T-ATS_DDC_Draft_RFP_QA_20Mar2017.docx

1. Please confirm that DRL DI-033-09 only requires the listing of drawings specifically identified in DI-031 and DI-033. Manual, studies, calculations, reports and the like are excluded.

The Government confirms that DI-003-09 does not require the inclusion of manuals, studies, calculations, and reports.

2. DRL DI-033-09 makes reference to "Ship Equipment Drawings". Please identify the DRL that defines scope of Ship Equipment Drawings. We see no DI of that description.

Ship Equipment Drawings are not required. This change will be included in an update to DRL DI033-09, which will be issued with the formal Request For Proposals.

3. DRL DI-033-09 para 1f notes "Actual completion dates and revision dates". Is this to mean the latest revision date or a history of all revision dates for each drawing listed?

Actual completion dates should reflect the date the initial revision was issued. The revision dates should reflect the date the latest revision was issued.

4. Draft RFP Page 36, section C-3.085a, 3rd paragraph - Please confirm that the reference to "all drawings" means only those listed in DI-031.

“All drawings” means all drawings developed for the program. This includes those required by DI-031, DI-032, DI-033, and those required by Classification Society and Regulatory Bodies.

5. Draft RFP Page 39, section C-3.096, 1st and 2nd paragraphs - Please explain what the "Supplemental Agreement" is.

The Ship’s weight will be contractual and will be documented in a supplemental agreement which is a bilateral contract modification. Since the Accepted Weight Estimate (DI-046-01) will not be produced until after the contract is awarded, a supplemental agreement is used to incorporate the weight and center of gravity values into the contract.

6. Draft RFP Page 40, section C-3.098 - This section described the need for specific models and mock-ups. Will the criteria cited be incorporated into the respective COR sections?

The criteria cited will not be incorporated into the COR. The Government expects the models will reflect the contractor’s final design.

7. Draft RFP Page 40, section C-3.098, 2nd paragraph - This paragraph describes various items that the ANCHOR HANDLING MODEL is to accomplish. Why is said modeling requires as anchor handling is a part of the mature commercial vessel design being used to develop the baseline design?

The anchor handling model will help to prevent anchoring handling problems that have occurred on recent commercial ship procurements, including some ships which were based on an existing design.

8. Draft RFP Page 40, section C-3.098, Pilothouse Mock-up - To what degree is the equipment to be simulated? Are 2D representations acceptable?

Equipment would be simulated to a degree to which a ship’s Master could come into the Mock-up and be able to get a sense as to how he/she and watch standers would be able to perform their duties on the Bridge. Equipment, furnishings, and consoles may be represented by either actual or simulated equipment, furnishings, and consoles (e.g. wooden or cardboard boxes) which match the dimensions and layout of switches, controls, indicators, etc. 2D representations of equipment, furnishings, and consoles are not acceptable.

9. Draft RFP Page 55, HQ C-2-0039 - Please confirm that the reference to "working plans" means only those listed in DI-031.

Working plans are not limited to those listed in DI-031.

10. Draft RFP Page 109, paragraph 3 - The text indicates that three copies of Volume I are to be provided. The table indicates six copies are required. Which is correct?

Three copies of Volume I are required. This will be corrected in the final RFP.

11. Draft RFP Page 113 - This section indicates that compartment areas are to be listed on the General Arrangement. Is this for every compartment or only those intended for stowage of liquids or solids?

Compartment areas for every compartment are to be listed on the General Arrangement.

12. Draft RFP Page 113 - This section indicates that antenna locations are to be depicted. Several antennas are provided as GFE. Will the Offerors be provided locating constraints for each of the GFE antenna in order to accurately represent their size and locations in the proposed General Arrangement?

The Government will not be providing locating constraints for the GFE antennas. For purposes of the proposal, Offerors are required to depict only Contractor-furnished antennas. Locations of GFE antennas will be agreed to after contract award as part of the C4I Working Group mentioned in Section C-3.045h after the Government has conducted a topside analysis.

13. Attachment J-3 Page 2, paragraph 4.0 - The table in this section makes reference to "Project Peculiar Documents". We could not find a listing in the COR or Attachment J-3. Where are these PPDs listed and will the Offerors be provided a copy prior to development of their bids?

The Project Peculiar Documents are the items listed in the Government Furnished Information. This will be clarified in the final RFP.

14. Attachment J-1, COR (Version 3) section 3.202c – The first paragraph requires the monitoring the “status and operating parameters” of the transformers. Exactly what is intended to be monitored on the transformers?

It is intended that temperature for each phase of the transformer winding will be monitored as well as any other parameter which is needed to satisfy ABS for ACCU notation.

15. Attachment J-1, COR (Version 3) section 3.422 – The 2nd paragraph indicates that two searchlights are to be provided port and starboard. Please conform that the intent is for a total of two searchlights, one each port and starboard.

The intent of the requirement is to provide one searchlight on the port side and one searchlight on the starboard side.

16. Attachment J-1, COR (Version 3) section 3.422 – Is it required that the navigation lights be LED type?

Yes, navigation lights shall be of the LED type.

17. Will the T-ATS contract have a bond included?

No, Offerors will not be required to secure performance bonds, bid bonds, or similar types of surety bonds for this contract.

