Vessel Acquisition Manager (VAM) Services for the Maritime Administration

Background
The U.S. Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration (MARAD) is seeking to identify potential contractors for Vessel Acquisition Manager (VAM) services. This initiative aims to support the recapitalization of strategic sealift ships owned by the U.S. Government, specifically targeting the replacement of approximately 26 vessels in the National Defense Reserve Fleet (NDRF) and Ready Reserve Force (RRF) from 2021 through 2048.

The goal is to acquire modern, cost-effective Roll-on/Roll-off (Ro/Ro) ships through purchases from the commercial market, as outlined in the Sealift That the Nation Needs Report to Congress.

Work Details
The VAM will be responsible for several key tasks:
1. Conducting a global commercial market survey of candidate vessels, reviewing class, flag, ownership, and material histories; ranking ships based on DOD’s Preference of Features; and delivering a prioritized initial Business Case Analysis (BCA).
2. Negotiating sales agreements and managing final asset delivery while ensuring compliance with USCG and ABS requirements for reflagging and classification.
3. Developing detailed Engineering Change specification packages for vessel upgrades and managing contracts with U.S. shipyards for necessary modifications.
4. Creating comprehensive Test and Trial Plans to validate vessel performance through operational dock trials and sea trials before final acceptance.
5. Providing fully licensed crews and implementing Preventative Maintenance Plans to maintain vessels in Reduced Operating Status (ROS).
6. Executing major repairs requiring industrial assistance and managing lifecycle maintenance until full operational transition to MARAD or its designated Ship Manager.

Period of Performance
The contract is expected to be performed over a five-year period, from March 9, 2027, to March 8, 2037.

Place of Performance
The services will primarily be performed within the United States as vessels are acquired and managed.

Bidder Requirements
To qualify as a bidder, companies must meet specific requirements: they must comply with citizenship requirements as defined in federal regulations; possess experience as a Vessel Owner/Operator; have an accounting system capable of supporting cost-reimbursement contracts; and provide a concise technical capacity narrative demonstrating their ability to perform the outlined work.

Incumbent Analysis (see Incumbents section for more detail)
This opportunity appears to have a confirmed incumbent and/or closely related prior contract for Vessel Acquisition Manager (VAM) services supporting MARAD’s Ready Reserve Force recapitalization. Crowley Government Services was awarded VAM work under contract 693JF721D000007 (value $914,099,281; 06/23/21–07/07/27) to survey the used ship market, screen/select vessels, perform on-site inspections and business case analyses, and then manage purchase execution through reflagging/reclassification, modifications, maintenance/operations in reduced operating status, sea trials, and crew/logistics support for specific RRF ships (e.g., Cape Arun-del/Cape Cortes/Cape Sable and others). The described scope aligns closely with the current VAM tasks of commercial market surveying, engineering change/specification development for upgrades, regulatory compliance for reflagging/classification, test/trial planning, and lifecycle maintenance/crew management as a continuation of the same vessel acquisition and sustainment function.