SS-27-003 Notice.pdf

14 OCTOBER 2026

THIS IS THE MILITARY SEALIFT COMMAND NORFOLK, STRATEGIC SEALIFT

PROGRAM SUPPORT OFFICE, N103A

SOURCE SOUGHT NOTIFICATION NO. N32205-SS-PM4-27-003

SUBJECT: PACFLT PASSENGER TRANSFER VESSEL (PTV) SPOT CHARTER MISSION

1. THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE CONDUCTED BY THE PM4 PROGRAM

OFFICE OF MSC. IT IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ONLY, AND YOUR

RESPONSE WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED AN OFFER. THIS REQUEST FOR

INFORMATION DOES NOT COMMIT THE GOVERNMENT TO PAY ANY COSTS

INCURRED IN THE PREPARATION OR SUBMISSION TO THIS MARKET SURVEY OR

TO CONTRACT FOR SERVICES.

2. MSC REQUESTS INFORMATION ABOUT THE PRICE AND AVAILABILITY OF ONE

(1) U.S. FLAG, JONES ACT QUALIFIED, AND COASTAL-RATED VESSEL TO SERVE

AS A PASSENGER TRANSFER VESSEL FOR AT-SEA OFFSHORE PERSONNEL AND

SUPPLY TRANSFERS TO AND FROM OHIO CLASS SUBMARINES IN OPEN OCEANS

SUPPORTING COMMANDER PACIFIC FLEET IN AND AROUND THE STATE OF

HAWAII DURING THE PERIOD OF 23 NOVEMBER 2026 – 28 FEBRUARY 2027.

3. DESCRIPTION OF THE MISSION:

• THE VESSEL SHALL BE A COASTAL-RATED VESSEL TO SUPPORT IN-PORT

AND OFFSHORE PERSONNEL AND SUPPLY TRANSFERS, AS WELL AS OTHER

SUBMARINE-RELATED MISSIONS, UP TO A DISTANCE OF NOT MORE THAN

50NM OFFSHORE FROM THE ISLAND OF OAHU, AND NOT MORE THAN 20NM

OFFSHORE FROM THE ISLANDS OF KAUAI, MOLOKAI, LANAI, MAUI,

KAHOOLAWE, AND HAWAII.

• THE MAXIMUM DISTANCE THAT THE VESSEL WILL BE REQUIRED TO

OPERATE FROM PEARL HARBOR, HI IS TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY (250)

NAUTICAL MILES (NM).

• FOR OPEN OCEAN TRANSFER, THE CONTRACTOR SHALL BE REQUIRED TO

SAFELY TRANSFER PERSONNEL AND SUPPLIES (UP TO 44 PERSONNEL AND

10 PALLETS OF SUPPLIES) TO AND FROM AN OHIO CLASS SUBMARINE IN

THE OPEN OCEAN.

• THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE A VESSEL AND ALL NECESSARY

MANAGEMENT, SUPERVISION, PERSONNEL, LABOR, MATERIALS, AND

EQUIPMENT REQUIRED TO SUPPORT THE PERSONNEL AND SUPPLY

TRANSFERS, OR ANY OTHER LAWFUL MISSION REQUIRED BY THE NAVY.

• THE CONTRACTOR SHALL MAKE THE VESSEL AVAILABLE FOR

OPERATIONS WITHIN EIGHT (8) HOURS OF NOTIFICATION.

4. OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• THE VESSEL SHALL BE ABLE TO SAFELY OPERATE IN SEAS UP TO EIGHT (8)

FEET AND WINDS UP TO AND INCLUDING 29 KTS.

• THE VESSEL SHALL CONDUCT APPROXIMATELY TEN (10) BRIEF STOP FOR

PASSENGERS (BSP) EVENTS MONTHLY IN OPEN-OCEAN WITHIN EIGHT (8)

HOURS OF NOTIFICATION.

• THE AVERAGE BSP SHALL BE CONDUCTED WITHIN A 6 HOUR WINDOW

(INCLUDES TRANSIT FROM THE PORT TO THE OPERATIONAL AREA, TIME

TO CONDUCT THE TRANSFER AND RETURN TO PORT).

• THE VESSEL SHALL ACT AS AN ESCORT VESSEL IN SUPPORT OF

SUBMARINE SEA TRIALS BY MAINTAINING COMMUNICATIONS WITH A

SUBMERGED SUBMARINE VIA GOVERNMENT-PROVIDED AND

GOVERNMENT-OPERATED HULL-MOUNTED UNDERWATER

COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT.

• THESE EVENTS MAY OCCUR TWICE DURING THE CONTRACT PERIOD, WITH

EACH EVENT INVOLVING APPROXIMATELY ONE WEEK OF CONTINUOUS,

24-HOUR OPERATIONS.

• THE VESSEL SHALL SUPPORT ANY OTHER LAWFUL MISSION REQUIRED BY

THE NAVY.

