Dry Cargo Voyage Charter

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides answers to questions submitted by potential offerors regarding solicitation N3220526R6061. These answers serve as clarifications only and do not amend the solicitation.

• Lashing Gear: Rods and turnbuckles are acceptable. The cargo list indicates 60 TEU, and providing additional lashing gear is at the owner's discretion.
• Stow Plan Format: An example of the barge arrangement is attached. The specific container numbers are not required, and the stow plan can be handwritten or computerized.
• Reach Stacker Requirement: The RFP requires a container stacker with a minimum 18-meter reach.
• Owners' Responsibility for Cargo Operations: Offerors must provide a stow plan to demonstrate the barge's ability to support requirements, in compliance with 49 CFR Part 176.170(e).
• Working Hours: Standard working hours are 0730-1600 on weekdays for arrival and departure.
• Discharge Port Flexibility: Regarding the timing for discharge at Pearl Harbor and MOTCO, the government will coordinate with the customer and requests a response to the RFP.
• Hawaii to MOTCO Cargo List: A cargo list for the Hawaii to MOTCO voyage is not provided; it will likely be given to the vessel upon arrival.
• DRYVOY Proforma: The current version does not include provisions for exceptional circumstances; pricing fuel is at the owner's discretion.

These clarifications may affect how offerors prepare their proposals, particularly regarding stow plan requirements, equipment specifications, and operational details. No amendments to the solicitation have been issued.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation is for a FAR Part 12 acquisition using simplified procedures to procure a firm-fixed-price contract for vessel(s) capable of meeting specific transportation requirements. The Military Sealift Command (MSC) Strategic Sealift Program Support Office is requesting proposals for a charter.

• Vessel Type: One U.S. Flag, Jones Act compliant tug and ABS certified, self-sustaining barge.

• Capacity: Minimum of 60 TEUs of containerized ammunition.

• Dimensions: LOA not to exceed 687 ft., Laden draft not to exceed 31.5 ft.

• Cargo: 20-foot ISO shipping containers (average 21,000 lbs, max 26,000 lbs), Hazard Classes/Divisions 1.1-1.4S.

• Load Ports: Military Ocean Terminal Concord (MOTCO), CA (ALD: 29 April 2026) and West Loch Wharves, Pearl Harbor, HI.

• Discharge Ports: West Loch Wharves, Pearl Harbor, HI (LAD: 11 May 2026) and MOTCO, CA (LAD: 21 May 2026).

• Laytime: 3 Days, SSHEX, total for entire mission.

• Terms: F.I.O.S.S. for loading, LINER TERMS for discharge.

• Certificates Required: Certificate of Documentation, Certificate of Inspection, ABS Class certificate, DOT Hazardous Materials Certificate, TSMS, Vessel Security Plan, Letter of Variance (if applicable).

• Stow Plan: Must be 49 CFR Part 176.170(e) compliant, considering trim and stability.

• Segregation: Strict conformance with regulations for Arms, Ammunition, and Explosives (AA&E).

• Self-Sustaining: Barge must be equipped with a Reach Stacker (min 18m reach, 35,000 lbs lift) for loading/unloading.

• Lashing Gear: Must have ISO deck socket fittings, semi-automatic twist locks, etc.

• Bunkering: Vessel shall be fully bunkered.

• Contract Type: Firm-fixed-price.

• Period of Performance: Not explicitly stated, but implied by load/discharge dates and laytime.

• Estimated Value: Not stated.

• Offer Due Date: Friday, 13 March 2026, at 1100 Eastern Time.

• Submission: Via email to the Solicitation Information contact.

• Evaluation: Based on FAR 52.212-2, Commercial Items (tailored pursuant to FAR 12.205(a)) – SPOT CHARTER.

• Minimum Submission Requirements: Ship name, price, and signature.

• Set-Aside: Total Small-Business Set-Aside.

• NAICS Code: 483111.

• Requirement: Jones Act compliant vessel.

• Sources Sought, RFPs, Amendments, and Contract Awards will be posted on SAM.gov.

• Proforma documents are available upon request or via the MSC website.

• Offerors must confirm agreement with all terms and conditions of the solicitation and charter form.

