180-day Special Time Charter w/ One 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's Military Sealift Command (MSC) Strategic Sealift Program Office is conducting market research through a Sources Sought Notice for a 180-day Special Time Charter with one 180-day option. This initiative seeks information on the availability and pricing of specialized vessels to support future requirements. Responses are due by February 4, 2026.
Scope of Work
MSC is seeking four to six U.S. or foreign-flagged, Roll-on/Roll-off (RO/RO) bow ramp equipped "landing craft like" vessels. Each vessel must transport a minimum of 2,100 square feet, with a combined capacity of at least 12,600 square feet across four vessels. Vessels must be capable of transporting rolling stock, general cargo, sensitive items (e.g., ammunition with hazard classification up to 1.1J), weapons, and communication equipment.
Key Requirements
Vessels must be beachable with a bow ramp deployable to piers, floating barges, or unimproved shorelines, capable of repeated beaching/unbeaching. They need to carry 350-450 short tons in a single lift, including heavy tracked vehicles, ISO containers, breakbulk, and bulk liquids. Other requirements include an unrefueled range of at least 5,000 nautical miles, twenty days self-sustained endurance, ability to transit open ocean in up to Sea State 4, and propulsion configured for beaching operations. Cargo decks must be adaptable, and vessels must provide berthing, messing, and sanitation for a minimum of two embarked sponsor personnel. Compliance with USCG or equivalent IACS construction standards and SOLAS/IMO conventions is required, along with integration of sponsor communications and logistics IT systems (VSAT, NEXUSWAVE, or STARLINK).
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Sources Sought (Market Research)
- Charter Period: One 180-day base period and one 180-day option period.
- Delivery/Redelivery Port: NAHA, JAPAN.
- Layday: Commencing 0800 on 26 May 2026; cancelling 29 May 2026.
- NAICS Code: 483111 (Marine Charter For Things)
- Response Due: February 4, 2026, at 11:00 PM Eastern Time.
- Published: January 29, 2026.
Submission & Eligibility
Interested parties should provide specific information detailed in paragraph 8 of the notice via email to Matthew Price (MATTHEW.R.PRICE40.CIV@US.NAVY.MIL). Businesses should indicate their small business concern status (size standard 1,050 employees). Large businesses are requested to provide details regarding possible sub-contracting opportunities. This is a request for information only and not an offer.