Military Sealift Command VERTREP Pacific Detachment B

The Department of the Navy's Military Sealift Command is conducting a sources sought notice for ship-based commercial helicopter logistics and vertical replenishment (VERTREP) services. The procurement seeks a contractor to provide a two-helicopter detachment capable of supporting U.S. Navy ships and partner nation vessels worldwide, with operations primarily based out of Guam. Key contract requirements include maintaining two fully mission-capable aircraft with a minimum 9,630 lb external lift capacity, providing rescue and medical evacuation capabilities, and conducting passenger and cargo transfers. Interested vendors must submit capability statements by March 12, 2025, at 5:00 PM Norfolk time to James Ellis, with responses requiring detailed organizational information, FAA compliance documentation, and proof of Air Mobility Command CARB approval. The solicitation falls under NAICS code 481212 for Nonscheduled Chartered Freight Air Transportation, with a size standard of 1,500 employees.

The contract will have a one-year base period from July 25, 2026, through July 24, 2027, with four optional one-year extensions possible through 2031. The procurement is not designated for any specific small business set-aside, allowing broad competition among qualified vendors. While no specific award value is disclosed, the contract will use firm-fixed price per diem and flight hour rates, with potential financial deductions for not meeting readiness requirements. The contractor must provide a minimum of 5 pilots and 3 maintenance personnel, all maintaining Secret security clearances, and deploy aircraft that are U.S.-registered and FAA Part 135/133 compliant. Aircraft must be compatible with T-AKE class naval facilities and equipped with cargo hooks, rescue hoists, and specialized military communications systems. The place of performance is worldwide, with operations subject to compliance with DoD, Department of the Navy, FAA, Military Sealift Command, and theater-specific directives.