Request for Information (RFI): Special Mission Vessel (SMV) – Helicopter, Unmanned Aerial System (UAS), Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) & Small Craft Support Vessel

1.0 INTRODUCTION & PURPOSE

This Request for Information (RFI) is being issued by the U.S. Navy, Portfolio Acquisition Executive (PAE) Maritime code PMS 300, for market research and planning purposes only. This RFI does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future.  Submission of any information in response to this market survey is purely voluntary; the government assumes no financial responsibility for any costs incurred. 

The Government is conducting market research to identify potential industry sources capable of providing a multi-mission vessel optimized for maritime security, including minimally a Class 2 Unmanned Aircraft Systems with Due Regard Alternative Means of Compliance (DRAMOC), small boat launch and recovery interdiction operations, and partner nation (PN) integration. In support of this requirement, the Government is explicitly soliciting capability statements for both the design and new construction of a vessel, as well as the acquisition and necessary modification of an existing vessel. The respondents should seek to use existing, non-developmental platforms to the maximum extent possible.  All respondents must clearly identify their proposed acquisition approach in their submissions and provide relevant supporting details, such as projected timelines and shipyard capacity for new builds, or the current material condition and required modifications for existing vessels.

The terms "commercial items" and "non-developmental items" are defined in Part 2 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR).

2.0 BACKGROUND

PMS 300 is exploring the acquisition of a versatile, modular maritime platform capable of sustained independent operations. The primary mission of this vessel will be to serve as an afloat forward-deployed operations and staging base for UAS, USV, small boat, and U.S. / multi-national command and control (C2) missions capable of sustained communication in varied sea states.

3.0 TECHNICAL CAPABILITY REQUIREMENTS

Interested vendors must demonstrate the ability to provide a vessel meeting or exceeding the following minimum technical specifications:

Hull & Dimensions    

• Length Overall (LOA): Approximately  300 – 400 feet
• Hull Form: Steel monohull or catamaran

Regulatory and Classification Society

• 46 CFR Subchapter I or U
• ABS XA1, Ⓔ, XAMS, XACCU, unrestricted service.
• SOLAS, MARPOL, COLREGS, ICLL certificates
• Panama Canal compliant

Seakeeping & Performance   

• Speed: 10 knots minimum sustained speed
• Range: 9,600 NM at 10 knots
• Seakeeping: Capable of conducting primary operations and surviving in Beaufort Wind Scale Scale 6 (Sea State 5) or greater. Capable of performing boat launch and recovery operations in Beaufort Wind Scale 4 (Sea State 4).
• Endurance: Minimum of 30 days at sea without underway replenishment or resupply for maximum number of personnel
• Aviation / UAS Capabilities
  • Flight deck/helicopter pad certified in accordance with NAVAIR Air Capable Ships Aviation Facilities Bulletin 1M for day/night operations with service facilities.
  • Flight deck/helicopter pad capable of launching and recovering Sikorsky SH-60, MH-60 Seahawk, MH-60T Jayhawk and MH-65 Dolphin helicopters. 
  • Flight deck/helicopter pad capable of launching and recovering vertical take-off Class 2/3 UAS platforms
  • Minimum 20x20 ft dedicated clear deck space for UAS recovery and storage
  • Sockets for minimum two 20’ TEU containers for UAS control and maintenance
• Small Boat & Watercraft Handling
  • Non-deck crane based small boat launch and recovery system capable of supporting various boats between 24 and 44 ft in length and weighing up to 35,000 lbs: :
    • Elevator or boat lift system (universal cradle) or;
    • Integrated or deployable boat ramp or;
    • Welldeck
• Weapons and Ordnance Stowage
  • Capable of supporting AT/FP .50 cal mounts
  • A 160 sq ft armory for the storage, maintenance, and issuance of military small arms
  • 100 sq ft magazine for the storage of ammunition and ordnance
• Small crane (fixed/portable or “yellow gear”) for emergency recovery of UAS / USV or other watercraft
• Space, Weight, and Power (SWaP) reservations for future installation of GFE topside equipment including VHF/UHF/HF and SATCOM antennas, EO/IR cameras, and air search radar (DRAMOC) (minimum 75 nm range)

Fuel

• The vessel shall be capable of receiving and storing various grades of fuel for propulsion, ships auxiliaries and delivery to small boats and craft.
  • Diesel fuel from ships services tanks
  • Minimum 7,000 gallons of MOGAS storage and service system
  • Minimum 300 gallons of AVGAS storage and service system .
• The vessel must be designated as a refueler vessel and meet USCG requirements to ensure safe and effective refueling operations.

