Next Generation Hospital Ship T-AH(X) Request for Information (RFI)

Questions and Answers as of 1 July 2026:

1.         What is the actual aviation requirement, 2 or 1 flight spots?

a.         2 flight spots is the requirement. 

2.         Patient transfer via boats and tenders?

a.         Yes, intent is to transfer patients via boats and tenders. 

3.         What is the MTF crew breakout regarding officers and enlisted?

a.         Can assume 60% officer, 40% enlisted.

4.         What is the actual operating room number requirement, 4 or 6?

a.         6 ORs is the requirement.

5.         What rule set will the hospital ship be classed to?

a.         ABS Marine Vessel Rules. 46 CFR Subchapter H Passenger Vessel Rules.

6.         How many decontamination stations?

a.         2 decontamination stations

7.         What is the expected service life of the T-AH(X)?

a.         40 years.

8.         Is the respondent required to include a shipyard as part of its proposed team, or may a naval architecture and marine engineering firm respond independently?

a.         This RFI is for ship requirements feasibility and potential associated costs.  It is not required to identify a shipyard, but it is encouraged to provide context on the producibility of the vessel within the domestic industrial base.

9.         What level of design development is expected under the contemplated effort—concept/basic design suitable for Class Approval in Principle, or a more detailed functional design package suitable for subsequent contract design and construction?

a.         The Navy is looking to identify the initial feasibility and potential costs associated with the vessel requirements listed in this RFI.  As such, the Government is happy to receive as much level of detail as the respondent would like to provide to assist in that identification.

10.       Please clarify whether the design scope is expected to include the selection, specification, and integration of medical equipment, or only the shipboard arrangements, utilities, and interfaces necessary to support such equipment.

a.         This RFI is to identify the feasibility of the listed requirements and potential associated costs. A planned future RFP will detail design scope – no more information will be provided at this time.

11.       Will the Government provide required uniform and concentrated deck-loading criteria for each deck and functional area, including medical, aviation, machinery, storage, and logistics spaces?

a.         Not at this time.

12.       What is the anticipated design schedule and overall period of performance for the contemplated effort, including any required interim design reviews and final deliverable dates?

a.         An RFP is planned to be solicited in FY27 with that information. RFI feedback is requested by July 15th, 2026.

13.       To what extent will the Buy American Act and other applicable domestic-source requirements apply to the vessel design, equipment selection, materials, major machinery, and construction?

a.         The T-AH(X) procurement will be a DoW / DoN acquisition.  Buy American Act and Title 10 requirements will apply.

14.       Please clarify what is meant by the “reduced requirement” and identify which capabilities, spaces, systems, or performance criteria may be reduced from the full T-AH(X) requirement.

a.         As stated in the RFI, the T-AH(X) requirements are currently under revision to identify reduced capabilities that are acceptable to the Navy and meet a targeted budget. The final capability requirements will be included in a future RFP. We are leaving the reduction trade space open to the respondent to use their best judgment to reduce cost without greatly effecting mission.

15.       Is the identified parent ship intended to serve solely as the basis for the hull design, or may other applicable aspects of its design also be considered part of the baseline?

a.         The identification of a parent ship is for market research purposes.  The offeror is free to propose any approach to meeting the listed requirements or reducing the requirements for the sake of cost and producibility.

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THIS SPECIAL NOTICE IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) FOR MARKET RESEARCH AND IS FOR INFORMATIONAL AND PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY.  THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS.  THERE IS NO FUNDING ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ANNOUNCEMENT.

Attachment 1: T-AH(X) Notional Requirements

1. Purpose:

Deputy Portfolio Acquisition Executive (DPAE) Auxiliaries and PMS 385, the Strategic and Theater Sealift Program Office, are seeking information from experienced ship designers and shipbuilders to assist in the refinement and alignment of the Notional Requirements for the Future Hospital Ship (T-AH(X)) to ensure a reasonable and fiscally responsible ship solution. This RFI is for informational and planning purposes only and does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a commitment by the government to award a contract. Information obtained from this RFI may be used to develop future solicitations.

