Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Agreement (VISA) - 2024 Renewal

The United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) is renewing its Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Agreement (VISA) for the period 1 October 2024 through 30 September 2029 with an optional extension to 30 September 2034. The agreement serves as a contingency framework that obligates participating shipping companies to provide worldwide port‑to‑port ocean transportation and related intermodal movements, infrastructure, and management services for Department of Defense operations. Under the renewal, carriers that remain enrolled must affirm their capacity commitments and review any vessel changes; new entrants must enroll through the Maritime Administration’s VISA portal and agree to the same contractual terms.

The procurement specifically requires the charter of vessels capable of carrying cargo by ocean freight, as well as the provision of ancillary intermodal equipment such as containers, chassis, and terminal services. Participants are expected to maintain guaranteed capacity commitments that become active upon a DoD contingency activation, with vessels ready for rapid deployment. The agreement emphasizes guaranteed readiness, continuity of service, and adherence to maritime safety obligations, and requires that all deployed vessels conform to applicable maritime standards (e.g., SOLAS, ISS, and vessel certification) as delineated in the VISA terms.

Contract Opportunity Type: Solicitation (o)

Product Service Code: V115-TRANSPORTATION/TRAVEL/RELOCATION- TRANSPORTATION: VESSEL FREIGHT
NAICS Code:
483111-Deep Sea Freight Transportation

The attached Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Agreement (VISA) solicitation and attachments are posted in order to execute the next iteration of VISA contracts.  These contingency contracts implement VISA as defined in the Federal Register dated 29 October 2014.  VISA provides for contingency sealift services that may arise in any part of the world. The general scope of services under this contract includes the provision of ocean transportation charter for worldwide port-to-port ocean movements and related intermodal movements, infrastructure, services, and management expertise.  VISA participants shall provide basic services, as outlined in the Terms and Conditions, including guaranteed capacity commitments, in the event of VISA activation, for use during DoD contingency operations.

For this iteration of VISA, the Period of Performance for the Base Period is 1 October 2024 – 30 September 2029 and Option Period 1 is 1 October 2029 – 30 September 2034.  The VISA solicitation is open for enrollment from 27 June 2024 to 30 September 2034.  VISA participants receive priority for peacetime DoD cargo and no low dollar minimally funded task order will be executed to bind the parties to this VISA contingency contract and the vessel capacity commitments within. 

Current VISA Participants:

1. In July 2024, USTRANSCOM-AQ will begin reaching out to all current VISA participants via email to confirm if they want to remain enrolled in the program. 
2. If the participant chooses to remain in VISA, USTRANSCOM-AQ will provide each participant their Attachment 1 and 2(s) from the previous iteration of the contract to identify any changes to vessel commitments. 
3. All Attachment 2s will need to be refilled out/submitted to USTRANSCOM-AQ regardless of vessel changes as we have removed 2 pricing methodologies from the previous iteration. 
4. If vessel changes are necessary, participant will update their Attachment 1 and send through the review/signature coordination process with the (Maritime Administration) MARAD and USTRANSCOM.
5. If there are no vessel changes, USTRANSCOM-AQ will update the contract number on the Attachment 1 and include it in the conformed copy of the contract.
6. When Attachment 1 and 2(s) are finalized, USTRANSCOM-AQ will provide the VISA contingency contract for the participant to sign and return to USTRANSCOM-AQ.
7. USTRANSCOM-AQ will sign, execute the VISA contingency contract, and provide to participant for their records.

New VISA Participants:

1. All new participants will need to enroll through the MARAD website at: https://www.maritime.dot.gov/strategic-sealift/office-ship-operations/visa-enrollment-package
2. After MARAD approval, AQ will work with each participant to execute all necessary documents for contract execution.

We look forward to working with all current and new VISA participants!

Notice ID: HTC71124RWV01

Additional buyer information

Department/Ind. Agency: DEPT OF DEFENSE
Sub-tier: US TRANSPORTATION COMMAND (USTRANSCOM)
Major Command: USTRANSCOM-AQ