REQUEST FOR INFORMATION/SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE FOR EXISTING CABLE SHIPS

INTRODUCTION The Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), on behalf of the Support Ships, Boats, and Craft Program Office (PMS325) is conducting market research via a Request for Information (RFI)/Sources Sought Notice. This RFI/Sources Sought Notice is for planning purposes only. This information will be used to update and add to the information collected from Naval Sea Systems Command's (NAVSEA's) Request for Information (RFI)/Sources Sought Notice - N00024-22-R-2211, for Existing Cable Ships. WORK REQUIREMENTS The U.S. Navy requests information from vessel owners and/or operators of existing cable ships on the extent to which these vessels currently meet, or could be modified to meet, the following top level requirements: Purpose built to conduct deep water fiber optic cable installation and repair operations; Ability to conduct 60 day missions without refueling Sustained speed of at least 13 knots; Unrefueled range of 15,000 nm at 13 knots; Crew accommodations of at least 60 licensed personnel and 40 unlicensed personnel; Currently U.S.-flagged, or able to be reflagged; Classed by the American Bureau of Shipping (Or ability to be classed); DPS-2 position keeping and trackline through SS5 including trackline with 80 MT Sea Plow tow wire tension; Bollard pull of at least 120 MT for Sea Plow operation; Configuration of cable highway and tanks to support fiber optic cable laying and repair operations; Main cable tank capacity of at least 3,200m3 and at least 4,812 MT, and spare cable tank capacity of at least 500m3 and at least 688 MT; Ability to load a variety of different fiber optic cable types on one underway; Cable drum engine (CDE) overboarding tension capacity of 50 MT and holding two cables simultaneously with 40 MT tension on each CDE; Linear Cable Engine (LCE) overboarding tension capacity of 13.6 MT; Cable installation and repair operations through SS5; Deploy and retrieve ROV and Sea Plow through SS5; Ability to operate a Sea Plow with burial up to 3m at a maximum water depth of 1,500m; Ability to operate remotely-operated vehicles (ROVs) for Post Lay Inspection and Burial (PLIB) at burial depths up to 1m at a maximum water depth of 3,000m including an Acoustic Navigation Tracking System; Facilities for cable splicing and testing; Ability to conduct cable repairs at water depths of up to 8,000m (22,965ft.); Maximum draft of 8.08m; Ability to navigate in light first year ice conditions. INSTRUCTIONS TO INTERESTED PARTIES Interested parties are free to submit any information which may assist the Navy in its market research. Information of interest includes: Availability for purchase and cost of an existing cable ship in the FY23 to FY24 time period and: the extent to which this ship meets the above top level requirements; annual operating costs of this ship; Feasibility and costs associated with modifying an existing cable ship to meet the above requirements not currently met; Respondents should submit their responses in electronic format via e-mail by 03 June 2022 to Mr. Darryl Resio, PEO SHIPS (PMS325) at darryl.resio@navy.mil and Ms. Caitlin Jarecki, PEO SHIPS (PMS325) at caitlin.jarecki@navy.mil. The RFI response file shall be in PDF format, with file name including the title of this RFI and your company name. Submissions may be accepted after this date, but feedback may not be as timely or contribute to NAVSEA's strategic planning. NO QUESTIONS VIA TELEPHONE WILL BE ACCEPTED. DISCLAIMER This is a Request for Information (RFI) notice only. This RFI is for informational planning purposes and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government for any actual procurement of materials, machinery, or services. This notice does not constitute a solicitation or a promise of a solicitation in the future. This RFI does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service. Respondents are advised that the Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI. All costs associated with responding to this RFI are solely at the responding parties expense. 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. Respondents are solely responsible for properly marking and clearly identifying any 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. Proprietary information received in response to this RFI will be safeguarded and handled in accordance with applicable Government regulations. Responses to this notice are not offers and will not be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract or agreement. The Government will not be obligated to pursue any particular acquisition alternative because of this RFI. Responses to the RFI will not be returned. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future solicitation, if one is issued. Specific responses to the approaches will not disqualify or have an impact on participation and evaluation on future solicitations.