Compilation of Ocean-Going Self-Propelled Deep-Draft Vessel Operating Costs (DDVOCs)

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Humphreys Engineer Center Support Activity seeks compilation of ocean-going self-propelled deep-draft vessel operating costs (DDVOCs), with proposals due September 22, 2026 at 4:30 PM Eastern Daylight Time. This procurement is set aside for women-owned small businesses (WOSB), and will be awarded as a firm fixed-price commercial services contract under FAR Part 12.

The contractor must collect and analyze vessel acquisition, replacement, and operating cost data for nine representative ocean-going deep-draft vessel types, including tankers, bulk carriers, container ships, general cargo vessels, gaseous tankers, roll-on/roll-off carriers, vehicle carriers, refrigerated cargo vessels, and passenger vessels. Core deliverables include compilation of operating costs with separate treatment of U.S. and foreign registry where appropriate; development or updating of a computerized application allowing users to adjust cost estimates by crew nationality, vessel age, bunkerage costs, vessel registry, and lifecycle maintenance; specialized survey of evolving vessel design classes; and worldwide and regional bunkerage cost market analysis across 30–60 port locations. Performance shall be completed within one year (365 calendar days) from contract award. Three optional tasks are available for additional investigation of long-term normalized capital costs, ice-classed vessel adjustments, and adjustment indices for additional vessel types.

Deliverables milestones are Award + 60 days (initial progress report), Award + 90–110 days (data collection progress report), Award + 180–210 days (draft report), Award + 260–320 days (final report), and Award + 350–365 days (finalized computerized application and documentation). Performance may be conducted at the contractor's facility, provided it maintains secure and controlled access for handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) with data transfers through secure means such as DoD SAFE. All analytical products, databases, software, source code, and documentation become Government property with perpetual ownership retained by the Institute for Water Resources.

Evaluation ranks technical understanding and approach (most important), personnel experience and availability, organizational management, past performance, and price. Non-price factors combined are significantly more important than price. Key personnel must demonstrate expertise in maritime economics, vessel costs, transportation economics, statistical analysis, and cost modeling, with relevant experience on comparable deep-draft vessel projects within the last three years. Offerors without recent past performance may provide substitute evidence such as working software and published analyses. Proposals are organized in four volumes: Technical (75 pages maximum), Past Performance (25 pages maximum), Price, and Administrative Requirements. The NAICS code is 541990, All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services. Amendment 001 was issued September 17, 2026, posting answers to questions and revising the RFP.