18. Will the Navy issue a waiver for Tier 4 emission requirements or will we be allowed to substitute the propulsion engines with Tier 4 compliant units or equal or greater power?

The Circular of Requirements (Version 3.0) requires that "Diesel engines shall comply with the emissions requirements applicable to marine engines intended for US Flag commercial vessels as well as compliance to IMO MARPOL Annex VI." Therefore diesel engines are required to comply with Environmental Protection Agency regulations, either Tier 3 or Tier 4 depending on the engine's displacement per cylinder. Offerors are allowed to substitute engines on the parent design to meet these requirements. The Navy will not waive or use the national security exemption for emission requirements on these ships.

19. How does the Navy intend to handle royalties to the owners of the parent craft designs? We assume it will be up to the bidders to negotiate the best possible arrangement and include in their pricing?

It will be the Offeror's responsibility to make all arrangements, including any royalties or other fees, with the owner of the parent design in order to use the design for this solicitation.

20. What would be the anticipated crew size and berthing requirements?

The crew size is expected to be 23 initially, and then reduced to 21 after the ship is approved to operate with a periodically unattended engineroom.

21. Would a moon pool be required to support divers/ROVs?

There is no requirement for a moon pool, and there are no support services required for the ship to embark divers or ROVs. All support services and other interfaces that the T-ATS will require to support embarked mission systems are already captured in the Circular of Requirements, Attachment J-1.

22. What type of crane is envisioned (SWL, sea state, man riding required)?

The salvage crane requirements are listed in the Circular of Requirements, Attachment J-1. Section 3.573 lists the primary requirements. Other cranes, such as general purpose cranes for stores handling, can be included as part of the Offeror's proposed ship design to provide the ship with additional flexibility, but there is no requirement for any crane besides the salvage crane.

23. How many boats required (FRC, lifeboat, work boats) vice life rafts?

A fast rescue boat is specified in the Circular of Requirements, Attachment J-1. Section 3.583a lists the primary requirements. It is the Offeror's responsibility to determine the type and number of life rafts and/or lifeboats based on the crew and persons other than crew that the T-ATS will accommodate. Any other boats that will be required to perform missions will be provided by the Navy as part of the embarked mission systems and equipment.

24. Will there be additional information on what will be specifically required for SAR, Sub Rescue, and HADR?

Other than the towing winch and associate tow equipment, the T-ATS will embark any mission systems and equipment needed to perform its mission. All support services and other interfaces that the T-ATS will require to support embarked mission systems are captured in the Circular of Requirements, Attachment J-1.

25. Will ABS class Notation CPS for IMO PSPC requirement for IMO Resolution MSC.215(82) be required?

Section No. 1 - Service Requirements, Para (c) Tank Paints, Item (2) Ballast Tanks states: "Ballast Tanks shall be coated with two coats of approved epoxy over blasted steel. Shop primers must be removed."

T-ATS Circular of Requirements, Attachment J-1 states the vessel will be designed and constructed under American Bureau of Shipping (ABS). Whereas, the subject vessel is over 500 gross tons - is it the intent to adhere to IMO resolution requirements? ABS Notation (CPS) would require additional technical requirements such as Coating Technical File and Tripartite Agreement between NAVSEA, Coating Manufacture and Shipyard, etc. Additional requirements pertaining to certification of coating systems, verification procedures and inspection criteria also required. Normal ballast tank coatings would be two main coats with two stripe coats.

Please advise if the ABS Notation CPS will be required for IMO Resolution Performance Standard for Protective Coatings (PSPC).

The Government does not require the ABS Notation CPS.

26. COR (Version 3) Revision Block - The Description indicates that 3.644b was changed. No change could be found in 3.644b. However, there were changes to sections 3.663 and 3.664a that were not identified in the revision block. Please clarify.

It is assumed that this question is about 3.664b as 3.644b does not exist in the COR. The title of 3.664b was changed from “DAMAGE CONTROL REPAIR LOCKER” to “DAMAGE CONTROL EQUIPMENT STOWAGE”.

27. COR (Version 3) Section 3.436b - Is it required all accesses be monitored or only those from the ship's exterior?

Only Communications Suite accesses, egresses, or hatches are required to be monitored. If a Ship’s Office is provided then its accesses, egresses, or hatches will be required to be monitored.

28. COR (Version 3) Section 3.521 - What is meant by requiring the actuated ball valve being "located within the skin of the vessel"? The only other time "within the skin" is used clearly requires within an interior compartment. Does this mean it is to be located out of the weather?

“Within the skin of the vessel" means interior to the vessel and out of the weather.

29. COR (Version 3) Section 3.602a - States that the "frames shall be numbered from bow to stern". It is presumed that frame 0 is at the bow. During design studies the government accepted that frame 0 could be aft if that was how the parent vessel was laid out. Is the aft frame 0 no longer acceptable?

Numbering the frames stern to bow with an aft frame of 0 is not acceptable. The frames shall be numbered from bow to stern starting with 0 at the bow regardless of how the parent vessel is laid out.

30. COR (Version 3) Section 3.644b - This section requires that the Damage Control Repair Locker "be contained within the Salvage Storeroom (if provided)". Does the Damage Control Repair Locker area/volume count as part of the required area/volume for the Salvage Storeroom?

