Scheduled Fuel Barge Transportation - Gulf Region (RFI)

Request for Information (RFI)

This RFI seeks information from industry regarding scheduled fuel barge transportation services in the Gulf region for the United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM). The goal is to understand market capabilities and identify potential solutions for transporting Department of War-owned bulk jet fuel (F76, JAA, JP5) by tug and barge. This is for planning purposes only and not a Request for Proposal (RFP).

• Transportation of bulk jet fuel (F76, JAA, JP5) by tug and barge.

• Services required between all United States ports and points on the Gulf of America and the lower Mississippi River and their connecting waterways.

• Performance must comply with U.S. coastwise laws.

• Contractor-supplied equipment and crews must be available 24/7 for Government use.

• Period of Performance: 1 April 2027 – 31 March 2032.

• A follow-on contract is anticipated to be awarded on or about 01 February 2027.

• Interested parties are requested to complete an attached worksheet and submit a tailored response via email to the RFI POCs.

• Physical copies will not be accepted.

• Responses are due by 5:00 PM (CT) on 02 June 2026.

• This RFI is for market research; responses will not be evaluated, and no contract will be awarded from this RFI.

• USTRANSCOM encourages responses from capable businesses of all sizes, including large and small businesses and all socioeconomic categories.

• The anticipated NAICS code is 483211 (Inland Water Freight Transportation) with a small business size standard of 1,050 employees.

• USTRANSCOM will not be responsible for any costs incurred by interested parties responding to this RFI.

• Proprietary information should be marked appropriately; confidential information should not be submitted.

• The RFI POCs are Ms. Erica Weaver and Mr. Nicholas Van Osdale.

• Attachments include a DRAFT Performance Work Statement and a Request for Information Worksheet.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Request for Information (RFI) Worksheet for Scheduled Fuel Barge Transportation in the Gulf Region (TRANSCOM26W003). It is designed to gather information from potential contractors regarding their capabilities and plans related to this requirement.

The worksheet includes sections for company information (Name, Unique Entity ID, CAGE Code) and eight specific questions for contractors to answer:

1. Organic Capacity: Inquires about owning or leasing the minimum required assets (3 towboats, 6 barges) without relying on the commercial spot market.
2. Subcontracting/Teaming: For Small Businesses, asks about plans for using CTAs, Joint Ventures, or subcontracting to meet requirements and comply with Limitations on Subcontracting.
3. Surge Viability: Assesses if guaranteeing a fourth 'On-Call' tow within 15 days is a barrier and seeks commercial alternatives.
4. Asset Replacement: Inquires about maintaining reserve fleet capacity or relying on third-party charters for 24-hour substitute vessel replacement during Out-of-Service events.
5. Fleet Cargo History: Asks about the cargo history of proposed barges (specifically regarding 'dirty' products) and the process/timeline for converting them for aviation fuel.
6. Tank Coatings & Particulates: Questions the type of tank coatings (epoxy-coated, stainless steel, uncoated mild steel) and mitigation strategies for rust scaling and contamination if using uncoated mild steel.
7. Cross-Contamination Mitigation: Seeks details on cleaning procedures and timeframes for switching cargoes between F76 (Marine Diesel) and JP5/JAA (Aviation Fuel) to ensure zero cross-contamination.
8. Third-Party Cleaning & Water Removal Impact: Asks about the commercial timeline and compensation methods for water removal services on inland barges.

This RFI worksheet is crucial for potential bidders to understand the government's specific concerns and requirements for fuel barge transportation. The responses provided by contractors will help the government assess industry capabilities, identify potential challenges, and refine the final solicitation. Bidders should carefully consider each question and provide detailed, accurate responses to demonstrate their understanding and capacity.