• Increased e-mail security may cause delays; submit offers early.

• No JPEG files for submissions.

• Imminent Danger Pay locations (Red Sea, Bab al-Mandeb Straits, Gulf of Aden) are noted.

• Expired offers will be excluded from competition.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation is for a FAR Part 12 acquisition using simplified procedures to procure vessel(s) capable of meeting specific transportation requirements. The government intends to award a single firm-fixed-price contract. The acquisition is a Total Small-Business Set-Aside with NAICS Code 483111.

• Vessel Type: One U.S. Flag, Jones Act compliant tug and ABS certified, self-sustaining barge.

• Capacity: Minimum of 60 TEUs of containerized ammunition.

• Dimensions: LOA not to exceed 687 ft. / 209.4 m; Laden draft not to exceed 31.5 ft. / 9.6 m.

• Cargo: 20-foot ISO shipping containers (average 21,000 lbs, max 26,000 lbs). Hazardous Material: Hazard Classes/Divisions 1.1-1.4S.

• Load Port: Military Ocean Terminal Concord (MOTCO) Wharf 3, CA (Available Load Date: April 29, 2026).

• Discharge Ports: West Loch Wharves 4 & 5, Pearl Harbor, HI (Latest Arrival Date: May 11, 2026) and Military Ocean Terminal Concord (MOTCO) Wharf 3, CA (Latest Arrival Date: May 21, 2026).

• Laytime: 3 Days, SSHEX, total for entire mission.

• Stowage: Must comply with 49 CFR Part 176.170(e) and ensure segregation of munitions containers.

• Self-Sustaining: Barge must be self-sustaining, equipped with a Reach Stacker (min 18m reach, 35,000 lbs lift). Shore crane not acceptable for West Loch operations.

• Certificates: Required documents include Certificate of Documentation, Certificate of Inspection, ABS Class certificate, DOT Hazardous Materials Certificate, TSMS, VSP, and Letter of Variance if applicable.

• Contract Type: Firm-fixed-price.

• Period of Performance: Not explicitly stated, but involves specific load and discharge dates.

• Estimated Value: Not stated.

• Offer Due Date: Wednesday, March 13, 2026, at 1100 Eastern Time.

• Submission: Submit proposals electronically. A valid submission requires at least a ship name, price, and signature.

• Evaluation: Evaluation criteria are detailed in Part XI, referencing FAR 12.205(a) for commercial items (Spot Charter).

• Total Small-Business Set-Aside.

• Jones Act compliant vessels required.

• Sources Sought Notices, RFPs, Amendments, and Contract Awards will be posted on SAM.gov.

• Proforma documents are available upon request or via the MSC website.

• Offerors must acknowledge all terms and conditions of the solicitation and charter form.

• Increased e-mail security may cause delays; submit offers early. No JPEG files.

• Red Sea, Bab Al-Mandeb Straits, and Gulf of Aden are designated imminent danger pay locations.

• Expired offers will be excluded from competition.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a Dry Cargo Voyage Charter (DRYVOY - SPOT) issued by the Military Sealift Command. It solicits offers to perform a Charter Party in accordance with the terms and conditions outlined within.

The solicitation details the requirements for chartering a vessel for dry cargo transportation. It includes extensive sections on:

• Vessel specifications and capabilities (Part I, DRYVOY BOXES)
• Contract terms and conditions (Part II, FAR 52.212-4)
• Dry cargo voyage terms and conditions (Part III)
• Voyage charter common terms and conditions (Part IV)
• Additional contract requirements (Part V)
• FAR and DFARS clauses incorporated by reference (Part VI, VII)
• Attachments, including Standard Statement of Facts, Laytime Statement, and Wage Determination (Part IX)
• Instructions to Offerors (Part X)
• Evaluation criteria (Part XI)

The specific contract type, period of performance, and estimated value are not explicitly stated in the provided sections but will be detailed within the full solicitation document.

• Offers must be submitted by the specified deadline to the point of contact in Block 7 of SF 1449.

• Minimum submission requirements include solicitation number, offeror's name/address/phone, UEI, EFT indicator, information for evaluation factors, responses to provisions, and a statement of agreement with terms and conditions.

