25R6017 QA 0001.pdf
PDF 229 KB Posted
- Attached to
- TUGCON; Open-Ocean Tow Federal contract opportunity
- Solicitation number
- N3220525R6017
About this file
This document is a Questions and Answers (Q&A) file for Military Sealift Command (MSC) Solicitation N3220525R6017, dated 24 July 2025, addressing an open-ocean towing contract. The Q&A provides clarifications from potential offerors about specific towing logistics, including Panama Canal transit, vessel preparation, and towing requirements. Key details include: the tow involves an unmanned T-EPF (Expeditionary Pier Functionality) vessel, with a design tow speed of 10 knots; MSC will request but cannot guarantee priority Panama Canal transit; canal transit fees will be reimbursable; and the contractor is responsible for installing towing modifications and managing trailing tug coordination. The document specifies that the vessel is currently located at Victor Wharf in Pearl Harbor, with ongoing hull cleaning, and provides a polar chart for determining speed restrictions based on sea state conditions.
View the file
Other files for this federal contract opportunity
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| 25R6017_A0001_ Ext_RFP.pdf | ||
| EPF Mooring_System_Diagram_with_TRANSALT.pdf | ||
| Towing_Mooring_Fitting_Installation.pdf | ||
| WD 2015021338.pdf | ||
| Shipyard Data Sheet.xlsx | XLSX spreadsheet | |
| 25R6017 RFP.pdf | ||
| Placemat_FLT_01JUL23.pptx | PPTX presentation | |
| DFARS 252.225-7055.pdf |
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Text version
MILITARY SEALIFT COMMAND
N3220525R6017
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
24 July 2025
The following are answers to questions received from potential offerors. The answers provide clarification only and DO NOT constitute an amendment to the solicitation.
1. Will MSC be guaranteeing an Expedited or Priority transit through the Panama Canal?
ANSWER: MSC will request a priority transit but cannot guarantee it.
2. Will there be power/lighting onboard the tow for Pilots, etc.?
ANSWER: The Contractor is to rig appropriate lighting as per the towing hardware portion of the RFP. The T-EPF will be unmanned and without power. Pilots are not expected to board the
T-EPF.
3. What are the boarding arrangements on the ship, i.e., how will Canal Authorities, line handlers and pilots, etc. get aboard?
ANSWER: This is a dead-stick tow. They should not have to board the vessel. If access is required arrangements can be made through MSC Contracting and Reps to be identified after the award.
4. How will the pilots get to the bridge/bridge deck/wings without going inside the vessel when it arrives Balboa?
ANSWER: See above.
5. Will MSC be responsible for the installation of the towing modifications to the ship?
ANSWER: The Contractor will install all towing modifications needed to install their towing rig. Deck fittings such as bitts, closed shocks and padeyes will be non-destructive tested (NDT’d) and results shared by the Government.
6. Will MSC be responsible for installing any required chocks on the stern log/main deck that could be used for the tail tug in transit - two on the stern with bitts are required.
ANSWER: Please see above. Towing hardware is the responsibility of the contractor. There are chocks installed on the stern of the vessel as per standard arrangement, MSC will not be performing structural modification for the tow.
7. A trailing tug at the Panama Canal is usually arranged in conjunction with the other Panama Canal logistics. If MSC is responsible for the Canal transit costs, can you confirm that the contractor will be responsible for the costs of the trailing tug?
ANSWER: Trailing tug shall be included in the lump-sum. Coordination is expected to be performed by the towing company and their agent.
8. Will MSC be responsible for the Panama Canal transit costs and the coordination with Panama for the transit?
ANSWER: Yes, MSCLANT will communicate with the Panama Canal Authority Reps and U.S.
Embassy as needed. Canal transit fees for the tow-vessel and T-EPF will be reimbursable. Canal transit cost estimates shall be itemized in the offer. Actual incurred costs will be handled as pass-through expenses.
9. We understand that this class of ship may have previously had speed restrictions when operating in inclement weather due to the hull construction. Is MSC/SUPSALV putting speed restrictions on the tow that contractors should be aware of when offering pricing?
ANSWER: Ship design tow speed is 10 knots. If sea state is 5 or more, refer to attached polar chart to determine if tow speed is restricted further.
10. Please advise the last time the hull was cleaned of marine growth and also provide any recent photos displaying current condition.
ANSWER: The hull cleaning is currently ongoing as we speak and will be completed before the tow. We do not have any pictures at the moment.
11. Please advise if the bollards shown in the Towing, Mooring, Fitting drawing (attached) are 5083 aluminum alloy, 18” OD Pipe.
ANSWER: The tow bollards are 20mm rolled plat Al 5083-H116.
12. In reference to paragraph 7.M of RFP N3220525R6017 – are the trail tug(s) for Contractor or MSC’s account? If for Contractor’s account, will these costs be handled as a reimbursable IAW with the TUGCON proforma?
ANSWER: Contractor’s account included in lump-sum. This is not a reimbursable.
13. In Item #3 of the RFP, it states that the pier in Pearl Harbor is “TBD”. Please verify that the vessel will be moored at a pier in Pearl Harbor that is accessible to a crane or if it will be at a mooring at Naval Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility in Pearl Harbor.
ANSWER: The vessel is currently at Victor Wharf in Pearl Harbor, so crane accessibility should not be an issue.
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