Yes, the Damage Control Equipment area/volume is counted as part of the required area/volume for the Salvage Storeroom.

31. COR (Version 3) Section 3.672d - This section has been moved from Appendix B to the COR making it a requirement. However, sections 3.573, 3.644b and 4.070c all make reference to Salvage Storeroom or Salvage Equipment Stowage with the notation "(if provided)". Please clarify.

The notation "(if provided)" will be removed from these sections in the final RFP.

32. COR (Version 3) Section 3.070f - This section provides a range of humidity when electronic equipment is operating and not operating. Is this an intent to require that humidifiers be provided in the spaces cited to maintain the minimum relative humidity?

Humidifiers are not required to be provided. A modification to section 3.070f will be made to the final version of the COR used for the RFP.

33. Attachment J-1, Circular of Requirements, Section 3.070f, Operating Environment – Will the Government specify outside ambient temperature requirements for both summer and winter operating conditions? In addition, what are the required design temperatures for sea water to support system design for mission operations?

Outside ambient temperature requirements for both summer and winter operating conditions shall be as specified for unrestricted service by ABS. Seawater design temperatures shall be as specified for unrestricted service by ABS.

34. Attachment J-1, Circular of Requirements, Section No. 3.313, Storage Batteries and Charging Equipment – states: “Lead acid batteries shall not be connected in parallel”.

Subject specifications are virtually silent in respect to the requirements for 24 VDC battery banks, of which each require (2) UPS Units, required for the following items:

· Main Propulsion Control System

· DP electronic equipment and controls

· Pilot House DC Power Loads

· Engine Alarm and Monitoring Each battery bank normally consist of two (2) 12 VDC, 200 AMP-Hour GEL series GE-8D limited discharge lead-acid batteries installed in parallel. Two (2) 24 VDC battery charges with distribution panels are also required.

The intent of the requirement is not to prevent pre-assembled commercial UPS unit(s) which may contain internal paralleled batteries. Such commercial units 'should' have monitoring equipment built in to prevent/detect a dead battery from pulling the rest of the system voltage down or a battery status/maintenance indicator.

The requirement is directed toward those installations where an installation is fabricated or multiple batteries are combined to provide the required Ahr or runtime output. Many commercial chargers have multiple 'battery stations' or terminals for batteries/banks with a common output load terminal. This configuration allows batteries/banks to be independently charged/serviced and also provides better detection of a faulty battery/bank.

35. Attachment J-1, Circular of Requirements, Section No. 3.420, Dynamic Positioning System (DPS) and Autopilot – subject specifications states: “DPS primary control shall be located in the Pilot House”. Also states: “Primary and secondary to effect and accept control transfer”.

Normal vessel operation for Joystick and dynamic positioning control stations would be the aft pilot house control station, forward pilot house and port and stbd bridge wings. Would a removable (portable) unit in the aft console with plug in jacks for bridge wing operation suffice?

Yes.

36. Attachment J-1, Circular of Requirements, Section 3.532, Freshwater Service System, Sub-Section 3.532a, General – Is the Government’s preference for the water maker type to be Reverse Osmosis or Waste Heat FW Generator?

If Reverse Osmosis type is required, please state vessel’s sea water temperature operating conditions especially in cold weather mission locations. Dependent on sea water temperatures in cold weather regions; pre-heaters will be required for inlet sea water for maximum water making performance for reverse osmosis type units.

The Government does not have a preference as to the water maker type. Seawater design temperatures shall be for unrestricted service as specified by ABS.

37. This extra stowage requires 65-85 square meters extra area in connection with the Salvage Stowage. Is the location mandatory? Or is it possible have an alternative location?

The COR states that the Mission Equipment Stowage MAY be collocated with Salvage Stowage as additional space provided. An alternative location is acceptable provided the alternative location meets the access, handling, and securing requirements.

38. Is the small business subcontracting plan included in the technical volume page count?

The Small Business Subcontracting Plan will be excluded from the Technical Volume page count; this will be reflected clearly in the upcoming RFP.

39. The Offeror is required to submit a proposal which is sufficiently detailed and complete to fully demonstrate understanding of, and compliance with, all of the requirements of the RFP/contract…

The draft proposal includes 1,014 requirements. In order to ensure that proposals provide sufficiently detailed content to enable evaluation, will the Government increase the page count of the technical volume? We respectfully suggest that it be increased to 175 pages.

The Technical Volume page count will not be changed for the upcoming RFP. However, the Past Performance section, in its entirety, will be excluded from the Technical Volume page count.

40. The Offeror is required to provide a description of past performance experience for themselves and any significant Subcontractors in design and/or construction on no more than five (5) contracts/subcontracts over the last ten (10) years in the design and/or construction of ships similar in scope and complexity to the Proposed T-ATS Baseline Design

Would the government please clarify whether it expects:

-- up to five contracts for the bidder AND up to five contracts for each significant Subcontractor (up to ten contracts total) -- up to five contracts total, for bidder and significant Subcontractor combined.

The upcoming RFP will be changed to reflect the Government expectation of up to five contracts for the bidder AND up to five contracts for all significant Subcontractors (up to ten contracts total).

