RFI - Offshore Support Vessels (OSV) for US Navy Fleet Support.docx

PURPOSE:

This Request for Information (RFI) is being issued by the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), on behalf of the U.S. Navy and Foreign Military Sales Boats and Craft Program Office (PMS300) to meet the requirements of multiple support craft acquisitions. PMS300 is conducting general market research as the Navy seeks to understand the cost, schedule and interest in the following acquisition approaches:

1. New Construction Offshore Supply Vessel (OSV) Program - Direct NAVSEA contract for new vessel construction

2. Vessel Construction Manager (VCM) - Contractor-managed new construction approach

3. Vessel Acquisition Manager (VAM) - Contractor-managed purchase and conversion of existing commercial OSVs

This RFI is for planning purposes only.

DESCRIPTION:

The Navy requires ocean-going vessels to meet the test and training needs of the Fleet. Vessels will be built to commercial standards, American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) classed, issued a United States Coast Guard (USCG) Certificate of Inspection (COI), and comply with statutory regulations including the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, (COLREGS), and Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS). The Navy intends to leverage a proven commercial design to the greatest extent practicable with modifications to meet mission/user’s requirements. Common routine operations required of these vessels include:

· Launch and recovery of boats, unmanned vehicles, and targets

· Underwater range maintenance

· Embarkation of a variety of deck cargo arrangements including boats, CONEX containers, target launch and recovery systems.

· Sustained operations (up to 30 days) in a combination of transiting, low-speed operations, and on-station tasking.

The Navy does not require dry bulk, brine, liquid mud, rig fuel, rig water, methanol, or other offshore service infrastructure typical of OSVs.

The table below provides characteristics for two notional vessels for use in the RFI response development. The notional vessel characteristics are representative of previous and anticipated vessel acquisitions:

· Preference for 1 and 2-man staterooms with en-suite T/S units

· Watermaking capability

· Preference for 1 and 2-man staterooms with en-suite T/S units

· Hospital Room

· Ability to install a transom A-frame davit

· Ability to ballast to 4 ft freeboard with no deck cargo

· Mast for Government furnished communication antennas

· Small Boat Refueling Station

· Steel working deck with tie down grid

· 800 ft2 Space for Radio Room and Operations Center

· Interfaces for Portable Accommodation Modules (non-berthing)

· Mast for Government furnished communication antennas

· JP-5 Storage and Service System

Applicable to Vessel #1 ONLY:

Integration of one Government furnished 21-inch torpedo tube and support equipment located in the bow, below the waterline. The torpedo tube is used for the testing of heavyweight torpedoes.

Key Features and Functionality

· Torpedo Hold: The torpedo hold is a magazine used to store torpedoes in racks or chocks. The torpedo hold will have an overhead bridge crane to allow for the movement of torpedoes within the space.

· Torpedo Tube: The torpedo tube with appendages is approximately 36” in diameter and 23’ in length. A muzzle door will be located near the skin of the vessel and will act as the hull penetration.

· Loading: The torpedo hold will be provided with a topside hatch to allow for loading of torpedoes via the shipboard crane.

· Pneumatic Launch System: The torpedo is ejected from the tube using a compressed air system. The system will consist of a high-pressure air compressor and two-three air flasks.

· Torpedo Tube Control: The torpedo tube control station is a stand-alone console located inside the torpedo hold. This will require hydraulic connections.

· Air Over Water (AOW) Tank: Ballast tank located forward of the torpedo hold. The pneumatic launch system pressurizes the AOW tank to eject the torpedo.

INSTRUCTIONS TO INTERESTED PARTIES:

Interested parties are free to submit any information that may assist the Navy in its market research. All interested parties, including but not limited to capable small businesses, are encouraged to respond to this RFI. Unlike select recent efforts, respondents to this inquiry are NOT REQUIRED to be shipbuilders themselves, however shipbuilders are invited to respond. If a responding party is not a shipbuilder, they are requested to provide supporting information identifying the teaming shipbuilder and the teammate’s capacity to support the effort.

There is no page requirement/limit and a detailed proposal is not requested. Submission in PDF format is desired. Drawings sized to 8.5”x11” or 11”x17”. All other documentation sized to 8.5”x11”.

The following information is requested in every RFI response.

Vessel and Company Information

a) Provide a description of the company's relevant OSV design/construction and Government experience.

b) If the respondent is a, provide a description of shipyard (whether of the respondent or shipbuilder teammate) construction facilities including launchway, facility and dry dock certifications.

c) Provide company contact information.

d) Provide size of company as small or large. The North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) Code applicable to this acquisition is 336612, Boat Building. Small Business Size Standard for this acquisition is 1,000 Employees. If your company is a small business please note whether you are HUB Zone, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business, 8(a), or Women Owned Business.

Below are three (3) Acquisition Strategies that the Navy is considering for FY 27 OSV acquisitions (assume January 2027 contract award for estimating purposes). Responses on every strategy is not required. However, each RFI response should include a reply to at least one (1) strategy.

I. New Construction OSV Program - Direct NAVSEA contract for new vessel Construction

a) Rough order of magnitude (ROM) price for design, construction and delivery of a vessel meeting the requirements above. Request details on design, material, labor, and other significant cost drivers so that the Navy can get a better understanding of the cost composition.

b) A separate rough order estimate to include installation of GFE Torpedo Tube (for VESSEL 1 (SMALL) only). Integration of one Government furnished 21-inch torpedo tube and support equipment located in the bow, below the waterline. Any risks or concerns about installation of this GFE Torpedo Tube.

c) Estimated schedule to design, construct, and delivery of a vessel meeting the requirements above. Provide information on the projected lead-time for long-lead materials and equipment, considering current supply chain conditions.

d) Are there any government contracts and/or POCs you recommend we leverage or modify to meet our requirements?

e) Feedback on the advantages and disadvantages of a new construction approach given the cost, schedule, and industrial base compared to a vessel conversion approach.

