Commercial Maritime Test-Platform and Event-Support Services

CALL FOR SOLUTIONS

Commercial Maritime Test-Platform and Event-Support Services

Call Reference Number: W900KK-27-D-SSV2

Army Open Solicitation Reference: W9128Z-25-S-A002

Issuing Contracting Office: ACC-APG-Orlando

Solution Brief Due Date/Time: 6 NOV 26, 11:59 PM Eastern

Questions Due Date/Time: 2 NOV 26, 11:59 PM Eastern

Submission Method: Email

Contracting Point of Contact: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected];

1. NOTICE

This is a competitive Call for Solutions issued under the Army Open Solicitation.

The Government seeks commercially available maritime test-platform and event-support services to enable Government-directed research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E), training, and rehearsal events involving autonomous and uncrewed maritime systems.

The Government anticipates award of one commercial-services indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract. The Government anticipates negotiating an initial task order with the selected awardee for a min of three-month period of performance beginning January 2027.

This Call for Solutions is intended to identify commercially available capabilities and determine which respondent(s) offer the most promising solution. Detailed pricing is not required at this stage. The Government may invite one or more respondents to provide oral presentations, demonstrations, site visits, additional technical information, and/or a detailed technical and price proposal for negotiations.

The Government may select one or more respondents for further consideration, establish a competitive range, negotiate final scope and terms, make one or more awards, or make no award. The Government is not obligated to reimburse respondents for costs associated with preparing or submitting a response.

2. MISSION NEED

The Government requires access to a commercially operated maritime reference platform and associated support services to conduct time-sensitive, Government-directed experimentation, integration, developmental test, training, and rehearsal activities involving autonomous and uncrewed systems.

The desired solution must provide a safe, configurable, event-driven at-sea platform capable of supporting activities beyond fixed shore infrastructure. The platform will support temporary integration of Government-furnished systems and equipment; launch and recovery; deck handling; onboard power; communications; instrumentation; data collection; and other maritime support activities required for scheduled Government-directed events.

The Government seeks a commercially available solution that can achieve operational readiness in time to support an anticipated initial task order beginning in January 2027.

3. ANTICIPATED CONTRACT STRUCTURE

3.1 IDIQ Contract

The Government anticipates awarding one commercial-services IDIQ contract(s) with the following parameters:

Ordering Period: 1 JAN 27 – 30 DEC 27

Guaranteed Minimum: $500,000

Maximum Contract Value/Ceiling: $49,999,999

Anticipated Contract Type: Firm Fixed Price

Place of Performance: Government-designated pier-side locations, U.S. and international waters, approved maritime ranges, and contractor facilities as required.

Task-Order Scope: Commercial vessel availability, marine operations, temporary mission configuration, event support, uncrewed-system support, logistics, and related services.

3.2 Initial Task Order

The Government anticipates negotiating and awarding an initial task order concurrently with, or shortly after, IDIQ award.

Anticipated Initial Task-Order Period of Performance:

1 JAN 27 through 31 MAR 27 , subject to final solicitation terms and award.

The initial task order is expected to include:

Mobilization and vessel readiness validation;

Vessel availability and marine operations;

Temporary and reversible mission configuration;

Support for Government-furnished autonomous and uncrewed systems;

Pier-side and underway event support;

Launch and recovery, deck handling, staging, storage, and power support;

Readiness, operational-status, safety, and performance reporting; and

Demobilization and restoration, if applicable.

4. COMMERCIAL SOLUTION OBJECTIVES

The Government seeks commercially available solutions that provide the following outcomes:

4.1 Commercial Maritime Platform Availability

A commercially operated vessel or maritime platform available to support scheduled Government-directed events.

4.2 Safe Marine Operations

Qualified crew, vessel management, maintenance, logistics, and marine-support services necessary for safe pier-side and underway operations.

4.3 Temporary Mission Configuration

A commercially supportable approach to temporarily configure the vessel to accommodate Government-furnished systems, payloads, sensors, and support equipment. All modifications must be temporary and reversible unless otherwise authorized by the Government.

4.4 Uncrewed-System Support

Capability to support Government-led experimentation involving uncrewed surface, subsea, and other autonomous systems.

4.5 Event Execution Support

Support for Government-directed event planning, readiness, integration, instrumentation, data collection, test reconstruction, reporting, and after-action activities.

4.6 Schedule Reliability

A credible approach to achieving readiness for an anticipated January 2027 start and sustaining availability throughout the initial three-month task order.

4.7 Commercially Viable Terms

A commercial operating model that supports predictable vessel availability, event execution, and negotiation of reasonable contract terms.

5. DESIRED VESSEL AND SUPPORT CHARACTERISTICS

The Government desires a commercially operated vessel or platform with capabilities generally consistent with the following characteristics. Respondents may propose alternate commercial configurations that meet the Government’s functional needs and shall clearly identify any deviations.

