Marine Forensic Investigation Services

The Department of the Army posted a Special Notice on April 1, 2026, regarding marine forensic investigation services for the M/V Jackie Lee Anderson vessel. This is a presolicitation notice only and does not constitute an active solicitation. The notice announces the government's intent to procure detailed forensic investigation services to determine the root cause of the vessel's sinking on July 1, 2025. The contracting officer has justified a sole source acquisition based on the contractor's unique, non-transferable institutional knowledge from preliminary investigation work. The contract will be awarded as a fixed-price purchase order funded through Army Operations & Maintenance, with engineering services classified under NAICS 541330 and PSC C1ED.

The primary objective is to conduct comprehensive forensic analysis of the M/V Jackie Lee Anderson's generator fuel oil supply system through physical inspection, pneumatic pressure testing of fuel lines, and creation of a three-dimensional model to simulate operating conditions and identify failure circumstances. The contracting officer has established a 120-day period of performance from award with a comprehensive forensic report due within 56 days. The sole source determination is justified by the critical timeline required—the vessel is currently incurring daily costs in a shipyard, and completion of forensic findings is essential to facilitate repairs and return the asset to operational status on the Ohio River. While market research confirmed multiple firms offer general marine forensic services, only the intended contractor possesses the vessel-specific expertise necessary to meet the government's stringent schedule without introducing substantial delays and unacceptable mission and financial injury. Interested parties should note the April 16, 2026 due date, though this presolicitation notice is for information purposes only and does not constitute an open competition opportunity.