N00024-26-R-2203_RFI_Update_2.3.26.pdf

This is a Request for Information (RFI) notice only. This is not a Request for Proposal (RFP), and a formal solicitation is not available at this time. This notice does not constitute a commitment by the Government to issue a RFP, contract, or order.

This RFI is for informational planning purposes, and it is not to be construed as a commitment by the

Government for any actual procurement of materials, machinery, or services. This RFI does not commit the

Government to contract for any supply or service. The Government will not pay for any effort expended or any material provided in response to this announcement. All costs associated with responding to this RFI are solely at the responding parties' expense.

This RFI is open to all interested parties both foreign and domestic based on the criteria set forth in the Buy

America Act. Should an RFP for production be issued, boat designs which originate outside the U.S. are permitted as long as the prime contractor can meet all domestic United States manufacturing and solicitation requirements as described in the Buy America Act.

Respondents are solely responsible for properly marking and clearly identifying any proprietary information or trade secrets contained within their response. The Government will not be liable for, or suffer any consequential damages for, any proprietary information not properly marked and clearly identified. Proprietary information received in response to this RFI will be safeguarded and handled in accordance with applicable

Government regulations. Responses to this notice are not offers and will not be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract or agreement. The Government will not be obligated to pursue any particular acquisition alternative because of this RFI. Responses to the RFI will not be returned. Not responding to this

RFI does not preclude participation in any future solicitation, if one is issued. Specific responses to the approaches will not disqualify or have an impact on participation and evaluation on future solicitations.

PURPOSE:

The Department of the Navy is preparing for the replacement of the U.S. Naval Academy’s (USNA) 44’ MKII

Sail Training Craft (STC), with up to 20 new sailboats. The purpose of this RFI is to seek industries’ detailed descriptions of hull layup and construction for commercially available sailboat models having size, performance and arrangement characteristics capable of matching the USNA’s draft requirements noted in this RFI. The hull layup and construction information being sought is that which would allow the Government to assess how commercially available sailboat models compare to the USNA 44’ MKII STC with regard to hull mechanical properties, laminate lay-up and resiliency to the impacts and groundings associated with the rigors of midshipmen training.

Please provide the following information: Describe the general hull construction (lamination schedule, materials, core, lamination method, scantling geometry/spacing, bonding methods and objective quality evidence (OQE) such as:

- Calculation results & test results that describe hull strength and resiliency, scantlings determination, particularly to impacts, and the associated criteria (e.g., ISO 12215-5 applicable to Category A)

- Calculation results & test results that describe stability and the associated criteria (e.g., ISO 12217-2

Category A).

Provide any hull certifications (e.g., World Sailing Offshore Special Regulations for boat hull construction

Category 1, DNV, Lloyds, ISO Category A…).

Identify if the design is based on a current commercially produced boat? (Y/N). If yes, what is the model? What modifications are needed for sail training use per requirements section below and what would be the impact to performance if any? Please describe how the design meets the safety and durability needs for offshore sail training.

The Navy intends to compare the requested info against the current USNA 44’ MKII Sail Training Craft hull to assess how closely commercially available sailboat hull robustness matches up to the MKII. Therefore, industry is welcome to provide a comparison description as well. The MKII Hull Construction Laminate drawing can be provided upon request to Richard.e.dentremont2.civ@us.navy.mil. The USNA 44’ MKII Hull

Construction Laminate drawing will not be provided for this RFI. Industry is still encouraged to provide their boat’s hull laminate schedule to allow the Navy to make the comparison to the MKII’s.

SAILBOAT INFORMATION:

1. Vessel Size. Navy MK III STC craft will be large enough to accommodate a complement of ten

(10) personnel comprising a Skipper, Executive Officer, and a crew of eight (8). This complement will support USNA training requirements, facilitate movement orders to various ports on the Eastern

Seaboard, and provide an improved platform for both Command and Seamanship Training Squadron

(CSTS) and Varsity Offshore Sailing Team (VOST). The STC must meet World Sailing Offshore

Special Regulations (OSR) Category 1 requirements with plan review certification and the American

Boat and Yacht Council standards. Each STC is underway and operated between 150 and 200 days per year. Dimensions below are based on a vessel size that can be accommodated by mooring piers, maintenance facilities, and underway operating areas at USNA:

Length 42-46 ft

Maximum Beam 12.75-14 ft

Draft < 8 ft

Air Draft (Maximum) 70 ft

Tankage (Minimums)

