Operation & Maintenance of Five (5) Government-Owned Maritime Prepositioning Ships (MPS)

The Military Sealift Command is seeking industry feedback to inform the upcoming procurement for the operation and maintenance of five Government-Owned Contractor-Operated Maritime Prepositioning Ships under solicitation PM3-5-N105A-26-06. This sources-sought notice, posted on June 25, 2026, with a response deadline of July 1, 2026, is not a request for proposals but aims to gather market intelligence to shape future contract requirements. The NAICS code is 483111, and the contracting office is located in Norfolk, Virginia. Responses must be submitted via email to Maria Baquerizo-Poole, limited to five typewritten pages in no less than 12-point font, with financial viability evidence—such as audited financial statements or a letter of credit—submitted separately and not counted toward the page limit. The contractor must operate and maintain vessels worldwide, capable of deployment within 24 hours of notification, with initial layberths on the U.S. East and West Coasts in Reduced Operational Status. Performance is anticipated to begin in June and October 2027 for two lots, covering a one-year base period with four one-year option periods. The scope requires mission-ready ships under continuous operation, incorporating corrective maintenance managed through the SAMM system, technical assistance for mission-critical assessments, and strict adherence to USCG, ABS, and MSC-specific standards including COMSCINST 4700.2 and 9330.6. Key shipboard personnel—Master, Chief Mate, Chief Engineer, First Assistant Engineer, Electro-Technical Officer, and Storekeeper—must hold Secret security clearances and be issued Common Access Cards compliant with HSPD-12 and FIPS standards, while also generating and monitoring Secret-level traffic via SIPERNET. Contractors must comply with stringent information security requirements mandated by DOD 5220.22, including GSA-approved Class 6 safes and adherence to CUI and NISPOM guidelines. Fuel and lubricant handling must follow DoD Manual 4140.25 and MIL-STD-3004A with a minimum 400mL sample size signed off by both ship and supplier representatives. Materials handling equipment for ordnance must meet NAVSEA SW023-AH-WHM-010, and all labels, stencils, and damage control markings must remain clearly visible.