41. If a contract is with a non-US entity, is the bidder permitted to provide Estimated (or target) cost and actual experienced cost in the currency in which the transaction was made?

Currency conversions should be performed such that the Offeror is reflecting work in US dollars.

42. What is the dollar value of the TPP adjustment that will be applied for the padeyes (3.180) feature?

The padeyes (3.180) feature is now a requirement and will not be treated as a Desired Feature. They will not be assigned a dollar value for the purpose of price evaluation as described in Section M of the RFP.

43. Attachment J-10, Preservation Instructions, Section No. 22, Interior Spaces and Color Schemes – Please describe the Government requirements for coatings pertaining to the following areas:

1. Vertical steel bulkheads behind joiner bulkheads (sheathing)

2. Vertical steel bulkheads and overhead decks requiring insulation

3. Overhead steel decks behind joiner (false) ceilings

All unexposed surfaces shall be painted to the same requirement as exposed surfaces.

44. Attachment J-10, Preservation Instructions, Section No. 20, Hull Markings, paragraph 1 – Draft specification states: “all letters and numbers shall be outlined with welding beads”.

Would the government consider NC cut markings out of ¼” thick steel plate? Allowing the markings to be NC cut and tabbed provides uniform size, height and proper spacing. Entire tab can be placed on hull plating for entire ‘run out’ of hull markings. NC cut letters are easier and less expensive to install and provide uniform dimensions.

NC Cut markings are acceptable provided that they are completely welded out as to prevent liquid from entering between the markings and the hull.

45. Attachment J-1, Circular of Requirements, Section 3.555, Fire Extinguishing Systems, Sub-section 3.555a, General – states: A means shall be provided to fight a bilge fire independent of the main system.”

Is it the Government’s intent to require a fixed AFFF bilge sprinkling system for all machinery spaces below the floor plates? As an alternate is a bilge level flooding AFFF system permissible?

The Government does not have a preference as to the type of media that will be used to extinguish a bilge fire. Either a bilge sprinkling or a bilge level flooding system is permissible.

46. Attachment J-1, Circular of Requirements, Section 4.420, Dynamic Positioning System (DPS) and Autopilot

Normal testing of ABS DPS-2 requires three (3) main test procedures:

· Periodic Safety Test Procedure (PSTP)

· Design Verification Test Procedure (DVTP)

· Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA)

In addition, will NAVSEA identify subject vessel systems to be considered as part of the FMEA or rely on ABS minimum requirements?

NAVSEA will rely on USCG and ABS minimum requirements.

47. Will the Navy consider mid-body extensions above 10%?

No.

48. In the Circular of Requirements (Attachment J-1), the Vertical Center of Gravity of the NATO Submarine Rescue System (NSRS) appears to be substantially higher than the US Navy's Submarine Rescue System (SRDRS). Can you confirm that the numbers are correct?

Based on the latest available information on the NSRS system, the "NSRS Vertical" loading condition in Table 3.079-1 will be changed from a Cargo Vertical Center of Gravity of 4.5 meters to 4.0 meters. This change will be included in an update to the Circular of Requirements, which will be issued with the formal Request For Proposals. All other weights and centers of gravity in Table 3.079-1 will remain unchanged.

49. COR (Version 3) Section 4.070f - This section requires "The ability of the ship to operate in the required environmental conditions shall be verified by analysis and testing." Does this mean that the contractor is to simulate the entire temperature and relative humidity ranges when testing equipment? Or does this mean that the testing should be carried out only when within the cited temperature and relative humidity ranges?

No the contractor does not need to simulate the entire temperature and relative humidity ranges when testing equipment, however testing should be performed within the cited temperature and relative humidity ranges.

* 50. The T-ATS CIRCULAR OF REQUIREMENTS states that ABS is to issue the vessel a Statement of Voluntary Compliance (SOVC) for SOLAS, the International Convention for the Safety of Life as Sea. SOLAS incorporates the Code of Safety for Special Purpose Ships (SPS Code).

ABS defines, in part, an SOVC as "An ABS Statement of Compliance evidences ABS' evaluation of compliance with one or more of the requirements of an IMO convention, issued for the use of the Client" and thus the Client has some latitude in the application of the Convention.

The SPS Code defines a special purpose ship as one of more than 500 gross tonnage which carries more than 12 special personnel in addition to the crew, i.e. persons who are specially needed for the particular operational duties of the ship. "Special personnel" means all persons who are not passengers or members of the crew or children of under one year of age and who are carried on board in connection with the special purpose of that ship or because of special work being carried out aboard that ship, e.g. salvage operations, diving operations etc.

In the SPS Code ships are categorized into three types of vessels related to number of total people on board which in turn invokes increasingly strict requirements above and beyond SOLAS:

1. Less than 60 persons

2. 60 and 240 persons

3. More than 240 persons.

The T-ATS would fall into category 2. If the Code is invoked there is a considerable consequence on the design including:

-Lifeboats are required -Stability is more restrictive which we suspect will be difficult to meet with the available population of "parent" craft which can be built to the cost cap.

-Passive fire protection is stricter i.e. class of bulkheads etc.

Our question, is it the Navy's intent to invoke the SPS Code for T-ATS?

