COMMANDING OFFICER, ATTN NAVFAC CONTRACTS OFFICE CODE 27, NCBC 1000 23RD AVE, PORT HUENEME, CA 93043-4301

A -- BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT FOR METHODS TO DOCK WATERCRAFT IN SEA STATE THREE SOL N47408-98-R-3903 DUE 122997 POC Contract Specialist, ROSALIE HAMMONDS, 805-982-5097 This announcement constitutes the Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for the Naval Facilities Engineering Service Center (NFESC) under FAR 6.102 (d)(2) to solicit proposals for basic and applied research for new and innovative technology solutions. Part of the proposed project areas listed in the BAA is being considered 100% set-aside for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) or Minority Institutions (MIs) as defined by the clause at 252.226-7000 of the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement. Interested HBCUs and MIs should provide the contracting office as early as possible, but not later than 15 days after this notice, evidence of their capability to perform the contract, and a positive statement of their eligibility as an HBUC or MI. If adequate response is not received from HBUCs/MIs, the solicitation will instead be issued, without further notice, as unrestricted, to academic institutions, non-profit organizations and private industry. The effective period of this BAA is through September 30, 1999 and awards may be made at any time throughout the year. Award decisions on proposals will be based on a competitive selection of proposals from a peer/scientific review. Evaluations will be conducted using the following evaluation criteria: (1) overall scientific and technical merits of the proposal, (2) potential contributions of the proposed effort to the United States Navys'/Armys' overall war fighting capabilities (3) past performance, (4) the realism of the proposed cost and availability of funds, and (5) understanding of the research effort proposed, and experience and qualifications of the principal project personnel and/or institution or corporation submitting the proposal. Persons contemplating submission of a proposal should obtain further information and forms required for submitting a proposal by requesting in writing to the Commanding Officer, Naval Facilities Engineering Command Contracts Office, Code 271, Bldg. 41, Naval Construction Battalion Center, 1000 23rd Avenue, Port Hueneme, CA 93043-4301, Attn: Rosalie Hammonds. All requests for the solicitation package and questions regarding this BAA may be faxed to (805) 982-3015. The NFESC technical point of contact is Mr. Peter Tabor (805) 982-1308. Contact with the NFESC engineer identified in this announcement is encouraged to determine the extent of interest in this specific research project. All proposals should be submitted in original and three copies to the address noted above. In addition, all submissions should reference this announcement and should specifically identify the research area the proposal is responding to. Proposals will not be evaluated against each other since each is a unique technology with no common work statement. Proposals identified for funding may result in a contract, however, there is no commitment by the Navy to make any awards, to make a specific number of awards or to be responsible for monies expended by the proposer before award of a contract. The following is a description of the research required for BAA TOPIC NO. 98-001, METHODS TO DOCK WATERCRAFT IN SEA STATE THREE The objective of this announcement is to improve the docking of U. S. Navy and Army watercraft (a.k.a. lighters) to ships and piers during a Joint Logistics Over The Shore (JLOTS) operation. A JLOTS operation is conducted to move cargo from ship to shore when fixed port facilities are either unavailable or inadequate. Lighters must approach the sealift ships, which are typically anchored a few miles offshore, then maintain their position to receive cargo. For roll-on/roll- off cargo, the lighter interfaces with a floating platform on which the ships off-load ramp sits. For lift-on/lift-off cargo, the lighter must maintain position alongside the ship within reach of the shipboard cranes. At the beach discharge site, which can be either a bare beach, a floating pier or an elevated pier, the lighter must once again approach then maintain position to discharge the cargo. Existing methods (e.g., line and fenders) have been adequate tomoor lighters to ships and piers in the sea conditions JLOTS operations have typically been limited to (i.e., up to and including sea state two (SS2)); however, a recent push is being made by the Services for a SS3 JLOTS capability. Efforts are already underway to develop and procure rapidly deployable breakwaters, SS3-capable shipboard cranes, and SS3-capable lighters (e.g., the Armys LCU-2000 and LSV, and the Joint Modular Lighter System, which is the next generation causeway system). This initiative will ensure that the SS3-capable lighters can safely and effectively interface with at-sea platforms and ships as well as shore-side piers to receive and discharge cargo during SS3 operations. Successful proposals will either provide new solutions for this at-sea interface or address one or more of the following problems experienced with existing docking methods: damage to ship/pier during lighter approach; passing lines between lighter and ship/pier; relative motions between lighter and ship/platform; Snap loading of berthing lines; Fendering that accommodates all types of watercraft at the ship/pier; and quick connect / disconnect to the ship/pier. Potential new solutions could include (but are not limited to) methods for the lighter to stay alongside the ship/pier without being held fast with lines (e.g., affordable dynamic positioning, multi-degree of freedom link, etc.); improved analysis tools; etc. Solutions offered should reflect the expeditionary nature of a LOTS operation, i.e., by being easily transported, rapidly installed, smoothly operated (with minimal training and effort), readily maintained, quickly repaired, able to withstand and operate in a marine environment and having a long shelf life. The proposals will be evaluated for potential funding by the Navy under the Exploratory Development (6.2) programs. The Phase I effort of submitted proposals should not exceed $50,000. (0317)

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