Ready Reserve Force (RRF) Ship Management Services

THIS IS A PRESOLICITATION NOTICE ONLY AND NOT A SOLICITATION OR REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) DOCUMENT. THE RFP/SOLICITATION PACKAGE WILL BE AVAILABLE ON OR ABOUT 7 DECEMBER 2022.   PROPOSAL ARE NOT BEING SOLICITED OR ACCEPTED AT THIS TIME.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), Maritime Administration (MARAD) intends to award approximately 23 single award Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity contracts from this single solicitation for Ready Reserve Force (RRF) Ship Management Services.

The solicitation will be advertised on an unrestricted basis.  MARAD intends to issue approximately 23 Performance-Based Service Contract (PBSC) for maintenance and operational services for National Defense Reserve Fleet/Ready Reserve Force (NDRF/RRF) ships from this single solicitation.  The proposed contracts will result in a hybrid of firm fixed price and cost reimbursable no fee task orders.  Contract funding will be at the task order level.  The proposed contract period is for a five-year base period inclusive of one, five-year option period for a total contract period of 10 years. 

The draft RFP and associated documents will be posted on the Government-wide Point of Entry at SAM.gov on or about 7 December 2022.  The projected receipt date for proposals is March 3, 2023 at 4:30 p.m. ET.  Prospective offerors should frequently check the website for up-to-date information.

Background

The RRF is a subset of ships within the DOT MARAD NDRF ready to support the rapid worldwide deployment of United States (U.S.) military forces at the outset of conflict or crisis. As a key element of Department of Defense (DoD) strategic sealift, the RRF primarily supports transport of unit equipment, combat support equipment, and initial resupply during critical surge periods – the period before commercial ships can be secured for similar support. When activated, cargo will be loaded aboard these Government-owned, contractor-operated ships for transportation in support of operations worldwide. The ships under the resulting contracts will be tasked with being ready to deploy anywhere in the world within a 4 to10 day state of readiness.

Place of Performance

The RRF ships are strategically positioned at various U.S. ports and the contract primary place of performance will be within the continental United States.  However, when the vessels are activated, the place of performance may be worldwide. 

All responsible sources may submit an RFP to the resulting solicitation.  The Government may award contracts based on the initial offer without discussion. The Government is planning a pre-proposal conference and the details for this conference will be provided in the formal solicitation. 

All contractors shall be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database at:  https://sam.gov/content/home to be considered for contract award pursuant to FAR provision 52.204-7 System for Award Management (Oct 2018).  Therefore, prospective offerors are encouraged to register prior to submittal of proposal.