It is not the Navy's intent to invoke the Special Purpose Ships Code for T-ATS. Because the persons other than crew that will be carried onboard are military and will be onboard only as required, they should not be considered special purpose personnel or passengers. The Navy has had preliminary discussions with ABS and USCG on this subject, and the Navy does not believe that ABS or USCG will require the design to comply with the SPS code in order to fulfill the requirements of the Circular of Requirements. The Navy is continuing to work with ABS and USCG to clarify this and will provide an update to this response once we have additional information.

* UPDATE: No, the Navy does not intend to invoke the SPS Code for T-ATS. After conferring with ABS and USCG, we do not anticipate compliance with the SPS Code to be necessary in order to meet the requirements of the T-ATS COR.

51. It is known that Urea systems and its storage require the use of stainless steel material. Section 3.100 makes no mention of stainless steel for Urea storage tank(s) nor its normal attachments. Please confirm that independent or hull storage tank(s)) shall be of stainless steel construction in accordance with engine manufacturer's recommendations. Please confirm.

Urea piping systems shall be in accordance with the exhaust treatment system manufacturer's recommendations, ABS rules, and USCG regulations.

52. Potable water system shall be designed and installed in accordance with the IPC and USPHS Publications No. 393.

Is it the Publication given advice for location of FW tanks on passenger vessels with no FW against shell and WB tanks etc.? (Will require re-location of many tanks ) If yes, this is still not relevant

The COR 3.532a requires the "potable water system shall be designed and installed in accordance with the IPC and USPHS Publications No. 393." Potable water is water for human consumption and not the same as fresh water. The requirements in USPHS, which are not specific to just passenger vessels, are for both potable water tanks and wash water tanks. Per USPHS Section A.6 , potable water tanks shall be independent, with no common boundary with a tank holding non-potable water or other liquids. The tank shall be independent of the shell of the ship, unless the bottom of the tank is at least 2 feet above the maximum-load waterline, and all seams and connections in way of the tank are continuously welded on the inside of the tank. If a fresh water tank is not intended to hold potable water, then it can share boundaries with other tanks subject to the restrictions specified in Section B.2.

53. Factor 4 is the most important non-price evaluation criteria.

Many instructions in the draft RFP indicate that the Government seeks a T-ATS baseline design based on a mature commercial design. The many references to commercial ships and commercial standards would seem to encourage Bidders to submit past performance data on commercial programs of similar size, scope, and complexity to the parent ship design.

However, Section M HQ M-2-0016 states that

(a) [ …] For purposes of this solicitation, contractor past performance will be based on data from PPIRS-SR. The offeror’s quality and delivery classifications from PPIRS-SR will be used in conjunction with the offeror’s references, the criteria in FAR 13.106-2 or 15.305(a)(2), as applicable, and other provisions of this solicitation.

(c) […] Suppliers with no history in PPIRS-SR will be displayed without a rating and, for evaluation, receive a neutral rating.)

It appears that a bidder’s overall quality performance on commercial past performances, which by definition have no history in PPIRS-SR, cannot achieve higher than a neutral rating.

This approach would significantly disadvantage bidders who have a strong record of commercial performance in designing and delivering commercial towing barges or offshore supply vessels.

Question 1: Will the Government give equal weight to commercial past performance references not captured in PPIRS-SR when evaluating Factor 4.0 Past Performance?

Question 2: Will the Government please specify how it intends to rate the delivery and quality performance of commercial past performance references not captured in PPIRS-SR?

The clause citing PPIRS as the sole source of information on past performance data will be removed from the upcoming RFP. The Government will use PPIRS where such data exists and is relevant; however, the intent is not to weigh PPIRS information more heavily than other relevant commercial work of Offerors. Past performance will be evaluated as described in Section M of the RFP, based on relevancy and confidence, regardless of the source of that past performance information.

54. On page 111 of the draft RFP:

- Is the description of the proposed T-ATS Baseline Design excluded from the page count?

- Are the parent design detail design products excluded from the page count?

- Is the description of the status of the parent design excluded from the page count?

- Is the discussion of parts of the parent design that require updates excluded from the page count?

- Is the discussion of the Offeror’s access and rights or license to the design excluded from the page count?

- Are Classification Society and Regulatory Body Certificates excluded from the page count?

- Are Bollard Pull test data/certificates excluded from the page count?

- Is the construction history of the commercial vessel parent design excluded from the page count?

Technical documents required as part of Factor 1 (drawings, specifications, certificates, design products, test data, analyses) will be excluded from the page count. Discussions of factor elements are included in the page count (with the exception of Factor 4, which is excluded in its entirety from the page count).

55. Re the T-ATS Baseline Design Shipbuilding Specification referenced on page 112 - 114 of the draft RFP:

- Is the bidder’s specification for requirements in the T-ATS COR, Att. J-1, excluded from the page count?

- Is the bidder’s specification for general requirements excluded from the page count?

- Is the bidder’s specification for structural requirements excluded from the page count?

- Is the bidder’s specification for machinery plant requirements excluded from the page count?

- Is the bidder’s specification for electric plant requirements excluded from the page count?

- Is the bidder’s specification for command and surveillance requirements excluded from the page count?

