Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) Block II

The Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF), formerly designated the Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV), is a shallow draft, all aluminum, commercial-based catamaran capable of intra theater personnel and cargo lift, providing combatant commanders high-speed sealift mobility with inherent cargo handling capability and agility to achieve positional advantage over operational distances.

On Nov. 13, 2008, the Navy awarded Austal USA, Mobile, Alabama, a $185,433,564 fixed-price incentive contract modification for detail design and construction (DD&C) of one EPF. The contract modification also included options for the construction of up to nine additional ships and associated shore-based spares. All contract options have been awarded. A modification for the DD&C of EPF 11 and EPF 12 was awarded to Austal Sept. 15, 2016 for a total of twelve EPFs. The Navy has accepted delivery of nine EPFs with USNS City of Bismarck (T-EPF 9) being the most recent delivery in December 2017. Burlington (EPF 10) is planned for delivery in late 2018.

The program initially divided the ten prospective ships of the EPF class into five ships for assignment to the Army and five ships for the Navy. However, during Army/Navy Warfighter Talks in December 2010, both services agreed to transfer the Army's five ships to the Navy.

Program Office officials did not achieve the performance capabilities for the EPF program. Specifically, Program Office officials obligated $2 billion for the EPF program; however, the EPF vessel had deficiencies that prevented it from attaining its required performance capabilities, including two key performance parameters—Transport Capability and Net Ready. This occurred because Program Office officials did not demonstrate that they corrected deficiencies identified during low-rate initial production (initial production). Initial production is when a minimum quantity is produced for testing. As a result, Navy officials accepted eight EPF vessels with deficiencies that could prevent the MSC from accomplishing missions. The Navy may also have to spend additional money to achieve the required performance capabilities for EPF vessels that were already provided to the fleet and for future EPF vessels that are still in production.

On 02 April 2018 Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) released Sources Sought Solicitation Number: N0002418R2227 "Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) Market Research" Solicitation Number: N0002418R2227, on behalf of the Strategic and Theater Sealift Program Office (PMS 385) for information and planning purposes only. This was not a Request for Proposal (RFP) and a formal solicitation is not available. This sources sought is being issued for the purpose of identifying contractors with the required expertise and capabilities that might be interested in responding to a formal solicitation if one were to be issued for vessel design and construction. A detailed proposal is not requested. Not responding to this Sources Sought does not preclude participation in any future competitive solicitation, if one is issued. If a solicitation is issued, it will be announced later via FBO and all interested parties must respond to that solicitation announcement separately from the responses to this RFI.

It was anticipated that one (1) vessel will be procured. Interested sources are encouraged to submit a capability summary describing similar vessel design(s) and firm's recent relevant business experience and their approach in meeting these requirements.

The EPF will be a shallow draft, commercial-based, diesel powered, roll-on-roll-off (Ro/Ro) ferry, modified and augmented with select military capabilities, capable of both open ocean transit as well as intra-theater lift for personnel, supplies and cargo (PSE).  The intended vessel will provide combatant commanders (COCOMs) with a high-speed sealift capability suitable for transport of combat loaded wheeled and tracked vehicles (where ordnance could be present) up to and including the Abrams M1A2 main battle tank.  Design modification will include armament for ship self-defense, aviation (AV) facilities for military rotor wing aircraft, Navy command and control, computers, communication and intelligence (C4I) systems, Navy damage control (DC) systems using High Expansion Foam (HEF) protecting embarked ordnance when present, as well as Navy Standard refueling at sea (FAS) capability.   

The EPF will be designed, constructed, and primarily built to commercial standards.  Military specific capabilities will be built and certified to select Navy standards issued by NAVSEA, NAVAIR, SPAWAR or Military Sealift Command (MSC). 

The intended vessel will provide combatant commanders (COCOMs) with a high-speed RO/RO sealift capability suitable for transport of combat loaded wheeled and tracked vehicles (where ordnance could be present) up to and including the Abrams M1A2 main battle tank.  Required Modification will include armament for self-defense, aviation (AV) facilities for rotor wing aircraft certified by NAVAIR, Navy command and control, communication, computers and intelligence (C4I) systems, combined MSC and Navy damage control (DC) systems using High Expansion Foam (HEF) protecting embarked ordnance when present, as well as Navy Standard refueling at sea (FAS) capability.