SSV_WC_RFP_QA1-19.pdf

Solicitation N32205-17-R-3514

Questions #1-19

1. Question: Is the minimum transit speed of 12 knots an average speed or is the vessel required to maintain 12 knots at all times during transit?

Answer: Transit times will be determined by many factors but the ship will be required to transit at 12 knots when dictated by the mission.

2. Question: Please confirm the weight of the 11-meter RHIBs. The RFP states that 9,000 lbs. is the total weight.

Answer: The RHIBs in our current inventory weigh 18K lbs.

3. Question: Section 2.11.1 Crane, states that the crane need to be capable of pier-side loading and unloading of the DCS at a weight of 65,000 lbs. At what distance does the crane need to be capable of the 65,000 lbs. lift? The RFP does not indicate how far away the DCS will be located from the vessel while staged on a pier for loading. Also, section

2.10.1 GFE, item 17, shows a total weight of the DCS and cradle to be 68,000 lbs. Can the DCS be loaded onto the vessel separately from the cradle, or will both need to be loaded at the same time? If at the same time, then should the crane be capable of lifting

68,000 lbs. and at what distance?

Answer: The reach of the crane will depend on several factors. Position of the crane on the support ship (is it centerline, aft, port, stbd, etc?), fenders (fenders can add

10, 15 ft), pier capacity (some piers can only accommodate loads in the middle, some can accommodate weight right up to the edge. To clarify, Offerors should plan for

30’ from the side of the vessel to the DCS located on the pier. Please see the attached drawing WRT the lifting arrangement for DCS. Combined weight of the DCS and cradle are closer to 90K lbs. The cradle and DCS are lifted separately.

4. Question: Section 2.11.2 Moon Pool, states that the DCS and SDV can be launched and recovered by either lift lines or by using a platform. Please provide details on the lifting points for each asset. Also, if a platform is to be used, will the DCS and SDV require cradles and, if so, will the sponsor supply the cradles? This section does not provide details on how the DDS should be lowered through the moon pool. Is there an option to use either lift lines or a platform for the DDS as well, or is there a preferred method? If lift lines are preferred, please provide details on the lift points and if a platform is preferred, please indicate if a cradle is required or if and how the DDS will be secured to the platform.

Answer: Please see attached drawings for the DCS, the DDS and SDV. Sponsor will provide the cradles. Lift lines are preferred to a platform. Offerors should provide detailed launch and recovery concept of operations with their proposal.

5. Question: Section 2.11.9 indicates that all launch and recovery systems will be man-rated, however, the RFP does not require manned launches using the crane. Please confirm whether the crane is required to be man-rated and, if so, to what safe working load.

Answer: The crane is not required to be man rated.

6. Question: Will the recompression chamber and associated equipment be on board the vessel at all times during normal operations? If not, what are the scenarios where it would not be on board the vessel?

Answer: Based on availability and training/mission requirements, the recompression chamber and associated equipment is routinely onboard during normal operations.

7. Question: Can the DDS be lowered through the moon pool using the crane instead of a man-rated launch and recovery system since it us unmanned during launch and recovery?

Answer: Yes

8. Question: Does the 2,500 square feet of clear deck area include the space required for a carriage system associated with the moon pool? A carriage would need to be tracked forward or aft of the moon pool opening to meet the requirements of the RFP and will use up some clear deck area to accomplish this movement.

Answer: 2500 square feet does not include a carriage or handling gear for the moon pool.

9. Question: Can the man-rated launch and recovery system for the moon pool be exposed or does the sponsor require it to be covered by a hangar facility?

Answer: A hanger is not required. However, the Sponsor would like to be able to cover the area (tarps, removable panels, etc) if needed.

10. Question: Section 2.10.2, item 9, indicates that a davit system may be proposed for launch and recovery of the RHIB’s and SDV’s. If a davit system is proposed, should it be man-rated? A davit system is preferable due to safety. Section 2.11.10 requires that the vessel provide a safe means of controlling the motion of the craft during launch and recovery, however using the crane for launching the small craft does not provide a positive means of controlling the craft. The best solution to accomplish this is by using a davit system as proven in the past on other MSC vessels. Even though the small craft would be launched unmanned while using the crane for launch and recovery, the safety of the ship’s crew and the safety of the equipment would be difficult to maintain due to the pendulum motion associated with a crane launch.

Answer: WRT the davit system, if the vendor can propose a way to safely launch and recover unmanned vehicles and then load passengers, there is no need to man-rate the davits. Although crane launching unmanned RHIBs and then loading passengers is more challenging, it is still an acceptable way to launch and recover.

With additional gear (sea painter, quick release hooks, access doors on the side of the ship, etc.), we can increase the safety factor and mitigate the need for man-rated davits.

11. Question: If the sponsor requires that the small craft be launched using the crane, which is very unsafe and limits control of the craft, who is responsible for the cost of repairs to equipment if damage occurs?

Answer: The Government is self insured and will assume liability for their equipment. We have launched and recovered RHIBs by crane on many different platforms. Although it is challenging, it is not impossible. If the vendor cannot safely launch small craft with a crane, they are certainly free to propose another way to launch and recover.

12. Question: Section 2.11.2 Moon Pool requires that the lift system shall be capable of launching and recovering the DCS and SDV from the deck to a minimum submerged launch depth of 30 feet seawater. Please confirm whether the intent is for the launch system to reach a minimum depth of 30 feet from the surface or 30 feet below the keel of the vessel or 30 feet from some other point. If the vessel, for example, has the maximum allowed draft of 24 feet and the lift system is lowered to 30 feet from the surface through the moon pool, this leaves only 6 feet of clearance from the bottom of the lift system to the keel.

Answer: 30 feet below the keel.

13. Question: Does the crane need to be motion compensated?

Answer: Motion compensation is preferred but not required.

14. Question: What is the maximum amount of allowed motion, horizontally and vertically, that the moon pool launch and recovery system may have during operations?

Answer: The motion cannot exceed the DCS requirements which are currently set at sea state 3 for launch and recovery.

15. Question: Will the DDS be flooded during deployment and, if not, is there an option to flood it during deployment?

Answer: The DDS will be flooded during deployment for training purposes.

16. Question: Section 2.11.1 Crane indicates that the crane "shall be able to perform either over the side or astern launch and recovery...." Please confirm whether the requirement is to have the capability to launch and recover over both the side and stern or if the intent is for the crane to be able to launch and recover either over the side or stern, but not both.

Answer: One or the other. Not both.

17. Question: Also pertaining to the crane section, can two cranes be used to meet the requirement to reach the entire deck area or does this requirement restrict the design to a single crane?

Answer: 2 cranes can be used to reach the entire deck area.

18. Question: Section C-3.1 – VESSEL SECURITY CLEARANCE states “The Vessel shall possess a SECRET facilities clearance prior to submission of offer to support installation of sensitive government communications equipment before delivery.” Does this mean the vessel must have secret clearance before August 28th, the delivery date of the offer for the solicitation OR before the vessel is delivered for service or some other date?

Answer: The facility clearance is required prior to the due date for receipt of proposals which is currently 28 August 2017.

19. Question: If the vessel needs secret clearance before the August 28th delivery date, can you advise on how and where I can start this process?

Answer: For information regarding clearances, please contact The United States

Department of Defense, Defense Security Service at (888) 282-7682.