Notice of Intent to Award a Sole Source 8(a) Procurement to The J Group, LLC, for Temporary Piloting Services

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

This Performance Work Statement (PWS) outlines the requirements for temporary support personnel, specifically Masters and Pilots, for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Motor Vessel (M/V) Mississippi. The M/V Mississippi serves as a working tow boat and the home of the Mississippi River Commission (MRC).

The primary objective is to furnish up to two (2) temporary support personnel (Master and Pilot) for various trips and seasons between 2026 and 2030. These include:

• Reconnaissance trips prior to MRC Low and High Water Inspection Trips.
• MRC Low and High Water Inspection Trips.
• Revetment Seasons.

The contract period is from July 2, 2026, to December 31, 2030, with an option to extend for up to six months. Personnel must possess the necessary experience, licenses, certificates, and competency for a towing vessel and an inspected vessel of this size.

• Period of Performance: July 2, 2026 – December 31, 2030 (with a 6-month extension option).

• Place of Performance: Onboard the M/V Mississippi, wherever it is located.

• Personnel: Up to two (2) temporary support personnel (Master and Pilot).

• Licenses/Certifications: Minimum Master 3000 Gross Tons (Rivers), Master of Towing (Western Rivers), and Radar Observer (Endorsement Rivers) required. For specific trips (e.g., Baton Rouge to New Orleans), First Class Pilotage is also required.

• Duties: Standing watches, operating the vessel and tow, maintaining logs, directing tows, ensuring vessel safety, reporting navigational hazards, and conducting emergency drills.

• Hours of Operation: Alternating square watch (6 hours on, 6 hours off, totaling 12 hours daily).

• Government Provided: Berthing and meals (when galley is open during scheduled workdays).

• Contractor Responsibilities: Compliance with EM 385-1-1 safety standards, security requirements (including training and background checks), and providing qualified personnel.

• Daily Schedule: 100% adherence to the square watch schedule.

• Landings: 95%-100% adherence to scheduled landing times (arrival and departure).

• Quality Assurance: Surveillance will be conducted by the government to ensure contract standards are met, with a Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) provided.

• Security: All contract personnel must comply with government security requirements, including AT Level I training, physical security protocols, and background checks (including CAC issuance for certain roles).

• Personnel Identification: Contractor employees must clearly identify themselves as contractors.

• Standards of Conduct: Maintain satisfactory standards of employee competency, conduct, appearance, and integrity.

• Service Contract Act: Vendors must follow applicable Wage Determinations.

• Invoicing: Must include Burden of Rate percentage, dates of service, regular and overtime hours.

Other / Unclassified

This document is a Notice of Intent to Award a Sole Source 8(a) Procurement to The J Group, LLC, for Temporary Piloting Services. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Memphis District, intends to award a sole-source purchase order for these services.

• Procurement Type: Commercial Firm Fixed-Price Services.
• NAICS Code: 488330 (Support Activities for Water Transportation) with a Small Business size standard of $47,000,000.
• Services: Temporary Piloting services for the Mississippi River Commission (MRC) and revetment operations.
• Period of Performance: FY26 through FY30.
• Purpose of Notice: This notice is posted for informational purposes only and is not a request for competitive quotes. It serves to gauge industry interest and capability.
• Action for Interested Firms: Firms interested in this opportunity must identify their interest and provide documentation demonstrating their capability by e-mailing the Contract Specialist, Alexandria Duckett, at Alexandria.D.Duckett@usace.army.mil no later than 10:00 a.m. Central Time on June 17, 2026.
• Government Discretion: The Government will determine whether to compete this requirement based on responses received. No contract will be awarded based on this notice, and no reimbursement will be provided for information submitted.