How to bid on Caisson 4-5 Spare Maintenance, Repair, and Preservation for the Navy

What the Navy is buying and why it matters

The Department of the Navy needs a contractor to perform maintenance, repair, and preservation on one Caisson 4-5 Spare. This work will take place at the contractor's facility in the Puget Sound, Washington region.

The scope of work includes hull repairs, replacing a port rubber seal, inspecting the starboard seal, ultrasonic and visual inspections of various parts of the caisson, cleaning tanks, maintaining and replacing deck hatches, installing a new mimic board, testing alarm systems, cleaning ventilation, replacing valves, dewatering pumps, grease lines, steady bearings, actuator stands, actuators, and valve-stem extension shafts. It also involves removing, cleaning, and reinstalling rubber fendering, preserving the hull, decks, tanks, and piping, and replacing zinc anodes. Finally, operational testing will be conducted.

This is a stand-alone Firm-Fixed-Price contract. The caisson will be at the contractor's facility from April 6, 2027, to October 7, 2027.

Key dates and what happens at the deadline

This Request for Proposals (RFP) was published on July 10, 2026. The deadline for submitting your proposal is August 14, 2026, at 5:00 PM Eastern Time.

All proposals must be submitted by this deadline. Late submissions may not be considered.

Who this opportunity suits

This opportunity is suitable for firms with facilities in the Puget Sound, Washington region, specifically defined as the West Coast of the continental US from Olympia, WA, northward to Bellingham, WA. Your facility must be capable of accommodating a caisson with dimensions of 147 feet 5 inches in length, 27 feet in width, and 53 feet 11 inches in height.

The work falls under the equipment maintenance and repair category, specifically for large marine structures. This is a full and open competition, meaning all eligible businesses can bid.

How to respond to this solicitation

To access the solicitation documents, click the “View original source” link. If the first click takes you to the portal's homepage, click the link again to go directly to the bid. You may need a free account on the portal to view all documents, though this is not always required.

All offerors must be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM) to be eligible for a government contract award. You can complete SAM representations and certifications electronically via the SAM website.

Tips for preparing a competitive response

Carefully review the full scope of work to ensure your firm has the necessary capabilities and experience for all listed tasks, including hull repairs, seal replacements, inspections, and system testing. Highlight your past experience with similar large-scale marine maintenance and preservation projects.

Provide clear evidence that your facility meets the specified size requirements for the caisson and is located within the defined Puget Sound region. Detail your equipment and personnel qualifications relevant to the tasks outlined.

Develop a comprehensive project plan that demonstrates your understanding of the timeline and coordination required for the vessel's availability from April to October 2027. Emphasize your quality control processes for inspections and operational testing.