Towing/Mooring        

• Primary/secondary towing capability integrated into the aft deck
• Mooring/Line handling of U.S. and PN vessels being brought aboard or moored alongside

Modularity & C2       

• Command and Control (C2) space capability for mission planning and execution with Secure and unsecure communications capability (SIPR/NIPR). Notional 750 sq ft SCIF and 200 sq ft Radio Room.
• Modular compartment architecture designed for rapid reconfiguration and modernization

Berthing & Accommodations

• Total required berthing for up to 59 personnel, broken down as follows:

• 20 – 25 Civilian Mariner Staterooms
• 29 – 44-person embarked crewmember open berthing
• Comprehensive support facilities: refueling, reprovisioning, limited maintenance, equipment stowage, medical, messing, laundry, and administrative/operational spaces
• Secure detainee space with suitable AC / ventilation for 10 – 12 people

Storage

• Two 20-foot equivalent unit (TEU) container sockets in the vicinity of the flight deck/helicopter pad

4.0  DESIGN AND SHIPYARD BACKGROUND EXECUTION

1. How long would it take to deliver, in months?
2. Does your shipyard have capacity to immediately start construction? If not, when could construction start at your shipyard?
3. Who should the Government contact if it wants to arrange a visit to see an existing ship?
4. If proposing a new build, has the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), Det Norske Veritas (DNV), Lloyds, or another International Association of Classification Society (IACS) previously classified this design?  If not, how long do you anticipate that taking and at what cost (+/- 10% confidence range)?
5. If a new proposing a new build, the last time the ship was constructed, what was the total material and construction cost at delivery?
6. If proposing a vessel conversion, provide the current vessel cut sheet and general arrangement drawing.
7. If proposing a vessel conversion, provide an estimate in months, to complete the engineering and obtain classification body/Regulatory approval associated of the conversion drawings.
8. For the small boat handling, provide proposed means to meet the requirement.
9. Within a +/- 10% confidence range, what is your current total cost estimate for delivery of a Special Mission Vessel meeting the Technical Capability Requirements of Section 3.0?
10. Who owns the data rights to the design? If a commercial design, please describe any current or future restrictions on the Government’s right to use, modify, reproduce, release, perform, display, or disclose technical data, as described in DFARS 252.227-7015. 

 5.0 SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

Interested parties should submit a white paper capability statement detailing their experience, technical approach to meeting the requirements listed in Section 3.0 AND Section 4.0, and rough order of magnitude (ROM) timelines for design and construction.

If your organization has the potential capacity to perform the above described efforts, please provide the following information on company letterhead: 1) Organization name, address, e-mail address, web site address, telephone number, and size and type of ownership for the organization; and 2) Tailored capability statements addressing the particulars of this effort, with appropriate documentation supporting claims of organizational and staff capability. If significant subcontracting or teaming (>20%) is anticipated to deliver technical and industrial capability, organizations should address the administrative and management structure of such arrangements.

BASED ON THE RESPONSES TO THIS SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE/MARKET RESEARCH, THIS REQUIREMENT MAY BE SET-ASIDE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES OR PROCURED THROUGH FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION. In accordance with FAR 52.219-14, should the prospective contract be competed as a small business set aside, the prospective offeror would be required to perform 50% of the cost of manufacturing, to include industrial work, planning, engineering, and program management.  If you are a small business, include a description of your plan to meet the requirements within the capability statement portion of your submission.

Interested parties who consider themselves qualified to perform the objective’s herein described efforts are invited to submit a response to this Sources Sought Notice by 1500 EDT on 26 August 2026.

If you have any questions concerning this opportunity, please contact the point of contact Kirby Tucker contact@example.gov and Anthony O’Rourke contact@example.gov, Subject: SMV RFI

Respondents are responsible for properly marking and clearly identifying proprietary information or trade secrets contained within their response. The Government will not be liable for or suffer any consequential damages for any proprietary information not properly marked and clearly identified. Information provided shall be treated as Business Sensitive and will not be shared outside of Government activities and agencies without the permission of the provider. Classified material SHALL NOT be submitted.

Telephone inquiries will not be accepted or acknowledged, and no feedback or evaluations will be provided to companies regarding their submissions.

Please follow the method below to submit your response:

1.  Upload and submit your response to the Safe Access File Exchange (SAFE) application (https://safe.apps.mil).  Please follow the steps below:

A.        Proceed as a Guest user by clicking on "I do not have a CAC or this machine is not configured to read my CAC and I would like to access SAFE as a Guest User"

B.        Fill in all required fields

C.        Upload your Sources Sought response and grant file access to the following email address: contact@example.gov and contact@example.gov.

D.        Click the "Submit" button