Draft Application to become a General Agent and Agreement Terms and Conditions for Industry Comment

RFP 693JF726R000002

Buyer not available

The Department of Transportation, through the Maritime Administration (MARAD), is soliciting proposals for RFP 693JF726R000002, aimed at providing career services and workforce development support for the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) and State Maritime Academies (SMAs). The contract, which is a 100% Total Small Business Set-Aside, encompasses a base year from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027, with four additional one-year options, focusing on individualized career counseling, job placement assistance, and workforce assessments to enhance the maritime workforce. This initiative is critical for maintaining a qualified maritime workforce and includes optional outreach to K-12 students to promote maritime education. Proposals are due by December 22, 2025, and interested parties should direct inquiries to Durba Ray at durba.ray@dot.gov, with all submissions and past performance questionnaires required to be emailed by the specified deadlines.

Sources Sought Notice- Layberthing Services for Long-Term Safe Layberth for Ro/Ro Cape H Vessels

Buyer not available

The Department of Transportation's Maritime Administration (MARAD) is conducting a Sources Sought Notice to identify potential providers for Layberthing Services for three Roll-on/Roll-off (Ro/Ro) vessels: MV Cape Henry, MV Cape Horn, and MV Cape Hudson, located on the U.S. West Coast. The requirement includes continuous, secure, and safe exclusive-use lay berthing, along with pier-side maintenance, utilities, and adherence to environmental compliance, ideally situated near support infrastructure. This opportunity is crucial for ensuring the operational readiness and maintenance of these vessels, which play a significant role in maritime logistics. Interested parties must submit capability statements by December 17, 2025, at 4:30 PM EST to Lisa Miles at lisa.miles@dot.gov, detailing their qualifications and experience, as this notice is part of MARAD's market research and does not constitute a solicitation for proposals or bids.

M--TRANSIT THE ST LAWRENCE SEAWAY AND WELLAND CANAL

Buyer not available

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is seeking a qualified port agent to provide services for the transit of the NOAA Ship Thomas Jefferson through the St. Lawrence Seaway and Welland Canal, with a performance period from March 1, 2026, to October 31, 2026. The selected contractor will be responsible for providing English-speaking pilotage, coordinating pilot arrivals and departures, managing lock operations, and handling all associated fees and documentation for both upbound and downbound transits. This procurement is critical for supporting NOAA's hydrographic research activities in Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, ensuring safe and efficient navigation through these waterways. Interested vendors must submit their quotations electronically by November 28, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. ET, to Alexander.Cancela@noaa.gov, and are encouraged to direct any questions in writing by November 24, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. ET.

Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Agreement (VISA) - 2024 Renewal

Buyer not available

Opportunity Overview: The primary purpose of this federal contract is to secure contingency sealift services for the Department of Defense (DOD) under the Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Agreement (VISA). The focus is on ensuring the availability of commercial shipping capacity for emergency deployments worldwide. VISA aims to establish partnerships with maritime companies to provide the DOD with efficient and flexible shipping solutions. The agreement offers incentives for companies to commit vessel capacity to the program, including priority for peacetime cargo contracts. Scope of Work: The key tasks for the awardee include: Committing a specified percentage of their maritime capacity to different stages of contingency operations, as outlined in the VISA Terms and Conditions. Providing detailed information about their vessels, including technical specifications, capabilities, and pricing, as detailed in the Carrier Vessel Information Sheet. Adhering to the agreed-upon capacity commitments, ensuring vessel availability, and maintaining the ability to fulfill DOD requirements within specified timeframes. Delivering, loading, and redelivering vessels as required, with potential charter periods of up to five years. Complying with international regulations, American Petroleum Institute (API) standards, and safety protocols for loading/discharging processes. Eligibility Criteria: Eligibility for this opportunity appears to be focused on maritime companies or operators possessing the following: A fleet of vessels capable of prompt deployment for contingency operations. Capacity and infrastructure to meet the required services, including a diverse range of vessel types. Experience and expertise in maritime transportation, preferably with a track record of working with the DOD or on similar contingency operations. Funding and Contract Details: The contract is expected to be firm-fixed-price, with an estimated value of between $500,000 and $36 million over the potential ten-year period of performance. The base period spans five years, from October 2024 to September 2029, with an optional five-year extension. The government has indicated a submission deadline of August 27, 2024. Submission Process: For current VISA participants, the process involves confirming their desire to remain in the program and submitting updated vessel commitment information. New participants must enroll online through the Maritime Administration (MARAD) website. All participants must provide the required vessel information and undergo a review/signature process with MARAD and USTRANSCOM. Evaluation Criteria: The government will evaluate submissions based on several factors: Alignment with VISA requirements, including capacity commitment levels and vessel suitability. Past performance and experience, demonstrating a successful track record in maritime operations and contingency support. Cost reasonableness and price competitiveness. Technical merit, safety features, and crew qualifications. Contact Information: For further clarification, interested parties can contact the primary point of contact, Shanda L. Lyman, at shanda.l.lyman.civ@mail.mil or 618-817-9484. A secondary contact is Lynn Fitzgerald at lynn.c.fitzgerald2.civ@mail.mil or 618-817-9451.

