TUGCON; JONES ACT

Military Sealift Command Norfolk (MSC) is seeking proposals for a firm-fixed-price contract (RFP N3220526R6092) for vessel(s) capable of towing two decommissioned Navy vessels, EX-MOBILE BAY (CG-53) and EX-PELELIU (LHA-5), for the RIMPAC-26 exercise. The acquisition is conducted under FAR Part 12 simplified procedures. Key requirements include a U.S. Flag, Jones Act qualified, ocean-going certified tug built in 1970 or later with a minimum 68-ton bollard pull. The mission involves towing the vessels from Bremerton, WA, and Pearl Harbor, HI, to the Pacific Missile Range Facility, Kauai, Hawaii, for sinkex events. The contractor must provide a comprehensive towing package, an Independent Marine Surveyor, and comply with the U.S. Navy Tow Manual. Offers are due by May 27, 2026, at 1100 Eastern Time, and must include a ship name, price, and signature to be considered.

The document outlines requirements for offerors to list all vessels in their fleet, including covered vessels owned and/or operated. It mandates detailing maintenance and overhaul shipyard work for these vessels over the preceding four years up to the offer submittal date. This includes separate sections for qualifying U.S. shipyard work and foreign shipyard work, specifying the description of work performed, its cost, the shipyard's name and address, and the inclusive dates of work. The form requires the listing of vessels such as 'Tug ABC' and 'Barge ABC', with fields for cost totals, indicating a focus on financial transparency and compliance with maintenance regulations within the maritime sector for government contracting.

This U.S. Department of Labor Wage Determination (No. 2015-0213, Rev. 40, dated 4/27/2026) outlines prevailing wages and benefits for service employees on tugboats and coastal vessels across numerous states. It details daily rates for occupations like General Vessel Assistant ($338.27), Captain, Harbor Tug ($511.92), Deckhand, Harbor Tug ($322.16), and Engineer, Harbor Tug ($430.51). The document also specifies fringe benefits, including Health & Welfare rates ($5.55/hour, or $5.09/hour under EO 13706), with specific provisions for Hawaii. Paid leave includes 2-4 weeks of vacation based on service length and eleven annual holidays. It addresses uniform allowances, requiring contractors to furnish uniforms or reimburse employees for costs and maintenance. The determination incorporates Executive Order 13706 for paid sick leave and Executive Order 13658 for a minimum wage ($13.30/hour in 2025). Additionally, it outlines procedures for conforming unlisted employee classifications using Standard Form 1444 and provides specific job descriptions for Captain, Deckhand, and Engineer of Harbor Tugs, emphasizing required Coast Guard documentation/licenses.