Dry Combat Submersible Test Platform-UOES

The United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), Special Operations Research, Development, and Acquisition Center (SORDAC), Directorate of Procurement intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with Submergence Group, LLC, 4 Water Street, Chester, CT 06412 in accordance with 10 U.S.C. 2304c(1) and FAR 6.302-1. A research study is required for the testing and evaluation of a commercially available off-the-shelf (COTS) diver lock-in/lock-out dry submersible test platform with an American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) classed submersible. This study is integral to the overall acquisition strategy of employing a User Operational Evaluation System (UOES) to minimize cost and technical risks and fully evaluate the concept for a suitable Special Operations Forces (SOF) Dry Combat Submersible (DCS). The contractor shall provide an ABS classed, operational diver lock-in/lock-out dry submersible test platform, capable of demonstrating cited attributes under controlled operating conditions: (1) capable of locking out at least six divers in a single lock-in/lock-out cycle; (2) capable of a sustained, two- hour submerged speed of five knots or greater with the integration of Government Furnished Equipment (GFE); (3) capable of transiting at least 10 nautical miles at five knots on a single battery charge with GFE; (4) capable of conducting three short duration missions, three or more hours per mission per week, and one long duration mission, six or more hours per mission per week; (5) capable of integration with a surface host to conduct surface ship launches and recoveries; and (6) capable of integration with, insertion into, and withdrawal from a modified Dry Deck Shelter (DDS). The test platform will be used by USSOCOM for doctrinal, operational, and organizational purposes. The contractor shall design, install, integrate, support, test, and maintain SOF Modifications and Risk Mitigation Modifications utilizing GFE in order to achieve stated capabilities while sustaining ABS classification as a submersible. Upon completion of the study, the contractor shall be responsible for all associated demilitarization to return the DCS UOES test platform to its original state to include delivery to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The period of the study shall be one 12-month base year plus two 12-month optional periods, not to exceed 36 months. Based on market survey results, Submergence Group's "S301" DCS UOES test platform is the only known and available submersible meeting the Government's mission profiles for diver lock-in/lock-out sustained submerged speeds, transiting distance, DDS integration pursuant to ABS classification. These requirements are paramount and cannot be waived. Submergence Group is the original manufacturer of a suitable DCS UOES test platform and has working knowledge of sustaining ABS classification. All responsible sources may submit a capability statement or proposal no later than five days of the posting that shall be considered by the agency. The Government intends to award a combination Firm-Fixed Price, and Cost-Plus-Type contract for performance to begin on or about 18 March 2011.