Draft SOW for vessel custodial services (VCS)

The Maritime Administration (MARAD) is seeking a contractor to provide Vessel Custodial Services (VCS) for National Security Multi-mission Vessels (NSMV) intended to replace aging training ships within the National Defense Reserve Fleet. The primary objective is to manage and maintain vessels that will support training operations for State Maritime Academy cadets, with capacity for up to 600 cadets, while ensuring vessels remain available for national emergency response missions such as humanitarian aid and disaster relief. Key contractor responsibilities encompass material condition assessments, vessel maintenance, regulatory compliance with U.S. Coast Guard credentialing requirements, logistics management, crew management, cybersecurity implementation, safety protocols, and business planning. The evaluation criteria emphasize continuous process improvement, detailed reporting capabilities, and the contractor's ability to maintain vessels in both full operational and reduced operational status while supporting training, activation, and operational requirements. MARAD is currently in the pre-solicitation phase and welcomes suggestions and questions regarding the draft Performance Work Statement, with all submissions required by February 27, 2026 at 1 pm ET, directed to karen.tempest@dot.gov and robert.mcdermott@dot.gov.

This pre-solicitation notice contains no set-aside designations and identifies no incumbent contractors or current service providers in the available documentation. No specific award value or budget range has been disclosed in this pre-solicitation phase, though the comprehensive scope of vessel management, crew staffing, IT infrastructure, and operational support suggests a significant contract value. The service requirement encompasses managing vessels to support extensive cadet training operations and maintaining activation readiness for emergency deployment, indicating a long-term, complex service relationship requiring substantial organizational capacity. The draft SOW references multiple operational modes and the need to support non-training missions, suggesting the contractor must possess flexibility and resources to manage diverse vessel utilization scenarios. The February 27, 2026 feedback deadline represents the final opportunity for interested parties to influence the SOW before MARAD issues the formal solicitation.