Dry cargo voyage charter

The Department of the Navy Military Sealift Command (MSC) is conducting market research through this Sources Sought Notice to identify potential contractors capable of providing dry cargo voyage charter services. The procurement seeks U.S. flag, Jones Act compliant, self-sustaining vessels or ABS certified tug and barge units with a minimum capacity of 50 TEUs for transporting containerized military cargo, including tracked and wheeled vehicles and breakbulk items with ammunition hazard classifications ranging from 1.21G to 2.2S. Vessels must be equipped with a certified spreader bar capable of lifting 37,000 lbs or more and a container handling forklift with equivalent lifting capacity, both in good working order with required safety features. Interested parties must submit vessel descriptions, cargo capacity confirmations, equipment certifications, lump-sum charter rates, daily demurrage rates, and company information including small business status by 1000 hours Eastern Time on February 2, 2026, directed to David Hamilton at DAVID.K.HAMILTON19.CIV@US.NAVY.MIL or (564) 230-3260. The primary evaluation criteria center on vessel specifications, equipment capabilities, pricing competitiveness, and company qualifications to execute the mission safely and in compliance with applicable regulations for hazardous cargo transportation.

This is a non-set-aside procurement open to all eligible contractors within the Deep Sea Freight Transportation industry (NAICS 483111), where the small business size standard is limited to 1,050 employees. The voyage charter involves transportation from Naval Magazine Indian Island, Washington to Valdez, Alaska, with a layday commencing and canceling on April 5, 2026, and a laytime of 2 days SSHEX (Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays excluded) for the entire mission. Load and discharge operations are conducted on a free in and out, stowed and secured (F.I.O.S.S) basis, with the contractor responsible for segregating all loaded munition containers in strict conformance with applicable arms, ammunition, and explosives regulations. No incumbent contractor or award value range is specified in this notice, as the purpose is to solicit market information regarding pricing and availability of qualifying vessel services. The maximum container gross weight is 36,500 lbs, with an average gross weight of 19,500 lbs across the cargo manifest.