120-DAY SPECIAL TIME CHARTER WITH ONE 50-DAY OPTION JONES ACT

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides answers to questions received from potential offerors regarding solicitation N3220526R6016. These answers offer clarification and do not constitute an amendment to the solicitation.

• DP-1 Requirement: The DP System must be certified by a class society (e.g., ABS or a similar reputable society). Self-certification by owners is not accepted.
• Meal Costs: For the first 20 government personnel (including supercargo), meal costs are included in the contractor's fixed price. For additional personnel (above 20), prepared food service is reimbursable at specific not-to-exceed rates: Breakfast ($10.00), Lunch ($12.00), and Dinner ($19.00). This clarification is linked to Amendment A0001.
• Vessel Subchapter: Depending on the service, Subchapter T or L may apply. Subchapter T (46 CFR Part 175-187) applies to small passenger vessels under 100 gross tons, often used for crew boats carrying more than six passengers for hire. Subchapter L (46 CFR Part 125-146) governs offshore supply vessels (OSVs), and some crew transfer vessels serving the offshore wind industry are certified under this subchapter. Regulations may be combined.

This document provides clarifications that may affect how offerors interpret requirements related to vessel certification, meal provisions, and applicable regulations. It is important to note that these are clarifications and not amendments to the original solicitation.

Amendment / Modification

This amendment (0001) to RFP N3220526R6016, dated 24 October 2025, modifies the following sections:

• Special Time Part I, Box 1:

  • (6) Sponsor Berthing/Living Spaces: Clarifies berthing requirements for 12 test personnel, allowing up to four per stateroom, with male/female segregation and acceptable curtained-off bunks. Mobile berthing units are permitted if they do not reduce minimum deck area or interfere with power requirements.
  • (7) Food Service for Supercargo: Specifies provision of three galley-prepared cafeteria-style meals for up to 20 supercargo (12 requiring berthing, 8 day riders). Meals must have variety, quality, quantity, and nutritional value. Mobile galley service is acceptable if it meets deck area and power requirements. Snack foods and bottled water must also be provided.
  • (E) Food Service for Government Personnel: Outlines galley-prepared food service for up to 20 government personnel. Reimbursement rates for meals provided to more than 20 personnel are capped at $10.00 for breakfast, $12.00 for lunch, and $19.00 for dinner.

• Part IV (k)(1) Supercargo and Government Designated Representatives:

  • Clarifies that the Charterer has the right to assign supercargo and other government representatives. The owner's fixed price includes 12 supercargo accommodations and victualing for 20 government personnel. The government reserves the right to place a representative onboard with the pilot for vessel inspection and unloading monitoring.

• Special Time Part I, Box 1 (Sections (6), (7), (7)(D), and (7)(E))

• Part IV (k)(1) Supercargo and Government Designated Representatives

• No changes to proposal deadlines or submission requirements are indicated. Bidders should review the updated berthing and food service requirements, as well as the clarification on supercargo and government representative assignments.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation is for a FAR Part 12 acquisition using FAR Part 13 Simplified Procedures for a firm-fixed-price contract. The Military Sealift Command (MSC) Strategic Sealift Program Support Office is requesting proposals for a vessel capable of supporting at-sea operations for the Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division (NSWC-PCD). The vessel will serve as a host/support ship for deployment and recovery of mines and test instrumentation, towing, housing of equipment and personnel, subsea equipment deployment/recovery, and ROV operations.

• One Jones Act-qualified, U.S. flag vessel.

• Deployment and recovery of up to 50 inert or live mines and test instrumentation per at-sea period.

• Towing of surface and submerged vehicles.

• Housing and support for test data acquisition equipment and personnel.

• ROV operations.

• Guard duty in shallow target areas.

• Vessel must be certified by the U.S. Coast Guard and classed by a recognized classification society (e.g., ABS).

• Minimum transit/towing speed and range: 800 NM at 20 knots transit, 18 knots towing.

• Acoustic signature limits specified.

• Endurance for twelve (12) people for up to ten (10) days.

• Maximum draft: 12 feet; Minimum beam: 25 feet.

• Minimum 50ft x 20ft contiguous open deck space with 500lbs/sqft load capacity.

