MARADVesselLease2026RFI r1

U.S. Department
of Transportation

MARITIME

ADMINISTRATION

1200 New Jersey Ave, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20590

Request for Information –
Potential to Lease New RO/ROs Vessels
08/21/2026

1. Notice Type: Request for Information (RFI)
The purpose of this announcement is to request additional industry feedback regarding a potential solicitation/acquisition. The Maritime Administration (MARAD) is issuing this RFI notice to determine the availability and technical capability of the U.S. maritime industry to deliver strategic sealift ships. The Government is seeking to identify all qualified sources to assess the industrial base’s capability to meet upcoming mission requirements. The anticipated North American Industry Classification (NAICS) code is 532411, Commercial Air, Rail, and Water Transportation Equipment Rental and Leasing, or 336611 Ship Building and Construction.
THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ONLY. This RFI is being issued for information and planning purposes. It does not constitute a solicitation (Request for Proposal or Request for Quotations) or a promise to issue a solicitation in the future. This RFI does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Furthermore, the Government is not seeking proposals at this time. Respondents to this notice are advised that the Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred by responding to this notice. All costs associated with responding to this notice will be solely at the expense of the responding party.
Submissions may be reviewed by Government personnel and support contractors bound by appropriate non-disclosure agreements. Intellectual property, business confidential or other privileged information contained in responses to this RFI will not be distributed outside of the Department of Transportation, except as required by law, regulation, or court order. Any such information must be clearly marked at the bottom of each page.

2. Background

Executive Order 14269, Restoring America’s Maritime Dominance, seeks to increase the U.S. Armed Forces and Merchant Marine fleets, and maritime industry base, as quickly as possible. MARAD’s previous RFI, published at www.sam.gov, under Notice ID 06032026, provided significant information for MARAD to further identify the path forward for acquiring additional strategic sealift capability.

3. Requirement

MARAD seeks further information on the potential to lease new RO/ROs vessels. Key assumptions remain unchanged from the previous RFI