5. MINIMUM CHARACTERISTICS:

• FLAG: US FLAGGED, JONES ACT QUALIFIED

• TRANSIT SPEED: 15 KNOTS

• SEWAGE CAPACITY: VESSEL SEWAGE SYSTEM SHALL BE CAPABLE OF

SUPPORTING 44 GOVERNMENT PERSONNEL FOR 12 HRS.

• TONNAGE: VESSEL SHALL HAVE A MINIMUM TONNAGE OF 50 GROSS

REGISTERED TONS AND SUFFICIENT RESERVE BUOYANCY TO SUPPORT BEING

TOWED BY NAVAL WARSHIP WITH A MAXIMUM 12-INCH TOWING HAWSER.

• DECK SPACE: VESSEL SHALL HAVE SUFFICIENT DECK SPACE ON THE WEATHER

DECK FOR THE LOADING AND SAFE TRANSFER OF TEN (10) PALLETS. GENERAL

ARRANGEMENT DRAWINGS THAT DEMONSTRATE PALLET ARRANGEMENT AND

TOTAL DECK SPACE SHALL BE PROVIDED BY THE OFFEROR.

• PASSENGER CAPACITY: VESSEL SHALL BE CAPABLE OF TRANSPORTING FORTY-

FOUR (44) GOVERNMENT PERSONNEL DURING OUTBOUND AND RETURN TRANSIT

TO/FROM HARBOR.

• BROW: VESSEL SHALL PROVIDE A MINIMUM OF ONE BROW TO BE ANCHORED

AND TO BE FLUSH WITH OR ABOVE THE DECK OF AN OHIO CLASS SUBMARINE

(APPROXIMATELY 11 FT. ABOVE THE WATERLINE (AWL)) AND ABLE TO HINGE

WITH THE MOVEMENT OF THE SEAS AND BE ABLE TO BE DEPLOYED FROM

EITHER PORT OR STARBOARD SIDES WHILE UNDERWAY AS OPERATIONAL

REQUIREMENTS DICTATE. BROW SHALL ALLOW FOR THE SAFE TRANSFER OF

TWO (2) PASSENGERS AT A TIME AND SHALL BE A MINIMUM OF TWO (2) FT. IN

WIDTH FOR THE ENTIRE LENGTH. BROW SHALL BE OF SUFFICIENT LENGTH TO

REACH THE DECK OF AN OHIO CLASS SUBMARINE. THE END OF THE BROW SHALL

BE FITTED WITH RUBBER-COATED ROLLERS TO PREVENT METAL-TO-METAL

CONTACT BETWEEN BROW AND SUBMARINE DECK. EACH SIDE SHALL HAVE

HANDRAILS AND MIDRAILS.

• CLASSIFICATION: VESSEL SHALL BE USCG CERTIFIED, SUBCHAPTER T. OFFEROR

SHALL PROVIDE CURRENT CERTIFICATE OF DOCUMENTATION (COD) AND

CERTIFICATE OF INSPECTION (COI).

• ENDURANCE: VESSEL SHALL BE CAPABLE OF SEVEN (7) DAYS AT-SEA

OPERATIONS WITH AN OPERATIONAL RANGE OF 500 NM.

• LINES: VESSEL SHALL BE EQUIPPED WITH SUFFICIENT SYNTHETIC LINES TO

PERFORM PORT SERVICES.

• MAXIMUM DRAFT: 33 FEET

• SURFACE/SUB-SURFACE FENDERING: VESSEL SHALL HAVE NON-MARKING,

CLEAN AND SUFFICIENT FENDERING TO PREVENT METAL-TO-METAL CONTACT

WITH SURFACE AND SUB-SURFACE VESSELS UNDER ALL CONDITIONS OF PITCH

AND ROLL IN SUPPORT ALONGSIDE BOARDING AT SEA. FENDERING SHALL

INCLUDE PROPELLER GUARDS, IF APPLICABLE.

• LIFTING EQUIPMENT: VESSEL SHALL HAVE A CRANE/DAVIT SYSTEM FOR

LIFTING PALLETS OF SUPPLIES TO AND FROM THE DECK OF SSBN/SSGN CAPABLE

OF LIFTING AND TRANSPORTING LOADS UP TO 1,000 LBS. THE HEIGHT ABOVE

THE WATERLINE OF THE DECK IS 11 FEET AWL ONTO WHICH THE PALLETS ARE

OFF LOADED.

• MINIMUM LENGTH: VESSEL SHALL BE A MINIMUM OF 90 FT. IN LENGTH.

• NAVIGATION EQUIPMENT: VESSEL SHALL HAVE RADAR, FATHOMETER, GPS AND

AIS, WHICH SHALL BE CAPABLE OF BEING SECURED (TURNED OFF).

• COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT: VESSEL SHALL HAVE EXTERNAL LOUD HAILER,

TWO SETS EACH OF FIXED AND PORTABLE VHF RADIOS AND SHALL ALSO HAVE

A TRANSCEIVER CAPABLE OF WORKING AT 2-30 MHZ AT 100 WATT OUTPUT.

