SS-26-073 - SPDS Support Vessel (SSV).docx

23 March 2026

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ONLY, AND YOUR RESPONSE IS NOT AN OFFER. THIS REQUEST FOR INFORMATION DOES NOT COMMIT THE GOVERNMENT TO PAY ANY COSTS INCURRED IN PREPARATION OF ANY SUBMISSION TO THIS MARKET SURVEY OR TO CONTRACT FOR SERVICES.

1. MSC requests information about the price and availablity of one (1) Jones Act qualified U.S. Flag Vessel of Opportunity (VOO) for one (1) 12-month base period with three (3) twelve-month option periods. The vessel must be capable of installing the Seabased Petroleum Distribution System (SPDS) and deploying the SPDS in coastal waters.

2. SCOPE OF WORK: The vessel shall be prepared to transport and deploy the Seabased Petroleum Distribution System (SPDS) in accordance with United States Coast Guard (USCG) regulations and Navy requirements. They will store, install, operate, and maintain Government furnished equipment onboard the SPDS support vessel (SSV). They will additionally be prepared to conduct personnel transport in line with deployment objectives provided by the sponsor.

3. AREA OF OPERATIONS: The vessel will be hubbed in SAIPAN/GUAM, NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS. The vessel will normally operate in, but not be restricted to, INDOPAC operational areas. The vessel shall be able to operate in a wide range of areas worldwide. It is intended for the vessel to be on station conducting independent operations in a remote environment or operate at anchor for extended periods.

4. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE:

A. Laydays: 1 April 2027 to 30 June 2027 B. Delivery Port: SAN DIEGO, CA

5. THE VESSELS SHALL HAVE THE FOLLOWING MINIMUM VESSEL CHARACTERISTICS:

a. Flag: United States; Jones Act Compliant

b. Sustain Speed: Minimum Transit = 10 knots (kts), SPDS Deployment Operations = 5 kts

c. Minimum Sea Keeping: Transit = Sea State (SS) 5, SPDS Deployment Operations = SS 3

d. Station Keeping: Dynamic Positioning Two (DP-2) or equivalent industry standard

e. Fueling Capability: Must be capable of carrying and supplying fuel at sea to the SPDS barge (minimum 184,000 gallons of JP-8). To resupply SPDS, the vessel will pick up a floating lay flat hose from the water surface and connect via a 6-inch Robb Coupling fitting. The vessel will need pumping capability of greater than 300 GPM, ability to pick up a 6 inch lay flat hose from water surface and tools/training to operate Robb Coupling fittings. In peacetime operation, fueling of the SPDS will be simulated using seawater.

f. Maneuverability: Vessel must be capable of operating just outside the surf zone area.

g. Open Deck Space: Minimum of 5,400 sqft and up to 14,200 sqft dependent on system reach is required for SSV deck equipment and their maintenance envelope. (3,000 – 6,000 – 12.000 ft)

h. Lashing: Lashing points to support military equipment tie-down for secure storage in the indicated sea states. Lashing will be for securing temporary equipment, such as CONEX boxes or Twenty Foot Equivalent Units (TEU). Key SPDS machinery shall be permanently secured to the vessel in a way that meets minimum sea-keeping characteristics, paragraph 5(c) above for the duration of the contract. If alternative methods for securing temporary equipment are used, please describe the variations.

i. Crane: Capability to place SPDS Beach Kit equipment into and out of the water. Minimum SWL of 18,000 lbs and boom reach to lift all nonstationary Beach Kit equipment and place it in its respective deck storage locations from the water. Crane shall be able to safely handle the deployable equipment up to SS 2, 5-degree list/10-degree trim. If the crane cannot support this SWL, please provide crane max capacity.

j. Support Craft: An onboard support craft for SPDS deployment is desired. Please provide specifications if vessel is equipped.

k. Compressed air: Minimum of 110 cubic feet per minute (CFM) with a minimum pressure of 100 psi

l. Towing: Minimum Open Ocean tow speed of 5 kts in SS1 of the SPDS Barge.

m. At Sea Transfer: Personnel via small boats. Cargo via crane operations, and fender to fender operations

n. Communications: Ability to support secured U.S. Department of Defense communications. SPDS shall have degraded communications environment operations of secured communications with the sea-base and the beach.

o. Accommodation: Permanent accommodation for up to 15 Mission Support Personnel military detachment (MILDET).

