Next Generation Hospital Ship T-AH(X) Request for Information (RFI)

Questions and Answers as of 1 July 2026: 1.         What is the actual aviation requirement, 2 or 1 flight spots? a.         2 flight spots is the requirement.  2.         Patient transfer via boats and tenders? a.         Yes, intent is to transfer patients via boats and tenders.  3.         What is the MTF crew breakout regarding officers and enlisted? a.         Can assume 60% officer, 40% enlisted. 4.         What is the actual operating room number requirement, 4 or 6? a.         6 ORs is the requirement. 5.         What rule set will the hospital ship be classed to? a.         ABS Marine Vessel Rules. 46 CFR Subchapter H Passenger Vessel Rules. 6.         How many decontamination stations? a.         2 decontamination stations 7.         What is the expected service life of the T-AH(X)? a.         40 years. 8.         Is the respondent required to include a shipyard as part of its proposed team, or may a naval architecture and marine engineering firm respond independently? a.         This RFI is for ship requirements feasibility and potential associated costs.  It is not required to identify a shipyard, but it is encouraged to provide context on the producibility of the vessel within the domestic industrial base. 9.         What level of design development is expected under the contemplated effort—concept/basic design suitable for Class Approval in Principle, or a more detailed functional design package suitable for subsequent contract design and construction? a.         The Navy is looking to identify the initial feasibility and potential costs associated with the vessel requirements listed in this RFI.  As such, the Government is happy to receive as much level of detail as the respondent would like to provide to assist in that identification. 10.       Please clarify whether the design scope is expected to include the selection, specification, and integration of medical equipment, or only the shipboard arrangements, utilities, and interfaces necessary to support such equipment. a.         This RFI is to identify the feasibility of the listed requirements and potential associated costs. A planned future RFP will detail design scope – no more information will be provided at this time. 11.       Will the Government provide required uniform and concentrated deck-loading criteria for each deck and functional area, including medical, aviation, machinery, storage, and logistics spaces? a.         Not at this time. 12.       What is the anticipated design schedule and overall period of performance for the contemplated effort, including any required interim design reviews and final deliverable dates? a.         An RFP is planned to be solicited in FY27 with that information. RFI feedback is requested by July 15th, 2026. 13.       To what extent will the Buy American Act and other applicable domestic-source requirements apply to the vessel design, equipment selection, materials, major machinery, and construction? a.         The T-AH(X) procurement will be a DoW / DoN acquisition.  Buy American Act and Title 10 requirements will apply. 14.       Please clarify what is meant by the “reduced requirement” and identify which capabilities, spaces, systems, or performance criteria may be reduced from the full T-AH(X) requirement. a.         As stated in the RFI, the T-AH(X) requirements are currently under revision to identify reduced capabilities that are acceptable to the Navy and meet a targeted budget. The final capability requirements will be included in a future RFP. We are leaving the reduction trade space open to the respondent to use their best judgment to reduce cost without greatly effecting mission. 15.       Is the identified parent ship intended to serve solely as the basis for the hull design, or may other applicable aspects of its design also be considered part of the basel