29-day Dry Cargo Time Charter

The U.S. Navy’s Military Sealift Command in Norfolk, Virginia, has awarded Contract N3220526P5134 for a 29-day time charter of a dry cargo vessel to support classified maritime logistics operations under the MSC DRYTIME 2026 framework. The vessel will transport cargo from San Diego, California, to Pohang, Republic of Korea, with the Government retaining the authority to modify delivery and redelivery ports within specified limits. The contract operates under a firm-fixed-price structure with a lowest price, technically acceptable award approach, where technical acceptability is determined by compliance with vessel certifications, cargo preference requirements, use of U.S.-flag vessels, and adherence to stringent operational and security standards. Technical acceptance includes verification of the vessel's condition, operational readiness, and compliance with safety, environmental, and security requirements outlined in DOD, SECNAV, and IMO standards, including valid DOC, SMC, ISSC, and COI certificates, as well as adherence to the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code and military packaging protocols for arms, ammunition, and explosives. The contractor must provide armed security personnel qualified under DD Form 2760, maintain secure storage space compliant with Open Storage Secret physical security standards, and submit detailed stow plans with trim and stability analysis. All personnel must be screened, with full names and TWIC numbers provided, and the contractor is required to indemnify the U.S. Government against liabilities arising from flag state violations or patent infringement. Invoicing must be submitted electronically through Wide Area Work Flow, and monthly accounting reports are due by the fifth day of the following month. The contract includes options to extend services under FAR 52.217-8 and 52.217-9, and may be canceled without cost if the Owner cannot secure required waivers for additional security personnel. Offerors must be registered in SAM, provide a Unique Entity Identifier, and, if classified as a large business, submit a small business subcontracting plan. Required representations include compliance with cybersecurity obligations under DFARS 252.204-7012, prohibitions on Russian fossil fuels and foreign-made unmanned aircraft systems, and adherence to the Kaspersky Lab and covered telecommunications prohibitions. No line-item pricing details are publicly available, and while the contract references attachments such as fuel consumption templates and wage determinations, specific financial value remains unreported.