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INTRODUCTION This Request for Information (RFI)/Sources Sought Notice is being issued by the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), on behalf of the Auxiliary and Special Mission Shipbuilding Program Off... INTRODUCTION This Request for Information (RFI)/Sources Sought Notice is being issued by the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), on behalf of the Auxiliary and Special Mission Shipbuilding Program Office (PMS325) for the Cable Repair Ship (T-ARC(X)). PMS325 is (1) conducting general market research, (2) assessing the industrial base capability, and (3) requesting feedback on the draft T-ARC(X) System Specification via this Request for Information (RFI)/Sources Sought Notice. All interested parties, including but not limited to capable small businesses are encouraged to respond to this RFI. Lack of response by capable small businesses may influence the Government’s determination regarding the potential for a small business set aside exists. This RFI/Sources Sought Notice is for planning purposes only. DISCLAIMER This is a Request for Information (RFI) notice only. This RFI is for informational and planning purposes only, and shall not 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 as a result of this RFI. All costs associated with responding to this RFI are solely 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 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, as a result of any proprietary information not being 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. The Government does not anticipate providing any formal responses to this market research or the comments/questions provided but will utilize this information to improve planning and acquisition efforts. 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. WORK REQUIREMENTS T-ARC(X) will replace the existing ship capability of USNS Zeus (T-ARC 7), the Navy’s only cable repair ship. T-ARC(X) will be built to commercial standards, American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) Class Marine Vessel Rules (MVR), comply with Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Regulations, and obtain a United States Coast Guard (USCG) Certification. Release of the Detail Design and Construction (DD&C) RFP is planned for FY24. Multiple contracting strategies are being considered, including multiple preliminary design contracts with down-select for DD&C, and multiple industry studies contracts with full and open competition for DD&C. A single award for Lead Ship DD&C anticipated in FY26, with an option for a second ship to be exercised in FY29. The ships will be procured and built in the U.S. A Technical Data Package (TDP) is under development based on feedback from the T-ARC(X) Industry Studies concluded in February 2022. The TDP will include the draft System Specification and reflect current requirements, which have changed significantly. INSTRUCTIONS TO INTERESTED PARTIES The Navy is interested in conducting market research from interested parties capable of designing, integrating, and/or constructing a cable installation and repair ship, its major integrated systems, as described in the draft System Specification, and assessing the interest and/or capabilities of the small business industrial base. Design agents, integrators, suppliers, and shipbuilding industry participants are encouraged to submit the portion of the below information that is applicable to their interest and expertise. Interested parties are free to submit any information which may assist the Navy in its market research. The draft System Specification is provided to allow industry the opportunity to comment on the reasonableness, feasibility, and affordability of the requirement, as well as promote competition. Due to the sensitivity of the information, copies of the draft System Specification will only be made available upon written request and will only be provided to Shipyards who can build the T-ARC(X). Market Research information requested: Indicate the impact of contracting strategy and funding year for each ship on ability to perform and/or interest in this opportunity. Design and engineering capability, whether in-house and/or subcontracted. If the respondent is a shipyard, provide a description of construction facilities and projected workload, a yard plan which includes available build position(s) capable of handling the notional cable ship transition and launch process from build position(s), producibility considerations for cable ships and whether the facility has the capacity to build two T-ARC(X) ships at the same time. If the respondent is a shipyard, provide a description of maximum length, beam and draft for ship construction at your facility Previous contracts and experience for DD&C of ships of similar size and complexity, particularly hull form, structures, propulsion, cable handling systems, and Sea Plow and ROV handling systems. Size of the respondent’s company, average annual revenue for the past three years and the number of employees. Risk areas and recommended mitigation activities NAVSEA should consider in its acquisition planning. Responses should use the PMS325 Market Research Questionnaire format (Enclosure 1) and Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) (Enclosure 2). Respondents shall indicate the extent to which incorporation of their feedback will influence their ability and/or interest in pursuing this opportunity. If the respondent is a Small Business, please complete the enclosed Industrial Base Capabilities Assessment Questionnaire (Enclosure 3). All small businesses MUST complete the capabilities questionnaire. Please note that failure to respond to this RFI may affect the Government’s small business set aside decision. Respondents may provide feedback on the draft System Specification via the attached Specification Feedback Form (Enclosure 4). Comments that recommend changes to the draft System Specification shall be accompanied by supporting rationale for how the proposed change will quantitatively impact system performance, cost, and/or schedule. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Respondents should submit Market Research and Industrial Base Capabilities Assessment responses in electronic format via e-mail by 27 July 2023 to Mr. Spencer Rice, NAVSEA 02, at spencer.e.rice5.civ@us.navy.mil AND Mr. Kurt Boyles, NAVSEA 02, at kurt.r.boyles.civ@us.navy.mil. Respondents should submit feedback on the draft System Specification in electronic format via e-mail by 28 August 2023 to Mr. Spencer Rice, NAVSEA 02, at spencer.e.rice5.civ@us.navy.mil AND Mr. Kurt Boyles, NAVSEA 02, at kurt.r.boyles.civ@us.navy.mil. RFI response files shall be in PDF format, with file name including the Notice ID and your company name. Submissions may be accepted after this date, but feedback may not contribute to NAVSEA’s strategic planning.