• Capability for installing a Government-furnished tow gimbal and deck roller.

• Ship's crew to operate vessel's crane, A-frame, and winch.

• Dynamic Positioning Class DP1 capability for station-keeping.

• Ability to follow track lines and maintain position within 10-15 meters during ROV operations.

• Capability to launch a 25-ft Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB).

• Stern crane with 30 ft reach capacity (4,000 lbs SWL) and a removable A-frame (5,000 lbs SWL).

• Winch with a minimum capacity of 5 tons.

• Facilities for pad eyes, air-conditioned space for ME tracking equipment, and refueling of ME generators.

• Provision of an OSHA-approved HAZMAT locker and MSDS file.

• Supply 250 gallons of fresh water daily.

• Required U.S. Coast Guard and FCC approved communication equipment, including internet (128kbps minimum) and satellite phone.

• Navigation equipment including radar (30-mile range), fathometer, and standard navigation equipment.

• Electrical power: 100 amps (60hz, 1ph/3ph) for 110v, 208v, and 480v stern power, and 110v house power.

• Contractor personnel to provide a point of contact available during normal working hours and underway periods.

• Crew must be U.S. citizens, speak English, and possess valid licenses/certificates.

• Crew must have USCG recognized first aid and CPR certification.

• TWIC card required for all crew members.

• Ship's crew to provide transportation, crane operation, and support for ammunition loading/offloading.

• Operate lifesaving equipment and conduct regulatory drills.

• Provide three (3) galley-prepared meals daily for up to twenty (20) Government personnel.

• Provide snack foods and bottled water for Government personnel.

• Maintain ship sanitation control certificates.

• Provide Automated External Defibrillator (AED) units.

• Submit incident/accident reports as required.

• Contract type: Firm-fixed-price.

• Charter Period: 120-days with one 50-day Option Period.

• Laydays: Commencing 19 January 2026, Cancelling 30 January 2026.

• Estimated Operating Tempo Scenario (One-Year Period): 24 hours per day, seven days per week.

• Area of Operations: Primarily Panama City, FL area (out 60 miles), with potential operations in Corpus Christi, TX; Norfolk, VA; Tampa, FL; Ft. Lauderdale, FL; Florida Keys; Bahamas; Boston, MA; Charleston, SC.

• Offer Due Date: Monday, 03 November 2025, at 1100 Eastern Time.

• Submission requirements include at least a ship name, a price, and a signature.

• Award will be made to the responsible offeror whose technically acceptable proposal represents the lowest price.

• Evaluation factors: Technical and Price.

• Cargo Preference may lead to evaluation of only U.S. flag vessels.

• Price proposal evaluation based on charter hire rates, fuel costs, and other specified costs.

• Unrestricted acquisition.

• NAICS Code: 483112.

• Vessel must be Jones Act-qualified and U.S. Flagged.

• Proforma documents are available upon request.

• Solicitation incorporates FAR 52.212-1, 52.212-3 Alt I, 52.212-4, and 52.212-5.

• Specific FAR and DFARS clauses are incorporated by reference.

• Failure to submit all required information may result in the offer not being considered for award.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document provides fuel consumption estimates and pricing for the fiscal year 2024. It details the expected fuel usage for vessels underway (laden and loitering) and in port, along with the associated costs per metric ton.

• Fuel Underway (laden): Estimated 146 days at 1188.68 Metric Tons/day.
• Fuel Underway (loitering): Estimated 146 days at 1188.68 Metric Tons/day.
• Fuel Underway (auxiliary): No specific days listed, but uses the same rate.
• In Port Idle: Estimated 73 days at 1188.68 Metric Tons/day.
• Fuel Type: MGO/MDO.
• Price per metric ton: $1,188.68 (SEACARD Open Market).
• Total Fuel Price: Calculated as $0.0 based on the provided data.

This information is crucial for bidders to understand the potential fuel costs associated with operating vessels under this opportunity. While the provided total cost is $0.0, the detailed breakdown of daily consumption rates and the price per metric ton allows for accurate estimation of future fuel expenses. Bidders should use these figures to inform their pricing strategies and ensure their proposals adequately account for fuel-related expenditures.

