Commander, Military Sealift Command, Bldg 210, 901 M Street, Code N102, Washington, DC 20398-5541

V -- AT SEA VERTICAL REPLENISHMENT POC Contact Dan Owens, 202/685-5912/Contracting Officer James Fischer (1) The Military Sealift Command has undertaken a program testing the feasibility of deploying commercial helicopters aboard MSC ships to fulfill the Vertical Replenishment mission. (2) In order to discuss future procurements for this program, a pre-solicitation conference will be held at 9:00 AM on May 21, 1996 in building 220 on the Washington Navy Yard in Washington, DC. (3) Current U.S. Navy plans include a best-value competition for a 7 month firm contract, deploying from the Norfolk, VA area with an optional follow on 6 month deployment. Delivery for this contract is slated for April 1997. (4) Additionally, a best value competition for multiple year contracts of approximately 3 years duration to provide VERTREP services is contemplated. These contracts will cover 5 consecutive deployments with delivery at Norfolk, VA and the Territory of Guam. Contract award tentatively is set for December 96/Jan 97 (subject to input from industry) with earliest performance planned for the October-November 1997 time frame. (5) Overview of the current VERTREP mission: The vertical replenishment mission consists of the movement of personnel (including passenger pick-up via external hoist when necessary), U.S. Mail, and/or cargo within a battle group (ship to ship), or in some cases between ship and shore. Search and Rescue operations are occasionally conducted. Cargo loads exceeding internal carriage capability are moved via external means by the attachment of netted, palletized or unpalletized loads to the helicopter with a hook and pendant arrangement. These missions are accomplished during both day and night hours in all weather conditions. Average loads rarely exceed 4,500 lbs, with a maximum of 6000 lbs. Mission distances from pick up to drop off points range from 500 yds. to 40 miles, with an average distance being 10 - 15 miles. Monthly flight time to accomplish these missions averages approximately 120 hours per month per each detachment. Daily operations generally do not exceed 8 hours of continuous operations for each aircraft. The cargo will generally consist of standard pallets, standard netted cargo and unpalletized cargo as described in Naval Warfare Publication (NWP) 14 (''Replenishment at Sea''). If capable, various internal cargoes will be lifted. (6) Commercial detachments will consists of two aircraft, a minimum of three aircrews and the appropriate operations and maintenance staff to support operations of these aircraft for the duration of the deployment. (7) As a minimum, the aircraft must be capable of: (a) Performing the external vertical replenishment mission during daylight Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC); (b) Minimum external lift capability of 4,500 lbs. at 30 degrees Celsius OAT; (c) Minimum time between scheduled maintenance driven shut downs of eight flight hours; (d) Maximum operating weight (empty weight plus fuel and crew ) shall not exceed 26,000 lbs; (e) Operating with JP-5 fuel; (f) Hot-refueling utilizing an approved closed-circuit refueling system; (g) Ability to fit in all T-AFS hangers (smallest hanger dimension: 46L x 16W x 17H). (8) All competitions will be evaluated under best value procedures. MSC will prefer aircraft that exceed the minimum requirements listed above in the following areas: (a) Ability to carry up to 2 standard pallets internally; (b) Ability to carry from 1 - 12 passengers (In addition to flight crew); (c) Ability to operate in a variety of weather and environmental conditions (e.g. IFR/IMC/Night); (d) External hoist capability up to 175 ft cable reach and 600 lbs lifting capacity; (e) Ability to lift external loads greater that 4500 lbs and not in excess of 6,000 lbs. (9) Exceeding the minimum requirements of the RFP will be a significant factor under the best value criteria. (10) If you have any questions you wish to have addressed at this conference please submit them in writing or via e-mail by 13 May 1996. (11) If you would like to attend this conference please provide notification in writing or via e-mail by 15 May 1996. (12) The point of contact for this pre- solicitation conference is Mr. Dan Owens. He may be reached 202/685-5912, via internet e-mail at dan.owens@smtpgw.msc.navy.mil or via facsimile at 202/685- 5921. (0130)

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