Operation & Maintenance for T-ATS NAVAJO Class Vessels

Sources Sought / Market Research

This market survey seeks information to gauge industry capability for a potential Government-Owned, Contractor-Operated (GOCO) contract. The contract would involve operating and maintaining three to eight offshore towing & salvage vessels (T-ATS class) for the U.S. Navy, supporting towing, salvage, and undersea rescue missions.

• Provide qualified vessel officers and crew.

• Offer operational and technical support (ashore and afloat).

• Operate, maintain, and repair T-ATS vessels to ensure mission readiness.

• The government will furnish or reimburse for equipment, tools, provisions, and supplies.

• Anticipated operating tempo: Full Operating Status (FOS) with potential for multiple voyage repair availabilities and one major availability (Midterm Availability/Regular Overhaul) annually.

• Contractor must provide shore-side personnel for oversight of lifecycle maintenance and long-lead repair projects.

• Potential contract type: Firm-Fixed Price (FFP) with pass-through elements (repair parts, port charges, etc.).

• Period of Performance: One 12-month base period, four 12-month option periods, and one 6-month option period (FAR 52.217-8).

• Anticipated start: With the delivery of the first T-ATS vessel.

• Location: Worldwide. Initial year focused on U.S. East Coast (Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek / Ft Story, Norfolk, Virginia).

• Company name, contact information, CAGE Code/UEI.

• Small business size status and rationale for compliance with FAR 52.219-14 if a small business set-aside is considered.

• Capability statement demonstrating:

  • SECRET-level facility clearance.
  • Experience operating/maintaining five or more DP-2 rated OSV/AHTS ships (>6,000 GT, >10,000 HP) for five years within the last ten.
  • Experience managing at least two repair/maintenance availabilities for ocean-going ships (>6,000 GT, >10,000 HP) within ten years, costing >$10M each and lasting >45 days if performed in the U.S.
  • Financial resources of at least $35,000,000.00.

• Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) per diem values for operating hire (see Table 1).

• Notional Government Manning Scale (see Table 2).

• Any questions or concerns regarding contract type.

Responses are requested no later than 12:00 PM (Norfolk, VA time) on 17 JUN 2026.

Ms. Jeanette Parker, Mr. Christopher Johns, Ms. Vanessa Schwaner (email addresses provided in the document).

• This is a Sources Sought Notice, not a Request for Proposals.
• No costs incurred in preparing a response will be reimbursed.
• Vessels will have a Certificate of Inspection (COI) from the USCG upon delivery.
• Per diem estimates should include full wages, fringe benefits, and overtime for required watches.

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document contains responses to questions submitted by potential vendors regarding the ATS Industry Day and related RFIs, prior to the release of a solicitation.

• Crew Size: The government is seeking feedback on the expected crew size for RAV Periods and will provide a better listing of clearance requirements as the PWS is developed. SECRET clearances are anticipated for both crew and shoreside staff (e.g., Port Engineers).
• Facility Location: SECRET-level facilities are anticipated to be US-based.
• Personnel Experience: Whether company-wide experience or individual personnel experience is sufficient will depend on the technical requirements in the solicitation.
• Pricing: For market research purposes (ROM), vendors should include all shoreside personnel costs in pricing, not just crew costs. For direct government contracts, there is no fee allowed on cost-reimbursable items.
• Ship Specifications: Ships are approximately 5110 LT (5191 mt) with 12,600 HP and will likely require mariners with unlimited USCG tonnage and horsepower licenses.
• Contract Type: The government is considering firm fixed price with reimbursable elements and potential award fees, but is open to industry ideas.
• Training: MSC-specific courses (e.g., CBR-D) will require contracted mariners to attend MSC classes for training and certification. Prior valid MSC classes may suffice.

The responses indicate that a PWS is still under development, and the source selection strategy is being determined. The final solicitation details regarding technical requirements, clearance levels, and contract type are pending. The government is open to industry feedback on contract type and pricing structures.

Sources Sought

This notice is a request for capability information to gauge industry interest in a potential government-owned, contractor-operated (GOCO) contract for the operation and maintenance of five to ten T-ATS (Towing & Salvage) vessels. These vessels will support towing, salvage, and undersea rescue missions for the U.S. Navy. This is not a Request for Proposals (RFP).

• Operate and maintain T-ATS vessels to Military Sealift Command (MSC) standards.

• Provide qualified vessel officers (including Dynamic Positioning Officers with Towing Endorsements) and crew.

• Provide operational and technical support (ashore and afloat).

• Ensure vessels are mission-ready at all times.

• Manage Full Operating Status (FOS) tempo with potential for multiple repair availabilities annually.

• Provide shore-side personnel for lifecycle maintenance and long-lead repair projects.

• Deck Officers must be certified Dynamic Positioning Officers (DPO) and possess a Towing Officer Assessment Record (TOAR) certificate.

• Potential contract type: Firm-Fixed Price (FFP) with reimbursable elements.

• Period of Performance: One 12-month base period and four 12-month option periods (Oct 2025 - Sep 2030), plus a six-month option to extend services.

