3PSC upheld as a small business

3PSC upheld as a small business

Company will operate two AMO-manned LMSRs for MSC

      Military Sealift Command Sept. 28 confirmed the award of an operating contract for two large medium-speed roll-on/roll-off vessels to 3PSC LLC, a small business based in Cape Canaveral, Fla., which employs American Maritime Officers.
     The company will operate the LMSRs USNS Gordon and USNS Gilliland under a one-year fixed-price contract, with four subsequent renewal options. If all options are exercised, 3PSC's contract will extend through 2009 with a total value of $27,246,893.
     The ships are currently operated by another company and turnover is expected by the end of 2004, although no official dates have been announced.
     "AMO members manned these two ships during their original charters and provided excellent service to MSC," said AMO National President Michael McKay. "We look forward to an expanded role in the nation's most vital sealift program."
     The contract for the Gilliland and Gordon was a special set-aside award under MSC's Small Business Utilization Program, which gives small businesses the opportunity to compete for government contracts. More than 50 proposals were solicited by MSC and seven proposals were submitted. Following the award, the federal government upheld 3PSC's status as a small business after that status was challenged by another company competing for the contract.
     3PSC currently operates the oceanographic surveillance ships USNS Hayes and USNS Waters under a small business set-aside contract.
     The contract for the two converted LMSRs was awarded to 3PSC at about the same time a contract to operate nine other LMSRs was awarded to American Overseas Marine, Inc., which also employs AMO members.
     The Gordon and Gilliland are part of MSC's 19-ship LMSR fleet dedicated to the rapid transport of combat equipment to U.S. forces around the globe. The Gordon and Gilliland can be activated and underway in 96 hours or less. Each ship is capable of delivering more than 300,000 square feet of equipment to U.S. military forces in the field abroad.
     The LMSRs have been the prime movers of combat cargo for U.S. military units involved in the war on terrorism. An estimated 95 percent of the equipment and supplies used by deployed U.S. forces is moved by sea.

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