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60-Day U.S. Jones Act Tanker Time Charter

DEPT OF DEFENSE.DEPT OF THE NAVY.MSC.MSC HQS.MSCHQ NORFOLK · Response deadline: Tue, 20 Oct 2026

What the government is buying

The U.S. Navy's Military Sealift Command (MSC) is soliciting bids for a 60-day U.S. Jones Act tanker time charter. This is a maritime transportation contract for a cargo vessel that will carry liquid products—likely fuel, oil, or other bulk liquids—in support of Department of Defense operations.

Jones Act vessels are specifically U.S.-built, U.S.-owned, and U.S.-crewed ships that operate in domestic commerce. The Jones Act (Section 27 of the Merchant Marine Act of 1920) restricts waterborne transportation of goods between U.S. ports to qualified U.S.-flag vessels. Only eligible U.S.-built tankers can satisfy this requirement.

The 60-day charter duration suggests a short-to-medium-term operational need, possibly to fill a capability gap, support a specific mission, or cover for vessel maintenance cycles elsewhere in the fleet. MSC Headquarters in Norfolk, Virginia manages this procurement.

see the solicitation for specific cargo types, delivery schedules, and vessel technical requirements.

Key facts

Who can bid

Because this solicitation uses No Set aside used, the competition is open to all responsible sources regardless of business size or socioeconomic status. However, participation requires meeting strict maritime qualifications:

• Jones Act compliance: Your vessel must be U.S.-built, U.S.-documented, and crewed by U.S. citizens or permanent residents
• Tanker operations: Demonstrated capability in liquid bulk cargo transport
• U.S. Coast Guard certification: Appropriate for tanker operations and cargo carried
• Past performance: Likely required for government or commercial time charters

Small businesses can compete if they own or have access to qualified Jones Act tankers. The NAICS code 483111 (Deep Sea Freight Transportation) has a Small Business Administration size standard of 1,500 employees—many Jones Act operators may exceed this, so the open competition benefits smaller operators with available vessel capacity.

see the solicitation for specific eligibility certifications, security clearance requirements, and vessel inspection criteria.

How to put together a competitive bid

Vessel availability and positioning are critical. MSC typically evaluates:

• Daily charter rate and total 60-day pricing
• Vessel location relative to Washington state (the place of performance)
• Time to reach operational readiness

Technical proposal elements should address:

• Vessel specifications: deadweight tonnage, cargo capacity, pump rates, segregations
• Crew qualifications and STCW compliance
• Maintenance status and classification society records
• Fuel efficiency and speed/consumption curves

Past performance: Document similar MSC, MARAD, or commercial time charters. Government-specific experience with DPAS ratings, U.S. flag operations, and fuel survey protocols adds credibility.

Pricing strategy: Time charters typically include:

• Base daily hire rate
• Voyage expenses (fuel, port costs) — clarify if these are owner-operated or reimbursable
• Delivery/redelivery terms

Consider teaming if you lack a suitable vessel but have MSC contracting experience, or vice versa.

Next steps

1. Read the full solicitation on SAM.gov using solicitation number N3220527R6009 — this contains vessel specifications, special requirements, and exact evaluation criteria
2. Note the deadline: October 20, 2026, 11:00 AM EDT — only four days from posting, indicating potential urgency or a re-solicitation
3. Verify Jones Act eligibility of your vessel through Coast Guard documentation before investing proposal resources
4. Contact MSC HQ Norfolk contracting office immediately if you need clarification; the compressed timeline leaves minimal room for questions

Given the short response window, prioritize understanding delivery timelines and any required pre-award vessel inspections.

View the official notice on SAM.gov →