Target Seaborne Vessel

PURPOSE:

The Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) is hereby issuing a Request for Information (RFI) on behalf of the Support Ships, Boats, and Craft Program Office (PMS325) to disseminate to industry information on the anticipated acquisition of a new supply boat, or acquisition and conversion, if necessary, of an existing supply boat to meet operational requirements. The Navy is also pursuing information regarding conversion capabilities and available vessel inventory information for supply boats with a max nominal length overall (LOA) of 91 feet, unobstructed aft deck of at least 300 sqft and draft less than 18’.  Additionally, the Navy seeks to understand the technical, cost and schedule risks associated with building new, or modifying existing supply boat platforms to meet the notional capabilities in this RFI.

DESCRIPTION:

The Target Seaborne Vessel will be capable of supporting offshore aerial target recovery with supplied or installed crane, as well training and fleet exercises in open ocean high sea states to sustain required levels of support.  NAWCWD requires a Target Seaborne Vessel with configurable capabilities enabling responsive scheduling and flexible support for both high sea-state target recovery and additional multi-day mission requirements. Operational requirements include ability to operate 7 days continuously at 10Kts.  Desired Operational Requirements and Characteristics are provided in Attachment 1.

CAPABILITIES:

The new or existing vessel delivered shall meet the minimum requirements as provided in Attachment 1.

ACQUISITION OVERVIEW:

The Target Seaborne Vessel Project encompasses efforts to solicit a contract for the purchase of a new or existing (with conversion if necessary) supply boat.  The method for achieving this goal will be based on attracting potential bidders, with supply boat construction/conversion experience, to become primary contractors for overall project and delivery of a turnkey, completed vessel to government specifications.

The contractor shall build new or provide a suitable existing vessel which meets the general principal characteristics and performance requirements in Attachment 1.  After completion of all work and delivery to the area of Port Hueneme, CA, the US NAVY will take ownership of the vessel and operate it as a government-owned, Public Vessel.

It is envisioned that an existing vessel offered may have been in layup. Potential requirements will be: 1.) The Contractor shall be responsible for submitting an activation plan.  2.) The Contractor shall supply all work necessary for the activation of the vessel from layup status to operational status.  3.) The requirements for other actions or services may be required for delivery of the vessel to the end user, ready for sea in accordance with the reactivation plan.

Whether new or existing, it will be required for the contractor to complete all the inspection and survey requirements for delivery of the supplied vessel with an International Load Line Certificate complete and valid for 5 years, if required for the type and size of vessel.  The contractor shall be responsible for directly obtaining the services of ABS and then coordination of all inspection requirements.  The services will include submission of all drawings necessary for approval and obtaining all analysis, inspections and surveys necessary for International Load Line assignment, if required. 

A knuckle-boom, deck crane with full access to all parts of the aft deck is a desired feature. At a minimum, the vessel shall have the space, weight, power and reserve stability to allow for later installation of a 4000lb deck crane.

SCHEDULE:

The notional schedule provided herein is for planning purposes only. The Government is not obligated to pursue this schedule or a future solicitation associated with this RFI. Please note: Should the Government issue an RFP for Target Seaborne Vessel, only shipyards located in the United States would be eligible to submit a proposal. As a basis for response to this request, it should be assumed that an RFP would be issued in Fiscal Year 2022 and a contract for building new or providing an existing vessel, and delivering a Target Seaborne Vessel would be awarded in Fiscal Year 2022.

INFORMATION SOUGHT:

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

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”.

At a minimum, please provide the following technical data.  If the Respondent has multiple candidate vessels that meet the RFI requirements, a separate response should be submitted for each.  The following information is requested (Please use as a checklist):

1. Provide expected price of the vessel and if providing an existing vessel, separately the price of conversion.
2. Provide data and/or information on any vessel/design meeting the key requirements as identified in the Capabilities table.  If the proposed vessel does not meet an attribute or requirement then provide information on modifications required to address the requirement shortfall in the column provided. If available, please include general arrangement drawings and photographs.

1. Provide a description of the company's relevant experience.
2. Provide location of the vendor and vessel (if existing).
3. Provide company contact information.
4. 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 1000 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.

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 Mr. Peter Herrman, PMS325, at peter.herrman@navy.mil. The response file shall be in PDF format, with file name including the Solicitation number N00024-21-R-2220 and your company name. Responses are requested by 5 November 2021 at 2:00 PM (EST)  . Questions concerning this announcement may be submitted via email to Mr. Peter Herrman (peter.herrman@navy.mil) AND Ms. Maureen Barlow (maureen.d.barlow.civ@us.navy.mil). NO QUESTIONS VIA TELEPHONE WILL BE ACCEPTED.

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 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 U.S.-only interested parties.  Should an RFP for acquisition of an existing Offshore Supply Vessels (OSV) vessel be issued, vessel proposals which originate outside the U.S. may be permitted as long as the prime contractor can meet all domestic United States manufacturing and solicitation requirements. 

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.

Please note this is a different requirement than the RFI for Target Towing Seaborne Vessel Sources Sought Notice fN00024-21-R-2235.