Request for Information (RFI) - Special Purpose Craft – Ice Rescue Transport (SPC-IRT II) Second Generation

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document establishes the technical specifications for the Second-Generation Special Purpose Craft – Ice Rescue Transport (SPC-IRT II). The platform is engineered to standardize long-haul ice rescue airboat capabilities across the Great Lakes Area of Responsibility (AOR). Its primary objectives include Search and Rescue (SAR), Living Marine Resources (LMR), and Other Law Enforcement (OLE), with secondary roles in crew transport, mobile command, search operations, and victim shelter.

• Operational Capabilities: Operate in navigable waterways, transition between dry land, solid/broken ice, and open water (up to 10 NM offshore). Capable of day/night operation.

• Environmental Compliance: Adhere to federal, state, local, and treaty environmental regulations (air/noise emissions, fuel efficiency, bilge water, aquatic life). Engine must comply with EPA exhaust emission regulations.

• Physical Characteristics: Max length 25 ft, max beam 8.5 ft (trailered), max draft 12 inches (fully loaded). Target speed minimum 15 kts in seas up to 6 inches. Stopping distance < 100 ft on snow-covered ice. Endurance: 5 hours continuous operation with 10% fuel remaining.

• Capacity: Accommodate 6 persons (3 crew, 3 passengers at 220 lbs each with PPE).

• Temperature Range: Operate in -30°F to 115°F air, and freezing to 80°F water.

• Wind & Sea State: Operate in sustained winds of 30 kts (gusts up to 40 kts), survive sea states up to 3 ft Significant Wave Height.

• Visibility & Humidity: Operate in 0-100% humidity and reduced visibility.

• Hull Design: High-strength composite material resistant to ground contact and ice damage. Low center of gravity. Compliant with ABYC Standards. Withstand shock/vibration at 15 kts in 6-inch seas and rough ice. Incorporate hardpoints for towing.

• Mobility: Traverse grass, dirt, snow, or ice for 1,000 yards. Launch/recover from land (soft water, hard water, frozen, tundra). Traverse unimproved embankments up to 15 degrees. Traverse 2-ft vertical ice compression ridges. Drop from 2-ft ice shelf into soft water without bow submersion. Operate in up to 2 kts current.

• Cold Weather & Survivability: 10-year service life. Self-extrication and ice-anchoring capabilities. Block heater, cabin heating, windshield de-icing/defrosting. Propeller/fan guarding. Dewatering access, bilge ventilation, emergency egress pathways.

• Ergonomics: Accommodate 5th percentile female to 95th percentile male in cold weather PPE. Semi-enclosed cabin with weather protection and external visibility. Six seats with restraints; two forward shock-mitigating seats. Two crew members needed for incapacitated person recovery. Strategic handholds. Controls usable with heavy PPE.

• Electronics & Communications: Single-circuit internal comms (FCC compliant). Full-duplex, noise-reduced wearable transceivers with 8-hour battery life. Integrated VHF DSC radio (GX-6000). Forward-facing PA horn/speaker. All equipment protected from moisture.

• Navigation System: Integrated USCG SINS-2 equipment including multiple Raymarine displays, sensors, radar, AIS, and NMEA gateway.

• Sensors & Lighting: Infrared camera, forward/side floodlights, blue law enforcement lights, spotlights (min 110,000 Candela). Dimmable interior lighting (white/red). Navigation lights compliant with COLREGS. Audible/visual engine alarms.

• Trailer & Outfitting: Tilting trailer with electric winch (rated to 150% vessel weight), highway rated (65 mph), total assembly < 10,000 lbs. Standard outfit includes boat hook, binoculars, fire extinguishers, paddle, mooring lines, navigation kit bag, throw bag, life ring, searchlight, PFDs, and a comprehensive tool kit.

• Logistics & Training: Deliver Boat Information Book (BIB), full technical drawings, Master Equipment List, Recommended Spare Parts List, Special Tools List. Configured for efficient maintenance. 150-Hour Maintenance Requirements List (MRL) with parts and tools. Familiarization (FAM) training provided within 5 days of delivery.

• Not specified in this document.

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• This document outlines draft requirements. Appendix A provides definitions for key terms like "Sea State," "Lightship Weight Condition," "Performance Weight Condition," "Full Load Weight Condition," "Operate," "Survive," and "Personnel."

Request for Information (RFI)

This RFI is issued by the United States Coast Guard to identify existing or adaptable designs for the Special Purpose Craft – Ice Rescue Transport (SPC-IRT II) Second Generation. The information gathered will be used to refine requirements before issuing a Request for Quotation (RFQ). The SPC-IRT II is intended for multi-mission use in environments involving water, ice, and land, for Search and Rescue (SAR), Living Marine Resources (LMR), and Law Enforcement (OLE) missions.

The RFI asks vendors to provide information on:

• Boats that meet or can be modified to meet preliminary requirements, including specifications, drawings, and production details.
• Boats currently under contract with government agencies.
• The capability of boats to traverse over various terrains (grass, dirt, snow, ice) and enter/depart water from land at angles up to 20 degrees.
• The ability to handle specific ice conditions (2-ft ice compression ridges) and drops from ice shelves.
• Reasonable timeframes for building and delivering two boats, and required contract timing to meet a November 2026 delivery.
• Production rates.
• Available logistics information (CAD models, drawings, manuals, etc.).
• Warranty terms.
• Company size and socio-economic status.
• Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) price of current craft.
• Comments on the draft specification, including any unmet or excessive requirements.

Responses should be submitted to William.E.Lewis3@uscg.mil and should be provided in an attached Excel spreadsheet addressing the specified questions.

• This RFI is for market research and planning purposes only.
• It does not constitute a solicitation or a commitment to award a contract.
• Responses are strictly voluntary, and no compensation will be provided for preparation.

Other / Unclassified

This document is an "Interested Parties Responses" spreadsheet related to a Request for Information (RFI). It contains a list of questions posed by the government to potential vendors to gather market research and planning information. The questions focus on a specific type of boat, its capabilities, manufacturing capacity, delivery timelines, logistics information, warranty terms, company size and socio-economic status, rough order of magnitude pricing, and feedback on draft specifications.

This document is highly relevant for potential bidders as it outlines the specific information the government is seeking to understand market capabilities and inform future procurement decisions. Bidders should review the questions to gauge their alignment with the potential requirements and to prepare responses that address the government's stated interests. The document explicitly states it is for market research and does not constitute a solicitation or a commitment to award a contract.