What the buyer needs
AI summaryMilitary Sealift Command Norfolk seeks market research on the price and availability of U.S. flag, self-sustaining transport ships to load, transport, and discharge two Ancillary Surface Craft. Ships must feature specialized float-on/float-off well decks or heavy-lift cranes to safely hoist and secure the cargo from Mobile, Alabama to Okinawa, Japan, with laydays scheduled from January 4, 2027, through January 8, 2027. Open-ocean towed barges and standard lift ships lacking conforming configurations are strictly excluded. Responding companies must list themselves as U.S. or foreign flagged vessels and indicate their small business status under NAICS code 483111. Interested parties must submit vessel descriptions, execution plans, route details, and pricing information via email to Jordan Morrison by 10:00 Eastern Time on November 9, 2026.
Scope of work
- Loading, transport, and discharge of two Ancillary Surface Craft (ASC)
- Provision and delivery of cradle, cribbing, blocking, and seafastening for ocean transport
- Independent marine surveyor mutually appointed and priced in lump sum costs
- Certification of cargo as gas free by a Marine Gas Chemist prior to discharge
- Provision of temporary toilet facilities during FLO/FLO operations
- Line handlers aboard ASC for undocking, loading, discharge, and docking
- Security team provided in accordance with ATFP requirements of the USPACOM AOR
- Execution of planning, towing, loading, transit, and discharge per the U.S. Navy Towing Manual
Minimum qualifications
- U.S. Flag, self-sustaining transport ships capable of loading, transport, and discharge of two ASCs
- Equipped with specialized float-on/float-off well decks or heavy-lift cranes rated for designated cargo weight
- Vessels must be listed as U.S. or foreign flagged, not in transition of re-flagging to U.S flagged
- Open-ocean towed barge configurations and standard lift ships lacking conforming configurations are strictly excluded
Documents to include with your response
- Complete description of the vessel including lift capabilities and deck space safety compliance
- Plan for mission execution including loading and discharging methods and equipment
- Area to be stowed on FLO/FLO vessel, loading and discharging locations, route, and range
- Estimated load and discharge time, duration of voyage, and super cargo capacity
- Lump-sum price, associated detention rate, and reimbursable daily pricing for CST
- Acknowledgement of all information and requirements of the notice
- Company name, telephone number, email address, and Unique Entity Identifier
- Small business standing and details on possible subcontracting opportunities for large businesses
How to submit
- Method
- Instructions
- Responses are requested via email prior to 1000 Eastern Time, Monday, 09 November 2026.
Incumbent and award research
No incumbent history found for this requirement. The notice does not cite a current contract, and no earlier award from this buying office matches it.
Market context
Awards in the same category (Deep Sea Freight Transportation). This is not this requirement's award history.
Recent similar awards: Department of Defense, NAICS 483111, performed in AL
| Vendor and award | Value | Ends |
|---|---|---|
| WATERMAN TRANSPORT INCN3220526C1247 · 64-DAY DRY CARGO TIME CHARTER | $21.4M | Oct 2, 2026 |
| WATERMAN TRANSPORT INCN3220526P5159 · 40-DAY DRY CARGO TIME CHARTER | $7.0M | Aug 21, 2026 |
| WATERMAN TRANSPORT INCN3220526P5134 · 29-DAY DRY CARGO TIME CHARTER | $3.4M | Jun 22, 2026 |
| WATERMAN TRANSPORT INCN3220526P5070 · DRY CARGO VOYAGE CHARTER | $2.4M | Jun 2, 2026 |
| WATERMAN TRANSPORT INCN3220526C1208 · 100-DAY DRY CARGO TIME CHARTER | $9.6M | Mar 31, 2026 |
Top vendors in this category: Department of Defense, NAICS 483111, since Oct 1, 2024
907 contract awards in this NAICS over the period.
- 1. CROWLEY GOVERNMENT SERVICES, INC.$477.0M
- 2. PATRIOT CONTRACT SERVICES, LLC$390.5M
- 3. OCEAN SHIPS, INC.$381.3M
- 4. AMERICAN ROLL-ON ROLL-OFF CARRIER, LLC$343.9M
- 5. U.S. MARINE MANAGEMENT, LLC$297.7M
Source: USAspending.gov federal award data (U.S. federal public data). A contract is called the incumbent only when the notice or its documents cite it by number.