- Is the bidder’s specification for auxiliary systems requirements excluded from the page count?

- Is the bidder’s specification for outfit and furnishing requirements excluded from the page count?

- Is the General Arrangement drawing for the proposed T-ATS baseline design excluded from the page count?

- Is the Master Equipment List for the proposed T-ATS baseline design excluded from the page count?

- Is the weight and stability information for the proposed T-ATS baseline design excluded from the page count?

- Is the description of the propulsion system characteristics for the proposed T-ATS baseline design excluded from the page count?

- Are the machinery arrangement drawings for the proposed T-ATS baseline design excluded from the page count?

- Is the endurance fuel analysis for the proposed T-ATS baseline design excluded from the page count?

- Is the electrical system diagram for the proposed T-ATS baseline design excluded from the page count?

- Is the description of requirements for machinery, electric plant, and auxiliaries control and monitoring system for the proposed T-ATS baseline design excluded from the page count?

- Is the information required for Auxiliary Systems excluded from the page count?

Technical documents required as part of Factor 1 (drawings, specifications, certificates, design products, test data, analyses, Master Equipment List) will be excluded from the page count. Discussion (to include descriptions) of factor elements are included in the page count.

56. Price Proposal (Volume II) Requirements, p. 120 Would the Government provide NAVSEA Form 4280/2?

This form will not be used for the solicitation; the upcoming RFP will be updated to reflect this.

57. Is the Small Business Subcontracting Plan excluded from the page count?

Yes, the small business subcontracting plan is excluded from the page count.

58. Will the Government allow text embedded in tabular portions of the proposal to be in any readable font type and size? We recommend 10 point type, for its readability and compactness.

The text requirements are outlined in the PROPOSAL INSTRUCTIOSN AND CONTENT portion of Section L of the RFP: Proposals shall be prepared on standard 8-1/2” by 11” paper, single-spaced. The font shall be Times New Roman with a font size of 12. Pages will have a one-inch margin, single line spacing set at 1 with spacing before and after paragraphs set at –0– and left aligned paragraphs. Type font size for foldouts or other pages may not be smaller than size 12. For text embedded in graphic portions of the proposal, the type font size may be any readable font type and size. Text located outside graphic portions of a sheet shall be Times New Roman with a font size of 12.

59. For purposes of determining endurance range and overall fuel tank sizing in a consistent manner, will the Navy require calculations to be performed using DDS 200-1 methodology?

No, the Government will not require DDS 200-1. Offerors are expected to use best judgment and common practice.

60. J-1 3.100b states “The aft working deck shall be selected and designed such that Mission Systems can be welded to the deck.” If fuel oil tanks are positioned below the working deck, does the Navy require cofferdams to avoid the need to empty and gas-free the tanks prior to deck welding?

All tanks (not just fuel tanks) would be required to be gas freed prior to any welding if they share boundaries with the aft working deck area impacted by mission systems equipment installation. Having a cofferdam or void as described would be beneficial to the Government, but they are not required features.

61. In the Draft RFP for solicitation N00024-17-R-2207 under Factor 4.0 Past Performance, the government is requesting manpower data for Supervision, Engineering, Production, Test and Trials, subcontractors and all other trades with target, actual, and rework totals. Not all mid-tier shipyards which operate exclusively on commercial fixed price contracts record, account, and archive man hours to the extent requested by the Draft RFP going back to projects for 10 years. This is especially the case for subcontractors that typically do not share their man hour data with the shipyard.

Will the Government be willing to relax the requirements for manpower data in Factor 4.0 for the Past Performance Descriptions by allowing just the total Offeror manpower hours and rework hours for each project?

Where the Offeror has information to the level of detail requested, it should be included in the proposal. Where such level of detail is not available, it is expected that Offerors will submit what they have and explain any reasons for deviation.

62. In regards to T-ATS, are the four yards that were awarded design assistance drawings public information?

No. The designs from the Industry Design studies contracts were based on proprietary designs, so they are not public information and will not be released.

63. Please explain how the Government will evaluate how well the Proposed T-ATS Baseline Design meets the sea keeping requirements? Since a detailed seakeeping analysis is not required as part of the proposal (RFP Page 110, 3. Proposal Content Requirements), what exactly will be used to evaluate compliance with the COR's seakeeping analysis.

The Government will evaluate how well the proposed T-ATS Baseline Design meets the sea keeping requirements based on the information provided in the Contractor’s Ship Specification and the Contractor Specification to T-ATS COR Traceability Matrix. In cases were the Contractor’s T-ATS Baseline Design does not meet one or more of the specific criteria outlined in Section 3.070g of the COR, the Government will assess the risks associated with not meeting those specific criteria.

64. Section 3.070g, does not appear be any different from what was included the COR for the T-ATS industry studies. It is believed that vessel's in the T-ATS size range will have great difficulty meeting the pitch motion criteria, given the limited length of suitable T-ATS vessels. Will the pitch motion criteria be revised in the final RFP to better suit the size of the T-ATS vessel?

The arrangement of the T-ATS vessel is such that the aft deck of the vessel has limited freeboard. As such, the aft deck wetness criterion appears to be very difficult to meet, given the arrangement of typically anchor handling towing vessels, suitable for the T-ATS. Will the aft deck wetness criteria be revised or eliminated in the final RFP to better suit the typical arrangement of the T-ATS vessel?