• VESSEL SHALL BE CAPABLE OF BERTHING OVERNIGHT AND PROVIDING MEALS

TO TWO GOVERNMENT RIDERS DURING SUBMARINE ESCORT OPERATIONS. NO

DEDICATED BERTHING SPACE IS REQUIRED (CAN SHARE WITH CREWMEMBER).

• THE CONTRACTOR SHALL BE ABLE TO PROVIDE 3 MEALS PER DAY FOR SIX

GOVERNMENT/CONTRACTOR PERSONNEL THAT ARE ASSIGNED TO THE VESSEL

FOR 24HR/DAY OPERATIONS (SUBMARINE SEA TRIALS). MEALS SHALL HAVE THE

MOST REASONABLY ATTAINABLE DEGREE OF QUALITY, QUANTITY AND

NUTRITIONAL VALUE GIVEN THE LIMITED FACILITIES AVAILABLE. MEAL TIMES

SHALL BE ADJUSTED AS NECESSARY TO ACCOMMODATE TESTING EVOLUTIONS.

6. SPONSOR MISSION EQUIPMENT (SME):

• SME TO BE ADDED INCLUDES PACIFIC LAND MOBILE RADIO (PLMR) CAPABILITY

COMPARABLE TO A MOTOROLA XTL 5000 RADIO AND A UHF (380-440MHZ)

ANTENNA (IF NECESSARY). CONSISTS OF THE FOLLOWING UNITS: MID POWER

RADIO TRANSCEIVER (2” X 7” X 7.8”, 6.1 LBS.); CONTROL HEAD (2” X 7.1” X 2.5”, 6.1

LBS.); MID POWER RADIO TRANSCEIVER AND CONTROL HEAD DASH MOUNT (2” X

7.1” X 9.1”, 6.1 LBS.); HIGH POWER TRANSCEIVER (2.765” X 8.08” X 12.31”, 8.8 LBS.)

• VESSEL SHALL SUPPORT ON-LOAD AND SECURING ADDITIONAL SME AS

REQUIRED.

7. CONTRACTOR FACILITY CLEARANCE:

• THE CONTRACTOR SHALL POSSESS A SECRET FACILITY CLEARANCE PRIOR TO

DELIVERY OF THE VESSEL.

• THE MASTER AND THE ENTIRE CREW SHALL HOLD SECRET CLEARANCES. THESE

PERSONNEL SHALL HAVE ACCESS TO SECRET INFORMATION REGARDING

MISSION OPERATION EMPLOYMENT AND MUST BE US CITIZENS.

8. LAYDAYS: SHIP WILL BE AVAILABLE AT PEARL HARBOR, HAWAII, ON 23

NOVEMBER 2026, READY TO PERFORM THE DESCRIBED MISSIONS AS DESCRIBED

AS ABOVE.

9. INTERESTED PARTIES ARE REQUESTED TO PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING

INFORMATION:

A. COMPANY NAME AND POINT(S) OF CONTACT

B. NAME AND COMPLETE DESCRIPTION/CHARACTERISTICS OF THE VESSEL

INCLUDING COI, PHOTOS, VESSEL SPECIFICATION SHEET, INMARSAT

NUMBER (IF APPLICABLE), CALL SIGN, IMO NUMBER, YEAR BUILT, AND

FLAG OF VESSEL.

C. CONFIRM THAT THE VESSEL OFFERED IS CERTIFIED TO OPERATE

THROUGHOUT THE AREA DESCRIBED IN PARAGRAPH 3, AND IDENTIFY

ANY APPLICABLE OPERATING RESTRICTIONS.

D. DAILY RATE.

E. BUSINESS SIZE. IF OTHER THAN SMALL BUSINESS, PROVIDE NARRATIVE

OF SUB-CONTRACTING POSSIBILITIES ENVISIONED, IF ANY. IF NONE,

PROVIDE EXPLANATION.

F. CONFIRMATION THAT THE PROPOSED VESSEL WILL BE AVAILABLE AT

PEARL HARBOR, HAWAII, READY TO MEET ALL STATED REQUIREMENTS

ON 23 NOVEMBER 2026 AND THROUGHOUT THE CHARTER PERIOD ENDING

28 FEBRUARY 2027.

G. ANY OTHER PERTINENT QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS.

10. THE FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION 19.102 ESTABLISHES THE SMALL

BUSINESS SIZE STANDARD FOR THIS TYPE OF WATER TRANSPORTATION

SERVICE AS NAICS “483111” WITH A SMALL BUSINESS SIZE LIMITATION OF 1,050

EMPLOYEES. PLEASE INDICATE IF BUSINESS IS A SMALL BUSINESS CONCERN.

11. RESPONSES ARE REQUESTED, VIA EMAIL, PRIOR TO 1300 HOURS, EASTERN

TIME, WEDNESDAY, 21 OCTOBER 2026. THE POINT OF CONTACT IS MATTHEW

PRICE, EMAIL MATTHEW.R.PRICE40.CIV@US.NAVY.MIL, OR TEL (564) 230-3782

SIGNED: CHRISTOPHER TOMLIN, CONTRACTING OFFICER, MSC, N103

mailto:MATTHEW.R.PRICE40.CIV@US.NAVY.MIL