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USNS CAFFERATA Marine Elevators Kone Elevator

DEPT OF DEFENSE.DEPT OF THE NAVY.MSC.MSC HQS.MSCHQ NORFOLK · Response deadline: Wed, 21 Oct 2026

What the government is buying

The U.S. Navy's Military Sealift Command (MSC) is soliciting offers for marine elevator work aboard the USNS CAFFERATA, a Navy vessel. Based on the title and NAICS code, this procurement involves Kone Elevator equipment—specifically the supply, installation, maintenance, or repair of marine elevators designed for shipboard use. Marine elevators differ from commercial elevators in that they must withstand harsh maritime conditions, including vessel pitch and roll, saltwater corrosion, and strict naval safety standards.

NAICS 333921 covers "Elevator and Moving Stairway Manufacturing," which includes the production of elevators, escalators, dumbwaiters, and moving walkways. For naval applications, this typically encompasses specialized freight or passenger elevators built to military specifications for reliability at sea.

Key facts

Who can bid

This is a full and open competition with no small-business set-aside, meaning any qualified firm may submit an offer regardless of business size or socioeconomic status. However, competitive bidders will likely need:

• Marine elevator expertise: Experience with shipboard elevator systems, particularly familiarity with Kone equipment or equivalent maritime-certified products
• Navy/Military Sealift Command contracting experience: Understanding of Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) clauses, vessel integration requirements, and Navy maintenance protocols
• ISO 9001 or equivalent quality certification for manufacturing and installation work
• Proper security clearances or facility access credentials if work involves pier-side or vessel-board activities at Navy installations

Small businesses with relevant capabilities should not self-exclude, but should realistically assess their capacity to meet any military specification requirements and past performance standards the Navy may evaluate.

How to put together a competitive bid

For marine elevator procurement, focus your proposal on these elements:

Technical compliance: Address how your proposed elevator solution meets marine environmental requirements—corrosion resistance, dynamic loads during vessel movement, and integrated safety systems. If the solicitation specifies Kone equipment, confirm parts availability and technician certification.

Past performance: Document comparable shipboard elevator projects, especially for MSC or Navy vessels. Include contact references and performance metrics (schedule adherence, deficiency resolution rates).

Lifecycle costing: Navy procurements often evaluate total ownership cost. Structure your pricing to highlight maintenance intervals, spare parts provisioning, and warranty terms beyond the base installation.

Schedule realism: Vessel availabilities are tightly constrained. Demonstrate your ability to complete work within Navy-determined maintenance windows.

Small-business subcontractors: If you're a large business, consider subcontracting opportunities; if small, identify any teaming arrangements that strengthen your technical proposal.

Next steps

1. Read the full solicitation on SAM.gov using solicitation number N3220527Q7020 to obtain the statement of work, deliverables schedule, and clauses
2. Confirm delivery requirements and place of performance, which are not stated in the available metadata
3. Submit your offer before 10:00 AM EDT on October 21, 2026—this is a short turnaround from the October 15, 2026 posting date, so expedite your review process
4. Register in SAM.gov if not already active, and verify any required Navy vendor qualifications

View the official notice on SAM.gov →