TUGCON VOYAGE CHARTER

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides answers to questions received from potential offerors regarding solicitation N3220525R6071. These answers serve as clarification only and do not amend the solicitation.

• Foreign Flag Vessels: The requirement to allow foreign flag vessels is firm on U.S. flag Jones Act vessels.

• Shipyard Data Template: A "Shipyard Data Template" attachment, referenced in the RFP for EX-JUNEAU Towage from Pearl Harbor, HI to Guam, will be provided in an upcoming amendment. This template is required for submission of relevant shipyard data for all Jones Act vessels owned or controlled by the offeror, as award is partially based on domestic shipyard usage.

• The clarification regarding U.S. flag Jones Act vessels confirms a firm requirement.

• An upcoming amendment will provide the necessary Shipyard Data Template, impacting proposal preparation for offerors.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is an Excel spreadsheet template titled "Shipyard Data Template" intended for bidders to report on qualifying U.S. and foreign shipyard work performed.

• The template includes columns for Vessel, Description of Qualifying U.S. Shipyard Work Performed, Cost of Work Performed (U.S.), Description of Qualifying Foreign Shipyard Work Performed, Cost of Work Performed (Foreign), Shipyard Name and Address, and Inclusive Dates of Work Performed.
• It appears to be designed to capture data for specific vessels, with sections for "Approximate Total" costs for both U.S. and foreign work, which are currently listed as 0.0.

Bidders are expected to use this template to provide detailed information about their shipyard work experience, likely as part of their proposal submission. The data required pertains to the nature, cost, and timing of work performed in both U.S. and foreign shipyards.

Amendment / Modification

This amendment (0001) to RFP N3220526R6071 provides:

• A data shipyard template spreadsheet.

• Answers to questions received from vendors.

• The original RFP (dated 26 March 2026) is affected by the inclusion of the template and Q&A.

• All other terms and conditions of the original RFP remain unchanged.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a firm-fixed-price contract to procure ocean-going tug services. The Military Sealift Command (MSC) Norfolk is seeking proposals for a U.S. Flag, Jones Act certified tug capable of towing the vessel EX-JUNEAU (LPD-10) as part of exercise Valiant Shield 26. The acquisition is being conducted under FAR Part 12 simplified procedures.

• Vessel: One (1) U.S. Flag, Jones Act, ocean-going certified tug.

• Tow Target: EX-JUNEAU (LPD-10), with specific dimensions (Displacement: 17,326 LT, Length: 570', Beam: 100', Max Draft: 34'). The hull has not been cleaned since 2008.

• Tow Route: Departure from Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; intermediate stop in Guam (one week); final destination Marianas Island Testing And Training Surveillance Area, 250nm southeast of Guam.

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

• Layday(s): Commencing/cancelling on 18 May 2026.

• Vessel Age: Built in 1970 or later.

• Bollard Pull: Sufficient to tow LPD-10 at a minimum speed of six (6) knots for five (5) knot SOA in Beaufort 5 conditions.

• Fuel Capacity: Must indicate ability to complete tow and remain on standby for approximately 30 days without refueling, or detail refueling plan.

• Communications: Internet and satellite phone capability required.

• Compliance: Adherence to U.S. Navy Towing Manual (SL740-AA-MAN-010) is mandatory.

• Independent Marine Surveyor (IMS): Contractor must provide and include the cost for an IMS to perform technical evaluations and oversight.

• Towing Package: Comprehensive package required, including technical evaluations, tow configuration, calculations, certifications, and route planning.

• Position Reports: Electronic position/status reports required multiple times daily at sea and twice daily in port.

• At-Sea Transfer: Conduct at-sea transfer of personnel from tow vessel to EX-JUNEAU or U.S. Navy/Coast Guard vessel.

• Guam Operations: Facilitate U.S. Navy personnel boarding and training (approx. 12 nm from Guam) for up to 1 week, including potential BDR training, flight operations, and live fire exercises. Possible mooring in Guam.

• SINKEX Tow: Tow to SINKEX location approximately 250nm southeast of Guam.

• Disconnect: Arrive at designated drop location by sunset on or about 26 June 2026.

• Standby: Standby within 100-200nm of disconnect location for emergency reconnection.

• Contract Type: Firm-fixed-price.

• Period of Performance: Not explicitly stated, but includes specific dates for laydays and arrival at destination.

• Estimated Value: Not stated.

• Offer Due Date: Thursday, 02 April 2026, at 1100 Eastern Time.

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

• Evaluation Criteria: Award will be made to the responsible offeror whose technically acceptable proposal represents the lowest price to the Government. Factors include Technical and Price, considering domestic shipyard usage.

• Key Deadlines: Offer Due Date: 02 April 2026; Layday(s): 18 May 2026; Arrival at Guam: NLT 16 June; Arrival at Drop Location: On or about 26 June 2026.

• Total Small Business Set-Aside.

• Jones Act: Requires a U.S. Flag vessel.

• Proforma documents are available upon request.

• Offerors are encouraged to submit offers as soon as possible due to potential email delays.

• No JPEG files are to be included in submissions.

• Spot charter; sections addressing extended term charters are not applicable.

• FAR 52.212-1, 52.212-4, and tailored clauses are incorporated.

• Various FAR and DFARS clauses are added or amended, including those related to small business, labor standards, and payment instructions via Wide Area Work Flow (WAWF).

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a Tug Contract (TUGCON – SPOT) for services to be performed in February 2026. The contract, when awarded, will consist of the completed Standard Form (SF) 1449, the Preamble, and Parts I through VI.

• The solicitation outlines terms and conditions for tug services.

• Part I (TUGCON BOXES) requires detailed information about the tug(s) required, description of the tow, departure and destination ports, laytime, laydays, and rates (including towage price and demurrage).

• Part II details FAR 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions, including definitions, inspection, limitations of liability, assignment, changes, disputes, excusable delays, invoicing, payment, patent indemnity, risk of loss, taxes, termination clauses, title, and warranties.

• Part III provides TUGCON Terms and Conditions, including definitions, towage price, demurrage, tow-worthiness, ports, routing/speed orders, notice of readiness, insurance requirements, war provisions, salvage, position reports, nature of contract, statutory exemptions, permits, riding crew, cancellation options, ice conditions, quarantine, general average, and time sheets.

• Part VIII (FAR 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors) details the submission of offers, including required information, subcontracting plans, and form of submission (email or fax/mail).

• Part IX (FAR 52.212-2 Evaluation) outlines the evaluation criteria, which will be based on the lowest price technically acceptable offer, with specific categories and VISA priorities considered. It also emphasizes responsibility determination based on experience, operational controls, technical skills, past performance, and delivery schedule.

• The contract type is not explicitly stated but is an RFP for a Spot Charter.

• Specific period of performance is not detailed in this section but implied by the "FEBRUARY 2026 (02-26)" title.

• Estimated value is not stated.

• Offers must be submitted by the exact time specified in the solicitation, potentially via email (PDF format) or fax/mail.

• Key submission requirements include vessel name, price, and signature.

• Evaluation will be based on the lowest price technically acceptable offer, with consideration for domestic shipyard usage (Category 1 vs. Category 2) and VISA priority.

• A subcontracting plan is required for large businesses.

• The document does not explicitly state any small business or special eligibility requirements beyond the general requirement for responsible offerors.

• The document incorporates numerous FAR and DFARS clauses by reference.

• Part VI, X, and XI are reserved.