Army Watercraft Systems (AWS) Market Study

1. Introduction This announcement is a SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE, REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ONLY. Pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 10 "Market Research." The purpose of this notice is to: (1) determine if sources capable of satisfying the agency's requirements exist, (2) determine if commercial services suitable to meet the agency's needs are available, and (3) determine company's capability in providing the needed services. Additionally, this request is for planning purposes, and shall not be construed as a solicitation announcement, invitation for bids, request for proposals, request for quotes, or an indication that the Government will contract for the items contained in this notice. Interested contractors are invited to respond to the questions outlined in section four. The government will not reimburse respondents for any cost associated with the submission of the information being requested or reimburse expenses incurred to the interested parties for responses. This request does not constitute a solicitation for proposals or the authority to enter into negotiations to award a contract. No funds have been authorized, appropriated, or received for this effort. The Government will not pay for information received in response to this notice. Interested parties are responsible to adequately mark proprietary, restricted or competition sensitive information contained in their response accordingly. 2. Description The Army Contracting Command-Rock Island (ACC-RI) is conducting a sources sought/request for information to discover sources capable of performing the Army Watercraft Systems (AWS) mission. Capability or assets will need to perform the functions listed below in a Semi/non permissive, anti-Access/port denial environment. 3. Watercraft Systems Capability: - Transporting at a minimum of 45 short tons up to 2,000 short tons of cargo or deck area is 10,100 square feet. - Conduct beaching, beach extraction, docking and undocking without tug assist. - Receiving and discharging cargo through a bow ramp and stern ramps. - Beaches with a 1:30 offshore beach gradient with a maximum of 900 short tons of cargo. - Of size to operate in rough or exposed waters and is capable of operating through breakers and grounding on a beach along exposed coastlines, bays, harbors or rivers. - Minimum operating depth of 4 feet. - Performing maintenance on all organic equipment, except communication, electronic, and navigation (CEN) or C4I equipment. - Carry up to 250 combat-equipped personnel on deck for short durations. - Provide mission command afloat, personnel transfer, medical evacuation, diver support platform, firefighting and light salvage at remote, underdeveloped coastlines and inland waterways such as austere shore facilities, unimproved or bare beaches, damaged or degraded ports. - Ability to provide two-way transportation, by water for combat configured forces, troops plus equipment from a fixed port or ship at anchor to remote, underdeveloped coastlines and inland waterways such as austere shore facilities, unimproved or bare beaches, damaged or degraded port. - Assets may range is size however they must have the capability to function in conditions up to Sea State 3 in shallow inlets and rivers to landing on an unimproved beach. - Assets must have a bow ramp to permits roll on / roll off discharge and loading operations to accommodate wheeled and tracked vehicles, containers (TEU/FEU) and break bulk or palletized cargo. 4. Modular Causeway Capability: - Provide the capability to establish a fixed or semi-permanent pier along an underdeveloped coastlines, inland waterways such as austere shore facilities, unimproved or bare beaches, damaged or degraded port to provide the critical link between Army lighterage and the shoreline. Fixed or semi-permanent pier must have the capability to receive wheeled and tracked vehicles, containers (TEU/FEU) and break bulk or palletized cargo and/or provide a dry bridge for the discharge of cargo from lighters directly to any austere environment. The intent of the fixed or semi-permanent pier is to overcoming beach obstacles and gradients in order to permit discharge of cargo across shallow waters onto shore. 5. Information Requested Provide an information paper on the corporate capabilities, experience, feasibility and cost associated with performing the AWS mission. Written responses shall be in PDF or MS Word format. 6. Responses All interested parties capable of providing these services are encouraged to respond to this Sources Sought Notice. Any questions shall be submitted as soon as possible but no later than 1300 Central Time on 18 December 2018. All questions shall be submitted via email to the point of contact. Responses are requested to be submitted no later than 2:00PM Central Time on 09 January 2019. Information papers shall be submitted via email to the point of contact. Submit to Point of Contact: David Weindruch Email: david.m.weindruch.civ@mail.mil