Q A_FORM_ZEUS_ROH_DD_16-R-4503_(5).docx

MILITARY SEALIFT COMMAND

N32205-16-R-4503

USNS ZEUS (T-ARC 7)

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

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

QUESTION 32:

SPECIFICATION ITEM NO.: 000 General Requirements; Dock and Sea Trials; Contract Schedule requirements

PARAGRAPH / SECTION NO: Item 022 para. 7.1.1

TITLE: Work to be Completed 45 days after Arrival.

QUESTION:

The Availability is listed as 90 Calendar Days. Amendment 1 changed the requirements to complete twenty two (22) very significant work items to 45 days after Arrival. If the ship arrives on Thursday and docking is scheduled for Monday this impacts the schedule undocking period effectively reducing it to 41 days. Some of the items listed in para 7.1.1 of work item 022 must be completed in the water (e.g. 202- testing for stern tube cooling, 906 – sea valves; testing the engines under work items 203 and 204 etc.) because the testing needs sea water for cooling. In addition the last coat of paint must be dry before going into the water. Also this availability has Christmas and New Year’s Days falling within the availability. The items listed as well as the other factors realistically provide a drydock period of between 35 and 38 days, which is deemed unrealistic for the work scope included. It will also drive the overtime cost to very unrealistic levels.

To say this is a 90 day availability is misleading. Please provide a reason or rationale why the majority of the work (para 7.1.1 in work item 022) must be completed 45 days After Arrival and why the government believes this is a fair and achievable requirement.

Can the contractor provide a realistic and achievable schedule to the government within the 90 day time frame that takes exception to the 45 day After Arrival schedule in Item 022?

ANSWER:

The Government believes the 45 day drydock time is achievable. The 45 day time frame is based on the Ship Control Console (SCC) upgrade being performed and the requirements of the ship to be fully operational during the testing phase of the SCC upgrade prior to dock and sea trials.