• Large businesses must submit a Small Business Subcontracting Plan.

• Proposals may be submitted via email in Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) format.

• Evaluation will be based on technical capability and price, with a preference for technically acceptable offers in the highest VISA priority category that have the lowest price. Specific evaluation factors include Technical and Price.

• The solicitation references VISA (Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Agreement) priority levels for evaluation.

• It also includes provisions for Small Business Subcontracting Plans.

• The solicitation consists of multiple parts (I through XIII) covering various aspects of the charter party.

• Specific clauses from FAR and DFARS are incorporated by reference.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "MSC DRYVOY 2026 (02-26) Boxes," appears to be a form or attachment related to a solicitation for vessel services. It is designed to collect detailed information about potential vessels and their suitability for dry cargo transportation.

The form requires bidders to provide comprehensive details on:

• Vessel specifications (type, size, tonnage, dimensions, flag, year built, etc.)
• Cargo details (description, load/discharge ports, laytime, laydays)
• Vessel's operational history and compliance (groundings, collisions, arrests, deficiencies)
• Vessel's cargo carrying capacity (grain, bale, container, reefer, deep tank)
• Special features (ramps, lashing points, winches, cranes)
• Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Agreement (VISA) status
• Proposed freight rates and demurrage/detention charges

This document is crucial for bidders to accurately describe their offered vessels and associated costs. Completing this form thoroughly and accurately is essential for the government to evaluate the suitability and pricing of vessels for the "DRYVOY 2026" opportunity. It directly impacts proposal preparation and the government's evaluation of the offered services.

Other / Unclassified

This document is a U.S. Department of Labor Wage Determination (WD) under the Service Contract Act (SCA). It specifies the minimum wage rates and fringe benefits required for various occupations employed on U.S. Navy contract for deep sea vessels services. The determination is applicable to all coastal U.S. ports and surrounding Outer Continental Shelf lands in specified states and territories.

This document is crucial for potential bidders as it outlines the mandatory minimum wage and fringe benefit requirements for labor categories that will be employed under the contract. Bidders must use this information to accurately calculate their labor costs and ensure their proposals comply with federal labor laws. Key details include:

• Applicability: Coastal U.S. ports and OCS lands in Alabama, Alaska, California, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Hawaii, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, and Washington.
• Occupational Wage Rates: Specific hourly rates are provided for occupations such as Master, Chief Engineer, Chief Mate, Able Seaman, Ordinary Seaman, and others.
• Fringe Benefits: Details on Health & Welfare, Health & Welfare EO 13706, Vacation, and Holidays are specified.
• Uniform Allowance: Requirements for furnishing and maintaining uniforms, including reimbursement rates for cleaning.
• Conformance Process: Procedures for classifying and determining wage rates for occupations not listed in the SCA Directory of Occupations.
• Executive Order Notes: Information regarding Executive Order (EO) 13706 (Paid Sick Leave) and EO 13658 (Minimum Wage) and their applicability to covered contracts.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a data template (Excel spreadsheet) for offerors to provide information on their fleet's vessel maintenance and overhaul shipyard work. It is intended to capture historical data on both U.S. and foreign shipyard work performed.

• Vessel: Name or identifier of the vessel.
• Description of Qualifying U.S. Shipyard Work Performed: Details of maintenance or overhaul work done in U.S. shipyards.
• Cost of Work Performed (U.S.): The cost associated with the U.S. shipyard work.
• Description of Qualifying Foreign Shipyard Work Performed: Details of maintenance or overhaul work done in foreign shipyards.
• Cost of Work Performed (Foreign): The cost associated with the foreign shipyard work.
• Shipyard Name and Address: The name and location of the shipyard.
• Inclusive Dates of Work Performed: The start and end dates for the work.

Offerors must list all covered vessels owned and/or operated by them. For each vessel, they must detail all maintenance/overhaul shipyard work performed in the four years preceding the offer submittal. The template requires separate entries for U.S. and foreign shipyard work, including descriptions, costs, shipyard details, and dates.

This template is crucial for bidders to demonstrate their experience and capabilities related to vessel maintenance and shipyard work. It directly impacts the evaluation of an offeror's qualifications and past performance by providing specific, quantifiable data on their fleet's service history.