Water - 140 gal; Fuel - 80 gal; Blackwater - 60 gal Propulsion ~50 hp

Berthing 10 Single berths

1. Desired Features

a. Hull

1. Optimized waterline and wide stem sections for added speed and stability.

2. Robust and easily repairable (at commonly available repair facilities).

3. Strengthened to best withstand a major collision or hard grounding.

4. Accessibility for repairs to all systems.

5. Crash bulkhead in bow area meeting World Sailing OSR Category 1 requirements.

6. Sump for bilge pumps.

b. Deck

1. Coach roof to allow 6'5" headroom below with a large opening hatch in main salon area.

2. Wide side decks to optimize crew safety.

3. Large cockpit to accommodate six crew members during evolutions with halyards led aft.

4. Removeable short prod for asymmetric spinnakers.

5. Removable anchor roller.

mailto:Richard.e.dentremont2.civ@us.navy.mil

6. Cockpit seats and lockers with dedicated propane locker.

7. Open transom with storage for 10-person life raft.

8. Dual steering wheel/single rudder with main traveler forward of steering wheels.

9. Jib lead tracks port and starboard for non or minimally overlapping jib

10. Large foredeck hatch.

11. Lazarette port/starboard aft of helm stations.

12. Radar/antenna mast.

c. Rig

1. Carbon spar with aluminum boom and rod rigging.

2. A separate track to rig a storm trysail.

3. Fractional sloop rig.

4. Masthead and fractional spinnaker halyards and two jib halyards.

5. Inner forestay and halyard for storm jib.

6. Hank-on fore sails.

d. Appendages

1. Fin keel with enough lateral plane for a novice helmsman.

2. Robust composite rudder shaft, bearings, and housings.

e. Cabin Layout

1. Ten single berths, two of which may double for sail storage.

2. U-shaped galley (if possible) with refrigeration, stove, and stowage of food for 10 crew and five days duration.

3. Aft head with washbasin.

4. Centerline navigation station, if possible; otherwise, opposite galley forward-facing.

5. Personal gear storage sufficient for a five-day trip for a crew of 10 along with a hanging locker for foul weather gear.

6. Engine soundproofing in accordance with industry standards.

RESPONSES & SUBMISSION OF INFORMATION:

Interested parties are free to submit any information which may assist the Navy in its market research.

Interested parties are encouraged to submit the requested information and a capability summary that does not greatly exceed ten (10) pages in length. Submission in PDF format is desired.

Drawings should be sized to 8.5"x11" or 11"x17". All other documentation should be sized to 8.5"x11".

In addition to the detailed hull information requested in the purpose paragraph, the following information is also requested:

1. Provide company contact information.

• Name of company

• Company Address

• Name and Position/Title of the Point of Contact

• Email Address

• Telephone Number

2. General description of the company

1. Small/Large Business under NAICS 336612

2. Socio-economic Status (e.g. HUB Zone, VOSB, WOSB, etc.)

3. Ownership structure

3. Provide location of company production facilities

4. Capability narrative and description of recent similar projects or relevant experience

5. If available, please provide the following information for the candidate vessel:

1. Vessel principal characteristics and capabilities

2. Photos, drawings, and/or renderings

3. Design, construction, regulatory and classification standards employed

6. Provide an approximate unit price for the vessel including any logistics products, technical manuals and applicable test certifications.

Respondents are responsible for properly marking and clearly identifying proprietary information or trade secrets contained within their response. The Government will not be liable for or suffer any consequential damages for any proprietary information not properly marked and clearly identified.

Information provided shall be treated as Business Sensitive and will not be shared outside of

Government activities and agencies without the permission of the provider. Please do not provide classified information or use the marking "CONFIDENTIAL" as this marking is considered classified by the Government, requiring special handling of the information.

Defense and commercial contractors including small businesses, veteran owned businesses, service-disabled veteran-owned businesses, HUBZone small businesses, and woman-owned small businesses are encouraged to monitor FedBizOpps for updates and to participate in any future Sail Training Craft solicitation, if one is issued.

This RFI is the continuation of market research under Part 10 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation

(FAR) and is not a RFP. Questions or comments regarding the intended procurement plan or the draft requirements may be directed to: Joseph Saponaro, Contracting Officer - NAVSEA 02

(joseph.f.saponaro@us.navy.mil) ); Ben Segall, Contract Specialist- NAVSEA 02

(benjamin.e.segall.civ@us.navy.mil); or Richard d’Entremont, Technical Lead/APM PEO USC/PMS

300T (richard.e.dentremont2.civ@us.navy.mil).

Responses are requested by 2:00 PM (EST) on the 13th of Feb, 2026. Questions pertaining to this RFI may be submitted up to 23rd of Jan, 2026.

mailto:(joseph.f.saponaro@us.navy.mil)%20);

mailto:(aban.h.iqbal.civ@us.navy.mil);

mailto:(richard.e.dentremont2.civ@us.navy.mil).