The pitch motion criteria will not be revised in the final RFP. In cases were the Contractor’s T-ATS Baseline Design does not meet one or more of the specific criteria outlined in Section 3.070g of the COR, the Government will assess the risks associated with not meeting those specific criteria.

The aft deck wetness criteria will not be revised in the final RFP. In cases were the Contractor’s T-ATS Baseline Design does not meet one or more of the specific criteria outlined in Section 3.070g of the COR, the Government will assess the risks associated with not meeting those specific criteria.

65. In Section 3.401, table 3.401-1, the HVAC load for the Government furnished computers and associated equipment to be located in the Communications Suite is listed as 40 kW (which equals approximately 11.37 tons of air conditioning. In section 3.512b, Air Conditioning Systems, the COR states that the Communications Suite shall be fitted with a minimum 3 ton split system (approximately 10.56 kW). Please confirm the heat load from the Government furnished computers and associated equipment.

The Government confirms that the heat load from the Government furnished computers and associated equipment is 40 kW.

66. In Section 3.402, it stated the "Chief Mate's Office/Stateroom" shall be a restricted access area. Section 3.640a, states the following "The Master and Chief Engineer shall be provided with a working office within or adjacent to their respective staterooms". There is no other mention in Section 3.640a for office space required for any other officers. Please confirm that the Chief Mate is not required to have an office within or adjacent to their stateroom.

The Chief Mate is not required to have an office within or adjacent to their stateroom. However, it is required that the Chief Mate’s stateroom be provided with a classified LAN termination point.

67. In Section 3.408, it stated the "Chief Mate's Office/Stateroom" shall be provided with a classified LAN termination point. Section 3.640a, states the following "The Master and Chief Engineer shall be provided with a working office within or adjacent to their respective staterooms". There is no other mention in Section 3.640a for office space required for any other officers. Please confirm that the Chief Mate is not required to have an office within or adjacent to their stateroom.

The Chief Mate is not required to have an office within or adjacent to their stateroom. However, it is required that the Chief Mate’s stateroom be provided with a classified LAN termination point.

68. Please confirm that the vessel is to be able to maintain station after the required DPS-2 failure mode, given the environmental conditions listed in Section 3.420.

Yes. As is outlined in ABS rules, for DPS 2 notation the vessel must be able to maintain station in environmental conditions defined by the Owner; in this case Section 3.420.

69. In Section 3.512b, the COR states "In addition to the ship's normal air conditioning system, the Communications Suite or space where the communications suite resides shall be provided with a minimum of 3 tons split type air cooled air conditioning system". If the vessel's central air conditioning system is sized to support the heating and cooling load from the computers and associated equipment installed in the Communications Suite, does a separate split type air cooled air conditioning system have to be supplied and installed?

Yes. An independent split type air conditioning system is to be provided in addition to the air conditioning provided by the vessel's central air conditioning system. The purpose of the independent split type system, which is normally secured, is to allow the crew to provide some air conditioning to the space when the vessel's central air conditioning system is secured. The vessel's central air conditioning system should be sized without taking credit for the cooling of the independent system.

70. In Section 3.593e, the COR states "The drain system serving the garbage grinder shall permit selective discharge directly overboard or to the gray water holding tank". If the parent design does not contain a dedicated gray water holding tank, is the T-ATS required to be fitted with a dedicated gray water holding tank? This section of the COR is the only mention of this "gray water holding tank". Is a combined gray/black water holding tank an acceptable alternative?

COR Section 3.593a states that “The ship shall be provided with a sewage treatment system sized for 65 persons and tankage capable of holding untreated sewage and gray water generated during 5 days for 65 persons. The ship shall be capable of discharging gray water directly overboard.” A combined gray/black water holding tank is acceptable.

71. Various sections of the COR reference a Quarterdeck stations. Commercial vessels do not typically include Quarterdeck stations and a Quarterdeck station is not defined in section 3.6XX as would be customary. Please confirm that a Quarterdeck station is not required.

A Quarterdeck station is required. A Quarterdeck station is used by Military Sealift Command to control access to the interior of the vessel. It should be located in close proximity to where personnel initially embark the vessel and be provided with power receptacles, a dial telephone, Hull Perimeter Lighting activation switches and remote Intruder Alarm System panels, as detailed in the COR.

72. USPHC Pub. No. 393 (as dues 21 CFR 1250.82) states that all potable water tanks shall be independent of any tanks holding nonpotable water or other liquids. In the Navy response to a different question related to this, the Navy's response was that the tanks "shall be independent". Please confirm that a potable water tanks can be built into the ships structure, as long as none of the tank's boundaries have a boundary with any tank holding liquids (i.e. the tank is surrounded by void or other non-tank spaces). Please also confirm that the top of the potable water tanks can use an exterior deck as long as there is no access or inspections openings in the deck and the seams are continuously welded.

The Navy confirms that potable water tanks can be built into the ship’s structure provided that the tanks:

1. Do not share a common boundary with a tank holding non-potable water or other liquids.

2. Are independent of the shell of the ship, unless the bottom of the tank is at least 2 feet above the maximum-load waterline.

