Surface Connector (X) Replacement Program

This Special Notice is for the purpose of announcing an Industry Day event for the Surface Connector (X) Replacement (SC(X)R) Program. Program Executive Office, Ships (PMS 377) and Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) intend to conduct an Industry Day briefing on the future SC(X)R acquisition program as part of the Multi-Agency Craft Conference (MACC) hosted by American Society of Naval Engineers (ASNE) at the Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, Virginia Beach, VA on 10 June 2014. BACKGROUND: SC(X)R is a potential future program which will replace the Navy's Landing Craft, Utility (LCU) 1610 Class. The LCU 1610 Class today provides the Navy's amphibious ships with an organic capability to move heavier equipment and forces than aircraft or air-cushioned vessels between ship and shore in a reliable, fuel efficient manner. Their reliability, range and ability to operate independently make them the craft of choice for many specialized missions in lower threat environments. Although designed for a 25 year service life, the existing LCU have been operational for an average of 43 years. Many systems are obsolete and costly to maintain. As they reach the end of their extended operational service life, shortfalls will exist in amphibious ship-to-shore lifts that exacerbate the challenges of supporting delivery of troops, cargo and equipment on unimproved beaches or shallow ports. INDUSTRY DAY INFORMATION: This Industry Day briefing will provide Industry partners the opportunity to learn the current status of the future SC(X)R acquisition program, as well as tour one of the LCU craft from Assault Craft Unit Two (ACU 2) as part of the MACC 2014. This event will be of interest to service craft capable shipyards/boatyards, as well as supporting boat and service craft systems' venders. Registration information for the MACC 2014 conference may be found at https://www.navalengineers.org/events/individualeventwebsites/MACC2014/registration/Pages/ASNELandingPage.aspx Industry questions resulting from the briefing will be treated as public and all questions and answers will be made publicly available after the Industry Day event via FEDBIZOPPS website (www.fbo.gov). It is the responsibility of Industry, when providing any questions or comments (solicited or unsolicited), to properly mark information that is considered proprietary or is otherwise restricted. Any information submitted by respondents as a result of this Special Notice is strictly voluntary. NOTICES REGARDING SOLICITATION: This Special Notice is for information only, and shall not be construed as a commitment by the Government to solicit contractual offers or award contracts. The Government is not soliciting, nor will it accept, proposals as a result of this Special Notice. This is not a request for proposals, a promise to issue a request for proposals, or a promise by the Government to pay for information received in response to this Special Notice or any subsequent Special Notice. Presentation of an Industry Day does not constitute a Request for Proposal and is not to be construed as a commitment, implied or otherwise, by the Government that a procurement action will be issued. No telephone inquiries will be accepted and requests for solicitation packages will not be honored, as no solicitation is intended at this time. No entitlement to payment of direct or indirect costs or charges by the Government will arise as a result any attendance at the Industry Day. The Government will not reimburse respondents for any questions submitted or information provided as a result of this notice. There is no funding associated with this announcement. The issuance this Special Notice does not restrict the Government as to its ultimate acquisition strategy. This information is subject to modification and in no way binds the Government to award a contract.