N3220525R6003 - SURTASS-E RFP

See SF1449 and Related Attachments for details

The solicitation will be a fixed-priced time charter with reimbursable elements, with a performance period of one (1) year base period and will be followed by three (3) 1-year option periods and one 11-month option period.  The solicitation will require a time charter of one US flagged or foreign flagged vessel (to be reflagged US prior to delivery of vessel) required to tow an acoustic array in support of U.S. Navy Operations. The vessel will tow a passive acoustic monitoring system, between 4-6 knots, 24hrs/day for up to a 60-day event. The ship will need to be able to tow on a directed heading within 5 degrees for extended periods at slow speed. Because of the type of acoustic system employed, the ability of the vessel to maintain heading stability is critical. The vessel must be capable of worldwide operations, including support in all ocean basins of the world from the Artic to the Antarctic during all periods of time. The vessel is expected to operate in open water in the vicinity of the Marginal Ice Zone (MIZ) and must be capable of surviving encounter with young open ice, as specified by ABS, Ice Class D0.