TUGCON; OPEN- OCEAN TOW MISSION - Please see attached Sources Sought Notice ****- SS- PM4- 26- 086.
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This is a sources sought notification from the Military Sealift Command (MSC) for a Tugcon Openocean Tow Mission. MSC is seeking information on the price and availability of a U. S. flag, Jones Act, oceangoing certified tug capable of towing flatbarges. The requirement is for one voyage from Philadelphia, PA to Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Kittery, Maine, with a laytime of four days. The tug must be built in **** or later, have sufficient bollard pull for a minimum tow speed of six knots, and be fully bunkered for the voyage. The U. S. Navy Tow Manual will be used for this requirement. A pre-tow conference will be held in Philadelphia prior to towing. An independent marine surveyor (IMS) will be required to perform technical evaluations and oversee the operation. The contractor must provide a comprehensive towing package for review and approval, including tow bridle, hardware, emergency tow lines, navigation lights, and NDT of vessel deck fittings. Lump sum amount shall include up to four days of laytime. Position reports are required twice daily in port and four times daily at sea, sent via email. Interested parties are requested to provide information on the tow vessel's description and characteristics, itinerary, business size, and confirmation of availability. The small business size standard for this service is 1,050 employees. Responses are requested via email by **** hours Eastern Time on April 10, 2026.
The laydays for the tow mission are commencing and cancelling on June 1, 2026, with a laytime of four days for the entire mission. The bid responses are requested prior to **** hours, Eastern Time, on April 10, 2026.
The tug shall be built in **** or later and have sufficient bollard pull to tow the barges at a minimum tow speed of six knots. The contractor must provide a comprehensive towing package for review and approval, including specifications, route planning, and NDT inspection paperwork. Interested parties must provide the name and complete description/characteristics of the tow vessel, including certificate of inspection (COI), certificate of documentation (COD) or classification society equivalent, and photos.
There will be a pre-tow conference at INACTSHIPS Philadelphia, PA prior to towing the vessel. The time of this meeting will be mutually agreed upon by MSC and contractor but should occur not later than 24 hours before tow.