Submarine Rescue Vessel Extended Time Charter

Military Sealift Command intends to solicit a fixed-price time charter for one Jones Act-qualified, U.S. flag Offshore Supply Vessel to support submarine rescue operations near Norfolk, Virginia, with offers due September 21, 2026. This procurement is designated as a Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) set-aside.

The charter structure comprises a one-year base period (365 days) commencing February 18, 2027, with four option periods: 366 days, 365 days, 365 days, and 335 days, for a potential total duration of approximately five years eleven months. Delivery and redelivery occur at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek, Virginia Beach, Virginia. Anticipated lay days span February 18 through March 28, 2027.

The vessel must meet extensive technical specifications: minimum 8,000 nautical miles endurance at economical speed; 6,000 square feet of contiguous open deck space (98 feet length by 36 feet width minimum) with capacity to carry 380 tonnes of submarine rescue equipment; maximum 10-foot freeboard; dynamic positioning capability of DPS2 or greater maintaining station within 150 feet in sea state 5; minimum 10-knot transit speed; capability to support 31 supercargo/government personnel for up to 30 days without resupply; and multiple 480-volt 400A electrical feeds. The vessel must be USCG-certified under 46 Subchapter I, classed by American Bureau of Shipping or IACS member, and validated as a submarine rescue Vessel of Opportunity per MOSHIP Criteria Manual Revision E at delivery.

Crew complement, force protection, and chemical/biological/radiological/nuclear (CBRN) defense requirements are prescribed in detailed appendices. Force protection mandates include a licensed Force Protection Officer with MSC-approved Anti-Terrorism Level II training and SECRET clearance; a five-person Security Reaction Force with triennial SRF training; hull perimeter lighting (5 foot-candles minimum from waterline to 30 feet); closed-circuit television monitoring entrance/egress points and restricted areas; and intrusion detection systems with motion sensors. CBRN requirements include a designated CBRN Officer completing MSC's six-day training course within the previous five years, decontamination station reconfiguration, Counter-Measure Water Wash Down system installation at weather deck fire stations, and quarterly drills. All crew must complete CBRN Basic Defense Course training within the previous five years.

Prevailing wage rates apply under Wage Determination 2019-0288 Revision 26, with rates ranging from $92.16/hour (Master) to $13.09/hour (Ordinary Seaman), plus uniform fringe benefits including health and welfare at $5.55/hour, 2-4 weeks paid vacation, and 11 paid holidays minimum.

Solicitation N3220526R6077 is NAICS 483111 (Deep Sea Freight Transportation). Inquiries should be directed to Yvonne Escolo.