180-day Special Time Charter w/ One 180-day Option

The Department of the Navy Military Sealift Command is conducting market research for a special time charter of roll-on/roll-off (RO/RO) vessels with bow ramps to support strategic sealift operations. The agency is seeking information on four to six U.S. or foreign flag vessels capable of transporting a minimum of 2,100 square feet of cargo per vessel with a combined capacity of at least 12,600 square feet, with a minimum of four vessels available for tasking at all times. Key vessel requirements include beachability with deployable bow ramps, capacity to carry 350-450 short tons in a single lift, an unrefueled range of 5,000 nautical miles, twenty days of self-sustained endurance, the ability to transit open ocean in sea state 4 conditions, and compliance with USCG or equivalent IACS construction standards and SOLAS/IMO conventions. Vessels must also be equipped with modern internet connectivity (VSAT, Nexuswave, or Starlink) providing 24/7 service and berthing facilities for a minimum of two sponsor personnel. Interested parties must submit responses via email to Matthew Price no later than February 4, 2026, at 11:00 p.m. Eastern Time, providing detailed vessel specifications, daily charter rates, fuel consumption data, company information, and small business status.

This solicitation carries no set-aside designation and represents market research only, which does not commit the government to contract or pay any costs incurred in preparation or submission. The charter period consists of one 180-day base period with one 180-day option period, with layday commencing August 8, 2026, and canceling May 29, 2026, with both delivery and redelivery at Naha, Japan. The vessels will transport rolling stock and general cargo including sensitive items such as ammunition with hazard classification up to 1.1J, weapons, and communication equipment across varying terrain including piers, floating barges, and unimproved shorelines. The small business size standard for this deep sea freight transportation service is 1,050 employees under NAICS code 483111. No specific budget or award value is disclosed in this pre-solicitation phase, as the agency is conducting preliminary market research to assess vessel availability and pricing.