Inland River Towboat - New or Used

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - St. Paul District plans to issue a solicitation for the acquisition of one new or used inland river towboat, specifically designed for use on the Upper Mississippi River to transport heavy barges and floating plants near navigation structures. Tugboats will not be accepted. The vessel must meet detailed specifications including a length of 65 to 130 feet, horsepower between 1,200 and 3,000 BHP, and construction from ABS Grade-A mild steel. It must be equipped with advanced features such as two or more rudders and flanking rudders, line cutters, prop and rudder guards, and meet all U.S. Coast Guard communication and navigation requirements. Additionally, the towboat must include two barge winches rated at a minimum of 40 tons each, matched marine diesel engines complying with EPA standards, redundant diesel generators of at least 76 kW each, and accommodations including multiple staterooms, a galley, and necessary sanitary facilities. Offers will be evaluated based on technical factors, past performance, and price, with the government seeking the best overall value rather than necessarily the lowest bid. A vessel evaluation team will conduct in-person inspections as part of the award process. Contractors must be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM) and compliant with FAR and DFARS certifications before award. Quotes will only be accepted through the Procurement Integrated Enterprise Environment (PIEE), with inquiries submitted via ProjNet using designated protocols. This notice serves only as an advance advisory and does not obligate the government to issue a solicitation or award a contract. The solicitation number is W912ES25QA035, and the place of performance is Fountain City, Wisconsin.