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.