TUGCON; OPEN-OCEAN TOW MISSION
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
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 (MSC) is conducting market research (Sources Sought) to identify qualified U.S. flag, Jones Act certified tug operators for an open-ocean tow mission. This single voyage involves towing two flat barges (YC 1684 & 1685) from Philadelphia, PA, to Kittery, Maine. Responses are requested by April 10, 2026.
Scope of Work
MSC requires a single voyage to tow two flat barges, YC 1684 and YC 1685, each measuring 110' in length, 34' beam, and 11' 3" maximum draft. The mission departs from Inactships, Philadelphia, PA, and concludes at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Seavey Island, Kittery, Maine. The total laytime for the mission is four days, with laydays commencing/cancelling on June 1, 2026.
Key tug specifications include:
- Built in 1970 or later.
- Sufficient bollard pull to maintain a minimum speed of six knots (five knots Sea Obstacle Avoidance) for the YC barges, adhering to the U.S. Navy Towing Manual.
- Fully bunkered with sufficient endurance for the entire mission without stops.
- Internet and satellite phone capabilities.
- Compliance with the U.S. Navy Towing Manual (SL740-AA-MAN-10).
The contractor must arrange an Independent Marine Surveyor (IMS) for technical evaluation, oversight, and mediation, including issuing a towing certificate. Required equipment includes tow bridle, emergency tow lines, flooding alarms, navigation lights, day shapes, and non-destructive testing (NDT) of vessel deck fittings. A comprehensive towing package, including configuration sketches, component documentation, tug specifications, route planning, and ports of refuge, must be prepared and submitted for approval. Position reports are required twice daily in port and four times daily at sea.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Sources Sought / Request for Information (RFI)
- Duration: Single voyage (four days laytime)
- Set-Aside: Not specified as a formal set-aside, but market research is seeking small business interest under NAICS 483111 (Water Transportation, 1,050 employees).
- Response Due: April 10, 2026, by 11:00 AM Eastern Time
- Published: April 3, 2026
Eligibility / Submission
Interested parties should submit responses via email to Matthew Price. Submissions should include specific information on tug vessel characteristics, a lump sum price, proposed itinerary, business size (indicating small business status if applicable), and confirmation of layday availability.
Additional Notes
This is a Request for Information only and does not constitute an offer or commitment by the government to pay any costs incurred by respondents. The information gathered will be used for market research purposes.