        2. Project Description:

T-AH(X) will replace the USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) and USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) upon their retirements, acting as the only afloat Role 3 medical platforms in the fleet. Development of these platforms will prioritize improving vessel port access and patient transfer from legacy systems. Construction of these vessels will occur at one United States shipyard and will be managed by a Vessel Construction Manager (VCM). The VCM contract planned award is in FY27 and will include preliminary design, shipyard selection, VCM oversight, and vessel delivery.

        3. Information Requested:

Interested parties are requested to provide the following information:

• Vessel Cost Estimate: Attachment 1 provides the T-AH(X) Notional Requirements. Provide a rough order magnitude (ROM) cost estimate for a ship meeting the requirements.
• Major Requirements Cost Drivers: Provide a summary of the major cost drivers and provide recommendations to reduce costs.
• Perceived Risk of Program: Identify any areas of concern or risks based on the information provided.
• Potential Parent Hulls: Based on both Attachment 1 and the recommendations to reduce cost, identify and provide information on parent hulls or ship concepts that may allow for a more rapid design period for the vessel and decrease programmatic risks.
  • Include both general ship performance information and any preliminary design changes to meet notional requirements.
  • Include the implications of utilizing the parent hull while maintaining compliance to the Buy American Act and other applicable domestic sourcing restrictions such as 10 USC §4864.
• Backlog and Construction Planning: For shipbuilders only. Provide high-level planning as to where construction of T-AH(X) could fall in your company’s backlog.  Provide estimated duration (in months) of vessel design and construction; Detail Design to Start of Construction, Start of Construction to Delivery. 

        4. Submission Instructions:

Please submit responses to this RFI via e-mail to contact@example.gov, contact@example.gov, and contact@example.gov.

Interested parties are requested to identify themselves by June 15, 2026 to set Government expectations on the range of responses. Completed responses are requested by July 15, 2026.

Interested parties are free to submit any information which may assist the Navy in its market research and understanding of sources available to meet operational needs.  There are no page limit constraints to an interested party’s response, and a detailed proposal is not requested.  However, only electronic responses via email will be accepted.  Any email attachments or supplemental information must be compatible with Microsoft.  No information may be sent in a “.zip” file format.  No classified material shall be submitted in response to this Special Notice under any circumstance.  IMPORTANT – Any email containing export-controlled information must be marked CUI and use encryption.

        5. Potential Industry Event:

DPAE Auxiliaries and PMS 385 may host an industry engagement event to present the Navy’s requirements and to solicit feedback from prospective offerors in prearranged breakout sessions. Should an industry day be held, a separate notice will be posted to provide further details regarding the industry engagement event once they are available.

        6. Disclaimer:

This RFI is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation. The Government reserves the right to use the information received and provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Issuance of this RFI does not obligate the Government to issue a solicitation or award a contract. The Government will not reimburse respondents for any costs associated with preparing a response to this RFI.  Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted.  Respondents will not be notified of the results of this notice.  The information obtained from submitted responses may be used in development of any acquisition strategy and a future solicitation.  Submissions will not be returned.

NOTICE REGARDING PROPRIETARY INFORMATION:

All submitted materials will be designated for Government Use Only.  Third party support contractors who have executed non-disclosure agreements with the Government may have access to information provided.  Submitting a response constitutes consent to allowing support contractors to review data submitted in response to this RFI.

Respondents are solely responsible for properly marking and clearly identifying any proprietary information or trade secrets contained within their response.  The Government shall not be liable for or suffer any consequential damages for proprietary information not properly identified.  Proprietary information will be safeguarded in accordance with the applicable Government regulations.

        7. Questions:

Questions regarding this RFI shall be submitted by e-mail to the Contracting Officer, Ryan Ksanznak at contact@example.gov.  Verbal questions will NOT be accepted.  The Government may respond to any specific questions or comments submitted in response to this RFI.  Any information submitted by respondents as a result of this RFI is strictly voluntary.