3. Have all shell seams and connections in way of the tank continuously welded on the inside of the tank.

4. Have no rivets in that part of the shell or shell connections which form the side of the tank.

5. Have no through-bolts used in or on the tanks.

An exterior deck may be used as the top of a potable water tank provided that:

1. There are no access or inspection openings therein.

2. The seams are continuously welded on the inside of the tank.

3. There are no rivets or bolts in that part of the deck which forms the top of the tank.

4. There are no toilets or urinals installed over that part of a deck that forms the top of the tank.

73. Contract Clause: No person not known to be a U.S. citizen shall be eligible for access to naval vessels, work sites and adjacent areas when said vessels are under construction, conversion, overhaul, or repair, except upon a finding by COMNAVSEA or his designated representative that such access should be permitted in the best interest of the United States. The Contractor shall establish procedures to comply with this requirement and NAVSEAINST 5500.3 (series) in effect on the date of this contract or agreement.

Please confirm that this section is only applicable to the work conducted on the vessel and at the Shipyard, and is not applicable to subcontractors work not done at the Shipyard.

The Government confirms that this is applicable to work conducted on the vessel and at the Shipyard only.

74. In Section 3.640b, the COR states "Officers shall have single rooms and be provided with en-suite T&S (washbasin located in stateroom)".

1) If the parent design and the proposed T-ATS vessel are fitted with en-suite modular head compartments that contain the required sanitary space components (i.e. shower, wash basin, toilet, vanity mirror, toilet paper dispenser, etc) inside the head compartment space, does a separate wash basin need to be installed in each stateroom?

2) This section listed that "Officers shall have single room and be…" Please confirm how many single person staterooms are required.

1. If the en-suite T&S components of a stateroom include a sink, there is no need for another one inside the stateroom.

2. The Master and Chief Engineer are the only officers that require single person staterooms.

75. Please confirm that the shipyard will not be required to manage, handle, or control classified material or information.

The shipyard will not be required to manage, handle, or control any classified information.

76. Draft COR Version 3.0 Section 3.070g specified pitch limitation criteria in 'towing' and 'transit' conditions (not the Rescue/Salvage condition) which becomes the vessel's length dictating criteria. We have the following two major concerns with reference to the pitch and aft deck wetness criteria:

a. This singular requirement, because of the very limited number of large potential parent craft available, will severely limit competition on the solicitation.

b. This requirement leads to making the vessel significantly larger than the vessel's endurance, capacity, bollard pull, deck width/length and accommodation size requirements of the TAT-S draft specification dictate. Effectively this drives the vessel size to significantly increase, making it significantly more expensive for the government to acquire and operate.

The above is because Anchor Handling OSV's in the offshore industry that qualify the required parent craft bollard pull, clear deck area, and accommodations as specified in the draft RFP, are not normally large enough to meet similar pitch criteria, because it never has been an operational requirement. Commercial vessels that may meet the pitch criteria are mostly in the range of 180 t to 200 t bollard pull range. We suggest that the Navy consider increasing the RMS pitch in the 'towing' and 'transit' mode to 3 or 4 degrees, while maintaining the pitch requirement in the 'rescue' mode to 1.5 degree. Aft deck wetness criteria can be removed for the 'towing' and 'transit' modes, while maintaining the criteria in 'rescue' mode at a maximum 30 instances/hr. Alternatively, the Navy can consider acceptable MSI and MII criteria at task locations in accordance with STANAG 4154 for the vessel during 'rescue', 'towing' and 'transit' modes. This will benefit the Navy in reducing the overall vessel acquisition and life cycle cost; facilitate the largest possible competition and yet satisfy all operational criteria. Please clarify if this will be revised in the final RFP.

The seakeeping requirements in Section 3.070g, as they pertain to pitch and deck wetness criteria, will not be revised in the final RFP. The Government will evaluate how well the proposed T-ATS Baseline Design meets the sea keeping requirements based on the information provided in the Contractor's Ship Specification and the Contractor Specification to T-ATS COR Traceability Matrix. In cases were the Contractor's T-ATS Baseline Design does not meet one or more of the specific criteria outlined in Section 3.070g of the COR, the Government will assess the risks associated with not meeting those specific criteria.

77. Draft COR Version 3.0 Section 3.070g, specifies various sea keeping criteria for the T-ATS. We note that Table 3.070g-1 states 47 knot winds and 3.25 m significant waves. According to the Beaufort scale 47 Knot winds correspond to Sea State 9, and corresponding 7 to 10 m significant wave height. According to the Beaufort scale the wind speed for the 3.25 m significant seas which corresponds to Sea State 6 should be about 24 knots.

Please confirm that this is an oversight and will be corrected to make the Wind speed requirement correspond to the Sea State requirement in the final RFP specification.

The significant wave heights and wind speeds in Table 3.070g-1 are in accordance with NATO STANAG 4194. However, the stated wind speed of 47 knots is an error and should be 27 knots per NATO STANAG 4194. This correction will be made in the final RFP specification.

78. We note that Draft RFP Section M - Evaluation Factors for Award, Volume I, Factor 1.0 - Ship Design states "The Government will assess how well the Proposed T-ATS Baseline Design meets the…