USNS MEGAR EVERS 2026 MTA

Buyer not available

The Department of Defense, specifically the Department of the Navy, is soliciting proposals for the USNS MEGAR EVERS 2026 Maintenance and Technical Assistance (MTA) contract. This opportunity involves various amendments to the original solicitation, including the addition and revision of work instructions, correction of contract line item numbers, and updates to the period of performance, which has been adjusted to span from August 19, 2026, to October 7, 2026. The contract is critical for ensuring the operational readiness and maintenance of naval vessels, particularly in the shipbuilding and repairing sector. Interested parties should note that the request for comments (RFC) is due by 10:00 AM EST on February 16, 2026, with the request for proposals (RFP) closing at 1:00 PM EST on March 5, 2026. For further inquiries, potential bidders can contact Darius Swift at darius.swift.civ@us.navy.mil or by phone at 564-226-4528.

51-Day Dry Cargo Time Charter

Buyer not available

The Department of Defense, specifically the Military Sealift Command (MSC), is conducting market research for a 51-day dry cargo time charter to transport military cargo, including tracked and wheeled vehicles and breakbulk. The procurement seeks U.S. and foreign flag, self-sustaining vessels capable of accommodating a portion of 450,000 square feet of cargo, with the charter period commencing on March 25, 2026, and delivery and redelivery taking place at Beaumont, Texas. This opportunity is crucial for ensuring the timely and efficient movement of military supplies, and interested parties must submit vessel details, proposed layday, daily charter hire rate, and other relevant information by 1000 ET on December 9, 2025, via email to Jordan Morrison at jordan.a.morrison5.civ@us.navy.mil.

Voluntary Tanker Agreement (VTA)

Buyer not available

Presolicitation DEPT OF DEFENSE US TRANSPORTATION COMMAND (USTRANSCOM) is seeking sealift services for the Voluntary Tanker Agreement (VTA). This agreement provides ocean transportation charter of clean bulk fuel product for worldwide ocean movements. The contract aims to minimize disruption of program participants' service to commercial customers and includes contingency operations in response to natural disasters, terrorists or subversive activities, or required military operations. Contractors can enroll specific tanker capacity into the VTA program, and subsidized capacity must be enrolled in an Emergency Preparedness Program. Interested parties should contact Shanda L. Lyman and Sarah Albers via email for more information.

Lay Berthing Services for Long-Term Safe Lay Berth for Ro/Ro CAPE R Vessels

Buyer not available

The U.S. Department of Transportation's Maritime Administration (MARAD) is seeking capable sources for lay berthing services for two Ro/Ro CAPE R vessels, specifically the MV CAPE RISE and MV CAPE RACE, on the U.S. East Coast. The procurement aims to establish exclusive-use, long-term safe lay berth capabilities that include secure berthing, continuous access, and pier-side maintenance support, while ensuring compliance with environmental regulations. This requirement is critical for maintaining the readiness of MARAD's Ready Reserve Force vessels, which are essential for rapid Department of Defense (DoD) sealift missions. Interested parties must submit capability statements by December 15, 2025, to Henry H. Puppe at henry.puppe@dot.gov, with the potential for a small business set-aside based on responses received.

USNS LENTHALL (T-AO 189) MTA

Buyer not available

The Department of Defense, specifically the Department of the Navy, is seeking proposals for the Midterm Availability of the USNS LENTHALL (T-AO 189), with a focus on shipbuilding and repair services. The contract requires the selected contractor to prepare for and accomplish specified tasks in accordance with the work item package, with an anticipated performance period from August 15, 2026, to October 30, 2026, at the contractor's facility located on the East or Gulf Coast. This opportunity is a total small business set-aside, reflecting the agency's expectation of receiving multiple proposals from small businesses, and interested parties must sign a Use and Non-Disclosure Agreement to access government technical data. Proposals will be accepted following the solicitation release on or about September 30, 2025, and inquiries can be directed to Samuel N. Queen at samuel.n.queen2.civ@us.navy.mil or Marcin Krauze at marcin.krauze.civ@us.navy.mil.

DRY CARGO TUGCON

Buyer not available

The Department of Defense, through the Military Sealift Command Norfolk, is seeking information from qualified vendors regarding the procurement of a Dry Cargo Tugcon for an open-ocean tow mission. The objective is to identify a U.S. flag, ocean-going certified tug capable of towing a YRBM-32 Berthing Barge from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, HI, to Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, WA, between January 5-23, 2026, with specific requirements including a minimum tow speed of six knots and internet and satellite phone capabilities. This opportunity is critical for ensuring the effective transportation of military assets and requires interested parties to submit detailed information, including a lump-sum price and transit plan, by November 18, 2025. For further inquiries, vendors may contact David Anaya at david.c.anaya.civ@us.navy.mil or Christopher Tomlin at christopher.a.tomlin5.civ@us.navy.mil.

Buyer

PSC

Original Source