II. Vessel Construction Manager (VCM) - Contractor-managed new construction approach The VCM acts as the owner's representative and primary point of contact at the shipyard during the entire shipbuilding process. Their main goal is to ensure the new vessel is built according to specifications, on time, within budget, and to the quality and safety standards required in the contract.

PMS 300 envisions the following lines of effort:

· Effective planning and coordination - This involves developing and maintaining a comprehensive construction plan that clearly outlines the schedule, budget, required resources, and key milestones.

· Resource allocation – Ensuring the necessary personnel, equipment, and materials are available when and where they are needed.

· Project execution and monitoring - Overseeing construction activities to ensure adherence to the project plan and specifications.

· Quality control - Ensuring that all work meets the required standards through implementing procedures and conducting inspections.

· Schedule management - Tracking the project timeline and implementing necessary adjustments to keep it on track.

· Effective stakeholder management - Fostering and maintaining open lines of communication to keep all relevant parties informed about project progress and any potential challenges.

· Ensuring safety and compliance - Ensuring safety in all construction activities and implementing robust safety procedures and training programs for all personnel.

INFORMATION REQUESTED:

a) Please provide VAM fee, including descriptions and or related fees.

b) Rough order of magnitude (ROM) price for design, construction and delivery of a vessel meeting the reqirements above. Request details on design, material, labor, and other significant cost drivers so that the Navy can get a better understanding of the cost composition.

c) Provide a separate rough order estimate to include installation of GFE Torpedo Tube (for vessel #1 only). Integration of one Government furnished 21-inch torpedo tube and support equipment located in the bow, below the waterline, may be added as an optional CLIN.

d) Estimated schedule to design, construct, and deliver of a vessel meeting the requirements mentioned above. Provide information on the projected lead-time for long-lead materials and equipment, considering current supply chain conditions.

e) Are there any government contracts and/or POCs you recommend we leverage or modify to meet our requirements?

f) Feedback on the advantages and disadvantages of utilizing a VCM given the cost, schedule, and industrial base compared to using a traditional NAVSEA administered contract.

III. Vessel Acquisition Manager (VAM) – Contractor-managed purchase and conversion of existing commercial OSVs PMS 300 has identified the vessel acquisition manager (VAM) approach as a potential avenue to streamline the acquisition and leverage commercial experience PMS 300 seeks to identify contractors to provide vessel acquisition manager (VAM) services who would be responsible for identifying suitable commercial OSVs for purchase, conduct business case analyses, acquire selected vessels, reactivate (if required) and convert them to meet requirements, and deliver the vessels to the Government.

For the purposes of this request, PMS 300 is not interested in charters, leases, or other arrangements, which do not result in the delivery of vessels to the Navy.

PMS 300 envisions the following lines of effort:

· Vessel Search and Screening – Contractor will conduct a market survey to identify available vessels for procurement and develop a market research report recommending vessels for further assessment. Contractor will further analyze vessels specified by the Government.

· Survey, Inspection, and Final Recommendation – Contractor will plan and execute vessel surveys to assess material condition, operations capabilities, and ability for vessel to meet requirements.

· Base Vessel Acquisition – Contractor will purchase the vessel on behalf of the Government. Contractor will develop the sales contract, administer the bill of sale, and work with ABS/USCG to transfer certificates to a Public Vessel. Contractor will solicit with a shipyard to reactivate or make modifications to the vessel to return the vessel to full operational/ Procurement will include existing drawings/technical manuals, maintenance plans/history, and spares. Contractor will provide crew and vessel custodian management services until Government takes delivery.

· Vessel Modifications – Contractor shall conduct modifications/upgrades to the vessel to meet specifications as directed by the Government. Contractor responsibility includes development of engineering drawings and work package, solicitation and contracting of shipyard services to accomplish work package installations, providing shipyard oversight, and coordinating with ABS/USCG to update classification documentation.

· Vessel Custodian Management – Contractor shall crew and maintain the vessels on behalf of the Government. Tasks include but not limited to; layberthing services, transiting vessel as needed, development and execution of a preventative maintenance plan, performing repairs, provisioning, crew training, and engineering support services.

INFORMATION REQUESTED:

a) Please provide VAM fee, including descriptions and or related fees.

b) Rough order of magnitude (ROM) estimate for acquisition, reactivation, conversion, and delivery of a vessel(s) that meet the above requirements.

c) Provide a prioritized listing of vessels from which the Government will determine the candidate vessel(s) for prospective procurement.

d) Estimated schedule for required reactivation, repairs, and conversion.

e) Are there any government contracts and/or POCs you recommend we leverage or modify to meet our requirements?

f) Feedback on the advantages and disadvantages of utilizing a VAM given the cost, schedule, and industrial base compared to using a traditional NAVSEA administered contract.

Note: As a reminder interested parties do not have to meet all requirements listed in this RFI to submit a response. All responses received will be reviewed by the Government.

Submissions should be emailed to Ms. Temika Morris, PMS 300G, at temika.m.morris.civ@us.navy.mil with copy to Mr. Steve Noel, NAVSEA 02 at steven.w.noel.civ@us.navy.mil. The response file shall be in PDF format, with file name including reference number N00024-25-R-2206 and your company name. Responses are requested by 15 September 2025. Please submit any questions concerning this announcement via email to Ms. Temika Morris AND Mr. Steve Noel at the above redress.

DISCLOSURE:

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 an 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 supplies or services, nor does it 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 U.S.-only interested parties.

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, except that incomplete, or the absence of, responses from small business will inform a determination on whether there is an expectation for small business participation.