Dry Cargo Voyage Charter

The Department of the Navy Military Sealift Command issued RFP N3220526R6056 for a dry cargo voyage charter service involving the transportation of 39,716 square feet of cargo, including helicopters, wheeled vehicles, and breakbulk items, from Corpus Christi, Texas to Alexandroupolis, Greece. The procurement sought a single firm-fixed-price vessel charter for either a U.S. or foreign flag Roll On-Roll Off (RO-RO) vessel meeting specific technical specifications, including a length overall not exceeding 948 feet, a draft not exceeding 50 feet, and a stern ramp door of at least 20 feet. Award was to be made to the responsible offeror whose technically acceptable proposal represented the lowest price to the Government, with evaluation considering VISA (Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Agreement) priority status and potential preference for U.S. flag vessels and vessels utilizing domestic shipyards. Key contract requirements included submission of the vessel's Certificate of Documentation, a detailed stow plan with trim and stability calculations, and a detailed itinerary confirming ability to meet laydays, with the available load date of 17 April 2026 and a latest arrival date of 14 May 2026. The original proposal deadline was 13:00 Eastern Time on 4 March 2026, though the RFP was subsequently cancelled by Amendment 0002 on 24 April 2026.

This solicitation included no set-aside designations and identified no incumbent contractors. The contract was conducted under FAR Part 12 simplified acquisition procedures with pricing evaluated on a lumpsum freight rate plus one day of demurrage plus any other costs in the offer. The mission timeline specified a three-day laytime with SSHEX (Sundays, Saturdays, and holidays excepted) applying to the entire mission, with load and discharge terms of F.I.O.S.S. (free in and out, stowed and secured). The Government reserved the option to extend service performance for up to six additional months at rates adjusted only for prevailing labor rate revisions. Performance was to take place in Corpus Christi, Texas, with applicable service contract labor standards wage rates established by Department of Labor Wage Determination 2019-0288, Revision 25, covering maritime occupations ranging from Master at $92.16 per hour to Ordinary Seaman at $13.09 per hour.