Dry Cargo Voyage Charter

SOL #: N3220526R6048Pre-Solicitation

Overview

Buyer

Dept Of Defense

Dept Of The Navy

MSCHQ NORFOLK

NORFOLK, VA, 23511-2313, United States

Place of Performance

NAICS

Deep Sea Freight Transportation (483111)

PSC

Marine Charter For Things (V124)

Set Aside

Total Small Business Set-Aside (FAR 19.5) (SBA)

Original Source

https://sam.gov/opp/d1cfdd49254d41d88fde7ba50250acc0/view

Timeline

Posted

Feb 12, 2026

Last Updated

Feb 12, 2026

Response Deadline

Feb 20, 2026, 3:00 PM

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 Norfolk is soliciting proposals for a Firm-Fixed-Price contract for a Dry Cargo Voyage Charter. This Total Small Business Set-Aside opportunity seeks a U.S. Flag, Jones Act compliant vessel to transport a minimum of 50 TEUs from Naval Magazine Indian Island, WA, to Valdez, AK. Proposals are due by February 20, 2026, at 10:00 AM Eastern Time.

Scope of Work

This requirement is for one U.S. Flag, Jones Act compliant tug & barge or self-sustaining vessel.

Capacity & Dimensions: Minimum of 50 TEUs, with a Length Overall (LOA) not exceeding 700 ft (213.4m) and a Draft not exceeding 31.5 ft (9.6m).
Cargo: 20-foot ISO shipping containers, with an average weight of 19,500 lbs and a maximum of 36,500 lbs. This includes hazardous materials (Hazard Classes/Divisions 1.1 through 1.4S, 2.2S).
Route & Schedule:
- Load Port: Naval Magazine Indian Island, WA (USA), with an Available Load Date (ALD) of 07 April 2026.
- Discharge Port: Valdez, AK (USA), with an Earliest Arrival Date (EAD) of 15 April 2026 and a Latest Arrival Date (LAD) of 17 April 2026.
- Laydays: Will commence and cancel on 06 April 2026.
Operational Requirements: The contract terms are F.I.O.S.S. (Free In, Out, Stowed, and Secured) for load and discharge, with 2 days SSHEX total laytime. The contractor must ensure segregation of all loaded munitions containers. Self-sustaining vessels must have a certified 20-foot spreader bar for each crane. If a barge is offered, it must include a container handling forklift compliant with ANSI B56.1-1969 and be fully outfitted with sufficient lashing gear. Vessels shall be fully bunkered for the intended voyage.

Contract Details

Contract Type: Firm-Fixed-Price.
Period of Performance: One voyage.
Set-Aside: Total Small Business Set-Aside (NAICS Code: 483111). This decision is based on responses from a recent sources sought notice.
Solicitation Number: N3220526R6048.
Published Date: February 12, 2026.

Submission & Evaluation

Proposal Due: Friday, February 20, 2026, at 10:00 AM Eastern Time.
Submission Requirements: A valid submission requires at least a ship name, a price, and a signature.
Evaluation: The solicitation incorporates FAR 52.212-1 and FAR 52.212-4, tailored as indicated, with evaluation criteria for commercial items addressed in Part XI.

Important Considerations

A U.S. Department of Labor Wage Determination (WD) under the Service Contract Act (SCA) is applicable, specifying minimum wage rates and fringe benefits for occupations on U.S. Navy deep sea vessel services. Bidders must factor these costs into their proposals.
Proforma documents are available upon request.
Increased email security may cause delays in email receipt.
The Red Sea, Bab al-Mandeb Straits, and Gulf of Aden are designated imminent danger pay locations.
Numerous FAR and DFARS clauses are included.
Contact: Brandon Page (brandon.a.page.civ@us.navy.mil).