Future Amphibious Ship Cost Reduction Concepts - Request for Information (RFI)

The Navy is interested in concepts for improving future amphibious ship affordability while still retaining warship capabilities. One approach towards this goal might be to use commercial design and build practice for as much of the ship as possible, and apply military standards only where necessary to achieve specific performance requirements. The Navy would like Industry perspectives on potential benefits and challenges to implementing such a concept. Specifically, the Navy requests information on: • The feasibility and cost of building a Navy ship to commercial standards (as opposed to military standards), classed by ABS to Steel Vessel Rules (www.eagle.org), with the following capacities: o 20,000 ft2 (1,860 m2) vehicle stowage space, with access to both well and weather decks, and with at least 13.5 ft (4.1 m) clear overhead o Well deck capable of embarking either two Landing Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC) or one Landing Craft Utility (LCU) o Troop berthing for 400 o 20,000 ft3 (570m3) magazine capable of stowing all types of USMC ammunition o NAVAIR certified flight deck with two land/launch spots for MH-53E or MV-22 aircraft • The feasibility and cost of imposing the following additional design requirements on the above concept: o US Navy crew (approximately 350), with Navy standard damage control lockers & equipment o US Navy combatant damaged stability standards o Longitudinal bending moment dictated by Navy rather than being derived from seaway loads or ABS rules o Grade A shock qualified emergency take-home auxiliary propulsion system o Grade A shock qualified command and control spaces for government furnished electronic systems o Segregated Grade A shock qualified Navy standard electrical, cooling water, and other distributive systems to service take-home auxiliary propulsion and other vital systems. For the purpose of this RFI, assume that half of distributive system loads are to vital systems. o US Navy firefighting systems • The practicality of implementing a mixed commercial and military standards ship by designating certain compartments as reserved for military standard equipment, with the shipbuilder free to outfit all other compartments in the most cost effective manner that satisfies ABS Steel Vessel Rules. • Labor and material breakdowns for any ship costs estimates. • Explanations for how specific potential future amphibious ship requirements would affect costs. • Contractual, specification, or other issues that might impact a mixed commercial and military standards ship program. • Other ideas or suggestions for future amphibious ship affordability such as acquisition strategies, innovative total ship solutions, technology advancements, or design and construction concepts/methodologies. It is desirable that data be received with unlimited rights to the Government. Nevertheless, we recognize that proprietary data may be included with the information provided. If so, clearly mark such proprietary information and clearly separate it from the unrestricted information as an addendum. Responses must be unclassified and are requested within 60 days, preferably in plain text, Microsoft Office, or Adobe PDF electronic formats. Responses should be sent by electronic mail to the NAVSEA point of contact, Mr. Steven Wynn (contact@example.gov), +1 (555) 000-0000. This is not a solicitation for proposals and no contract shall be awarded based on this RFI. No reimbursement will be made for any costs associated with providing information in response to this RFI or any subsequent information requests that pertain to this RFI. However, responses may be used in the determination of the appropriate acquisition.