MTS Tow 626

The contract modification under N3220524C4021 seeks approval to add a harbor tug service to support the tow mission of MTS 626 at the Naval Postgraduate Training Unit in Charleston, South Carolina, outside the original contract’s geographical scope centered on Norfolk, Virginia. This out-of-scope change is justified due to the unique technical requirements of the mission, which demands two U.S.-flagged, fully crewed harbor tugs equipped with submarine-fendered, non-marking rubber tendering systems to safely undock and transit MTS 626 through riverine environments under variable conditions. Moran Towing Corporation is identified as the sole responsible source capable of meeting these specialized vessel specifications, with no other vendors in the market possessing the necessary equipment or operational experience, leading to a sole-source award under FAR 6.302-2 and 41 U.S.C. § 1901. The performance period is limited to five days with an estimated active operation window of four to eight hours, scheduled to begin in August 2026, and acceptance is expected in Charleston, SC, where the mission will be executed. No pricing details, CLIN data, or contract value are disclosed in the documentation, consistent with its nature as a Justification and Approval for other-than-full-and-open competition rather than a fully solicited contract. No packaging, marking, inspection criteria, or invoice procedures are specified, and no representations, certifications, or socioeconomic status information from the offeror are included. The contracting activity is managed by the Military Sealift Command’s Ship Charter Contracts Division in Norfolk, VA, with primary point of contact Ashley M. Smith-Sallinger and secondary contact Stephanie Ricker. The modification is necessary to prevent operational delays and ensure mission success, leveraging established contractual authority while operating under the constraints of a highly specialized maritime services market.