Commander, Naval Sea Systems Command, 2531 Jefferson Davis Hwy, Arlington, VA 22242-5160

43 -- REMOTELY OPERATED VEHICLE HOT TAP AND PUMP SYSTEM SOL 96-4200 POC Point of Contact, Paul Hankins, 00C25, (703) 607-2758. SOURCES SOUGHT FOR REMOTELY OPERATED VEHICLE HOT TAP AND PUMP SYSTEM (ROVHTS) - The Naval Sea Systems Command is conducting a market survey to determine the existence of interest of sources who possess the capability to design and build a prototype remotely operated vehicle hot tap and pump system capable of penetrating subsea shell plating and pumping a tank's contents to the surface. The prototype system must be designed and built, ready for operational test and evaluation. The goal of the testing and evaluation will be to qualify the candidate system for approval for Navy use and procurement. The ROVHTS must consist of a Remotely Operated vehicle (ROV)-based diverless hot tap & pump system designed to improve cost, personnel safety, and scheduling associated with subsea oil and hazardous liquids recovery operations. The ROVHTS shall be capable of being placed against a subsea hull structure, attach itself to the hull, and drilling an opening into the hull structure to penetrate into a tank or void. Once the shell plating is penetrated, the system must be able to install a cut out valve assembly, attach a pumping mechanism, and pump tank or void contents to the surface. Currently Navy subsea procedures require the use of an exploxive-charge stud and driving tool for attachment of bolted pump flanges. Such a process is labor intensive, dangerous on explosive tank contents, and time consuming. It requires considerable diver time locating the template, driving the studs, making up the flange itself, and attaching the valves. The current system requires that the hot tap be lowered subsea and made up to the flange by divers as a secondary operation which requires duplication of rigging and equipment handling. In addition, once the hot tap is made, the machine must be removed, and the pump lowered subsea, and made up to the gate valve. The improved ROV Hot Tap system should significantly reduce this process and make the procedure possible without diver support. All interested firms should provide pertinent information concerning current in-house capabilities and practices; quality control/quality assurance; and demonstrated ability, and successful and timely completion of similar work as demonstrated by a listing of past commercial and military customers, contract numbers, points of contact and work descriptions. This announcement is a request for information only and is not a request for proposal (RFP) or announcement of solicitation. The intent of this announcement is to identify sources for the procurement of test articles. If testing satisfies the U.S. Navy's needs, a follow-on procurement of approximately four (4) units will be initiated in FY98. Activities which fail to respond to this notice will not be placed on the bidders list for a solicitation that calls for proposals for test articles and options for subsequent production units. No telephone inquiries will be accepted. The Government will not pay for any material provided in response to this synopsis nor return the data provided. Responses are required in 14 days after publication of this notice. Respones should be addressed to Commander, Naval Sea Systems Command, 1941 Jefferson Davis Highway, Crystal Mall Building Four, Room 104, ATTN: Paul Hankins, 00C25, Arlington, VA 22202. Reference Synopsis No. 4200. (0136)

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