26R6131 RFP.pdf

24 August 2026

This is the Military Sealift Command Norfolk, Strategic Sealift Program Support Office

SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICES, RFP’S, AMENDMENTS AND CONTRACT AWARDS

WILL BE POSTED TO THE SAM.GOV WEBSITE (ONLY) UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

HTTPS://SAM.GOV

PROFORMA DOCUMENTS WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST.

Subj: RFP N3220526R6131

Ref: (a) SF 1449

(b) MSC TUGCON 2026 (02-26)

This acquisition is a FAR part 12 acquisition being conducted under FAR 12.201-1 Simplified procedures. Only FAR Part 12 procedures will be used to solicit and evaluate offerors. Per FAR 52.216-1, the Government contemplates award of a firm-fixed-price contract resulting from this solicitation.

MSC Strategic Sealift Program Support Office, N103A, requests proposals for vessel(s) capable of meeting the transportation requirements described below. The paragraph numbers below apply to the box layout of references (a) and (b), which are incorporated herein by reference (available on the MSC web site at https://www.msc.usff.navy.mil, under “Business “Opportunities”, select “Contracts”, then “Proforma”, or upon request), and shall be the charter form of any contract resulting from this solicitation. By submission of a proposal, the owner/offeror confirms agreement with all terms and conditions of this solicitation and the charter form, unless otherwise identified therein.

NOTES:

1. IN ACCORDANCE WITH MSC TUGCON PROFORMA, PART VIII (A)(11), A VALID

SUBMISSION CONSISTS OF AT LEAST A SHIP NAME, A PRICE, AND A SIGNATURE ON THE

OFFER DOCUMENT; WITHOUT THESE THREE AT A MINIMUM, YOUR SUBMISSION WILL

NOT BE CONSIDERED FOR EVALUATION AND AWARD.

2. DUE TO INCREASED E-MAIL SECURITY, IT MAY TAKE LONGER FOR E-MAILS TO BE

RECEIVED IN THE APPROPRIATE IN-BOX, ESPECIALLY WHEN AN E-MAIL IS HOSTED IN

A FOREIGN COUNTRY; SOME E-MAILS ARE DELAYED IN EXCESS OF HOURS. OFFERORS

ARE ENCOURAGED TO SUBMIT OFFERS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. NO JPEG FILES.

3. OFFERORS ARE REMINDED THAT EXPIRED OFFERS WILL BE EXCLUDED FROM THE

COMPETITION UPON EXPIRATION AND WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR SUBSEQUENT

REVIVAL OR RENEWAL UNLESS THE EXPIRATION OCCURS DURING A PERIOD WHERE

FINAL PROPOSAL REVISIONS ARE BEING ACTIVELY SOUGHT.

4. THIS IS A SPOT CHARTER; AS SUCH, ALL PROFORMA SECTIONS THAT ADDRESS

EXTENDED TERM CHARTERS ARE NOT APPLICABLE.

https://sam.gov/ https://www.msc.usff.navy.mil/

A. STANDARD FORM 1449 BOXES

I. Standard Form 1449 Boxes

2. Contract No.: Will be provided upon award

5. Solicitation No.: N3220526R6131

6. Solicitation Issue Date: 24 August 2026

7. For Solicitation Information: Email David Anaya at david.c.anaya.civ@us.navy.mil or 564-226-8419

8. Offer Due Date: Friday, 28 August 2026, at 1100 Eastern Time

9. Issued By: Military Sealift Command Norfolk, 471 East C Street, Bldg. SP-64, Naval Station Norfolk, Norfolk, VA 23511-2419 (Code: N32205)

10. This Acquisition is: Total Small Business Set-Aside; NAICS Code: 483111

14. Method of Solicitation: RFP 18a. Payment will be made by: ERP DFAS-CL (Pay DoDAAC N50082). Submit electronic invoices IAW Part VI(6) DFARS 252.232-7006 Wide Area Work Flow Payment Instructions 18b. Submit invoices to: See Part VI(C)(7) MSC Wide Area Work Flow (WAWF) Instructions 27a. Solicitation incorporates by full text FAR 52.212-1, 52.212-4 and tailored as indicated and appropriate.

PART I - TUGCON BOXES:

1. Tug Required:

One, U.S. Flag, ocean-going certified tug capable of towing USNS CATAWBA (T-ATF 168) “IAW the U.S. Navy Tow Manual (SL740-AA-MAN-010).”

