60-day 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 soliciting proposals for a 60-day Firm-Fixed-Price Time Charter for a tanker vessel. This Unrestricted acquisition seeks a vessel for worldwide transportation and/or prepositioning of petroleum, hazardous, and general cargoes. Proposals are due April 2, 2026, at 1300 Eastern Time.
Scope of Work
The requirement is for one clean, approved, U.S. or foreign flag, double-hull tanker equipped with an Inert Gas System (IGS) and Segregated Ballast Tanks (SBT). The vessel must be capable of carrying a minimum of 270,000 barrels of clean product and maintaining a minimum Speed of Advance (SOA) of 13 knots in moderate weather. Specific vessel particulars include a maximum length of 210m, beam of 50m, DWT of 45,000 MT, and displacement of 150,000 MT. The vessel must also be capable of accommodating an MSC Tactical Advisor (TACAD) and a Navy Security Team, and meet all MSC reporting requirements. Cargo tanks must be compatible with intended cargo, assessed using MIL-STD-3004-1 and Energy Institute, HM 50. The vessel must be clean, gas-free, and ready for internal tank inspection upon arrival at the load port.
Contract Details
This is a Firm-Fixed-Price Time Charter contract, with an approximate charter period of 60 days. The period of performance is scheduled to commence on April 30, 2026, with a canceling date of May 1, 2026. The acquisition is being conducted under FAR Part 12 Simplified Procedures. The estimated value is not explicitly stated, but proposals will be evaluated on overall cost to the Government. The standard fuel price for evaluation is $1,188.68 per metric ton for Marine Gas Oil / Marine Diesel Oil (MGO/MDO), based on Fiscal Year 2025 DLA standard fuel prices.
Submission & Evaluation
Proposals are due by April 2, 2026, at 1300 Eastern Time. Evaluation will be based on technical capability and price, with award made to the responsible offeror whose technically acceptable proposal represents the lowest price. Price proposal evaluation will consider a 60-day charter period, including specific durations for underway laden, underway ballast, and in-port operations. Failure to provide required submission documents may result in a proposal being ineligible for award. A valid submission requires at least a ship name, price, and signature.
Eligibility / Set-Aside
This acquisition is Unrestricted. Offerors must propose a vessel that is a party to the Ship Inspection Report (SIRE) System and possesses a current, unexpired Class Society issued Safety Management Certificate and Flag State issued International Ship Security Certificate. Specific requirements apply for U.S. flagged versus foreign flagged vessels regarding Certificates of Inspection (COI) or Compliance (COC). While unrestricted, the solicitation includes numerous FAR and DFARS clauses related to small business concerns, including subcontracting plans.
Additional Notes
Offerors are advised to review the attached RFP N3220526R6067 and supporting documents thoroughly, as they contain detailed terms and conditions, including vessel data, operational requirements, safety, insurance, fuel consumption, and off-hire provisions. Proforma documents are available upon request or via the MSC website. Offerors are encouraged to submit offers as soon as possible due to potential email delays. No JPEG files are to be submitted.