Other / Unclassified

This document is a Wage Determination (No. 2019-0288, Revision No. 23) issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division, under the Service Contract Act. It establishes minimum wage rates and fringe benefits for various occupations employed on U.S. Navy contracts for deep sea vessels services. The document also outlines requirements related to Executive Orders 14026 and 13658 concerning minimum wages and paid sick leave for federal contractors.

This wage determination is crucial for bidders on contracts involving deep sea vessel services. It specifies the minimum hourly wage rates and fringe benefits that must be paid to employees in various listed occupations (e.g., Master, Chief Engineer, Able Seaman, Steward). Bidders must incorporate these rates into their proposals to ensure compliance with the Service Contract Act and relevant Executive Orders. The document also details the process for requesting additional classifications and wage rates (SF-1444) and provides descriptions for several occupations not listed in the standard Service Contract Act Directory of Occupations.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is an Excel spreadsheet template intended for bidders to report on their past shipyard work performed, both domestically and internationally. It serves as a data collection tool to assess a bidder's experience and capabilities.

• The template includes columns for:
  • Vessel name
  • Description of qualifying U.S. shipyard work performed
  • Cost of U.S. work performed
  • Description of qualifying foreign shipyard work performed
  • Cost of foreign work performed
  • Shipyard name and address
  • Inclusive dates of work performed
• Bidders are instructed to include all vessels in their fleet.
• The template includes fields for "Approximate Total" costs, which are currently populated with 0.0 for both U.S. and foreign work.

Bidders must complete and submit this template as part of their proposal. It is crucial for demonstrating relevant experience and will likely be used to evaluate a bidder's qualifications and capacity to perform the work required by the opportunity.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a "Special Time Charter (Specialtime Spot 13.5)" issued by the Military Sealift Command (MSC). The solicitation is for offers to perform a Charter Party in accordance with the terms and conditions herein. The awarded charter will consist of the completed Standard Form (SF) 1449, the Preamble, and Parts I through IX.

This document outlines the terms and conditions for chartering a vessel. It details various parts of the charter party, including:

• Special Time Boxes (Part I): Contains fields for solicitation number, vessel requirements, delivery/redelivery locations, charter period, laydays, terms/conditions/attachments, general data, and pricing data.
• Contract Terms and Conditions (Parts II, VI, VII): Includes standard FAR and DFARS clauses related to inspection, assignment, changes, disputes, definitions, excusable delays, invoice submission, patent indemnity, payment, risk of loss, taxes, termination, title, warranty, limitation of liability, and other compliances.
• Special Time Terms and Conditions (Part III): Covers charter hire, loss of vessel, off-hire provisions, mission scope, reporting requirements, crew conduct and qualifications, and loading/discharging responsibilities.
• Time Charter Common Terms and Conditions (Part IV): Defines general terms, delivery, redelivery, ports/places, charter period, dry dock, insurance, and risk of loss.
• Special Mission Time Additional Contract Requirements (Part V): Details security clearance, navigational equipment, fuel monitoring, war risk coverage, automated external defibrillators, crew appearance, and contractor security requirements.
• Offeror Representations and Certifications (Parts XII, XIII): Includes various FAR and DFARS provisions related to representations, certifications, and compliance.

The document specifies that the charter hire rates are stipulated in Boxes 13-15 and are payable at applicable rates. It also mentions that the charter period is designated in Box 4 and continues until redelivery or completion of the voyage, with sole option for extension.

Offers must be submitted signed and dated to the point of contact specified in Block 7 of SF 1449 by the exact time specified in the solicitation. Offers must include solicitation number, offeror's name/address/phone, technical description, warranty terms, price, remit-to address, representations and certifications, and acknowledgment of amendments. The evaluation will be based on technical capability of vessels proposed and price, with a preference for technically acceptable offers in the highest VISA priority with the lowest price. Domestic shipyard usage will also be a factor.

Not explicitly detailed in the provided sections, but references to small business concerns, HUBZone, SDVOSB, and WOSB concerns are present in the FAR clauses.

This document is a revision (Rev. 1 (12-24)) and incorporates Class Deviations 2025-00003 and 2025-00004. It details numerous changes to FAR and DFARS clauses and provisions. The Table of Contents provides a comprehensive overview of the document's structure.