URC Site Visit QA 13AUG2026.pdf

Industry Questions Navy Responses 1 Request to identify a system on the tour. System identified as the Launch and Recovery System (LARS) for side-looking sonar (SILOS).

SILOS cannot search, but it can localize on a distressed submarine (DISSUB).

2 Does the SROMC operate the ROV, SILOS, Sidescan SONAR? SROMC required to be qualified to operate?

The SROMC are required by the SOW to have an independent qualified watch team to support a stand alone watch team separate from other SRS watches. The URC Commanding Officer (CO) has the discretion on whether he uses the SROMC or combination of SROMC and military Watchstanders.

3 Does the yellow SILOS still operate? Yes 4 Is there a single or multiple ROVs? One ROV 5 Does Okeanus (vendor for manufacturing of the ROV LARS) still provide support? Yes, as an OEM sub vendor to SROMC 6 When was the ROV delivered? 2017 7 Who does all the maintenance on the ROV, Klein, SILOS? The SROMC performs all maintenance on ROV, Klein, and SILOS.

8 How is the quality of the camera and lighting on the Sibitzky ROV - does it affect the ability to conduct deep seat surveys?

The Navy has not been limited in mission needs, it provides the quality and lighting required to conduct deep seat surveys.

9 Where is the cleared (SIPR) facility for this requirement? Is it on site at URC? The only secret facility on the URC compound is at the main building, Bldg 497 Radio room on site.

10 Regarding the Pressurized Rescue Module (PRM) are there any modernization efforts happening on the vehicle that could affect the contract, such as downtime required for modernization?

There are three major modernization efforts: 1) integrated cross deck communications, 2) acoustic positioning system, and 3) micro-electronics upgrade for the command and control suite and software. At this time, we do not anticipate these modernization efforts to increase future planned maintenance periods, they will occur during a planned maintenance period.

11 Follow up to the previous question - will the modernization of the micro-electronics change the redundancy of the capability?

The micro-electronics modernization will be 100% redundant. They will also be considered commercial off the shelf (COTS) items.

12 Is the ROV system certified and ready to go? Yes, the ROV is operational.

13 What is the typical length of the maintenance period? Maintenance periods can vary. The Navy just came out of a five year maintenance period due to the suspension of certification. This current maintenance period for the Not Rescue Ready (NRR) period is slated to end August 7. Which allows 6-8 weeks of NRR time. The availability itself continues to mid-October, so approximately a total of 4 months for this maintenance period. NRR period means that it would take longer to restore the SRS while in deep maintenance period, such that URC and SROMC would be unable to achieve a 96 hrs time limit to achieve Time To First Rescue (TTFR) on a disabled submarine. Once deep maintenance is reported and verified complete, other non-intrusive maintenance may continue, which means the time to restore the system to an operational status and meet a TTFR of < 96 hours is expected to be reestablished.

14 While in maintenance does the US Navy rely on other North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) forces to be a replacement to the Navy's rescue system?

NATO forces are only relied upon only when the US submarine rescue system is in the Not Rescue Ready (NRR) period, or deep / intrusive maintenance portion of the overall maintenance period that would prevent the ability to restore the SRS in time to achieve Time To First Rescue (TTFR) in 96 hours.

15 Does the Navy forecast any changes with the control van? Yes the Navy is getting a new control van. This new van is part of previously awarded modernization efforts, not anticipated to be procured through the next follow-on contract.

URC Site Visit Questions and Answers dtd 13AUG2026

16 Regarding the control van, does the Navy anticipate any changes to current operational manning, positions, or watch standards?

No changes to the operational manning structure for SRS watchstations are anticipated at this time due to the introduction of the new SRS Control Van

17 How is the LARS sitting when the Navy completes maintenance - is it fully assembled or in pieces as displayed during the site visit?

In general it will sit in pieces in pallets at URC to support fly-away capability, unless it has to be picked and turned for inspections/maintenance on the side that is face down on the pallet, in which case, it is set on dunnage to perform that maintenance/repair.

18 When the rescue system does fly-away, how many aircraft are required? The SRS-TUP would require three C-5s or ten C-17s for the whole system. Without the Transfer Under Pressure (TUP) there would be a significantly smaller footprint. These numbers do not include AUWS systems (SILOS, ROV, LWMS) which would require approximately one additional C-5 or two C-17's.

19 Regarding pressurized treatment - in the medical transfer lock is there 1 individual (rescuee) and 1 medic?

The maximum capability is three (one rescuee, plus two medics). The Navy will require the use of the medical transfer lock (MTL) for treatement of any rescuee that might develop decompression sickness or other pressure related illness during or after their decompression time in the TUP system. The MTL's are certified to an air pressure equivalent to a depth of 165 feet sea water

(FSW).

