29-day Dry Cargo Time Charter

The Department of the Navy Military Sealift Command is soliciting proposals for a 29-day dry cargo time charter of a commercial lift-on/lift-off (LO/LO) vessel capable of transporting military cargo including tracked and wheeled vehicles and breakbulk cargo from San Diego, California to Pohang, Republic of Korea. The vessel must meet specific technical requirements including a minimum laden speed of 15 knots, full operational status with all cargo handling equipment functional, and proper manning with qualified U.S. citizen or English-conversant crew members. The solicitation incorporates extensive federal acquisition regulations and requires compliance with USCG and international maritime regulations, comprehensive insurance coverage, security clearance capabilities for classified material handling, and participation in U.S. Merchant Marine Academy cadet training programs for U.S.-flag vessels. Award will be made to the lowest-priced, technically acceptable offer from a responsible offeror, with evaluation based on vessel technical capability, price competitiveness, and compliance with classified requirements; preference will be given to Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Agreement (VISA) participants and vessels with demonstrated domestic shipyard maintenance history. Proposals are due by April 29, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time, submitted to LCDR Hutchings, and a Questions and Answers document was posted on April 23, 2026, providing clarifications on equipment specifications.

This solicitation includes no set-aside designation and identifies no incumbent contractor. The charter period is approximately 29 days commencing May 24, 2026, encompassing approximately 20 days underway laden, zero days underway in ballast condition, and 9 days in port idle. Pricing is structured as a firm-fixed-price contract with charter hire rates and fuel costs calculated using a standard Fiscal Year 2025 DLA fuel price of $1,500.83 per metric ton for Marine Gas Oil (MGO), with fuel consumption valued at specified rates and port expenses as additional pricing elements. The vessel must be capable of transporting a minimum of 68,134 square feet of military cargo with full bunkering and complete cargo handling capabilities. Place of performance is San Diego, California, with cargo destination in Pohang, Republic of Korea, and the solicitation falls under NAICS code 483111 (Deep Sea Freight Transportation).