USNS KAISER Cargo Console

The Department of the Navy Military Sealift Command has published a Special Notice on March 18, 2026, announcing its intent to award a sole source contract to Electronic Marine Systems, Inc. for the USNS KAISER Cargo Console Control System. This procurement is categorized as maintenance, repair, and rebuild of ship and marine equipment under NAICS code 334419. The notice indicates that the government has determined Electronic Marine Systems as the only responsible source capable of fulfilling this requirement based on their status as the original equipment manufacturer for the cargo console system aboard the USNS HENRY J. KAISER (T-AO 187). No set-aside provisions apply to this opportunity, and interested parties have until March 25, 2026, to submit relevant information or protests.

The primary objective of this acquisition is to procure service and material repairs for the Cargo Console System aboard the USNS HENRY J. KAISER, identified through Service and Material Order 0516. The government's justification for the sole source award cites exclusive licensing agreements, standardization requirements to maintain fleet configuration baseline per applicable Navy instructions, and compatibility constraints specific to the T-AO 187 Class vessels that necessitate the original equipment manufacturer as the required source. The contracting officer has applied the "Only One Responsible Source" determination under acquisition regulations, emphasizing the critical need for direct replacement parts compatible with the existing Make and Model 38485 Plan Package 63954722. While this is not designated as critical ship equipment, the specialized nature of the cargo control system and its ABS Type Approval designation limit eligible contractors to Electronic Marine Systems, Inc. The accelerated timeline reflects the operational urgency associated with this ship maintenance requirement.