140-day Special Time Charter
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The Military Sealift Command (MSC), under the Department of the Navy, has issued a Sources Sought Notice (SSN) to identify capable U.S. Flag, Jones Act compliant tugboats for a 140-day Special Time Charter. This contingency towing service is for a U.S. Naval Vessel in the Caribbean Sea. This is market research for a forthcoming solicitation. Responses are due by February 11, 2026, at 1000 Eastern Time.
Purpose
This Sources Sought Notice (SSN) aims to gather information on the availability and pricing of ocean-going certified tugboats. The MSC is seeking to identify potential vendors for a future solicitation (N3220526R6050) to provide contingency towing services. This notice is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a request for proposals or an offer.
Key Requirements
The required vessel must be an ocean-certified towing vessel, U.S. Flag, Jones Act compliant, built in 1970 or later. It must possess a minimum 100-ton bollard pull, equipped with a calibrated tow line tension meter and bridge monitoring. The tug must be capable of responding to a casualty and taking a vessel under tow within 48 hours of notification. It needs to tow a 17,033 LT naval vessel at a minimum speed of 6 knots (5 knots in Sea State 5), adhering to the U.S. Navy Towing Manual (SL740-AA-MAN-10). The crew must consist of U.S. Citizens. Contractors will not have access to the towed vessel, which will rig its own tow bridles and hawser. The contractor must provide a transit plan and be prepared for a virtual pre-tow conference.
Contract Details
- Charter Period: Approximately 140 days.
- Delivery/Redelivery Port: Key West, Florida.
- Laydays: Commencing/Cancelling on March 8, 2026.
Submission Details
Interested parties should submit the following information: vessel characteristics (including COI, COD, photos), daily charter hire rate, delivery/redelivery bonuses, bollard pull certification, and company information (name, contact, CAGE code, small business standing, unique entity identifier).
- Response Deadline: Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at 1000 Eastern Time.
- Submission Method: Via email to MATTHEW.R.PRICE40.CIV@US.NAVY.MIL.
Eligibility & Notes
- NAICS Code: 483111 (Water Transportation).
- Small Business Size Standard: 1,050 employees.
- While no specific set-aside is designated for this Sources Sought, interested parties are requested to indicate their small business status.
- A forthcoming solicitation, N3220526R6050, will be posted on SAM.gov.
- Primary Contact: Matthew Price, matthew.r.price40.civ@us.navy.mil, (564) 230-3782.