SEABASE TO SHORE CONNECTOR

The Seabase to Shore Connector (SSC) is the future craft for transporting vehicles and cargo from the seabase to shore. It is also the planned replacement craft for the current Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) Landing Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC) when those craft reach the end of their extended service lives. The SSC will provide high speed, over the horizon, heavy lift capability to transport the personnel, equipment and material of the United States Marine Corps' Marine Expeditionary Brigade (MEB) as established for year 2015. The SSC will have the ability to operate in the well deck of U.S. Navy amphibious ships; operate in planned amphibious and MPF ships; operate over beaches, ice, mud and marsh areas; operate in inland regions; ascend a beach gradient of five degrees from standstill and transport a cargo load of 140,000 pounds. Requirements for the SSC are not finalized. However, for purpose of this announcement, participants should assume that the SSC mus! t have capability and performance equivalent to or exceeding that of the LCAC SLEP craft. The LCAC SLEP is an air cushion vehicle with a design payload of 140,000 pounds, deck area of 1809 sq. feet and a speed of 50 knots at a Design Weight of 344,685 pounds. At a minimum, it can operate in loaded conditions in a sea state where significant wave heights do not exceed one foot. The following performance improvements for the SSC compared to SLEP LCAC will be analyzed during development: the ability to operate in higher sea state conditions; increased payload, range and speed; reduced crewing; reduced maintenance and operational costs; and increased reliability and maintainability. The SSC is in the early stages of development. An Initial Capabilities Document (ICD) is being prepared and approval of the document is expected in May 2006. An Analysis of Alternatives (AOA) will be conducted during FY 06 and a Systems and Technology Development (STD) Phase will follow in FY 07. Preliminary and Final Design of the SSC will continue between FY 08/09. Award of a contract for detail design and construction is expected in FY 10. To support the SSC AOA and the STD Phase, the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) intends to issue a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) in November 2005 for concept studies and technology development initiatives. The intent is to use a two phased approach. NAVSEA intends to award up to five Phase I concept studies with a value up to $200K each. Studies that are awarded shall require development of the concept to a point where the feasibility of meeting mission requirements can be assessed. NAVSEA also intends to award up to ten Pha! se I technology development initiatives with a value up to $200K each. The technology efforts will be those that could enhance the capabilities and performance of the SSC. Phase II contracts for additional development of a concept or technology may be made, without further competition, based on contractor proposals submitted at the end of Phase I. Phase II contracts will not exceed $1M each. In preparation for the release of the BAA, an industry day will be held 2-3 November 2005 in Memphis, TN at the Memphis Marriott East Hotel. The conference will start at 9:00 AM CST on 2 November and finish no later than 12:00 PM CST on 3 November. A limited number of rooms have been blocked; reference the Seabase to Shore Connector Industry Day. Hotel information is as follows: Memphis Marriott East, 2625 Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Memphis, TN 38118, Telephone: +1 (555) 000-0000, Fax: +1 (555) 000-0000, web site: http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/memtn. Responses of interest to this special notice must be provided via e-mail to Mr. Tom Murphy, SSC Assistant Acquisition Manager, at the following address: contact@example.gov. Responses shall include name, primary point of contact with full contact information (i.e., mailing address, telephone number, e-mail address), the areas of interest - concept studies and/or technology development, and a list of individuals who may attend the industry day. It is requested that responses be limited to one per company. Responses shall indicate whether your company is considered a small business. Respondents will receive information concerning the industry day, as well as additional background information that will better define the scope of the effort. Respondents will be requested to provide comment concerning this program at the industry day. It is requested that responses to this special notice be submitted by 21 October 2005. Questions concerning this special notice shall! be directed to Mr. Chris Sherman at telephone number +1 (555) 000-0000 or email at contact@example.gov (e-mail is preferred).