Approximately 78-100 meters in length;

Approximately 15 meters in beam;

Approximately 5 meters in draft;

Dynamic Positioning Class 2 capability or equivalent station-keeping capability;

Global maritime operating range;

Configurable deck space and suitable mission areas;

Sufficient onboard power (230V 3-phase minimum) to support embarked Government systems;

Ship-to-shore communications capability;

Capability to support launch and recovery operations; (A-Frame / Knuckleboom Crane with articulated docking head)

Capability for deck handling, staging, and storage within vessel operating limits;

Ability to provide available power interfaces for Government-furnished systems;

Ability to support temporary instrumentation, data-collection, and communications equipment (compatible transducer pole); and

Suitability for Government-directed pier-side and underway RDT&E events.

Berthing to support minimum 16 personnel, not including ship’s crew

The Government will consider alternate vessel sizes, configurations, and capabilities where the respondent demonstrates that the proposed commercial solution satisfies the Government’s functional requirement.

6. SCOPE OF REQUESTED COMMERCIAL SERVICES

6.1 Vessel Availability and Marine Operations

The contractor shall provide a commercially operated vessel, qualified crew, management, maintenance, logistics, and vessel-support services necessary to safely support Government-directed RDT&E, training, and rehearsal events.

6.2 Temporary Mission Configuration

The contractor shall provide commercially supportable temporary and reversible vessel configuration, integration, and restoration services necessary to support embarked Government-furnished systems and event-specific activities.

Permanent construction, permanent alteration of real property, and permanent infrastructure build-out are outside the scope of this Call for Solutions.

6.3 Uncrewed-System Event Support

The contractor shall support Government-led experimentation involving uncrewed surface vehicles, uncrewed underwater vehicles, remotely operated vehicles, and other autonomous systems. Support may include:

Launch and recovery;

Station-keeping and maneuvering;

Deck handling;

Staging and storage;

Available power support;

Integration support;

Event logistics; and

Reporting as directed by the Government.

6.4 Event Support and Data Collection

The contractor shall provide commercial support for Government-directed event planning and execution, including vessel readiness, maritime logistics, instrumentation, data collection, test reconstruction, and after-action documentation.

6.5 Reporting

The contractor shall provide the following, at a minimum:

Vessel Readiness Confirmation before the start of performance;

Daily Operational Status updates when underway, as directed;

Immediate notification of conditions affecting vessel readiness, safety, or scheduled-event support;

Monthly cost, schedule, and status reports;

Trip or travel reports, when required;

Event-execution logs, as directed; and

An end-of-period operational and experimentation-support summary.

7. EXCLUSIONS

The following are outside the scope of this Call for Solutions:

Development of a new vessel or vessel class;

Production, fielding, or fleet sustainment of Government capabilities;

Operational mission execution;

Maritime security operations;

Force augmentation;

Enterprise advisory and assistance services;

Enterprise information technology consulting or enduring IT operations;

Permanent construction or permanent infrastructure build-out;

Inherently governmental functions; and

Personal services.

The contractor shall provide and supervise its own employees and shall remain responsible for the method and means of performance, subject to Government direction concerning required outcomes, event schedules, safety constraints, and acceptance criteria.

8. GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED PROPERTY AND INFORMATION

The Government anticipates providing autonomous and uncrewed platforms, equipment, information, and other property as Government-furnished property or information, as identified in the resulting solicitation, contract, or task order.

The contractor shall be responsible for stewardship, accountability, care, and authorized use of Government-furnished property in accordance with the resulting contract.

Respondents shall identify any Government-furnished equipment, property, information, facilities, access, approvals, or decisions necessary to execute their proposed solution.

9. SECURITY AND INFORMATION HANDLING

The resulting contract and task order will include applicable security, information-handling, export-control, operational-security, cybersecurity, Government-property, and personnel requirements.

The Government will provide applicable security requirements, including any DD Form 254, through the authorized solicitation and contract process.

Respondents shall not submit classified information in response to this Call for Solutions. Respondents may identify classified capabilities at a high level and coordinate separately with the Contracting Officer for authorized follow-on engagement.

10. SOLUTION-BRIEF INSTRUCTIONS

Respondents shall submit a solution brief of no more than 10 pages , excluding commercial literature, resumes, and appendices.

Detailed pricing is not required in response to this Call for Solutions. The Government is seeking sufficient information to assess commercial availability, technical capability, operational feasibility, relevant experience, schedule, and suitability for negotiations.

Each solution brief shall include the following:

10.1 Company Information

Legal business name;

Unique Entity Identifier and CAGE code, if available;

Business size;

Headquarters location;

Primary point of contact; and

Email address and telephone number.

10.2 Commercial Solution Description

Description of the commercially available vessel, services, equipment, operating practices, and support c…