MAKIN_ISLAND_QA_Round_8.docx

NAVAL SEA SYSTEMS COMMAND

N00024-17-R-4426

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS #8

The following are answers to questions received from potential offerors. The answers provide clarification only and DO NOT constitute an amendment to the solicitation.

212. The following is submitted in reference to the "Full Load Air Draft" requirements and proposal eligibility:

Section L, VOLUME II states, "Factor 1 – Eligibility Factor: Offerors must provide the following to demonstrate eligibility: Eligibility Criteria Data Sheet (Attachment S-5) with the top portion filled out."

and

"A Transit Plan demonstrating that all transit points to the proposed pier facility and/or drydock are capable of meeting or exceeding the transit capability requirements in Attachment S-5."

Section M, EVALUATION FACTORS states, "The Government will assess the offeror’s eligibility using the Eligibility Criteria Data Sheet provided in Attachment S-5 of the solicitation. In order to be considered eligible for award, the offeror must: Demonstrate via a Transit Plan that all transit points to the pier and/or drydock facility meet or exceed the transit capability requirements in Attachment S-5."

Attachment S-5, ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA DATA SHEET states, "LHD-8 TRANSIT CAPABILITY. All transit points to the proposed pier facility and/or drydock are capable of accommodating a LHD-1 Wasp class ship and support, at minimum, the following characteristics without alteration to the ship:

Please review and advise on the following questions:

1) Is the ship expected to transit with a “Full Load”? If not, what are the applicable values for the LHD-8’s transit condition?

2) Do the dimensions of the LHD 8 differ from the LHD-1?

3) Do the values provided include margins below the Keel and above the Mast required for safe passage? If not, what are those margins?

4) Does the Government intend on taking steps to reduce the “Navigational Draft” or "Full Load Air Draft" by loading out the ship or removing equipment/portions of the mast?

a. Q1, Q2, and Q3) The values included in Attachment S-5 do not include either navigation or air draft safety margins. The values reflect the standardized dimensions of a LHD-1 Wasp class ship. The LHD-8’s required safety margins required are as follows:

· Minimum Navigational draft bellow the keel = 6' at mean low water

· Minimum Air Draft clearance between the highest vertical projection of the vessel and all bridges and any cables passing above/across the route = 10' at mean high water

Furthermore, the ship is not expected to transit with a “Full Load”. However, the Navy will manage stability to assure safe navigational conditions through ballasting operations. In order to reflect the LHD-8’s required safety margins and the expected arrival condition of the ship, the offeror’s transit plan should reflect the following characteristics:

· Arrival Air Draft of LHD-8 (includes safety margin): 206'

· Arrival Navigational Draft of LHD-8 (includes safety margin): 30'

Solicitation (N00024-17-R-4426) Amendment 9 amends the air draft title in Attachment S-5 from “Full Load Air Draft” & “Navigational Draft” to “Arrival Air Draft of LHD-8 (includes safety margin)” and “Arrival Navigational Draft of LHD-8 (includes safety margin)”.

b. Q4) The Government will not be taking any steps to reduce the Arrival Air Draft or Arrival Navigational Draft as set forth in Attachment S-5. Loading the ship is not feasible from a schedule, cost, and material standpoint. Removing a portion of the mast and installed equipment is cost prohibitive and significantly degrades safe operation of the ship from its homeport to the Contractor's facility. For an offeror's proposal to be eligible for award, the offeror shall provide a Transit Plan that meets or exceeds the LHD-8 transit capabilities required in Attachment S-5.