

085-2

Contractor furnished vessel drawings containing Navy Embarked Diving Equipment and Supporting System will not be available at vessel delivery as the equipment will be installed by the Navy after delivery. Please clarify the requirement for content and delivery date of drawings. Will dimensional drawings be available during design phase?

The requirement for the content and delivery date for drawings is as stated in the Specification. The expectation is that Navy embarked systems after delivery will only be represented on the drawings with a space placeholder that is drawn to scale with the dimensions provided in the Specification. The information available for Navy Embarked systems is as listed in the Specification.

Structural requirements do not appear to be as detailed as other sections of Specification. In light of the requirement to operate in a broken ice field the Government should specify design standards, such as ABS, DnV, etc., for the structure. General commercial practice will not be sufficient for the ice requirement.

The requirement for hull structure is as stated in the Specification. The Offeror is free to propose, or identify, any standards their vessels is designed in their response to the solicitation. There is no requirement "to operate in a broken ice field" as stated in the question.

259-1 What is the rationale for the 7 degree heel requirement, is this heel a vessel requirement or an operational requirement?

The 7 degree requirement is a vessel static heel requirement as in accordance with ABYC.

259-1 The Specification requires SS 321, SS 347 or Inconel 625 vice SS 316L as allowed by ABYC. Will the Government consider allowing the ABYC standard?

The requirement is as stated in the Specification.

303-1 Please confirm the requirement for UL489 main breakers.

The requirement is as stated in the Specification.

Main feeder breakers to distribution panels shall be

UL489

303-2 Circuit breakers in the engine room rated for 50C (122F) service alludes to allowable engine room temperature of 50C (122F). Please clarify.

It has been determined that circuit breakers with a rating of 50C is adequate for the ambient conditions require d in the solicitation.

303-2 Please confirm whether ELCIs are really required since having an isolation transformer eliminates that requirement in ABYC. Is the intention to have a separate panel?

ABYC requires circuit protection unless an isolation transformer is installed within 10 feet (3m) of the shore power receptacle. The specification for the ELCI shore power breaker will be clarified to apply when the exception above is not met. Typically the ELCI shore power circuit breaker is in a stand alone enclosure.

304-2 Is ABYC wire support (18”) acceptable, vice 16”?

DOD-STD-2003 says 16" for aluminum structure, ABYC requires 18". The Specification will be revised to state 16"-18" spacing for cable support

304-3 Please clarify the requirements and allowable uses of single vice multi-conductor cable.

As stated in the Specification, All cables for AC circuits and all DC cables from power panels out to the loads shall be multi-conductor cables. Single conductor cable may be used for battery/charging/starting circuits.

Is there an estimate of the expected hours of operation for each genset, per year.

The dive boat and dive profile usage varies greatly per site, with some sites conducting 200-300% more dives than others. It is anticipated the 240/120, 1-ph Genset will get the majority of use while the 480 Genset will only be run when needed to operate a 480 load, otherwise it will be secured.

310-1 Is Monel also acceptable for strainer baskets?

The Specification does not specify basket material.

Monel is acceptable provided proper galvanic isolation from the aluminum hull is provided in ABYC galvanic protection requirements of the specification.

310-1/2 We prefer use of 316L for dry sections and composite mufflers (Centek or equal) in the wet section, allowable by ABYC (referenced in 070-5 and 505-1) will the Government consider this?

As stated in the Specification, Stainless Steel type 321 or 347 shall be used in the dry sections of the exhaust. The proposed mufflers are compliant with the Specification as written.

313-1 Please confirm a single battery bank for engine starting is desired. Two battery banks are normally provided for backup starting.

The requirement is as stated in the Specification "One battery bank dedicated to engine starting, one bank dedicated to boat service (house) loads...". The Specification includes provisions for back-up starting by momentary paralleling the engine start batteries with the house batteries.

313-1 The battery reserve capacity requirements are inconsistent with the specified ABYC requirement.

Correct. As stated in the Specification, the requirement is 2 hours of reserve capacity using the ABYC calculation method

313-2 Why are ACRs disallowed?

ACR's are not permitted because they do not provide complete isolation at all times (i.e. batteries are essentially paralleled when the voltages are at an acceptable level).

