Dry Cargo Voyage Charter

Background
The Military Sealift Command (MSC) is conducting market research through the Strategic Sealift Program Office. The purpose of this Sources Sought Notice (N32205-SS-N321-26-135) is to gather information regarding the availability and pricing of vessels for a dry cargo voyage charter. This request is for information only and does not commit MSC to any contract or payment for responses.

Work Details
The MSC is seeking U.S. and foreign flag, roll-on/roll-off (RO/RO) vessels capable of carrying a minimum of 45,000 square feet of military cargo, which includes tracked and wheeled vehicles as well as breakbulk. Specific cargo details include: HEMMT 15X (401”L x 96”W x 112”H, 21 tons), with additional cargo specifics currently unavailable.

The load will be on F.I.O.S.S terms and discharged under liner terms. The load port is Tacoma, WA (USA), and the discharge port is Tengan, Okinawa, Japan. Laydays are set to commence on September 14, 2026, and cancel on September 19, 2026, with a laytime of 2 days SSHEX for the entire mission. Interested parties must provide detailed information about their vessels including name, description, flag, proposed layday, maximum useful military square footage cargo capacity, lump-sum charter rate, daily demurrage rate, unique entity identifier and business size, and any potential subcontracting opportunities.

Period of Performance
The contract work is expected to take place around the laydays commencing September 14, 2026, and canceling September 19, 2026.

Place of Performance
Tacoma WA UNITED STATES

Bidder Requirements
Bidders must confirm if they are a small business concern. They must also provide details regarding possible subcontracting opportunities if they are a large business.

Incumbent Analysis (see Incumbents section for more detail)
This opportunity appears to have a confirmed incumbent and/or closely related prior contract history, with Federated Maritime awarded multiple “DRY CARGO VOYAGE CHARTER” efforts under MSC contract numbers N3220525P5050 ($3,515,000; 08/08/25–10/16/25) and N3220526P5003 ($3,397,000; 10/23/25–12/18/25). The prior awards are described as dry cargo voyage charters and include mission-based chartering similar in scope to the current requirement for a dry cargo RO/RO voyage charter with specified laydays and ports (Tacoma, WA to Tengan, Okinawa), suggesting continuity in vessel charter services.