(6) Decommissioned Marine Hulls

1. General Information
This is a Sources Sought Notice / Request for Information (RFI) published solely for market research and acquisition planning purposes in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 10.

• This announcement does not constitute an Invitation for Bids (IFB), Request for Proposals (RFP), Request for Quotations (RFQ), or promise to issue a solicitation in the future.

• The Government will not award a contract based on this announcement and will not pay or reimburse respondents for any costs incurred in preparing or submitting responses to this notice.

• The information gathered will be used by the United States Government (USG) to develop an accurate market research cost profile and determine industry capability and acquisition strategy.

• Proprietary information, if provided, must be clearly marked. Unmarked material may be used by the USG to inform requirements.

2. Background & Objective

The USG is conducting market research to establish commercial availability, market capacity, and Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) pricing to procure, environmentally prepare, and deliver up to six (6) decommissioned marine hulls.

The vessels will be used as floating targets in open-water disposal/training exercises and will be sunk intentionally during government operations. Consequently, vessels do not require working machinery, engines, operational capabilities, living quarters, or aesthetic appeal. They only need to float independently and possess sufficient structural stability to be towed safely to the drop zone.

Critical Sourcing Constraint: To avoid complex international trans-boundary shipments of end-of-life vessels and costly ocean ferry charges, the USG is seeking vessels already located within the territorial waters, shipyards, anchorages, or ports of the Republic of the Philippines. The USG does not intend to pay for importing or mobilizing hulls from foreign origins into the country.

3. Salient Characteristics

3.1 Vessel Sizing, Material, & Condition

• Quantity: Up to six (6) individual vessels.

• Length Overall (LOA): 190 feet to 250 feet (approx. 58 to 76 meters) per vessel.

• Hull Material: No specific hull material restriction (e.g., steel, composite, aluminum, or composite/mixed).

• Machinery & Propulsion: Inoperable or absent. Main engines, generators, propulsion shafts, and auxiliary gear may be decommissioned, cannibalized, or missing.

• Flotation & Towing Capability: Vessels must be buoyant, watertight, and hold trim without active on-board pumping systems. Each vessel must possess functional or vendor-installed towing attach points (bollards, bitts, pad eyes, or towing bridles) adequate to withstand open-ocean towing conditions.

• Tow-Worthiness Surveys: Formal third-party classification society surveys (e.g., ABS, Lloyd's, DNV) are not required. The contractor/vendor will be solely responsible for ensuring each hull is safe and capable of coastal and offshore towing without risking premature sinking during transit.

3.2 Environmental Stripping & Hazardous Material Remediation (Mandatory)

Because each vessel will be sunk in deep water, the contractor must thoroughly clean and strip each hull prior to sea delivery. Remediation must meet applicable marine environmental standards and include:

• Hydrocarbons & Fuels: Complete evacuation, cleaning, and degassing of all fuel tanks, cargo tanks, lube tanks, hydraulic circuits, engine bilges, slop tanks, and piping. No residual oils, sludge, or fuel cakes may remain.

• Toxic Materials: Complete removal of PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) commonly found in transformers, lighting ballasts, electrical capacitors, cables, and old paints/sealants.

• Heavy Metals & Waste: Removal of mercury-bearing devices (switches, thermometers, fluorescent tubes) and any loose, friable asbestos.

• Floatable Debris: Complete removal and disposal of loose floatable items, trash, wood furnishings, insulation, deck gear, plastic fittings, mattresses, or upholstery that could detach and create surface debris upon sinking.

3.3 Delivery Point & Execution Window

• Delivery Location: Open-ocean delivery/drop-off within fifty (50) nautical miles (NM) of Manila, Republic of the Philippines (exact geographic coordinate envelope to be provided prior to execution).

• Delivery Scope: Pricing and capability must encompass complete turnkey delivery: Hull Acquisition + Environmental Remediation + Tow Delivery to the 50 NM Manila Drop Point.

• Delivery Deadline: Completion of all deliveries on or before March 31, 2027. Staggered or single-batch deliveries will be considered.

4.0 Requested Response Package

Interested vendors capable of delivering some or all required vessels are invited to submit a response covering the following two parts:

Part 1: Capability & Inventory Statement

1. Corporate Profile: Company legal name, physical address, point of contact details (name, title, email, telephone), and SAM.gov UEI/CAGE code (if currently registered).

2. Current Vessel Inventory in the Philippines:

   
   

   • Number of qualifying hulls (190–250 ft) currently owned, brokered, or under commercial purchase option in the Philippines.

   • Vessel types (e.g., deck/hopper barges, offshore supply vessels [OSVs], cargo coasters, inter-island ferries, large trawlers, decommissioned commercial/work boats).

   • Current physical location(s) within the Philippines (e.g., Manila Bay, Subic Bay, Batangas, Cebu, General Santos, etc.).

3. Remediation & Towing Capability:

   
   

   • Description of internal capabilities or licensed subcontracting partners in the Philippines for hazardous waste abatement, tank flushing, and waste disposal.

   • Towing resources (in-house tugs or subcontracted towing operators) and licensing to conduct dead-ship towing within 50 NM off Manila.

4. Holding / Berthing Ability: Capacity to hold or wet-berth vessels in Philippine waters if prepared in advance of the USG disposal exercise.

5.0 Market Research Itemized ROM Cost Breakdown

To support USG cost modeling, respondents are requested to provide individual, itemized Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) pricing per hull.

Please submit pricing in United States Dollars ($ USD).

- Hull Acquisition - price per hull

- Environmental Stripping and Remediation - price per hull

- Pre-tow Prep and Rigging - price per hull

- Overshore Tow Delivery - price per hull

- Philippine Port, Clearance, & Pilotage Fees - price per hull

- Total Cost Per Hull

- Total Cost for the entire requirement