320-1 Please confirm the requirement for ungrounded DC system. Why does the government require and ungrounded system? Do we to assume the system will be bonded?

The requirements for ungrounded and bonding are as stated in the Specification, no assumptions are necessary. The system shall be bonded in accordance with ABYC and US Navy Boat Electrical Practices guide referenced in the Specification. The US Navy requires all ships, boats and craft to have ungrounded DC systems for familiarity, reliability, better galvanic corrosion protection, and higher level of safety to personnel. Note the Electrical Practices Guidance TM, along with the other US Navy Boats Guidance practice TM's referenced in the Specification, were publicly released over four years ago, and include additional Specification background, rationale and methodology of the practices associated with US Navy boats.

422-2 Please confirm navigation electronics requirements. NavNet vx2 is obsolete and is no longer produced. Is NavNet 3D ok?

No. NavNet vx2 is still available and is the requirement of this Specification. The recommended POC at Furuno for current information is Matt Wood (mwood@fununo.com).

443-2 Can a separate, dedicated display for CCTV be considered? The requirement is as stated in the Specification.

Additional displays or components are not desired.

512-5 Please define allowable main cabin, pilothouse and galley temperatures when operating in excess of 110F ambient as referenced in 070-2 (125F).

As stated in the Specification, 110° F is the design ambient temperature for the HVAC system requirements.

514-1 Are integral fuel tanks allowed?

It is assumed this question is concerning Specification section 541-1. The Specification is silent on integral, or non-integral, fuel tanks, therefore either is allowed.

529-2 Please confirm that bilge water can be discharged directly overboard and no regulations (MARPOL, etc.) will have to be followed for containment or treatment.

The bilge system requirements are as stated in the Specification. Overboard discharge is an operational procedure that is governed by EPA/IMO, UNDs, and local ordnances and will vary by fielding site.

SOW 3.3.4.2

Please clarify the term "designed location". Will the location be provided to the builder?

This location will be unique to each Offeror. The Offeror is responsible for identifying where the Bauer Air Compressor will be located and then installing the compressor at this location as designed by the Offeror.

SOW 4.4

Please clarify the statements regarding Contractor's Proposal dated 22 August 2013 in response to NAVSEA Solicitation No. N00024-13-R-2215. We believe this reference may be an error. If not an error, please provide referenced proposal.

This will be updated in formal release of request for proposal

N/A Would consideration be given to using other diesel engines other than Cummins?

Navy is using Cummins engines to provide total ownership cost savings to the fleet through the use of common parts and established components within the supply chain system. The Cummins engines are the preferred product.

N/A We understand the latest of this vessel class was built by the Marine Group in San Diego, is it possible you could point us in the direction of finding the contract award amount for the latest contract?

The prior contract was awarded off of a GSA schedule, the award amount is not available.

N/A I was wondering if you have any examples of the DSB’s mentioned in the boat specification? If you might be able to provide any pictures, drawings, etc. of boats described that were used as a benchmark to come up with the spec?

This question was answered in synopsis amendment number one.

N/A Are there any restrictions to building these boats out of the US? We were thinking about subcontracting some or all of the work to our partner in Canada. I know that some things need to comply with the Buy America Act and I was wondering if this needs to.

For the purposes of this procurement, Canada and the United States are both acceptable locations for construction.

N/A Is there a GSA requirement?

There is not a GSA requirement for this procurement.

N/A Is it still on track to come out for official bid around April 7? Yes.

N/A

Has this vessel (design) ever been fabricated before for the U.S. Government, and if so by whom?

Similar boat design and performance specification requirements were competitively bid and awarded to The Marine Group and Armstrong Marine for production in previous years.

N/A Was it fabricated in the U.S.A.? Yes.

N/A I am interested in bidding this procurement, however cannot get my package together by 3/19 will you consider extending?

This has been an advance notice / synopsis for an upcoming release of a solicitation for this procurement. The Solicitation is intended to be posted in the near future, thank you for your interest.

N/A Is there any due date for proposals on the 14-R-2232?

This has been an advance notice / synopsis for an upcoming release of a solicitation for this procurement. The Solicitation is intended to be posted in the near future, thank you for your interest.