Misty Barge towing, Tongass National Forest

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation is for towing services for the USDA Forest Service, specifically for the Tongass National Forest in Ketchikan, Alaska. The primary service involves towing the "Misty Barge" from Winstanley Island to Shelter Cove Dock.

• Primary Service: Towing the Misty Barge from Winstanley Island to Shelter Cove Dock.

• Period of Performance: June 15, 2026, to July 02, 2026.

• Additional Service (Option): Towing the Misty Barge from Shelter Cove Dock to Shoal Cove.

• Period of Performance for Option: June 30, 2026, to November 30, 2026.

• Related Service: Diesel fuel for on-board generators (100 GA).

• Technical Capabilities: Offerors must provide a current government-issued Captain's License and a copy of the vessel's performance registration number. If applicable, a copy of the current Coast Guard Certificate of Inspection (COI) is also required.

• Contract Type: Firm-Fixed Price, Requirements, Non-Personal Services contract.

• Estimated Value: Not explicitly stated, but pricing is a primary evaluation factor.

• Offer Due Date: June 10, 2026, at 1700 AD.

• Submission Method: Offers must be submitted electronically via email to veronica.lamboysantana@usda.gov and raymond.padgett@usda.gov.

• Email Contents: Three separate attachments are required: Technical Capability (Word or PDF), Past Performance (PDF), and Price (Excel).

• Evaluation Factors:

  1. Technical Capabilities: Rated Acceptable/Unacceptable. Requires Captain Licensing and vessel/equipment identification.
  2. Past Performance: Rated Acceptable/Unacceptable. Assesses risk based on recent and relevant past performance.
  3. Price: Primary evaluation factor for determining award. Must be complete and accurate.

• Key Deadlines:

  • Questions due: June 08, 2026, 1:00 PM (AK Time).
  • Answers posted: June 10, 2026, 1:00 PM (AK Time).
  • Offers due: June 12, 2026, 1:00 PM (AK Time).

• The acquisition is not specified as a set-aside. It is listed as "UNRESTRICTED."

• A site visit has not been scheduled.

• Offerors are encouraged to conduct their own research at their own expense.

• The Government reserves the right to require submission of Other Than Certified Cost or Pricing Data.

• Attachments include: Statement of Objectives, Misty Shelter 2026 SITE DEV, and Wrangell Harbor Tow.

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

To provide towing services for the U.S. Forest Service's "Misty Barge" from Winstanley Island in Behm Canal to a remote dock at Shelter Cove in Carroll Inlet, near Ketchikan, Alaska.

• Furnish all labor, materials, equipment, supervision, and transportation for the tow.

• Coordinate tow schedule with the COR, ensuring suitable weather conditions.

• Disconnect and secure all lines, anchors, floats, and buoys before towing.

• Secure all deck items and floating docks, and close hatches and vents.

• Ensure anchor cables are wound onto winches; replace any lost or damaged items.

• Perform proper moorage of the barge and associated floats according to the site development plan.

• Clean the deck of ocean debris (crustaceans, kelp, seaweed) after final moorage.

• Provide 100 gallons of diesel for the on-board generators.

• Place of Performance:

  • Barge Location: Winstanley Island, Behm Canal (Latitude 55°26′25.21"N, Longitude 130°55′2.46"W)
  • Shelter Cove Dock: Carroll Inlet (Latitude 55°32′7.19"N, Longitude 131°20′54.87"W)
  • Ketchikan, Alaska is accessible via commercial airlines, ferry, and boat.

• Period of Performance: Date of award through July 1, 2026. An option exists for performance through November 30, 2026.

• Tow Schedule: Coordinate and submit 48 hours prior to transportation for COR approval.

• Certified Licensing: Submit certified licensing for captain and vessel 21 days prior to assigning a captain (or as initially supplied in the response to solicitation).

• Key Personnel: Captain must have an active endorsed license. Towing Vessel must have current USCG registration.

• Performance Standards:

  • Delivery of barge and floats to the final location as specified.
  • Provision of 100 gallons of diesel for the fuel tanks.

• Surveillance: COR inspection and acceptance for all tasks.

• Incentives: Reperformance or completion of task for meeting performance standards.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document appears to be a map or visual aid related to the Wrangell Harbor area and surrounding waterways. It displays various islands, communities, and geographical features, along with a route marked by a white line connecting several points. This visual information is likely intended to provide context for a potential opportunity, possibly related to maritime operations, logistics, or infrastructure in this region.

• Geographical locations labeled include Wrangell Harbor, Petersburg, Klawock, Craig, Ketchikan, and numerous islands and bays.
• A route is depicted connecting Wrangell Harbor, Etolin Island, Thorne Bay, Kasaan, and Shelter Cove.
• The map includes labels for bodies of water and landmasses.

This map provides a visual overview of the operational area for the opportunity. Bidders can use this to understand the geographical scope, potential logistical challenges, and the locations of key points of interest relevant to the services or goods being procured.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document provides a site development plan diagram for the Misty Barge - Shelter Cove Moorage project in 2026. It details the proposed layout for mooring a barge and associated floats, along with a suggested tow route and relevant NOAA water depth chart information.

• Barge Mooring Configuration: Illustrates how the barge should be oriented, the placement of three 20' x 20' floats attached to the barge's side, and the attachment of one 25' x 25' float to provide access to shore.
• Anchoring: Specifies anchoring the barge at four locations at 45° angles.
• Location Context: Includes an aerial view showing the general location of Shelter Cove within the surrounding waterways and landmasses, and a suggested tow route.
• Bathymetric Data: Presents a NOAA water depth chart for Shelter Cove, indicating depths and the location of the Shelter Cove Dock.
• Project Information: Identifies the project as "Misty Barge Shelter Cove Moorage 2026" under the Tongass National Forest, Ketchikan-Misty Fjords Ranger District.
• Tidal Data Reference: Notes that tidal information and depths should be referenced from the NOAA sounding map at the site location.

This diagram is crucial for understanding the physical layout and spatial requirements of the moorage site. Bidders can use this information to assess logistical challenges, equipment needs, and the overall scope of work related to establishing and maintaining the moorage for the Misty Barge.