SPECIAL NOTICE
99 -- RFI for Dry Shallow Water Combat Submersible (SWCS)
- Notice Date
- 11/28/2007
- Notice Type
- Special Notice
- Contracting Office
- N00024 1333 Isaac Hull Avenue S.E. Washington Navy Yard, DC
- ZIP Code
- 00000
- Solicitation Number
- DON-SNOTE-071128-002
- Archive Date
- 2/8/2008
- E-Mail Address
-
Email your questions to John.Piunno@navy.mil
(john.piunno@navy.mil)
- Description
- SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)/MARKET SURVEY for a host submarine launched, Shallow Water Combat Submersible (SWCS) that will continue to provide theater Special Operation Forces (SOF) commanders the operational capability to conduct SOF shallow water undersea operations, while providing a dry environment to SOF SWCS operators and personnel during transit. This dry SWCS will adhere to the requirements for certification listed in the U.S Navy System Certification Procedure and Criteria Manual for Deep Submergence Systems (SS800-AG-MAN-010/P9290). Note that Special Operations Command (SOCOM) is conducting multiple marketing surveys in support of various methods of conducting the shallow water mission. This RFI is one in a series of such RFIs that support that mission. BACKGROUND: Mark VIII SEAL Delivery Vehicles (SDVs) have been in service for several decades. As free-flooding ??wet?? vehicles, the operators transit to the operational site in a wet, often cold or hot, environment breathing from SCUBA gear. Accordingly, they arrive at the operational site in less than optimum physical condition to begin the mission ashore. It is desirable to determine the feasibility of a SWCS in which the occupants can transit in a dry environment. The Navy and SOCOM are now also considering a new design of the Dry Deck Shelter (DDS) with a hangar up to 10 feet longer than current DDSs. This new DDS, if built, could accommodate SWCS vehicles up to 10 feet longer than current SDVs. OPERATIONAL SCENARIOS: The new dry SWCS will clandestinely transport SOF personnel and equipment in a dry environment into littoral waters and harbors. The SWCS must provide the capability for personnel and equipment to exit and re-enter the vehicle while submerged, without releasing bubbles to the surface. The new dry SWCS must address a wide range of operational challenges including the growing ability of hostile nations to detect, identify and target SOF conducting undersea tasks. Thus, this SWCS will have a modular subsystem design conducive to accommodating upgrades to processors and sensors. This dry SWCS will improve the Mk VIII Mod 1 SDV current capability of moving SOF operators and equipment payload through shallow water. Moreover, the dry SWCS will increase current payload limitations while offering extended tactical mission duration not available with use of the Mk VIII Mod 1 SDV. In similar fashion to the Mk VIII SDV, the new SWCS will be compatible with designated DDS configured submarines which will continue to serve as the primary host for future SOF undersea mobility platforms. As a result, the new dry SWCS will have the necessary interfaces to be stowed in the host DDS for required maintenance and replenishment. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS: These general, unclassified system requirements are applicable: A) Passengers/Crew: * B) Cargo payload: * C) Minimum Operational Water Depth: Permit safe operations, specifically including offload and onload of personnel and payload, in water depth as shallow as 10 feet seawater [Objective] Permit safe operations, specifically including offload and onload of personnel and payload, in water depth as shallow as 15 feet seawater [Threshold] D) Combat Radius: * E) Launch and Recovery/ DDS SDV Track & Cradle Compatibility: Automated launch and recovery without requiring the assistance of support personnel exposed to sea pressure [Objective] Diver-aided launch and recovery compatible with current SDV launch and recovery track and cradle platform on current DDS [Threshold] F) NET-Ready: 100% of interfaces; services; policy-enforcement controls; and data correctness, availability and processing requirements in the Joint integrated architecture. [Objective] 100% of interfaces; services; policy-enforcement controls; and data correctness, availability and processing requirements designated as enterprise-level or critical in the Joint integrated architecture. [Threshold] G) Force Protection/Survivability: SWCS shall have the ability to detect threats commensurate with the threat environment using passive sensors, i.e. passive sonar, and ESM [Objective]. SWCS shall have the ability to detect threats consistent with the Mark VIII Mod 1 SDV technologies [Threshold]. H) Acoustic Signature: * I) Personnel Breathing Air System Capacity: 10 personnel for 24 hours at 30 feet seawater plus emergency reserve capacity for 72 hours [Objective] 8 personnel for 12 hours at 30 feet seawater plus emergency reserve sufficient to allow all personnel to y return to the surface [Threshold] J) Navigation Accuracy: +/- 20 yards along track +/- 7 yards cross track @ 10nm in 15-700 FSW. The navigation system will allow safe and accurate navigation, to include an integrated precision navigation system such as an inertial navigation system (INS) augmented by Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module (SAASM) Compliant GPS. [Objective] +/- 81 yards along track +/- 350 yards cross track @ 10nm in 15-100 FSW. The navigation system will allow safe and accurate navigation, to include an integrated precision navigation system such as an inertial navigation system (INS) augmented by Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module (SAASM) Compliant GPS. [Threshold] K) Tactical Transportability: * L) Boat Air/Ballast/Trim System Capacity: ?? 800lbs buoyancy [Objective] ?? 