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: 12 NOV 26, 11:59 PM Eastern

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

Submission Method: Email
Contracting Point of Contact: deleon.j.kelly.civ@army.mil; kurt.l.kleinlein.civ@army.mil; Christopher.l.crouch.civ@army.mil;  

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:

1. Mobilization and vessel readiness validation;
2. Vessel availability and marine operations;
3. Temporary and reversible mission configuration;
4. Support for Government-furnished autonomous and uncrewed systems;
5. Pier-side and underway event support;
6. Launch and recovery, deck handling, staging, storage, and power support;
7. Readiness, operational-status, safety, and performance reporting; and
8. 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 capabilities proposed;
• Description of the solution’s commercial applications or prior commercial use;
• Identification of any Government-unique adaptation, modification, integration, or development proposed; and
• Identification of major commercial terms, assumptions, or constraints affecting vessel availability or performance.

10.3 Technical and Operational Capability

• Vessel characteristics and operating limitations;
• Dynamic positioning or station-keeping capability;
• Deck space, mission areas, crane or handling capability, storage, and payload support;
• Onboard power and communications capability
• Launch-and-recovery capability;
• Ability to support Government-furnished autonomous and uncrewed systems;
• Approach to temporary and reversible mission configuration;
• Approach to vessel readiness, safe operations, and restoration; and
• Approach to support Government-directed RDT&E events.

10.4 Mobilization and Availability

• Earliest date the proposed vessel and support personnel can be available;
• Mobilization timeline;
• Readiness plan for a planned January 2027 start;
• Availability throughout the anticipated initial three-month task-order period;
• Planned maintenance periods or competing commitments;
• Key schedule risks; and
• Recommended Government actions or decisions needed to preserve schedule.

10.5 Relevant Experience

Provide up to three examples of relevant prior or current efforts involving commercial maritime, offshore, autonomous-system, uncrewed-system, test-and-evaluation, or comparable event-support services.

For each example, provide:

• Customer type;
• Period of performance;
• General scope;
• Vessel or platform used;
• Services performed;
• Relevance to this requirement; and
• Outcome or performance result.

10.6 Management, Safety, and Risk

• Proposed management approach;
• Proposed single point of contact;
• Marine safety approach;
• Quality-assurance approach;
• Environmental-compliance approach;
• Operational-risk-management approach;
• Key assumptions and dependencies; and
• Principal technical, schedule, safety, commercial, and Government-dependency risks.

10.7 Commercial Terms

Respondents shall identify standard commercial terms that may materially affect negotiation or performance, including:

• Minimum charter or commitment periods;
• Cancellation terms;
• Mobilization and demobilization requirements;
• Port and fuel assumptions;
• Insurance requirements;
• Liability limitations;
• Third-party or subcontractor dependencies; and
• Other commercial conditions relevant to availability or performance.

Respondents may provide rough-order-of-magnitude pricing ranges, commercial rate-card information, or commercial terms as an optional appendix. Detailed pricing is not required at this stage.

10.8 Security and Compliance Acknowledgment

Respondents shall acknowledge their ability to comply with applicable Government security, citizenship, information-handling, operational-security, export-control, Government-property, safety, and environmental requirements, as established in the eventual solicitation, contract, or task order.

11. EVALUATION AND DOWNSELECT

The Government will evaluate solution briefs to identify the respondent or respondents most likely to provide a commercially available, technically capable, schedule-feasible, and operationally suitable solution.

The Government intends to use the following evaluation factors, listed in descending order of importance:

Factor 1: Commercial Availability and Suitability

The extent to which the proposed vessel, equipment, and services are commercially available and can meet the Government’s requirement without substantial Government-unique development.

Factor 2: Technical and Operational Capability

The extent to which the respondent demonstrates the ability to provide a safe, suitable maritime platform and associated support services for temporary mission configuration, uncrewed-system support, launch and recovery, deck handling, power, communications, vessel operations, and Government-directed event execution.

Factor 3: Mobilization and Schedule Feasibility

The credibility of the respondent’s plan to achieve readiness for an anticipated January 2027 start and sustain support during the anticipated initial three-month task order.

Factor 4: Relevant Experience and Performance

The relevance and quality of the respondent’s demonstrated experience supporting comparable maritime, offshore, autonomous-system, uncrewed-system, or test-event activities.

Factor 5: Risk and Commercial Terms

The completeness and reasonableness of the respondent’s identified operational, schedule, safety, commercial, and Government-dependency risks and proposed mitigations.

Pricing is not an evaluation factor at the Call for Solutions stage. The Government will evaluate detailed price, price reasonableness, and final contract terms during negotiations with the selected respondent or respondents.

12. DOWNSELECT AND NEGOTIATION PROCESS

Following evaluation of solution briefs, the Government may:

1. Select one or more respondents for further consideration;
2. Request oral presentations, technical demonstrations, site visits, or additional information;
3. Down-select to a subset of solutions;
4. Request detailed technical and price proposals from selected respondent(s);
5. Conduct negotiations concerning technical requirements, vessel configuration, schedule, commercial terms, contract terms, and price;
6. Request proposal revisions;
7. Award one or more IDIQ contracts and an initial task order; or
8. Make no award.

The Government anticipates negotiating the initial task order with the selected IDIQ awardee. The negotiated proposal package for the initial task order may include a final technical approach, vessel-availability commitment, schedule, pricing, commercial terms, risk register, staffing/mobilization plan, and required supporting documentation.

13. ANTICIPATED INITIAL TASK-ORDER PRICING STRUCTURE

Detailed pricing will be requested only from selected respondent(s) during the negotiation phase. The Government anticipates using a commercial, event-based pricing structure, which may include the following contract line item groups:

CLIN Group

Description

Unit

0001

Mobilization and readiness validation

Lump Sum

0002

Vessel availability — pier-side

Day

0003

Vessel availability — underway

Day

0004

Temporary mission configuration

Lump Sum or Fixed Unit

0005

Uncrewed-system launch/recovery and deck support

Event Day

0006

Specialized equipment, third-party support, or authorized other direct costs

Fixed Unit / Authorized Cost

0007

Demobilization and restoration

Lump Sum

The Government may revise the final pricing structure based on the selected commercial solution and negotiated task-order scope.

14. SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

Submit solution briefs no later than 6 NOV 26 by 11:59 PM Eastern to deleon.j.kelly.civ@army.mil; kurt.l.kleinlein.civ@army.mil; Christopher.l.crouch.civ@army.mil;  

Questions shall be submitted no later than 2 NOV 26 at 11:59 PM Eastern to deleon.j.kelly.civ@army.mil; kurt.l.kleinlein.civ@army.mil; Christopher.l.crouch.civ@army.mil;  

The Government may post consolidated responses, amendments, or additional instructions through the designated Army Open Solicitation channel on SAM.gov.

15. GOVERNMENT RESERVATION OF RIGHTS

The Government reserves the right to:

• Amend, suspend, or cancel this Call for Solutions;
• Seek additional information from any respondent;
• Conduct oral presentations, demonstrations, site visits, or other exchanges;
• Negotiate with one or more respondents;
• Award one or more contracts or task orders;
• Award without further exchanges;
• Make no award; and
• Reject any or all solution briefs.

Submission of a solution brief does not constitute an award commitment by the Government.