Bid guide
How to bid on Yard Diving Tender (YDT) for the Department of Defense
What the Navy is buying and why it matters
The U.S. Navy is conducting market research to find qualified small businesses that can design or build up to two Yard Diving Tenders (YDTs). These vessels will replace existing YDTs used by the Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center (NDSTC) for training in underwater operations, harbor clearance, and expeditionary salvage.
This is an opportunity for U.S.-based small businesses with shipbuilding capabilities. The Navy intends to begin procuring these vessels in Fiscal Year 2027, with delivery to Panama City Beach, Florida. Only U.S.-built and U.S.-flagged vessels will be considered.
Key dates and what happens at the deadline
This Request for Information (RFI) was published on August 25, 2026. Responses are due by September 24, 2026, at 3:00 PM ET. This is market research, not a formal solicitation or bid. Submitting a response helps the Navy understand the market and potential sources.
After the deadline, the Navy will review the submitted information to support preliminary planning for a future acquisition. Your response helps shape their understanding of available designs and builder capabilities.
Who this opportunity suits
This RFI is suitable for small businesses with experience in vessel design and construction, particularly those familiar with marine vessels for military or specialized operations. The Navy is looking for firms that can design or build vessels up to 52 meters (170 feet) in length, with specific requirements for speed, range, station keeping, and deck capacity.
Firms should have the personnel, facilities, technical capability, and production capacity to produce up to two YDTs. Experience with American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) rules and U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 33 and 46 is also relevant.
How to respond to this RFI
To access the opportunity, click “View original source” on the portal. If you land on the homepage, click it again to go directly to the bid. You may need a free account to view documents, though not always.
Your response is limited to 10 pages and should include relevant drawings, specifications, and/or sketches. Provide data on any vessel or design that meets or comes close to the specified requirements, including its maturity level if conceptual. Describe your company's relevant experience, production facilities, capacity, and approximate pricing for a candidate vessel, delivery, and engineering costs. Clearly mark any proprietary information.
Tips for a competitive RFI response
Focus on demonstrating your firm's specific capabilities and experience directly related to the vessel requirements. Highlight past projects of similar scope, dimensions, and complexity. Clearly outline your construction techniques and any intended teaming arrangements or subcontracting plans.
When discussing production capacity, provide concrete estimates for construction time per YDT and annual production capability, considering your current and projected workload. Even though this is an RFI, a well-structured and detailed response can position your company favorably for future solicitations.
See the live bid — deadline, agency details, and how to respond
Dates and requirements can change via addenda; always verify on the bid page and at the original source before responding.
View this bid on BiddingSimpleThis guide was prepared by BiddingSimple from the solicitation’s public posting. It is not official guidance from DEPT of the Navy; the original posting controls.