Call Out Tugboat Services
Closed Pre-Solicitation Posted
- Solicitation number
- N0018926RFI001
- Agency
-
Naval Supply Systems Command
Department of the Navy, Department of Defense
- Responses due
- Set-aside
- No set-aside
Opportunity facts
- NAICS code
- 488330 Navigational Services to Shipping
- Place of performance
- Leonardo, New Jersey 07737, United States
Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The Department of the Navy Naval Supply Systems Command, through NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center Norfolk, is seeking to procure call-out tugboat services to support U.S. Navy vessel operations at Naval Weapons Station Earle in Leonardo, New Jersey. This Sources Sought Notice is market research in anticipation of a future solicitation and does not represent a commitment to award a contract. The services required include harbor support, ship handling, towing, docking, berthing, and mooring assistance for Navy vessels, with contractors expected to maintain tugs available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week with a 2-hour notification response time. Qualifying vessels must be U.S.-flagged with specific technical specifications including minimum bollard pull capacity (65,000 lbs. for Type A and 100,000 lbs. for Type B tugs), twin screw propulsion, 2,100 shaft horsepower, and comprehensive marine insurance including hull, machinery, and protection and indemnity coverage. This Sources Sought Notice has a response deadline of February 26, 2026, and interested parties should submit capability statements to demonstrate their ability to meet the government's requirements. A future solicitation, if issued, will be posted to SAM.gov, and failure to respond to this notice does not preclude participation in any subsequent formal procurement.
This procurement carries no small business set-aside designation and has not identified any current incumbent contractors in the notice materials. The estimated annual workload is approximately 16 call-outs per year requiring 2-4 tugs per call-out, though the total contract value is not disclosed in this Sources Sought phase. The anticipated contract period is five years beginning April 1, 2026, through March 31, 2031, with an optional six-month extension through September 30, 2031. Compensation will be structured using three pricing tiers: a Service Rate for the first two hours, an Hourly Rate for additional time prorated to the nearest quarter hour, and a Standby Tug Rate charged on a daily basis. The requirement is classified under NAICS code 488330 (Navigational Services to Shipping) with a $47 million size standard and Product/Service Code V125 (Vessel Towing), indicating the government views these services as commercial items subject to FAR provisions for such procurements.
Notice text
Sources Sought Notice for Call Out Tugs services for Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC) and Military Sealift Command (MSC)
This Sources Sought Notice (SSN) is in anticipation of a potential future procurement program under NAICS code 488330. Subject to FAR Clause 52.215-3, entitled Request for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes, this announcement constitutes an SSN for written information only. This is not a solicitation announcement for proposals, and no contract will be awarded from this announcement. This SSN is not to be construed in any way as a commitment by the U.S. Government, nor will the U.S. Government pay for the information submitted in response.
Failure to respond to this SSN does not preclude participation in any future RFP/RFQ, should one be issued. In the event a solicitation is released in the future, it will be posted to the Governmentwide Point of Entry at SAM.gov. Potential offerors/quoters are responsible for monitoring the site for updates and additional information regarding this requirement.
1. Description
The NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) Norfolk Contracting Department is seeking information from interested sources capable of providing Call Out Tugs services in support of United States Ship (USS) and United States Naval Ship (USNS) vessels at the Naval Weapons Station (NWS) Earle in Leonardo, NJ, and its surrounding waters. The specific acquisition strategy has not yet been finalized. Interested parties are encouraged to review the attached draft Performance Work Statement (PWS), which outlines the types of tasks that the contractor would be required to perform.
2. Requirements
The Government has determined that these services qualify as commercial items, as defined in FAR 2.101. If solicited, it is anticipated that this requirement will fall under NAICS code 488330, which has a size standard of $47M, and Product/Service Code (PSC) V125.
3. Capability Statements
This is a market research tool. The input provided will help the Government ascertain the interest, capability, and capacity of potential contractors. Standard company brochures will not be reviewed. Submissions must not exceed five (5) typewritten pages, using no less than a 10-point font size. Responses should be emailed to David Vaughn at david.e.vaughn6.civ@us.navy.mil and Robert Babcock at robert.j.babcock25.civ@us.navy.mil no later than 12:00 PM EST on 26 February 2026. Again, this is not a request for a proposal. Technical questions and inquiries may be submitted along with the response; however, the Government is not obligated to answer any questions submitted regarding this SSN. Please note that the information contained in this SSN is for informational purposes only and is subject to change prior to the issuance of any formal solicitation, if one is issued at all.
- Cover Sheet:
- Full business name, address, point of contact, telephone number, and email address
- Contractor and Government Entity (CAGE) Code
- Small Business Category, if any: Small Business, Small Disadvantaged, 8(a), HubZone, Woman-owned, Service Disabled Veteran-owned, or other category.
- Capability Statement:
- Demonstrates requisite skills, resources and capabilities necessary to perform ALL of the requirements of the draft PWS. Documentation of technical expertise and qualifications must be presented in sufficient detail for the Government to determine that you (the contractor) possess the necessary capabilities to perform the requirements outlined in the PWS. If you lack sufficient experience in a particular area, please provide details explaining how you would overcome the lack of experience and/or capabilities in order to perform that portion of the requirement (i.e., teaming, subcontracting, etc.). Standard brochures and/or paraphrasing of this SSN will not be considered sufficient to demonstrate the capabilities of an interested party.
- If providing past performance information, contracts or efforts must be from within the past five (5) years. The discussion must include the applicable contract or task order number and contract vehicle, clearly indicate whether the responder was a prime contractor or subcontractor under the effort, and provide the final contract price, dates of performance, and project location. Include a brief description of the effort along with a detailed explanation demonstrating the relevance of the contract(s) or effort(s) to the requirements in the PWS.
4. Industry Discussions
NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center Norfolk Contracting Department representatives may or may not choose to meet with respondents. Any discussions would be solely for the purpose of obtaining further clarification regarding a respondent’s capability to meet the requirements.
5. Questions
Questions regarding this announcement shall be submitted directly to David Vaughn (david.e.vaughn6.civ@us.navy.mil) and Robert Babcock (robert.j.babcock25.civ@us.navy.mil) by 26 February 2026. Verbal questions will not be considered. Interested parties are encouraged to provide feedback on the PWS, including identifying any areas of the PWS that seem vague and/or asking questions about the requirements.
6. Summary
THIS IS A SSN ONLY to identify potential sources capable of providing Call Out Tugs services in support of USS and USNS vessels at the NWS Earle in Leonardo, NJ, and its surrounding waters. The information provided in this SSN is subject to change and does not bind the Government in any way. The Navy has not made a commitment to procure any of the items discussed, and the release of this SSN should not be interpreted as such a commitment or as authorization to incur costs for which reimbursement would be required or sought. All submissions become the property of the Government and will not be returned.
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| Call Out Tugs_Performance Work Statement_draft.pdf |
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