Dry Cargo TUGCON

The Military Sealift Command (MSC) Strategic Sealift Program Support Office (N103A) has issued Source Sought Notification No. N32205-SS-PM4-26-143. This market research request seeks information regarding the price and availability of a U.S. flag, Jones Act, ocean-going certified tug to execute a one-voyage, open-ocean tow of the decommissioned vessel ex-Germantown (LSD-42). The mission involves towing the 15,500-long-ton vessel from Naval Station San Diego, California, to Inactive Ships in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The scheduled laydays commence on September 29, 2026, with four days of laytime allocated for the overall mission. Eligible tugs must be built in 1970 or later, possess sufficient bollard pull to maintain a minimum towing speed of six knots in Beaufort 5 conditions, and fully comply with the U.S. Navy Towing Manual. The selected contractor must provide all necessary towing hardware, secure the services of an Independent Marine Surveyor (IMS), and submit a comprehensive towing package for NAVSEA and MSC approval prior to departure. This RFI targets businesses under NAICS code 483111 (Water Transportation Services), which has a small business size standard of 1,050 employees. Interested parties must submit capabilities, vessel characteristics, pricing, and availability to MSC Point of Contact Matthew Price via email by 11:00 AM Eastern Time on July 27, 2026.