2. Description of the Tow:

A. USNS CATAWBA (T-ATF 168)

B. Displacement – 1,387 LT C. Length – 226’ D. Beam – 42’ E. Max Draft – 15’

3. Port/Place of Departure: Subic Bay, Philippines

4. Laytime: Four (4) days for the entire mission.

5. Port/Place of Destination: Honolulu, Hawaii (USA)

6. Layday(s): Commencing/Cancelling: 26 September 2026 - 1 November 2026

7. Terms/Conditions/Attachments added, deleted or modified:

Add: special requirements:

A. Vessel/tug shall either be built on or after 1970 or if built prior to 1970, contractor must submit evidence issued or endorsed by the USCG, ABS, or another USCG-recognized classification society sufficient to establish the date and scope of the rebuild that the tug was fully rebuilt and repowered after 1970.

mailto:david.c.anaya.civ@us.navy.mil

B. Bollard pull: sufficient to tow LCU at a minimum tow speed of six (6) knots for five (5) knot SOA in Beaufort 5 conditions. Maximum tow speed to be calculated IAW the U.S.

Navy Tow Manual.

C. Tug shall be fully bunkered for the voyage.

D. Stops for fuel or supplies are authorized.

E. Internet and satellite phone capability.

F. U.S. Navy Towing Manual (SL740-AA-MAN-10) will be used and complied with for this requirement. The link for download is: http://www.navsea.navy.mil/home/supsalv/00c2-salvage-publications/.

G. There will be a pre-tow conference prior to towing the vessel. The time and location of this meeting will be mutually agreed upon by MSC and contractor but shall occur not later than 24 hours before the start of the laydays listed in this RFP (September 26, 2026). Required attendees include tug Captain/contractor representative, MSC representative(s), a representative from USNS CATAWBA and the IMS.

H. Contractor shall obtain the services of an Independent Marine Surveyor (IMS). This service should be included in the offer’s lump-sum price. The IMS is an independent third party to act as a mediator between the Navy and the contractor to provide independent analysis of the operations and to assist in settling disagreements. The IMS selected should be proposed by the towing contractor and agreed to by the MSC technical representative.

IMS duties shall include the following, but are not limited to:

1. Perform detailed technical evaluation and oversight as necessary, to ensure the tug and USNS CATAWBA are prepared and rigged for tow IAW the U.S. Navy Towing Manual, as applicable.

Technical evaluations shall include a review of the following, but not limited to:

• Contractor prepared tow package.

• Pre-tow checklist to include items such as verifying the condition of

USNS CATAWBA as being seaworthy of the tow.

• Material condition of the tug and USNS CATAWBA.

• Preparations of the tug and USNS CATAWBA.

• Inspection of all material, equipment, hardware, lines, and required certificates.

• Completed U.S. Navy Towing Manual Appendix H.

• Issue a towing certificate when the tug and USNS CATAWBA are safely rigged for tow.

I. Contractor must provide tow bridle and hardware, emergency tow lines, flooding alarms, navigation lights and day shapes IAW the COLREGS Rules Of The Road and perform Nondestructive Testing (NDT) of USNS CATAWBA deck fittings on the vessel to be towed.

J. Contractor must prepare and submit a comprehensive towing package for review and approval prior to commencement of tow. This package includes, but is not limited to:

http://www.navsea.navy.mil/Home/SUPSALV/00C2-Salvage-Publications/ http://www.navsea.navy.mil/Home/SUPSALV/00C2-Salvage-Publications/

1. A completed Appendix H from the U.S. Navy Towing Manual with associated detail

2. Steady state tow line tension calculations over the spectrum of anticipated weather conditions along the tow route

3. Speeds of advance (SOA)

4. Weather conditions and limits

5. A sketch of the tow configuration which identifies all components in the tow rig from the tow machine on the tug to the pad eyes on tow (this includes tow wire, connecting shackles, chain inspections, and pad eye NDT (non-destructive testing) inspection paperwork.

6. Documentation of pedigree, testing, or stamping for the individual jewelry components to assist in identifying the weakest link and to facilitate forensic analysis in the event of a failure and tracking of failure trends.

7. Tug specifications to include hull and tow machinery certifications, bollard pull, tow wire certifications, and the Master’s towing endorsement.

8. Route planning and identification of ports of refuge including associated restrictions for entry as stated by the Captain of the Port.

9. The completed tow package must be sent to NAVSEA and MSC representatives for approval prior to tow.

K. Lump sum amount shall include up to four (4) days of laytime

L. Position reports. Position reports shall be issued by electronic mail: vessel shall provide position/status reports in port twice daily at 0000z and 1200z and at-sea four times daily at 0000z, 0600z, 1200z, and 1800z. Additionally, position/status reports shall be sent upon departure and arrival, and at other times requested by the applicable MSC area command for force protection reasons. Reports shall be sent to the email addresses that will be provided beginning immediately after the contract award.