6. SPONSOR MISSION EQUIPMENT (SME): The following equipment will be provided as part of the SPDS system. The vessel capabilities shall support the following equipment specifications. Along with the following, additional stores or equipment may be provided for operation and maintenance of the SPDS system.

a. Barge: To be towed by SSV. The overall dimensions are 200 ft X 45 ft with internal cargo fuel storage.

b. SSV Subsystems: There are four potential laydowns of SSV equipment based on the reach capability of the SPDS system. Electrical, mechanical, and structural requirements for each option are listed below. The layout estimate is based on the physical footprint and the minimum maintenance envelope.

7. SPDS General Concept of Operations:

The crew of the SSV (CONTRACTOR) shall be responsible for managing the host vessel (i.e. navigation and maneuvering), deck crane operations and support craft utility boat operations (including personnel transfer). The CONTRACTOR will conduct regular vessel and line handling operations. CONTRACTOR will support maneuvering during SPDS operations The MILDET will operate ALL government system equipment. MILDET will maintain all government equipment.

a. Scan operating area (OPAREA) for best location to submerge SPDS Barge on seafloor.

b. SSV tows SPDS Barge to operational area (OPAREA), anchors SPDS barge to mooring with SSV deployed support boat and submerges barge. The SSV shall maintain proximity to and connection to the submerging barge to enable SPDS control during the operation.

c. SSV travels to just outside the surf zone and establishes positioning with DP.

d. Lowered to the water with SSV crane, the messenger line winch and turning block are brought to shore using a CRRC or small boat and secured (CRRC is not part of the SSV or deployed from the SSV).

e. The SSV will maintain position while the SSV mounted haul winches pay out haul lines as they are towed to shore with the messenger line winch deployed on the beach.

f. Lowered to the water with SSV Crane, Generator Sleds and Electrical Sled are connected to and pulled to shore with the haul lines. The SSV support boat will assist in line handling connections between the sleds and haul line. The SSV will maintain consistent position during this operation.

g. Deployed from the SSV mounted hose and umbilical reels, hose and umbilical are pulled to shore using the haul lines. The SSV will maintain consistent position during this operation.

h. SSV begins transiting to the SPDS Barge location at 5 knots while deploying hose and umbilical, periodically stopping and maintaining position while the crew connects sections of hose and/or umbilical.

i. At SPDS barge location, SSV deployed support boat connects hose and umbilical to SPDS Barge floating whips.

j. SSV leaves OPAREA, SPDS conducts fuel transfer operations.

k. SSV returns to OPAREA, connects to the SPDS Barge refueling riser and refuels the SPDS barge with fuel (JP-8 transferred at a rate of at least 300 GPM).

l. When fuel transfer to shore operations is complete, the fuel lines must be cleaned (i.e. pigged) using 12 inch long foam cylinder(s) launched through the line hose and resupply lines with compressed air supplied by the SSV.

m. Return all shore equipment to SSV using reverse of steps (e. through i.) retrieving all hose, umbilical, electrical sled, and generator sleds.

8. Interested parties are requested to furnish the following minimum information:

a. Name and complete description/characteristics of the proposed vessel including COI, photos, vessel specification sheet, and capabilities to address special requirements, including flag and SPDS support.

b. Name of company, point of contact, telephone number, address, and e-mail address.

c. Whether the company currently has a facility clearance.

d. Business size.

e. Brief summary of company history relative to similar requirements and/or company’s ability to meet the above requirements.

f. Estimated daily or other term cost/price to provide the above services.

g. After contract award, provide estimate of how long it will take the company to modify the vessel to meet the requirements and deliver the vessel to the delivery port.

h. Any pertinent questions or concerns.

i. For any requirements that cannot be met, please provide vessel limitations.

9. MSC requests responses no later than 06 April 2026 at 1300 Eastern Time. Responses should be e-mailed to brittany.d.miller22.civ@us.navy.mil and franklin.c.orvin.civ@us.navy.mil. The point of contact for this action is Brittany Miller, who can be reached at (757) 341-7282 and F. Carley Orvin at (564) 230-3731.