TUGCON; Jones Act

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides answers to questions received from potential offerors regarding solicitation N3220526R6086. These answers serve as clarifications only and do not amend the original solicitation.

• Tandem Tow Requirement: The solicitation does not require a tandem tow. Offerors may use two boats or two voyages, with one tug per barge.

This clarification does not alter any requirements, due dates, or submission rules of the original solicitation.

Other / Unclassified

This document is a Wage Determination (No. 2015-0213, Revision No. 40, dated 4/27/2026) issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment Standards Administration, Wage and Hour Division. It establishes minimum wage rates and fringe benefits for various occupations employed on contracts for tugboats and other coastal vessels nationwide.

This document is crucial for bidders on contracts involving tugboat and coastal vessel services. It specifies the minimum hourly wage rates and fringe benefits (health & welfare) that must be paid to employees performing work under such contracts. Key occupations listed include General Vessel Assistant, Captain (Harbor Tug), Deckhand (Harbor Tug), and Engineer (Harbor Tug), with their respective daily rates. It also details requirements related to Executive Orders 13706 (Paid Sick Leave) and 13658 (Minimum Wage), as well as provisions for vacation, holidays, and uniform allowances. Bidders must incorporate these wage and benefit requirements into their proposals to ensure compliance and accurate cost estimation.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation is for a FAR Part 12 acquisition using simplified procedures for a firm-fixed-price contract. The Military Sealift Command (MSC) Strategic Sealift Program Support Office is requesting proposals for a vessel capable of towing flat barges. This is a spot charter for one voyage.

• One U.S. Flag, Jones Act, ocean-going certified tug capable of towing two YC Barges (110' length, 34' beam, 11' 3" max draft).

• Tug must be built in 1970 or later.

• Bollard pull sufficient to tow YC Barges 1684 & 1685 at a minimum tow speed of six (6) knots in Beaufort 5 conditions.

• Tug must be fully bunkered and have sufficient endurance for the voyage without refueling.

• Internet and satellite phone capability required.

• U.S. Navy Towing Manual (SL740-AA-MAN-10) must be used and complied with.

• A pre-tow conference will be held in Philadelphia, PA.

• An Independent Marine Surveyor (IMS) must be obtained and their services included in the offer's price.

• Contractor must provide tow bridle, emergency tow lines, flooding alarms, navigation lights, day shapes, and perform NDT of barge deck fittings.

• A comprehensive towing package must be prepared and submitted for approval.

• Contract type: Firm-fixed-price.

• Period of performance: One voyage.

• Laytime: Four (4) days for the entire mission.

• Layday(s): Commencing/Cancelling: 15 June 2026.

• Port/Place of Departure: INACTSHIPS Philadelphia, PA.

• Port/Place of Destination: Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Seavey Island Kittery, Maine.

• Offer Due Date: Wednesday, 06 May 2026, at 1100 Eastern Time.

• A valid submission requires at least a ship name, a price, and a signature.

• Proposals will be evaluated based on the lowest price, technically acceptable offer, considering domestic shipyard usage.

• Evaluation factors: Technical and Price.

• Solicitation Compliance: Failure to provide required submission documents may result in ineligibility for award.

• Total Small Business Set-Aside.

• NAICS Code: 483111.

• Proforma documents are available upon request.

• Offers should be submitted as soon as possible due to potential email delays.

• Expired offers will be excluded from competition.

• All proforma sections addressing extended term charters are not applicable.

• Specific FAR and DFARS clauses are incorporated by reference and some are amended or added.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a data sheet intended for bidders to report on past shipyard work performed, both domestically and internationally. It requires detailed information about vessels, the nature and cost of work performed in U.S. shipyards, and the nature and cost of qualifying work performed in foreign shipyards.

• Vessel Information: Identification of each vessel.
• U.S. Shipyard Work: Description of work performed and its cost.
• Foreign Shipyard Work: Description of work performed and its cost.
• Shipyard Name and Address: Details of the shipyards where work was conducted.
• Inclusive Dates of Work Performed: Timeframe for the work.

Bidders are expected to complete this form to provide a historical record of their shipyard experience. This data is likely crucial for demonstrating capability, capacity, and potentially for evaluating past performance or compliance with domestic preference requirements related to the opportunity. The format suggests a need to differentiate between U.S. and foreign shipyard work, which may be a key evaluation factor.