Ancillary surface craft shipping

Military Sealift Command is conducting market research through a sources sought notice to identify ocean shipping services for transportation of two Ancillary Surface Craft, with responses due by 1100 Eastern Time on August 3, 2026. No set-aside applies.

MSC seeks U.S. or foreign flag, self-sustaining vessels capable of loading, transporting, and discharging two 500-ton displacement ASCs (172 feet overall length, 31.4-foot beam, 36-foot height). Cargo loads in Mobile, Alabama with an available load date of November 15, 2026, and discharges in Okinawa, Japan; contractors must accommodate a 15-day layday window and designate cargo as last-on, first-off. Services will be performed under MSC DRYVOY 2026 floating-on/floating-off and lift-on/lift-off terms, with work executed in compliance with the U.S. Navy Towing Manual.

Contractor responsibilities include providing cradle, cribbing, blocking, and seafastening; conducting pricing and technical planning on a fixed-price basis; engaging an independent marine surveyor; providing gas-free certified cargo; supplying temporary toilet facilities during FLO/FLO operations; and providing line handlers for undocking, loading, discharge, and docking. Security teams must comply with ATFP requirements. Respondents must submit vessel descriptions, mission execution plans with methods and equipment, stowage locations, intended routes, vessel range, load and discharge time estimates, voyage duration, supercargo capacity, lump-sum pricing inclusive of all loading and discharging services, detention rates, daily reimbursable pricing for crew and supercargo, and company information including small business status and unique entity identifier. NAICS 483111 (Deep Sea Freight Transportation) applies with a 1,050-employee small business threshold. Submit responses to jordan.a.morrison5.civ@us.navy.mil.