180-day Dry Cargo Time Charter w/ 180-day Option
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 Department of the Navy, Military Sealift Command (MSC), is soliciting proposals for a 180-day Dry Cargo Time Charter with one 180-day option period (totaling 360 days). This Unrestricted acquisition (Solicitation Number N3220526R6063) seeks four to six U.S. flag, roll-on/roll-off (RO/RO) bow ramp equipped "landing craft like" vessels. The contract will be a Firm-Fixed-Price award. Proposals are due Thursday, April 16, 2026, at 1100 Eastern Time.
Scope of Work
MSC requires vessels capable of transporting a minimum of 2,100 square feet per vessel, with a combined capacity of no less than 12,600 square feet. Key vessel requirements include:
- "Landing craft like" design with bow ramps deployable to piers, floating barges, or unimproved shorelines.
- Ability to carry 350-450 short tons, including heavy tracked vehicles, ISO containers, breakbulk, and bulk liquids.
- Unrefueled range of at least 5,000 nautical miles and 20 days self-sustained endurance.
- Capability to transit open ocean up to sea state 4, with a laden draft of 9 feet 6 inches or less.
- Provision of berthing, messing, and sanitation facilities for a minimum of two embarked sponsor personnel and two supercargo per vessel.
- Integration of sponsor communications and logistics IT systems via VSAT, Nexuswave, or Starlink, with 24/7 onboard IT service. At least four vessels must be available for tasking at all times.
Contract Details
- Contract Type: Firm-Fixed-Price (FAR Part 12 acquisition under FAR 15 Contracting by Negotiation).
- Period of Performance: One 180-day base period and one 180-day option period.
- Layday: Commences 0800 15 June 2026 and cancels 30 July 2026.
- Place of Performance: Delivery and redelivery in Naha, Japan.
- Set-Aside: Unrestricted. The Small Business Administration's Procurement Center Representative concurred with this decision.
- NAICS Code: 483111 (Marine Charter For Things).
Submission & Evaluation
- Offer Due Date: Thursday, April 16, 2026, at 1100 Eastern Time.
- A valid submission must include at least a ship name, a price, and a signature.
- Offerors must confirm their ability to meet all requirements and provide vessel descriptions, Certificates of Inspection (COI), photos, specification sheets, and breakover angle data.
- Proposals will be evaluated based on the lowest price to the Government, considering charter hire rate, fuel price, and other pricing elements. Fuel calculations will use specific underway and in-port idle days and consumption rates, with a provided template (FY25 DLA Standard Fuel Prices for MGO at $1,500.83/MT).
- Offerors are encouraged to submit offers early due to potential email delays.
Additional Notes
Red Sea, Bab Al-Mandeb Straits, and Gulf of Aden are designated imminent danger pay locations. Expired offers will be excluded from competition, and the solicitation may re-open if government needs are not met.