Scaffolding Services

Sources Sought Notice: Scaffolding and Environmental Containment System

I. Introduction & Purpose

This is a Sources Sought notice issued for market research purposes only. This is not a solicitation for proposals, and no contract will be awarded from this notice.

The U.S. Government is seeking to identify qualified sources under Product Service Code (PSC) J019 (Maintenance, Repair, and Rebuilding of Equipment- Ship and Marine Equipment) and NAICS Code 238190 (Other Foundation, Structure, and Building Exterior Contractors). The objective is to determine the availability of capable firms to provide a comprehensive, engineered scaffolding and environmental containment system for a submarine undergoing maintenance at Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY), Portsmouth, VA.

The results of this market research will be used to determine if this requirement can be set aside for Small Businesses or a specific socio-economic category (e.g., SDVOSB, 8(a), HUBZone). Interested vendors are encouraged to review the attached Statement of Work (SOW) for detailed requirements.

II. Background & Scope of Requirement

The requirement is to furnish and install a modular scaffolding system that provides complete access to the submarine's exterior while also creating a fully sealed, climate-controlled environment for sensitive industrial work. The system must be engineered to hug the vessel's complex curved geometry and support heavy environmental loads.

The work is divided into the following zones:

Zone

Location by Frame Number

Key Requirements

1. Fore Section

Forward Perpendicular (FP) to Frame 12

Scaffolding from the drydock floor up to the hull's main horizontal axis.

2. Mid-Body & Sail

Port: Frames 12 to 51Starboard: Frames 12 to 53

Main body enclosure requiring a Layher-type modular scaffold and a Haki Trak 750 (or equivalent) roof system for full environmental containment.

3. Aft Section

Frames 122/132 to Aft Perpendicular (AP)

Scaffolding to provide complete access to the stern dive planes (stabilizers) and the upper rudder.

III. Key Performance & Technical Constraints

Vendors must demonstrate the capability to meet the following high-risk requirements detailed in the attached SOW:

• Aggressive Schedule: The contractor must complete the full scaffolding and containment build within 30 calendar days of the official "hull release" and execute a complete teardown and site removal within 20 calendar days of the directive.
• Engineered Solution: The system must be a Layher-type "ring-lock" scaffold (or approved equal) and include a Haki Trak 750 (or equal) roof. The full containment wrap must be engineered to withstand shipyard wind loads of up to 40 mph.
• Shipyard Security: All contractor personnel must be U.S. citizens and must be able to successfully pass background checks to obtain Defense Biometrics Identification System (DBIDS) credentials for unescorted access to Norfolk Naval Shipyard.
• Safety & Environmental Compliance: The contractor must provide a dedicated, full-time on-site Environmental, Safety, and Health (ESH) representative and two trained Environmental Coordinators to manage hazardous waste in accordance with NNSY standards.

IV. Submission Instructions & Questionnaire

Interested parties are requested to submit a capability statement, not to exceed 3 pages, addressing the questions below. Please submit responses via email to Janice Trader, janice.d.trader.civ@us.navy.mil and Jeremy Weible, jeremy.r.weible.civ@us.navy.mil

 no later than September 1, 2026 by 2:00PM.

1. Company Profile: Provide your company name, address, CAGE code, UEI, and certified business size/socio-economic status.
2. Technical Experience: Describe your firm's experience providing engineered, modular scaffolding and environmental containment systems for marine or large-scale industrial projects. Specifically address experience with Layher-type systems, Haki Trak roofs, and wind-load calculations as detailed in the attached SOW.
3. Project Management & Schedule: Explain your plan to meet the aggressive 30-day erection and 20-day teardown schedule. Describe your firm's ability to rapidly mobilize a qualified and cleared workforce.
4. Security & Compliance: Confirm your ability to provide a 100% U.S. citizen workforce. Describe your experience and process for obtaining DBIDS credentials for your employees.
5. Financial Capability: This project requires a significant upfront investment in Contractor Furnished Material (CFM) to meet the aggressive 30-day build schedule. Describe your firm’s financial capacity and/or access to credit to manage the high-volume material procurement required before government invoicing cycles begin.

V. Disclaimer

This Sources Sought notice is for market research and planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation or a promise to issue a solicitation in the future. This notice does not commit the U.S. Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. The Government will not award a contract based on this notice, nor will it pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this notice. All costs associated with responding to this notice will be solely at the interested party's expense. Submitting a response is voluntary. Not responding to this notice does not preclude participation in any future solicitation, if one is issued.