Navy Issues Presolicitation Notice on Cable Repair Ship Design Studies

The U.S. Navy is preparing a request for proposals on multiple industry studies on the replacement of its only active cable repair ship, USNS Zeus.

A presolicitation notice posted Tuesday says the service branch plans to issue a firm-fixed-price contract by October to explore commercial design options for the T-ARC(X) shipbuilding program.

The Navy wants its next cable ship to feature hull mounted sonars to support multiple missions, a monopool and cable handling equipment such as tanks, transporters, tension machines, overboarding sheaves and fairleads. 

Issuance of the final RFP notice is scheduled within four weeks of the presolicitation notice release date.

According to a sources sought notice, the T-ARC(X) platform should be designed to the American Bureau of Shipping's marine vessel rules and have an expected service life of 40 years.