20 The system is undergoing a commercial classification transition from Naval Sea System Command (NAVSEA). Is that all of Submarine Rescue Diving and Recompression System (SRDRS), or will there be any residual requirements, perhaps Navy diving requirements, that will not be commercially classed?

All equipment that comprises the SRS-TUP system is anticipated to be 100% IACS commercially classed by CY 2028.

The SRS is comprised of two (2) main systems, the pressurized rescue module system (PRMS) and the submarine decompression system (SDS). The SRS can be deployed in two (2) configurations, depending on the mission requirements. These configurations are the SRS-Rescue Capable System (SRS-RCS), and the SRS Transfer Under Pressure (SRS-TUP). The following are the major elements of the two main systems that will fall under IACS Classification: Pressurized Rescue Module (PRM), Transfer Skirt, SRS Control Van, Umbilical Winch, Launch and Recovery System (LARS) Deck Cradle, LARS HPU, PRMS Gas Rack, Generator Van, PRMS Ship's Interface Template System (SITS), Portable Flexible Manway (PFM-3), PFM 1, PFM-2, Submarine Decompression Chamber (SDC-1), SDC-2, Deck Transfer Locker (DTL), Modified Transfer Lock (MTL-1), MTL-2, Auxilliary Van, SDS Gas Rack, SDS-SITS, Deck Interconnects.

21 Follow up - will this system then be on an exemption list from NAVSEA SS800-AG-MAN-010/P-9290? An OPNAV waiver is currently in development to allow US Navy divers to operate in a commercially classed system.

22 When the Navy refers to International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) class is it going to ABS plus, the same as used for the LARS, or a different IACS? What commercial entity?

The entire rescue system will be commercially classed through American Bureau of Shipping

(ABS).

23 Was the rescue system designed and built under commercial classification, if not how is this classification going to be accomplished?

No the rescue system was not built under commercial class, it is in the process of a "Transfer of Classification" by ABS per their own Rules Manuals.

24 With the change in classification, will that change who could stand watch stations? Currently the intent is to maintain all watch station standards as-is.

25 Regarding the intent to maintain current watch station requirements - does that mean the ratio of military to SROMC stays the same?

Yes the Navy anticipates the same watch station standards at this time.

26 Will the industry day brief and attendee list be posted to SAM.gov? Yes, both posted with this Q&A.

27 Is all the SRDRS equipment that the SROMC is responsible for under the anticipated follow-on requirement currently here on site at URC or is there some equipment staged in other locations around the world?

There is a set of ship interface template sets (SITS) in Malaysia. There is also a set of SITS currently at URC that is going to the east coast to be pre-staged flyaways for rescue responses and sea trials off the east coast.

28 All the equipment toured today are SROMC maintained completely and are there pictures/drawings of the inside of each system that could be made available to interested vendors?

There are no pictures/drawings of the inside of each system that can be made available to interested vendors.

29 Follow up question - Is there a requirement for maintenance of the SITS in Malaysia or East Coast? East Coast SITS do have a SROMC maintenance requirement. The Malaysia SITS do not require SROMC maintenance.

30 Are there still REV 0 SITS in Canada? No.

31 Is the submarine rescue chamber (SRC) completely retired? Yes.

32 How many total SITS sets is the SROMC responsible for? Three - Two (2) sets on the west coast (one for training, one for fly-away); one (1) set on the east coast.

33 Does the Generator Van on site provide all power to the SRS or is there also supplemental ships power? The Generator Van is capable of providing all power for SRS operations, but the SRS can be aligned to receive ships power if the VOO meets the requisite electrical requirements.

34 Is the REV 0 deck cradle for the rescue capable system (RCS) still being maintained? Yes, it is part of the program of record and still being maintained. The REV 0 deck cradle lacks a lot of the hydraulics needed to position the PRM to align with Pressurized Flexible Manway (PFM) 3. To use it, you have to transfer equipment from the REV 1 deck cradle to the REV 0 deck cradle.

35 Is the Whisper Watt diesel generator required for fly-away capability? No. It was used in the last operating cycle to facilitate operations, but it is not part of the program of record and will not be part of the anticipated follow-on requirement.

36 Can the Navy provide a description of the SROMC facilities/offices located at URC? SROMC and URC personnel are co-located within the main URC building #497. Office spaces run along each side of the buidling. There are also two trailers on site, one for SROMC Maintenance Planning Team and one for PMS 390. SROMC maintenance and logistics teams also occupy offices at Bldg 497A maintenance building.

37 Who maintains the air transport pallets? The SROMC provides all maintenance.

38 Who maintains the forklifts, cranes, similar miscellaneous operating equipment around the URC compound?

The SROMC manages all Material Handling Equipment (i.e., forklifts, cranes) for the Submarine Rescue Program including management of records, maintenance scheduling, coordination of repair support, conducting required inspections, and providing qualified personnel, administrative and technical support during NAVFAC and other required inspections.