M. Contractor shall provide name and complete description/characteristics of the tow vessel including Certificate of Inspection (COI), Certificate of Documentation (COD) or classification society equivalent, photos, and all deliverables as per MSC PROFORMA

TUGCON 2026 (02-26).

N. Contractor shall include a draft transit plan in the offer that will detail the transit from Subic Bay, Philippines to Honolulu, Hawaii. Details shall include route planning and identification of ports of refuge including associated restrictions for entry as stated by the captain of the port.

O. After award, a final transit plan shall be submitted not later than 29 September 2026.

P. Acknowledgement: Owner/Offeror shall do the following:

1. Owner/ Offeror shall submit a warranty that the Owner/ Offeror acknowledges and will meet all requirements of the solicitation and corresponding proforma.

2. Owner/Offeror submit items: 7M and 7N.

3. Owner/Offeror’s warranty validates acknowledgment of items: 1-6, 7A-7L, and

7O.

http://www.acquisition.gov/far/index.html http://www.acq.osd.mil/dpap/dars/dfarspgi/current/index.html http://www.acquisition.gov/far/index.html http://www.acq.osd.mil/dpap/dars/dfarspgi/current/index.html

PART IV. ADDITIONAL FAR AND DFARS CLAUSES; add/amend the following:

Amend: (b) FAR 52.203-13, Contract Code of Business Ethics and Conduct (Nov 2021) –

CHECKED

Amend: (b) FAR 52.204-14, Service Contract Reporting Requirements (Oct 2016) – CHECKED

Amend; (b) FAR 52.217-8, Option to Extend Services (Nov 1999) to CHECKED and to be incorporated via whole text and read as follows:

The Government may require continued performance of any services within the limits and at the rates specified in the contract. These rates may be adjusted only as a result of revisions to prevailing labor rates provided by the Secretary of Labor. The option provision may be exercised more than once, but the total extension of performance hereunder shall not exceed 6 months. The Contracting Officer may exercise the option by written notice to the Contractor any time prior to redelivery of the Vessel.

Amend: (b) FAR 52.219-6 Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside (Nov 2020) - CHECKED

Amend: (b) FAR 52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns (Jan 2025) - CHECKED

Amend: (b) FAR 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting (Oct 2022) – CHECKED

Amend: (b) FAR 52.219-28, Postaward Small Business Program Rerepresentation (Jan 2025) -

CHECKED

Amend: (b) FAR 52.222-3, Convict Labor (Jun 2003) - CHECKED

Add: (b) FAR 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (Apr 2015) – CHECKED

Amend: (b) FAR 52.222-35, Equal Opportunity for Veterans (Jun 2020) - CHECKED

Amend: (b) FAR 52.222-36, Equal Opportunity for Workers with Disabilities (Jun 2020) -

CHECKED

Amend: (b) FAR 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Veterans (Jun 2020) - CHECKED

Amend: (b) FAR 52.222-40, Notification of Employee Rights Under the National Labor Relations Act (Dec 2010) – CHECKED

Amend: (b) FAR 52.222-41, Service Contract Labor Standards (Aug 2018) - CHECKED

Amend: (b) FAR 52.222-42, Statement of Equivalent Rates for Federal Hires (May 2014) to CHECKED and to be incorporated via whole text and read as follows:

In compliance with the Service Contract Labor Standards statute and the regulations of the Secretary of Labor ( 29 CFR Part 4), this clause identifies the classes of service employees expected to be employed under the contract and states the wages and fringe benefits payable to each if they were employed by the contracting agency subject to the provisions of 5 U.S.C.5341 or 5 332.

http://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title5-section5341&num=0&edition=prelim

This Statement is for Information Only: It is not a Wage Determination

Employee Class Non-Mech Daily Mech Daily Daily Master $440.74 $497.88

Chief Engineer $395.30 Chief Mate $267.24 $294.00 2nd Mate $238.01 $261.86 3rd Mate $208.82 $229.71

1st Asnt Engineer $272.16 2nd Asnt Engineer $241.27 3rd Asnt Engineer $206.23

Able Seaman $161.98 Ordinary Seaman $122.86

(End of clause)

Amend: (b) FAR 52.222-62, Paid Sick Leave Under Executive Order 13706 (Jan 2022) –

CHECKED

Add: (b) FAR 52.222-90, Addressing DEI Discrimination by Federal Contractors (Apr 2026) -

CHECKED

Amend: (b) FAR 52.225-13, Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases (Feb 2021) - CHECKED

Amend: (b) FAR 52.229-12, Tax on Certain Foreign Procurements (Feb 2021) - CHECKED

Amend: (b) FAR 52.240-1, Prohibition on Unmanned Aircraft Systems Manufactured or Assembled by American Security Drone Act-Covered Foreign Entities (Nov 2024) – CHECKED