• Location: Worldwide. Initial year on U.S. East Coast (Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek / Ft. Story, Norfolk, VA).

• Interested parties must submit capability information by 02:00 PM (Norfolk, VA time) on 24 JUL 2024.

• Information requested includes company name, representative contact details, CAGE code, small business status, and a capability statement.

• Specific experience requirements include: SECRET-level facility clearance, experience operating/maintaining five or more DP-2 rated OSV/AHTS ships (greater than 6,000 gross tons, 10,000 HP) for five years, and experience managing at least two repair availabilities (minimum $10M cost, >45 days duration) within the last ten years.

• Financial responsibility requirement: $35,000,000.00.

• Bidders must provide per diem pricing for Full Operating Status (FOS) and Repair Availability (RAV) in a specified format (Table 1).

• The government is determining the acquisition strategy; a small business set-aside is possible.

• If a set-aside, FAR clause 52.219-14 (Limitations on Subcontracting) will apply.

• A Virtual Industry Day will be held on 10 JUL 2024 at 1300 via Microsoft Teams. RSVP by 1 JUL 2024 to MSC_PM42_Towing_and_Salvage@us.navy.mil.

• Points of Contact: Ms. Kari Dahlquist and Ms. Vanessa Schwaner.

Sources Sought / Market Survey

This notice seeks capability information for a potential Government-Owned, Contractor-Operated (GOCO) contract to operate and maintain five to ten offshore towing & salvage vessels (T-ATS class). These vessels will support towing, salvage, and undersea rescue missions for the U.S. Navy. Deck officers must be certified Dynamic Positioning Officers (DPO) and possess a Towing Officer Assessment Record (TOAR).

• Provide qualified vessel officers (including DPOs with Towing Endorsements) and crew.

• Provide operational and technical support (ashore and afloat) for operation, maintenance, and repair.

• Maintain vessels to MSC standards for seamanship, material readiness, and appearance.

• Vessels will likely operate at "Full Operating Status (FOS)" with potential for multiple repair availabilities annually.

• Provide shore-side personnel for oversight of lifecycle maintenance and long-lead repairs.

• Potential contract type: Firm-Fixed Price (FFP) with reimbursable elements (e.g., repair parts, port charges, fuel).

• Period of Performance: Anticipated one 12-month base period and four 12-month option periods (Oct 2025 - Sep 2030), plus a 6-month option to extend services.

• Location: Worldwide. Initial year post-delivery will be on the U.S. East Coast (Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek / Ft. Story, Norfolk, Virginia).

• This is a market survey, not a Request for Proposals. Responses are voluntary and not an offer.

• Interested parties must submit company name, representative contact information, CAGE code, and small business size status.

• A capability statement is required, demonstrating experience in:

  • SECRET-level facility clearance.
  • Operating/maintaining five or more DP-2 rated OSV/AHTS ships (>6,000 GT, >10,000 HP) for five+ years within the last ten.
  • Managing at least two repair/maintenance availabilities for ocean-going ships (>6,000 GT, >10,000 HP) costing >$10M and lasting >45 days within the last ten years.
  • Financial resources of at least $35,000,000.00.

• Per diem pricing for Full Operating Status (FOS) and Repair Availability (RAV) is requested.

• Responses are due by 02:00 PM (Norfolk, VA time) on 24 JUL 2024.

• The Government is determining the acquisition strategy, including potential small business set-asides.

• Companies anticipating a prime contract for a small business set-aside should detail how they would comply with FAR clause 52.219-14 (Limitations on Subcontracting).

• A Virtual Industry Day will be held on 10 JUL 2024 at 1300 via Microsoft Teams to discuss the requirement and answer questions. RSVP by 1 JUL 2024.

• Points of Contact: Ms. Kari Dahlquist and Ms. Vanessa Schwaner.

Other / Unclassified

This document provides a "placemat" overview of the T-ATS NAVAJO Class vessels. It details the vessel's dimensions, performance specifications (speed, power, range), accommodation capacity (crew and other persons), and classification details (ABS Steel Vessel Rules, USCG Certification, MARPOL, SOLAS, EPA Emissions Compliant).

It also outlines the mission capabilities, including its design to replace older towing, salvage, and rescue vessels while adding sub-rescue capabilities. Specific capabilities mentioned are bollard pull, unobstructed deck space, crane capacity, dynamic positioning, salvage stowage space, mission equipment stowage, offship firefighting monitor, and auxiliary systems like towing winches and a RHIB.

The "Background" section notes that 10 new vessels are under contract, with construction split between Bollinger Shipyards and Austal USA. It also states that the first of class, USNS NAVAJO T-ATS 6, is scheduled for delivery in October 2024, with a Ready For Sea (RFS) date in October 2025.

This document is relevant to potential bidders as it provides a comprehensive technical and operational profile of the vessels involved in the opportunity. It helps bidders understand the scope and nature of the assets they may be expected to support or interact with, including their size, capabilities, and intended role. The background information on contract status and delivery schedules may also inform bidding strategies and timelines.