39 Is the light weight mooring system capable to 2,000 feet? Yes.

40 Regarding the deck-mockup training platform on the URC compound - has the training platform been used yet and will the SROMC be responsible for maintaining the training platform for the anticipated follow-on requirement?

It has not been used yet. The intent is for SROMC to maintain once placed into use.

41 Regarding miscellaneous items on the URC compound during the walk through - what items require SROMC maintainance?

The paint booth is decommissioned. The hazardous materials and paint lockers are part of the scope of the anticipated follow-on effort and require SROMC management. In general, the SROMC will be required to manage the dispositioning of out of service equipment throughout the life of the contract as, per the Government's direction.

42 Will a draft request for proposal (RFP) be provided ahead of the official RFP? It is a consideration but not a guarantee at this time.

43 Today's brief stated the anticipated RFP release timeline is quarter 1 of 2027. Is that fiscal year or calendar year 2027?

Fiscal year 2027.

44 Is there going to be a 60 day response timeline for the RFP? RFP response timeline has not yet been determined.

45 There was a short discussion regarding work on modifications to the transfer skirt mating gasket that might facilitate shallower mating depths. Is there ongoing work to develop, test, or manufacture improved gaskets for the transfer skirt?

The shallower mating envelope was updated/generated by reviews and updated to the Safe Mating Envelope (SME) calculations by PNSY along with approval by NAVSEA. (180 FSW approved)

46 For submarine rescue and intervention assets, please confirm for the next contract:

a. Those to be maintained by the SROMC.

b. Those to be operated by the SROMC.

c. Those to be maintained and operated by URC.

All submarine rescue and intervention assets will be maintained by the SROMC. All operations are Joint URC SROMC executions, watch stations as listed in the SOW. URC maintains all of their diving system/equipment and supports LWMS post operations cleaning and maintenance.

47 Will the RFP require Key Functional Areas/Key Positions to be identified by name? What is the percentage of personnel required to be employed by the offeror at time of bidding?

These will be provided in request for proposal.

48 What are the projected operational requirements throughout the 5-year contract? Specifically,

a. How many underway periods per year per system?

b. How many mobilization events per year?

i. “Dry” mobilizations without underway period?

ii. Number of around-the-clock mobilizations?

iii. Will a support ship be available throughout the contract?

c. How many international exercises/deployments each year?

How many mobilization events per year? - URC and SROMC operate to the Fleet's notional annual training plan, generally two operations per system per year. There is an annual rotaing international exercise plan that normally executes Asia, Europe, then local.

i. “Dry” mobilizations without underway period? - Not currently executing, TBD.

ii. Number of around-the-clock mobilizations? - One per year

iii. Will a support ship be available throughout the contract? - Planned for, but that is a fleet asset that has not been delivered as of this date.

49 Will any planning yard functions be included in the responsibilities of the contractor? Alternatively, will Portsmouth Naval Shipyard continue to fill the planning yard function for the ABS certification?

Portsmouth Naval Shipyard will continue to perform Configuration Control of the system.

50 What are the current modernization efforts and when are they expected to be complete? The following are expected to be complete by the time of awarding the new contract: (Variable Monitoring System Network (VMSN) Installation on TUP, Integrated Cross Deck Communications System (ICDC), SRS Microelectronic Upgrades on CCED Cans, Acoustic Position System (APS) upgrade on PRMS.

Modernization efforts for the new contract are TBD.

51 What is the expected transition period between the incumbent and new contractor?

a. Will there be enough time and resources available to the new contractor to qualify all watch stations (3- 6 month estimate per NAVSEA)?

b. Will a support ship be available for an underway training and qualification period with both incumbent and new contractor with sufficient time for training and qualification?

Not determined at this time, can be updated as soon as it is finalized.

a. Yes

b. Not determined at this time, can be updated as soon as it is finalized.

52 Will the ABS MOU/MOA regarding the process of maintaining classification be available with the RFP (if different than standard ABS rules)?

Yes.

53 Can the Govt provide a list of watchstander/equipment qualifications required to support equipment movement around the facility? This includes but is not limited to forklift operators, crane operators (gantry cranes), etc.

The watchstander/equipment qualification requirements for all at-sea and shore based / maintenance watchstations will be provided in the applicable documents (Section C of the RFP).

54 The Govt noted there was a shared responsibility between the contractor and NAVFAC for maintenance of equipment used on the URC facility. Request the Govt provide additional detail to clarify this statement. Is it correct to interpret this to mean the SROMC will train and qualify our personnel to operate the equipment and the SROMC will coordinate with NAVFAC as required to ensure preventive and corrective maintenance is performed as required?

SROMC shall manage all Material Handling Equipment (i.e., forklifts, cranes) for the Submarine Rescue Program including management of records, maintenance, and modernization scheduling, coordination of repair support, conducting required inspections, and providing qualified personnel, administrative and technical support during NAVFAC and other required inspections.