Shipboard Air Conditioning Plant System Sustainment Plan (SSP)

*Sources Sought deadline has been extended from 28 October 2026 to 16 November 2026*

1.0 PURPOSE AND BACKGROUND

PAE Maritime is conducting market research to identify responsible sources capable of providing some or all the sustainment capabilities required to support U.S. Navy surface-ship centrifugal, reciprocating, and rotary air conditioning (AC) plants worldwide. The information received will help the Government assess available industry capabilities and determine an appropriate acquisition strategy, contract structure, and number of sources.

The Navy’s AC Plant System Sustainment Plan (SSP) establishes a standardized, scalable approach intended to improve materiel condition and operational availability across multiple AC plant configurations, ship classes, and geographically dispersed maintenance activities. The contemplated scope includes maintenance, technical expertise, materiel, rotable inventory management, engineering, logistics, training, and emergent field services.

The Government is considering a range of acquisition approaches, which may include a single-award Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract, multiple contracts, or coordinated capabilities from multiple sources. No final acquisition strategy has been selected. Respondents may describe capabilities they can provide individually, through existing or proposed teaming arrangements, or as part of a broader sustainment solution.

2.0 CONTEMPLATED SUSTAINMENT CAPABILITIES

The Government is seeking information on the capabilities summarized below and detailed in the Capability Certification Matrix (Table 1). Respondents may address any one or more capability areas. For each area addressed, identify current capabilities, how the work would be performed, and any relevant limitations, dependencies, or capability-development needs.

2.1 Major AC Plant Pit Stops

Major Pit Stops include comprehensive plant assessment, troubleshooting, corrective maintenance, component repair or replacement, in-place compressor overhaul, testing, and restoration of the plant to operational condition. Major Pit Stops must be completed within a mandatory maintenance window of six weeks or less. Respondents should identify relevant experience, available personnel and facilities, configuration coverage, and demonstrated ability to meet this schedule.

2.2 Embedded AC&R Technical Expertise at SIMAs

The Government is considering embedded air conditioning and refrigeration (AC&R) expertise at designated Navy Shore Intermediate Maintenance Activities (SIMAs) to support Sailor training and Navy-led Minor Pit Stops. Support may include hands-on instruction, troubleshooting, maintenance planning, and technical oversight. Minor Pit Stops must also be completed within a mandatory maintenance window of six weeks or less.

2.3 AC Plant Materiel Support

This capability includes identifying, sourcing, procuring, managing, and delivering configuration-specific repair parts, components, assemblies, and overhaul materiel for planned maintenance, emergent repairs, casualty response, and restoration of AC plant capability.

2.4 Global Warehouse and Rotable Pool Management

This capability includes establishing and managing rotable inventories and Overhaul Parts Packages (OPPs), including storage, configuration control, issue and return, repair or overhaul, replenishment, transportation, and positioning inventory to support geographically dispersed maintenance activities.

2.5 Engineering, Technical Data, Logistics, and Integrated Product Support

This capability may include configuration-specific engineering and technical assistance, technical data and documentation, maintenance procedures, failure and root-cause analysis, technical dispositions, reliability and maintainability support, obsolescence management, and other Integrated Product Support.

2.6 Global Unplanned and Emergent Field Services

This capability includes responsive technical troubleshooting, on-site assessment, engineering assistance, repair recommendations, identification and sourcing of required materiel, and other field services needed to restore AC plant capability at Navy locations worldwide. Respondents should describe geographic coverage, response capability, and the ability to support emergent work while meeting scheduled maintenance commitments.

3.0 CAPABILITY CERTIFICATION MATRIX AND SUPPORTING EVIDENCE

Respondents should complete Table 1 for each capability area addressed. For each area, select YES, PARTIAL, or NO and identify the proposed method of performance: organic capability, existing OEM or license arrangement, subcontractor or teaming partner, or capability to be developed. A response of YES should reflect current capability. PARTIAL should identify the elements currently available and any gaps. NO indicates that the respondent does not currently possess the capability.

Respondents may identify capabilities available through subcontractors, teaming partners, suppliers, license agreements, or other third-party arrangements. Clearly identify the organization responsible for each capability and whether the relationship is established or would need to be formed. Distinguish current capabilities from those that would require additional agreements, licensing, qualification, investment, or development.

Provide concise, specific, and verifiable supporting information for each YES or PARTIAL response, as applicable. Useful evidence may include:

• Relevant contracts or programs, customers, periods of performance, and scope of work;
• AC plant configurations or comparable equipment supported and geographic locations served;
• Personnel, facilities, tooling, diagnostic or test equipment, inventory, and logistics infrastructure;
• Demonstrated maintenance capacity, schedule performance, response times, and relevant past performance; and
• Access to technical data, licenses, specialized resources, or other arrangements necessary to perform the work, including any material limitations.

Respondents are not expected to provide a detailed technical proposal or develop a new solution in response to this notice. Concise evidence sufficient to describe the respondent’s capabilities and approach is encouraged.

4.0 ALTERNATIVE APPROACHES AND CAPABILITY GAPS

Respondents may identify alternative approaches that could meet the Government’s underlying sustainment needs or improve maintenance execution, materiel availability, technical support, reliability, maintainability, or operational availability. Briefly describe the approach, the requirements it addresses, any differences from the contemplated approach, and any Government resources, approvals, or changes that would be necessary. The Government makes no commitment to adopting a proposed alternative.

Respondents should identify any capability gaps, dependencies, or limitations that could affect performance, including the anticipated time and conditions needed to establish a capability. The Government may use this information to assess individual capabilities, combinations of capabilities, teaming approaches, and the feasibility of different acquisition structures.

5.0 RESPONSE FORMAT

Responses should not exceed ten pages, excluding Table 1 and relevant supporting documentation. Respondents need only address the capability areas relevant to their organization and proposed approach. Please include:

• Company name and address, UEI, CAGE code, and business size/status;
• Primary point of contact, including email and telephone number;
• Completed Capability Certification Matrix (Table 1);
• A concise description of the capability areas addressed and the proposed method of performance;
• Specific supporting evidence for each YES or PARTIAL response, including relevant past performance where available; and
• Identification of any relevant teaming, subcontracting, licensing, technical-data access, or other third-party arrangements and their status.

Responses may be submitted by a single organization or describe capabilities provided by a joint venture, contractor team, subcontractors, suppliers, licensors, or other partners. For proposed teams, identify the participating organizations, the capabilities each would provide, and whether the arrangement is currently established or contingent on future agreement.

6.0 GOVERNMENT USE OF RESPONSES

This notice is for market research and is not request for competitive proposals or quotations; it does not constitute a solicitation. The Government may use responses, together with other available market research, to assess the availability of sources capable of satisfying individual requirements or combinations of requirements; the feasibility of a single-source, multiple-source, or integrated-team approach; and the appropriate acquisition strategy and contract structure. The Government has not made a final determination regarding the acquisition strategy or source selection approach.

The Government will not reimburse respondents for costs incurred in preparing or submitting a response and is under no obligation to use information received. Questions should be submitted in writing to the Contract Specialist and/or Contracting Officer identified in the SAM.gov notice.

Submitted materials are intended for Government use in acquisition planning. Authorized Government support contractors assisting PAE Maritime or the applicable Program Office may access submitted materials in accordance with applicable Government requirements and nondisclosure agreements. Respondents should clearly identify any information they consider proprietary or otherwise subject to restrictions; handling will be governed by applicable law and Government requirements.