Add: (b) FAR 52.240-91, Security Prohibitions and Exclusions (Dec 2025) – CHECKED

Add: (b) FAR 52.244-6, Subcontracts for Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Dec

2025) – CHECKED

Add: (c) DFARS 252.225-7005 Identification of Expenditures in the United States – CHECKED

Amend: (c) DFARS 252.232-7008 Assignment of Claims (Overseas) (JUN 1997) – CHECKED

PART IV(c) DFARS 252.232-7006 Wide Area Work Flow Payment Instructions

IV(c) DFARS 252.232-7006 Wide Area Work Flow Payment Instructions

IV(c)(f)(1)(ii)(A) Not Applicable

IV(c)(f)(1)(ii)(B) Invoice 2-in-1

IV(c)(f)(3): Document routing: The Contractor shall use the information in the Routing Data Table below only to fill in applicable fields in WAWF when creating payment requests and receiving reports in the system.

A. Routing Data Table:

Field Name in WAWF Data to be entered in WAWF Pay Official DoDAAC N50082 Issue By DoDAAC N32205 Admin DoDAAC N32205 Inspect By DoDAAC N62387 Ship To Code N62387 Ship From Code Leave Blank Mark For Code Leave Blank Service Approver (DoDAAC) N62387 Service Acceptor (DoDAAC) N62387 Accept at Other DoDAAC Leave Blank LPO DoDAAC N62387 DCAA Auditor DoDAAC Leave Blank Other DoDAAC(s) Leave Blank

PART V. ADDITIONAL FAR AND DFARS PROVISIONS; add/amend the following:

Add: (b) FAR 52.240-90, Security Prohibitions and Exclusions Representations and Certifications (Dec 2025) – CHECKED

Add: (c) DFARS 252.225-7059 Prohibition on Certain Procurements from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region-Representation (JUN 2023) – CHECKED

PART VII. ATTACHMENTS – TUG CONTRACT; add the following:

(b) U.S. Department of Labor Wage Determination, 2015-0213, Rev. 42

PART VIII. INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS; add/amend the following:

AMEND PART VIII(g) Multiple offers, to read:

Multiple offers. Offerors are encouraged to submit multiple offers presenting alternative terms and conditions, including alternative line items (provided that the alternative line items are consistent with FAR subpart 4.10), or alternative commercial products or commercial services for satisfying the requirements of this solicitation. Further, Offerors may make more than one offer that adheres to the requirements of this solicitation. Each offer submitted shall consist of no more than one vessel and will be evaluated separately.

AMEND PART VIII(l) Service of Protest, to read:

Service of Protest. Protests, as defined in FAR 33.102 that are filed directly with an agency, and copies of any protests that are filed with the General Accounting Office (GAO), shall be served on the Contracting Officer (addressed as follows) by obtaining written and dated acknowledgment of receipt from the Contracting Officer. The mailing address is the same as that stated in Box 9, SF 1449. Interested parties may request an independent review of their protest as an alternative to consideration by the Contracting Officer or as an appeal of the Contracting Officer’s decision on their protest. See FAR 33.104. Requests for independent review shall be addressed to:

Director, Contracts & Business Management Directorate, Code N10 Military Sealift Command 471 East C Street, Bldg. SP-4 Naval Station Norfolk Norfolk, VA 23511-2419

MSC encourages potential protestors to discuss their concerns with the Contracting Officer prior to filing a protest. The copy of any protest shall be received in the office designated above within one day of filing a protest with the GAO.

ADD PART VIII(m) to read: The offeror shall submit Evidence of USCG Certificate of Inspection (COI), Certificate of Documentation (COD), and ABS Class, as applicable.

ADD PART VIII(n) to read: The offeror shall submit Vessel specification sheet to include pictures of the vessel.

PART IX. FAR 52.212-2 EVALUATION; AMEND THE FOLLOWING:

AMEND PART IX(a)(3) to read as follows:

In selecting the lowest price, technically acceptable offer, the following factors will be considered, taking into account VISA priority:

1. Technical

2. Price

Add PART IX(d) to read as follows:

Solicitation Compliance. The offeror’s proposal will be reviewed for compliance with the submission requirements outlined in Part VIII (A)(11), Part VIII(m), Part VIII(n), and Part VIII(A)(12). Failure to provide any of those submission requirements may result in a proposal being not eligible for award.

THIS CONCLUDES THE CHANGES TO PART I, TUGCON BOX 7

(TERMS/CONDITIONS/ATTACHMENTS ADDED, DELETED OR MODIFIED).

Signed: CHRISTOPHER TOMLIN, Contracting Officer, MSC, N103A https://www.acquisition.gov/content/52212-2-evaluation-commercial-items