180-DAY SPECIAL TIME CHARTER

Contract N3220526C1232, awarded by the Department of the Navy's Military Sealift Command in Norfolk, Virginia, is a firm fixed price sole-source agreement with Hornbeck Offshore Services, LLC. The contract provides for a 180-day special time charter of a U.S.-flagged Offshore Supply Vessel to support Expeditionary Surveillance Towed Array Sensor System (SURTASS-E) acoustic monitoring operations. The agreement includes a 150-day option period, bringing the total potential performance period to 330 days, with an intended start date of February 28, 2026. The award was justified under FAR 6.302-1 due to the unique capabilities of the incumbent vessel and the critical need to avoid substantial duplication of costs and unacceptable delays of six to eight months that would result from transitioning to a new vendor. The vessel must be capable of worldwide operations, maintaining heading stability within five degrees while towing passive acoustic monitoring systems at 4 to 6 knots for up to 60 consecutive days. Performance requirements include the ability to operate in NATO Sea State 5 conditions and the capacity to handle government-furnished equipment, ensuring uninterrupted support for U.S. Navy Numbered Fleet Commanders.