Request for Information (RFI): Over-the-Horizon V Cutter Boat (OTH-V)

The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) is looking for additional information in preparation for the Over-the-Horizon Cutter Boat (OTH-V) acquisition. The Over the Horizon cutter boat is a standard configuration boat capable of performing missions that require the projection of the USCG capabilities beyond the parent cutter. Missions will be performed throughout a spectrum of climates, weather conditions, sea states, and at all hours, day and night. The contract scope is anticipated to approach 200 boats delivered over a ten-year period. The acquisition strategy is anticipated to be a two-phased approach (Phase 1: Paper Proposal Evaluation, Phase 2: In-Water Validation). Approximate OTH-V Characteristics: Length: 26 feet (maximum extreme dimensions) Beam: 9.0 feet (maximum extreme dimensions) Weight: ~7500 lbs (full fuel, no personnel) Comms: HF, UHF, VHF, DSC, AIS Navigation: Scalable Integrated Navigation System-2 with radar Seating: Shock Mitigating for five, designated for eight additional Stability: ISO 12217-1 Structure: ISO 12215-5 Propulsion: Diesel Engine with Waterjet propulsion Top Speed: 40 knots Range: 200 NM (with 10% fuel reserve) Interface: Dual Point Davit, Single Point Davit with Sling, Stern Notch Planned Sequence of Events: 1. Request for Proposal released resulting in written proposal submission. 2. Written proposals evaluated with up to four selected for award of an IDIQ contract with one boat minimum. 3. One boat ordered from each of the IDIQ contracts and delivered to a designated in-water evaluation location. 4. In-water evaluations completed. 5. Selection of a single contractor. 6. Approximately four boats ordered and delivered for use in a 4-6 month operational test and evaluation period and production is stopped. 7. Results from the operational test and evaluation generate minor modifications that are incorporated prior to restarting production. 8. Production restarts at approximately 12 boats per year in the first year of regular production, growing to between 24-30 boats per year by the second or third year of production. Requested Information: 1. What is a reasonable length of time for written proposal preparation? 2. What is a reasonable period of time to build the boat for the in-water evaluation? 3. What is a reasonable time period to deliver all 4 OT&E boats? (don't have to be delivered at the same time) 4. Is 24-30 boats per year a reasonable delivery rate? 5. With an expectation of 150 operational hours per year - is a ten-year service life reasonable? 6. What would be the impacts of requiring a 15-year service life? 7. 3D Modeling a. What 3D modeling software are you using? b. Do you consider this to be the Boat Building Industry standard for 3D modeling? 8. Cyber Vulnerabilities a. Are you aware of boat building industry approaches to address potential cyber vulnerabilities (electronics, control systems, etc)? b. Are these cyber vulnerabilities being addressed by suppliers as normal business, or is it only addressed based on Government Contracting requirements? c. Are you addressing cyber vulnerabilities as a boat builder? 9. What is your size and socio-economic status? Responses to this RFI shall be submitted to Jennifer Sokolower at Jennifer.G.Sokolower@uscg.mil and SKC Christopher Katz at Christopher.A.Katz@uscg.mil. This special notice is for market research and planning purposes only. It does not constitute a solicitation and shall not be construed as a commitment by the Government to award a contract from responses to this announcement. Any information submitted by interested parties is strictly voluntary and no monetary compensation will be provided for response preparation.