Cape H's and SS Petersburg Long-term Layberthing on the US West Coast

The Maritime Administration (MARAD) requires services for the exclusive long-term safe layberthing for three (3) Government owned RRF vessels, CAPE HORN, CAPE HUDSON, and OPDS vessel SS PETERSBURG. The vessels are to be berthed on the U.S. West Coast between geographic areas of California to Washington inclusive of all navigable waterways that can support the safe berthing and navigation of the size vessel identified. It is contemplated that the invitation for bid (IFB) will consist of two vessel groups, the two (2) CAPE H class RO/RO, as a group, and the OPDS vessel Petersburg as a single vessel. It will be at MARAD's determination if award is made as a whole or split.

Required services are electric, water, power, sewage hookup (IAW local regulation), telephone, recycling capability, high speed internet, and unrestricted access for crew, contractors, and other authorized personnel. The IFB will include alternative bids for either a 5-year (base year plus 4 one-year options) or a 10-year (base year plus nine one-year options) period of performance. An IFB will be issued on or about October 14, 2013, 2013 at www.fbo.gov and http://voa.marad.dot.gov. Bid opening will be held on or about November 20, 2013. Bids from all responsible sources will be considered.

A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Department of the Defense (DoD) and the Department of Transportation (DOT) establishes that, in consideration of the National Defense and the American Merchant Marine, a mutual interest and responsibility exists for the joint establishment, maintenance and control of a Ready Reserve Force (RRF), which is an element of the National Defense Reserve Fleet (NDRF). The ships of the RRF are maintained by MARAD in various states of readiness to meet common user lift requirements of the armed services in a contingency. The RRF consists of 46 vessels as of July 28, 2012.

ATTENTION: Minority, women-owned, and small disadvantaged business enterprises (DBEs). The Department of Transportation (DOT), short-term lending program (STLP) offers working capital financing in the form of lines of credit to finance accounts receivable for transportation related contracts. Maximum line of credit is $750,000 with interest at the prime rate. The STLP loan has a variable rate, which is connected to the prime rate. The current rate can be found on the OSDBU website http://osdbuweb.dot.gov or call 1-(800)532-1169.