NPS ISRO Ranger IV Vessel

The National Park Service is soliciting proposals for the design, manufacture, and delivery of the Ranger IV, a new 182.5-foot hybrid diesel-electric passenger and cargo vessel for Isle Royale National Park in Michigan. The procurement seeks a Marine Vessel Project Manager to oversee the complete vessel construction and delivery to Park Headquarters in Houghton, Michigan. Key contract requirements include designing a vessel capable of 14 knots under diesel power and 8 knots under full electric propulsion, accommodating 150 standard passengers (200 in surge evacuation scenarios), and transporting over 3,500 square feet of cargo including powerboats, supplies, fuel, and equipment across Lake Superior. The government will conduct a best value tradeoff analysis evaluating seven technical subfactors: Technical Approach, Management Approach, Shipyard Selection, Shipyard Oversight, Post-Delivery Extended Service and Warranty Management, Prior Experience, and Small Business Participation. The proposal deadline is January 20, 2026, at 12:00 Noon Eastern Time, with the government expecting to make an award without discussions, emphasizing that initial proposals must represent offerors' best terms.

This is not a set-aside procurement, and it represents a replacement for the current M/V Ranger III, which will retire from service. The contract structure is firm-fixed-price with multiple contract line items covering project management, vessel production, delivery, warranty options, and optional hybrid-ready capabilities, with anticipated delivery between July 1, 2026, and March 1, 2029, depending on the award date. The vessel must meet American Bureau of Shipping and U.S. Coast Guard certifications, including Passenger Vessel, Great Lakes Service, and Ice Class IE designations, with a projected 50-year service life. Key vessel specifications include twin Caterpillar 3512E diesel engines producing 1,502 brake horsepower each, two 315-kilowatt electric motors, a minimum 1-megawatt-hour battery storage system, and controllable pitch propellers. The government has not disclosed the specific budget, though the comprehensive technical requirements and specialized nature of passenger ferry construction suggest a significant capital investment, with construction occurring at a government-selected shipyard and delivery to Houghton, Michigan.