MULTI ROLE BOAT (MRB) SYSTEM - DND

Trade Agreement: NONE Tendering Procedures: Attachment: None Competitive Procurement Strategy: N/A - P&A/LOI Only Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement: No Nature of Requirements: Request for Information (RFI) Multi-Role Boat (MRB) Project for the Department of National Defence (DND)

W8472-155557/A Pilon, Chantal Telephone No. (819) 956-4308 Email: chantal.pilon@pwgsc.gc.ca

INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND INFORMATION The purpose of this Request for Information (RFI) is to request the participation of suppliers to assess the adequacy of the requirement, help the Department of National Defence (DND) develop achievable objectives and deliverables and to provide potential alternative solutions that would meet or exceed the technical requirement, improve the operational performance and/or decrease the operational and maintenance costs.

This RFI is not a solicitation. No commitment from Canada is made in respect to future release of Request for Proposals (RFP), purchases or contracts. No agreement or contract will be entered into, with any person or entity as a result of this RFI. This RFI is not to be considered in any way a commitment by the Government of Canada or as authority to potential respondents to undertake any work, which could be charged to Canada. Canada will not reimburse any expenses incurred for the preparation of responses to this RFI or any participation.

Suppliers that would like to participate in this exercise should contact the Contracting Authority by the submission date deadline and provide the following information:

a. Company name; b. Name of company representative; c. Phone number and email address.

Once the list of participants is confirmed, the Contracting Authority will communicate the next steps and instructions to the participants. The participants may be asked to provide a company profile; estimate of costs; delivery to set-to-work schedule; preventive maintenance schedule; and, confirm/comment on technical criteria and provide technical details.

At any time, during the exercise, participants will have the choice to reconsider.

Potential Requirement

The Department of National Defence (DND) has a requirement for a new ship's boat capability called the Multi-Role Boat System for the twelve (12) Halifax class frigates. A Multi-Role Boat (MRB) System consists of a Rigid-Hulled Inflatable Boat (RIB) and a Launch and Recovery System (LARS).

The DND has a potential requirement for

a. Twenty two (22) double inboard diesel engines rigid hulled inflatable multi-role boats of approximately 9 meters complete with electronics suite (communications, navigation system radar and GPS) plus two (2) years of spares. Twelve (12) boats to be used on the frigates and the remainder for training and Integrated Logistics Support (ILS).

b. Sixteen (16) 15,500 pounds Safe Working Load (SWL) Launch and Recovery Systems (LARS) and all necessary interface equipment (for example LARS to boat interface for launching) plus two (2) years of spares. The MRB LARS must be able to launch and recover the boat with two (2) crew personnel and ten (10) passengers with their personal equipment embarked in the boat. Twelve (12) LARS to be used on the frigates and the remainder for training and ILS;

c. Twelve (12) boat cradles and ten (10) trailers;

d. Operational and maintenance training sessions; and

e. Preventive and corrective maintenance services for both the MRBs and LARSs.

MRB and LARS functions

The functions performed by the MRBs and crew include

Maritime Interdiction Operations (MIO) including Naval Boarding Party operations and Obstructed Boarding operations;

Force Protection;

Humanitarian Operations and Disaster Relief;

Personnel Transport;

Transfer of Materiel;

General Surveillance;

Diving support;

Line Handling;

Towing;

Marshalling of Life-rafts; Alternate Search and Rescue craft if the designated SAR craft is unavailable.

The functions performed by the LARS and crew include: Launch and recovery for MRBs and existing SR2 rescue boats and any other class boat where such boats are within the limits of the MRB system (e.g. boat weight, length, width, height);

Embarking/disembarking of stores/materiel/ammunition;

Recover the Practice Launch Torpedo after practice launches from the torpedo launcher weapon system;

Deploying/recovering the ship's accommodation ladder;

Launch and recovery of unmanned underwater vehicles within the limit of the crane capacity, and boat deck available area. Figure 1 below depicts minimum clearances and a possible solution.

Figure 1. Starboard side top down view of Halifax Class frigate depicting a possible location of new MRB and new LARS base. Drawing not to scale.

Participation Restriction: Participation will be restricted to the Industry. For this exercise, the Industry is defined as the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) or a licensed representative of the proposed MRB and/or LARS. Deadline for Submission of responses to the RFI:

PWGSC invites interested parties to communicate their intention to participate in the process to the Contracting Authority on or before June 25, 2014.

Anticipated Significant Project Events and Dates: Although no commitment from Canada is made in respect to future release of Request for Proposals (RFP), purchases or contracts, below are tentative dates for some of the major milestones attached to this project. These timelines may be adjusted as we progress.

Communication

To ensure that communication and the information is shared accordingly between DND, PWGSC and participants, as and when required, all communication and sharing of information must be done through the Contracting Authority.

Language

Communication may be in either official language of Canada; English or French.

Submission of responses to the RFI

Interested parties may submit their response by email to chantal.pilon@pwgsc.gc.ca or by mail at: Chantal Pilon, Contracting Authority Public Works and Government Services Canada Acquisitions Branch - Marine Sector 11 Laurier Street Place du Portage, Phase III, 6C2 Gatineau, Québec K1A 0S5 Telephone: 819-956-4308 Delivery Date: Above-mentioned

The Crown retains the right to negotiate with suppliers on any procurement.

Documents may be submitted in either official language of Canada.