Antarctic Research Vessel (ARV) Integrator, Request for Information

Pursuant to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), 42 U.S.C. - 1870(c), and/or other applicable authorities, this is a Request for Information (RFI), issued by the United States National Science Foundation's (NSF) Polar Contracts Office, in support of the Office of Polar Programs (OPP) and the United States Antarctic Program (USAP). Note: the RFI PDF document attached to this notice has the same contents as the below but with improved formatting and functioning in-text hyperlinks. UPDATE 9 May 2022: This RFI was originally active from 2 Feb 2022 thru 3 Mar 2022. In an effort to reach as broad an audience as possible, this RFI is being re-activated to coincide with the release of a Dear Colleague Letter (DCL). The DCL invites respondents to review this RFI on account of the specific questions and submission instructions below. If you have already responded to the original RFI you do not need to submit a new response. No changes have been made to the below questions or content - this release is intended to supplement information already received. Link to DCL: https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2022/nsf22084/nsf22084.jsp Description The NSF is performing market research to improve planning for the potential procurement for an Antarctic Research Vessel (ARV). The current icebreaking research vessel in use by USAP, the contractor-owned (CO) and operated Nathaniel B. Palmer (NBP) is nearing the end of its service life. The NSF has thus embarked on an effort to recapitalize its icebreaking research vessel capacity through a Major Research Equipment and Facilities Construction (MREFC) project in which the Foundation would develop a government-owned (GO) vessel. More information on the project can be found at https://future.usap.gov/new-antarctic-vessel-approved/ NSF is seeking capabilities statements from vendors interested in an anticipated requirement in which the vendor will act as the overall - vessel integrator of the ARV procurement. As a matter of organizational structure, the NSF is motivated to leverage expertise not available internally to procure a vessel of this magnitude, encouraging the use of a single vendor to help administer and oversee finalization of the ARV design, shipyard selection and construction, operational testing, and transition to operations. Vessel requirements will be generated by NSF, but the integrator will be responsible for executing NSF direction. The NSF Research Infrastructure Guide (NSF 21-107) details the process for the development and acquisition of major research facilities and likely a primary reference for managing the ARV project by the vessel integrator. Starting from award at the start of the Final Design Phase, NSF anticipates the procurement of the vessel will require seven or more years. Background - NSF The National Science Foundation is an independent federal agency created by Congress in 1950 to promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; and to secure the national defense. The Antarctic Infrastructure and Logistics (AIL) Section of the Office of Polar Programs supports scientific research in and around Antarctica and operational support related to that research. Science programs include disciplinary, multidisciplinary, and broad, interdisciplinary investigations directed toward the Antarctic and Southern Ocean both as a region of special scientific interest and a region important to global systems. Disciplinary interests encompass the atmospheric, biological, physical, earth, ocean, and social sciences. Information Requested NSF invites qualified, prospective vendors to express their capabilities and interest to NSF. Interested vendors should respond to/consider the following questions and requirements: Ensure your cover page includes the name of the interested party (IE, company, academic institution, organization, etc.), point of contact with email and phone number, DUNS or unique identification number for review of SAM.gov profile, registered NAICS and associated size standard (IE, large or small business under a registered NAICS). What type of business or institution is your firm and what areas of expertise does it hold? Please provide a capability statement for the firm or institution. Capabilities should outline experience in any of the following areas: managing the acquisition of the Antarctic Research Vessel, including overseeing the finalization of contract and regulatory design efforts, selection of shipyard, overseeing construction, tests, trials (including ice trials), outfitting and the transition to operations, What are the firm's general capabilities to conduct the design, procurement and/or operations of an icebreaking research vessel? Describe your firm's experience managing vessel procurement, in particular research vessels or icebreakers, if applicable? If applicable, provide a list of your firm's experience managing vessel procurement or similar procurements on behalf of the US Government. Please provide: Government Points of contact for the requirement (name, e-mail, and phone number). You may submit an unlimited number of examples for this response. As referenced above, for vessel integration NSF is considering a variety of procurement methods, including, but not limited to, FAR-based procurements and cooperative agreements. If leveraging the FAR, NSF may consider Brooks Act procurement procedures as outlined in FAR Part 36.6 in lieu of FAR Part 15. If you are an Architect-Engineering firm, does this requirements management efforts dampen interest in a FAR Part 36.6 competition? Would an alternative NAICS, such as 541611 Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services be considered more appropriate? In addition, this RFI seeks additional industry feedback on the following three topics, which are prompted by the industry feedback and other information that NSF has gathered to date: A. NSF has an interest in engaging a wide variety of organizational types as potential providers. This includes, but is not limited to, for-profit corporations, academic institutions, or other non-profits. If you are a not-for-profit institution or organization, what motivates your interest in this effort? NSF is exploring the value-proposition of this requirement for such a provider. B. For the vessel integrator requirement NSF is considering a variety of contracting methods which include, but are not limited to, contracts and cooperative agreements. Please list what contract or agreement type arrangements your organization would pursue, and of those which you feel is the best suited to this effort and why. C. The ARV will be a Government Owned - Contractor Operated (GOCO) research vessel operating in the Antarctic and Southern Ocean for as many as 40 years beginning with the transition to operations/warranty period in 2030. - Contractor Operated could mean any number of contractual arrangements or cooperative agreements between the NSF and the vessel operator. This could include operation and maintenance of the vessel as well as providing the technical services and instrumentation to support the scientific mission. If interested, please indicate your organization's capabilities. Similar to question two above, describe what sort of arrangement would work best for your firm or institution. Any and all potentially interested parties are encouraged to respond. The response shall not exceed five pages (excluding management/member experience/government references), inclusive of any cover page, table of contents4, and other information. Information shall be submitted to contact@example.gov no later than Monday, June 6, 2022 at 4 p.m. EST. In the title of the response email, please begin it with - ARV Integration RFI. Questions Any questions related to this RFI must be submitted, in writing, to contact@example.gov, no later than May 18, 2022, 4 p.m. EST. THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. This RFI is issued solely for informational and planning purposes. It does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue a solicitation or RFP in the future. This RFI does not commit NSF to contract for any supply or service or wed NSF to any particular contract type. At this time, NSF is not seeking proposals and will not accept any unsolicited proposals. All costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested party's expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future competition. If a solicitation is released, NSF expects to post it at the Federal Point of Entry, www.sam.gov. It is the responsibility of the interested parties to monitor this site for additional information pertaining to this anticipated competition.