Request for Information Gulf Barge Recompete

The United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) is conducting a Request for Information (RFI) to gather market research on scheduled fuel barge transportation services in the Gulf Region. The procurement seeks sources capable of providing tug and barge transportation for Department of War-owned bulk fuels, including Jet A Fuel (JAA), Jet Propellant 5 (JP5), and Marine Diesel (F76), between all ordered U.S. ports and points on the Gulf of America and lower Mississippi River. Key requirements include furnishing three full-time tank barges with total capacities of 25,000-30,000 barrels each, operated by dedicated inland towing vessels with crews available exclusively 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, and maintaining full compliance with U.S. coastwise laws. The RFI requests information on company capabilities, similar project experience, equipment maintenance, cargo handling systems, USCG-endorsed tankerman availability, commercial market practices, industry standards, and innovative solutions to enhance the requirement. Responses are due by 5:00 PM Central Time on May 7, 2026, with a deadline for submitting questions by April 30, 2026, and responses should be submitted electronically to the designated RFI points of contact at TCAQ-I.

This RFI is explicitly stated as an informational and planning tool only and does not constitute a commitment by the Government or a Request for Proposal, with no contract to be awarded as a result of responses received. The anticipated NAICS classification is 483211 (Inland Water Freight Transportation) with a small business size standard of 1,050 employees, and USTRANSCOM encourages responses from businesses of all sizes and socioeconomic categories, with no set-aside designation applied to this opportunity. Historical contract data indicates the current contract was initially valued at $64,261,652.00 as of April 14, 2021, with a cumulative adjusted value of $58,387,000.00 as of March 19, 2026, and the current option period (April 1, 2026 through March 31, 2027) is valued at $12,448,000.00. USTRANSCOM plans to award a follow-on contract on or about February 1, 2027, for a five-year period running April 1, 2027, through March 31, 2032, with a firm-fixed-price rate structure for recurring monthly towing services and separately priced surge or on-call towing needs. The Government will not be responsible for any costs incurred by interested parties responding to this RFI, and responses will be used internally within USTRANSCOM for market research to facilitate decision-making regarding acquisition strategy and small business considerations.