Collaborating under an Integrated Program Office (IPO), the US Navy and Coast Guard released a draft request for proposal (RFP) for the detail design and construction of a Heavy Polar Icebreaker (HPIB).
Released on October 19, the draft RFP is for one HPIB, with options for two additional HPIBs.
The USCG requires new heavy icebreakers to ensure continued access to both polar regions and support the country’s economic, commercial, maritime and national security needs.
The draft RFP is for comments, questions, and planning purposes and is provided as an advance notice to ease proposal lead time and assist teaming arrangements, if applicable.
Responses to the draft RFP are due Dec. 11 and will support release of the final RFP early next year.
The Coast Guard plans to award a single contract for design and construction of the lead heavy polar icebreaker in fiscal year 2019.
Release of the draft RFP represents the IPO’s latest effort to refine requirements and reduce acquisition costs for the HPIB procurement. Earlier this year the USCG awarded five firm-fixed price contracts for early design studies and analysis and conducted model testing with the National Research Council of Canada and the U.S. Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division.
The contracting agency is the Naval Sea Systems Command.