Supply of Fleet Solid Support Vessels

The Commercially Supported Shipping (CSS) Team is seeking to procure Fleet Solid Support (FSS) Ships to be operated by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. The FSS ships shall be required to have a total cargo capacity of up to 7000 m3 and travel at a sustained speed of 18 knots without resupply. The platform must be capable of delivering non bulk logistic material whilst underway and making 12 knots through the water and transferring single loads of up to 5 tonnes. The FSS ships shall be fully compliant with statutory legislation (MCA) and shall be classed in accordance with Lloyds Naval Rules or equivalent. The FSS ships shall be capable of Replenishing at Sea (RAS) and conducting operations worldwide, seasonally unrestricted Tropical to Arctic (1st Year Ice). The FSS will require an effective support regime consistent with the Defence Industrial Strategy that offers demonstrable through life Value for Money. To fulfil the support strategy and to ensure that the FSS systems and equipment are maintained in optimum condition and to be able to maximise their availability as an effective operational unit, it is essential that a high standard of logistic support is provided.