Sources Sought for Engineering and Technical Services in Support of Ocean Environment and Ship Characteristics Measurement and Analysis

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) FOR SOLICITATION N00167-17-R-0008 THIS REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) is being issued by Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division (NSWCCD). NSWCCD has a requirement for engineering and technical services directly supporting the near-shore and open-ocean environment (hereinafter referred to as "ocean environment") research objectives of the Naval Architecture and Engineering Department (Code 80) and Ship Signatures Department (Code 70). The proposed procurement is designed to enhance the U.S. Navy's understanding of ship behavior and performance in the operational environment, specifically within the oceanic and atmospheric boundary layers. The work will include the measurement, analysis, and forecasting of oceanic and atmospheric phenomena in the ocean environment. The work also includes the design, development, integration, employment, and support of new, emerging, or existing ocean sensor technologies and the planning and execution of shipboard, small craft, ocean, ocean-pier, and laboratory testing and analysis. It is the Government's intention to procure this recurring service requirement from the incumbent contractor, University of California, San Diego (UCSD), Scripps Institution of Oceanography (hereinafter referred to as "SIO"), utilizing other than full and open competition in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.302-1. Only SIO meets the Government's need without unacceptable delays in fulfilling the agency's requirements. SIO is uniquely qualified to continue performance of this work by virtue of their technical expertise and experience in the fields of oceanography and hydrodynamics, as well as the oceanographic facilities and University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System (UNOLS) research vessels they possess. Ocean environment research is a major mission component of NSWCCD and the U.S. Navy and requires specialized test facilities to perform these services. The ability to execute tasks is contingent upon testing platforms specifically designed for use in the ocean environment, such as the SIO restricted-access pier, SIO-based UNOLS research vessels, and the Office of Naval Research (ONR) Floating Instrumentation Platform (R/P FLIP). The Scripps Pier in La Jolla, CA, is a SIO test platform with restricted-access that provides the necessary view of unidirectional waves desired for a variety of U.S. Navy research efforts including hydrodynamic loading of structures and measurement of electromagnetic multipath effects from ocean clutter. The location of the pier on the eastern edge of the Pacific Ocean Basin exposes it to a larger amount of ocean swell when compared to the Atlantic. The presence of a deep canyon that reaches 1,000 feet of water depth within two miles of the pier allows for minimal reduction of incident wave energy. The Scripps Pier is also the only pier capable of year-round (weather independent) observation and monitoring. Located nearly 34 feet above Mean Lower Low Water (MLLW) level with test support facilities (including a data network), the pier is ideally suited for measurements of simplified, realistic ocean wave phenomena. SIO's Marine Physical Laboratory (MPL) was originally established as a U.S. Navy-orientated research facility. It has a number of UNOLS vessels including the R/V Roger Revelle, R/V Sally Ride, and R/V Robert Gordon Sproul, all of which are fully-outfitted for at-sea testing and include the ability to readily incorporate new and unique instrumentation. Each vessel includes a shipboard technical support team comprised of highly trained specialists who perform maintenance and operation of research instrumentation and computing resources. MPL also operates and maintains ONR's R/P FLIP. R/P FLIP is a unique 350-foot vessel that vertically rotates 90 degrees (once placed on station) and serves as a large instrumented open-ocean spar buoy, enabling data collection of ocean phenomena requiring long observation periods with a minimal acoustical signature. For the reasons identified above, NSWCCD intends to issue a solicitation to SIO to meet mission requirements. Prior to issuing a sole source solicitation, NSWCCD is requesting information in order to make an informed determination regarding procurement strategy. The proposed procurement is a follow-on to Contract N00167-11-D-0011 and will be similarly structured as an Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) Completion contract valued at $11.5M over a five year ordering period. A copy of the DRAFT Performance Work Statement (PWS) is attached. SUBMISSION OF RESPONSES: Responses shall include specific details regarding the ability to provide the required services and testing platforms to meet the Government's need. Responses shall discuss how services and testing platforms will meet the requirements found in the PWS. Responses are not to exceed 10 pages in length. A cover page for the response shall be included. The cover page, at a minimum, shall include the company name, address, points of contact (name(s), e-mail address(es), and telephone number(s)), Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number, Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) code, and business size status for North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541330. The cover page is not considered in the total page count. NSWCCD will accept only electronic unclassified submission of responses. Responses shall be sent to Mr. Christopher - Scott' Bezold via e-mail at christopher.bezold@navy.mil. All responses shall be submitted no later than 26 May 2017 at 16:30 hours Eastern Daytime Time (EDT). This RFI is for market research purposes only and does NOT constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP). This notice shall not be construed as a contract, a promise to contract, or as a commitment of any kind by the Government. The Government is NOT seeking or accepting unsolicited proposals. This RFI is issued solely for conducting market research in accordance with FAR Part 10 and gathering information for planning purposes. The Government WILL NOT PAY for any information received in response to this RFI, and the Government will not compensate the respondent for any cost incurred in developing the response to this RFI. The Government will not release any information marked with a proprietary legend received in response to this RFI to any firms, agencies, or individuals outside the Government without written permission in accordance with the legend. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned.