Sources Sought Notice SS-26-123.pdf

SOURCES SOUGHT

SS-26-123 09 June 2026

From: COMSC, Prepositioning (PM3), N103B

Subject: Time Charter United States Air Force (USAF)

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. THIS SOURCES SOUGHT IS FOR AN OPTION EVALUATION AND WILL BE USED

TO DETERMINE WHETHER TO EXERCISE AN OPTION ON AN EXISTING CHARTER CONTRACT.

MSC requests information about the cost and availability of one time chartered US or foreign flag (to be reflagged U.S.) self-sustaining container ship capable of carrying ammunition in 20' ISO containers (TEU). Anticipated delivery will occur on 11 August 2026. Specifics are as follows:

MISSION: The Vessel is to be employed in worldwide trade for the transportation and/or prepositioning of cargo (including but not limited to hazardous cargoes, explosives, ammunition, vehicular, containerized and general cargoes); and for military readiness, in accordance with the terms of this Charter. The Vessel shall be capable of deployment to worldwide locations within 24 hours of notification by the Operational Commander designated by the U.S. Navy. Underway periods shall consist of independent steaming, convoy operations, transit to/from selected ports for cargo maintenance, bunkering, or for cargo discharging/loading operations. The environmental control system shall be capable of operating in and maintaining environmental parameters despite Vessel prepositioning in areas with extreme heat, such as the Persian Gulf, or extreme cold.

Specifics are as follows:

1. DELIVERY: Military Ocean Terminal Sunny Point (MOTSU), NC

2. LOCATION: Worldwide

3. TRADE LIMITS: Worldwide

4. PRIMARY MISSION: The primary mission of the ship is to transport, preposition, load and discharge containerized munitions, as directed.

5. PERIOD/COMMENCEMENT: One (1) eleven-month base period from 11 August 2026 – 11 July 2027.

6. DELIVERY DATE: 11 August 2026

7. SHIP CHARACTERISTICS: U.S. or foreign flag to be reflagged U.S. by delivery.

SPEED: Minimum of 16 knots, fully laden.

RANGE: 13,000 nm AIR DRAFT 135 feet maximum, ballast condition LADEN DRAFT: 34 feet maximum, fully laden with mission cargo ACCOMMODATIONS: Permanent berthing for 25 persons in addition to crew CARGO REQUIREMENTS: Vessel shall be self-sustaining at all cargo holds used to stow the 900 20-foot ISO containers of Mission Cargo below deck. All 20-foot cargo holds used to stow the 900 containers of Mission Cargo shall be outfitted with cell guides and all below deck cargo holds must include operational environmental/climate control systems. All containers will be government-furnished. Ship must be fully self-sustaining at all loaded hatches and outfitted with a minimum of two (2) electric-hydraulic cargo cranes, each with a minimum 30 LTON capacity, and two (2) 27 ton auto locking spreader bars.

A fixed water spray cooling system that meets the SOLAS requirements is required in cargo holds that will be considered as acceptable for carrying ammunition containers.

SHIP AND RATE INFORMATION

a) Ship(s) name and complete description (flag, speed, range, cargo capacity, etc.)

b) Ship availability date

c) Ship personnel accommodation capacity

d) Fuel consumption rates and any additional charges (i.e. delivery bonus, etc)

e) Daily rate (except as otherwise provided herein, the daily charter hire rate shall be considered payment in full for all services of the self-sustaining containers ship and all other requirements under this Charter Party contract, including, but not limited to penalty time, bonuses, payments, and emoluments payable to Master, Officers and crew for services under this Charter, irrespective of the geographic scope of said service and the nominal carriage of ammunition and hazardous cargoes. Daily charter hire rate shall also be considered payment in full for all overtime.

Port charges and fuel expenses are reimbursable)

f) Alternative proposals and additional ship features.

8. Interested parties shall furnish the following minimum information:

a) Company name and point of contact

b) Whether company is a small business (1050 employees or less) under NAICS 483111; Cage Code

c) Vessel name and complete description (flag, transit speed, range, length, breadth, draft, certification and classification, minimum maneuverability speed, station keeping, etc.)

d) Availability

e) Whether company has Active Facility Clearance

f) Daily rate and any additional charges (i.e. delivery bonus, etc.) to perform work.

g) Time required to provide a vessel in Ocean Terminal Sunny Point N.C. after contract award, considering any modifications, required approvals and transit.

h) Things that are major cost drivers that if changed, may reduce or increase cost

i) Alternative proposals

j) Any pertinent questions and/or comments

k) VISA status

9. Provide responses prior to 1400 Eastern Time on 26 June 2026. Point of contact is Yvonne Escoto who can be reached at yvonne.escoto.civ@us.navy.mil; (564) 230-3497 and Stephanie Ricker at stephanie.ricker.civ@us.navy.mil.

mailto:yvonne.escoto.civ@us.navy.mil