Tugcon; open-ocean tow

The Department of the Navy's Military Sealift Command seeks ocean-going tug towage services under RFP N3220527R6016 (TUGCON Open-Ocean Tow), with proposals due November 6, 2026. The procurement is a Total Small Business set-aside under NAICS 483111, Deep Sea Freight Transportation, and PSC V124.

Place of performance is Bremerton, Washington. The two decommissioned vessels, ex-FORT WORTH (LCS-3, 3,500 long tons) and ex-LAKE ERIE (CG-70, 9,600 long tons), are located at Naval Station San Diego, California, and will be delivered to INACTSHIPS Bremerton, Washington and INACTSHIPS Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, respectively. The layday commences December 14, 2026, with four days of laytime allowed in total across both tows, regardless of whether one or two tugs are used.

Offerors may propose up to two U.S. Flag, Jones Act, ocean-going certified tugs. Each tug must be built on or after 1970, or provide evidence of complete rebuild and repowering after 1970. Tugs must be fully bunkered with sufficient fuel and stores to complete the tow. Offerors must provide bollard pull calculations for each tug-and-tow combination, demonstrating a minimum six-knot speed for a five-knot speed of advance in Beaufort 5 conditions.

Deliverables include a towing package prepared by the contractor, tow bridle and hardware, emergency tow lines, and an Independent Marine Surveyor, whose services are included in the lump-sum price. Position reports are required twice daily in port and four times daily at sea. Insurance requirements include P&I with a minimum $5,000,000 for tow damage, plus Hull & Machinery, War Risk, and Tower's Liability coverage.

Pricing is firm-fixed-price and lump-sum, with demurrage rates proposed per day and marine surveyor costs stated separately. Service Contract Act Wage Determination 2015-0213, Revision 42, applies, with listed daily rates of $533.42 for Captain, Harbor Tug, $448.59 for Engineer, Harbor Tug, $352.48 for General Vessel Assistant, and $335.69 for Deckhand, Harbor Tug. Payment is processed through DFAS-CL via Wide Area Work Flow, with electronic invoice submission required.

The Government will award to the responsible offeror submitting the lowest-priced, technically acceptable proposal, with technical capability evaluated against Part I requirements. The RFP is issued under FAR Part 12 commercial acquisition procedures. Submissions must include, at minimum, ship name, price, and signature, delivered by email in PDF format, fax, or mail.