60-DAY JONES ACT TANKER 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 Department of the Navy's Military Sealift Command (MSC) is conducting market research through a Sources Sought notice to identify U.S. Jones Act-compliant clean petroleum tankers for a 150-day time charter. This opportunity aims to support the Defense Logistics Agency-Energy by transporting clean petroleum products. Responses are due by 1000 hours Eastern Time on Friday, April 10, 2026.
Scope of Work
MSC seeks information on the availability and pricing of U.S. Jones Act-compliant vessels, including MR Tankers, Integrated Tug Barges (ITB), or other non-connected tug and barge combinations. Key vessel requirements include:
- Compliance: U.S. Jones Act compliant.
- Safety Systems: Inert gas system (or equivalent) and segregated ballast tanks.
- Cargo Capacity: Minimum 230,000 bbls (MR Tankers) or 150,000 bbls (ITB/ATB) for JP5/F76/JAA.
- Age: Less than 20 years; vessels over 15 years require a Classification Society's Condition Assessment Program (CAP) rating of 2 or better, or terminal acceptance records.
- Dimensions: Maximum LOA 675 ft, DWT 50,000 MT, Beam 106 ft, Draft 36.0 ft.
- Performance: Minimum sea speed of 13 knots (MR Tankers) or 9-10 knots (others).
- Cargo Segregation: Minimum two cargo segregations, each capable of 50,000 bbls, with double-valve isolation.
- Equipment: Capability to lift cargo hoses with cruciform bits to the manifold on both port and starboard.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Sources Sought / Request for Information (RFI)
- Charter Period: 150 days
- Laydays Commencing: May 22, 2026
- Cancelling: May 26, 2026
- Place of Delivery: Long Beach, CA, USA
- Place of Redelivery: Puget Sound, WA, USA
- Response Due: April 10, 2026, 1000 ET
- Published: April 3, 2026
- Set-Aside: None specified; small business status for NAICS 483111 (1,050 employees) is requested for market research purposes.
Submission & Evaluation
This is an RFI only; responses are not considered offers. Interested parties must provide company information (name, contact, small business status, UEI) and detailed vessel/rate information (vessel name, Q88, description, charter hire rate, fuel consumption, availability, and alternative indications). Responses should be submitted via email. The government will not cover costs incurred for response preparation.
Additional Notes
The government is seeking information on vessel availability and pricing for the May-June 2026 timeframe.