Misty Barge Dry Dock Services

Background
The Misty Barge Dry Dock Services contract is issued by the USDA Forest Service, specifically the CSA Northwest region. The contract aims to provide non-personal services for towing, drydocking, and hull maintenance of the Misty Barge, which is crucial for supporting operations within the Tongass National Forest in Southeast Alaska.

The barge requires maintenance every five years to ensure its operational longevity and safety.

Work Details
The contractor will perform a variety of tasks including:
1. Haul Out and Lay Days: The contractor must have facilities capable of handling a 90-ton barge, coordinate with the Forest Service for towing, and ensure proper blocking during haul out.
2. Exterior Hull Painting and Repairs: This includes high-pressure washing, minor repairs, repainting the barge name, and replacing zinc anodes.
3. Exterior Deck and Appurtenances: Tasks include painting deck surfaces, refurbishing winches, inspecting cranes, and managing anchors.
4. Interior Hull Painting: The contractor will paint the interior bilge areas while ensuring protection of existing systems.
5. Bilge Tanks Cleaning: This involves emptying and cleaning water and fuel tanks as well as septic tanks with government inspection prior to refilling.

Period of Performance
The contract period is from November 10, 2026, to April 1, 2027.

Place of Performance
The work will be performed at Shelter Cove on Revillagigedo Island near Ketchikan in Southeast Alaska.

Bidder Requirements
This solicitation is set aside for Small Business concerns. Bidders must demonstrate experience with similar projects involving marine services and provide qualified personnel including a Contract Manager and Quality Control Representative. Key personnel must have relevant state licensing for specialty work such as electrical or welding.

Incumbent Analysis (see Incumbents section for more detail)
The solicitation for Misty Barge Dry Dock Services appears to have a closely related prior contract with Cascade Towing under contract 1240BF26P0046 (MISTY BARGE TOWING FY 2026) valued at $67,201 for the period 06/19/26–11/30/26. The prior work is directly tied to towing support for the Misty Barge, and the current requirement includes haul-out and lay days that similarly depend on towing coordination and marine handling at Shelter Cove. This suggests the dry dock services may be a continuation of the same operational support needs for maintaining the barge.