500lbs buoyancy [Threshold] Air/Ballast systems buoyancy will adjust to provide an overall neutral buoyancy to control pitch and avoid sinking/rising/floating with cargo. M) Operational Water Temperature: 28-100 ??F [Objective] 32-95 ??F [Threshold] N) Maximum Operating Depth: 350 feet seawater [Objective] 190 feet seawater [Threshold] NOTE: SWCS must provide for normal and emergency means of achieving occupant safety** in case of a single point failure which could lead to a depth excursion deeper than maximum operating depth. ** (For example, via rapid exit from SWCS or re-establishing SWCS control to maintain depth above maximum operating depth) O) Administrative Transportability: Administrative transportability will include air movement by C-17, C-5, and C-130 aircraft, and land movement via transporter and trailer on US roads/highways and unprepared terrain. A transporter/trailer will be required to move SWCS overland and on/off aircraft. The system components shall withstand the vibration and shock experienced during transportation by road vehicles, rail transport, aircraft, or submarine consistent with the current Mark VIII Mod 1 SDV. The shock and vibration characteristics for the Mk V Special Operations Craft (SOC) should be used as a design guide. [Objective] The SWCS shall meet all above requirements with the exception of air transport by C-130, and land transport over unprepared terrain [Threshold]. P) Cruise/Max Speeds Submerged: * Q) Diver-to-Diver, Diver-to-SWCS, and SWCS-to-Host Communications: * R) Communications While Docked: SWCS and subsystems will utilize secure wireless connection to host for data exchange. SWCS shall be capable of wireless digital networking from within DDS to host using COTS standard equipment. [Objective] SWCS and subsystems will utilize umbilical cable connection to host platform for data exchange. [Threshold] S) Performance & Mission Availability: 15 twelve-hour missions without a critical failure with 0.95 reliability over 15 days of use in a 30 day period [Objective]. 10 twelve-hour missions without a critical failure with 0.90 reliability over 10 days of use in a 30 day period [Threshold]. T) Sensor Mast: * U) Docking System: Rendezvous system able to detect host at 3000 yards. System shall support automated docking with no deck crew required [Objective]. Rendezvous system able to detect host at 2000 yards. Automated docking with no deck crew required is preferred [Threshold]. V) Obstacle Avoidance Sensor (OAS): * W) Broad Area Sensor: * X) Tactical Replenishment Turn-Around: Water, air and battery replenishment duration no longer than 12 hours while stowed in DDS aboard host platform. Dry SWCS may incorporate new energy efficiency technologies/methods to reduce turn-around and support subsystem upgrades/enhancements. [Objective] Water, air and battery replenishment duration no longer than 24 hours while stowed in DDS aboard host platform. Dry SWCS may incorporate new energy efficiency technologies/methods to reduce turn-around and support subsystem upgrades/enhancements. [Threshold] Y) Cache & Loiter: * Z) SWCS Overall Dimensions: No taller/wider/longer than the space available in the current DDS (96 inches diameter not including installed track and cradle, and 22 feet long from bubble station to aft interior point of elliptical hangar outer door). The SWCS must be capable of being loaded with equipment, manned, and maintained while enclosed in the DDS. [Objective] No taller/wider than the space in current DDS, but a length of up to 10 feet longer to be accommodated by a new or modified DDS. The SWCS must be capable of being loaded with equipment, manned, and maintained while enclosed in the DDS. [Threshold] AA) Maximum Diver Deployment Depth: Equipment and life support systems will operate as deep as 300 ft seawater, limited by established safety practices exercised from using the U.S. Dive Manual for Open and Closed Circuit Mixed Gas Diving [Objective] Equipment and life support systems will operate as deep as 190 ft seawater, limited by established safety practices exercised from using the U.S. Dive Manual for Open and Closed Circuit Mixed Gas Diving [Threshold] *Contractors may submit a request for classified information to: Naval Sea Systems Command Attn: Steve Southard, Code PMS399A4, 614 Sicard Street SE, Stop 8840, Washington Navy Yard DC 20376-8840, phone 202-781-4383, e-mail steven.southard@navy.mil. Classified information will only be released as appropriate given the level of clearance a requestor may have. RESPONSES: Vendors may submit responses in hard copy or electronic format. The page limit for responses is 20 pages. Responses must include: A) Industry Point of Contact (POC) for technical and contractual issues to include name, position, telephone number, and e-mail address. B) Complete System Description C) Overall capabilities of the system as compared against the above general requirements D) Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of the system with justification E) Additional detailed information regarding the system capabilities/performance (prior testing, test reports, etc.). F) Description of logistics, training, and maintenance requirements of the system. G) Estimated unit system costs in quantities of 2, 4, 6 and 15. H) Cost and description of personnel and material needed to support the testing required by NAVSEA SS800-AG-MAN-010/P9290 System Certification Procedures and Criteria Manual for Deep Submergence Systems. SUMMARY: Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) will manage this survey. Contractors may respond to this RFI within 45 days of this notice: Naval Sea Systems Command Attn: Steve Southard, Code PMS399A4, 614 Sicard Street SE, Stop 8840, Washington Navy Yard DC 20376-8840. Electronic responses may be sent to steven.southard@navy.mil (unclassified) or southardsr@navsea.navy.smil.mil (classified). The Government may elect to conduct one-on-one discussions with industry based on its analysis of the RFI responses, the quality of submission, and the level and specification of the information provided. The Government is under no obligation to conduct these sessions. The Government does not commit to providing a response to any comment or questions. The Government will use the information provided in response to this RFI to support urgent, on-going, initiatives within DoD to analyze emerging requirements for systems that can improve the overall effectiveness of SOF. Any revisi on to this RFI based on comments received remains solely at the Government??s discretion. These initiatives may ultimately result in the Government developing and issuing a RFP for respondents. NAVSEA provides the above information for information only. This is not a Request for Proposal or announcement of a solicitation. This Request for Information does not constitute a commitment by the Government to issue an RFP, contract or order. The Government will not pay for any effort expended or any material provided in response to this announcement, nor will the Government return any data provided.
- Record
- SN01459577-W 20071130/071128223828 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
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