The Coast Guard wants to lease existing commercial vessels to lease and integrate rapidly into its operational fleet, the service announced in a public solicitation Dec. 8.
A request for proposal to the maritime industry from the Coast Guard seeks to “augment its operational capacity with proven commercial platforms that can immediately strengthen national readiness,” David Smith III, deputy program manager of the Coast Guard In-Service Vessel Sustainment Program, wrote on LinkedIn.
The RFP seeks ship owners to fulfill indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contracts “to provide command, control, and logistics support services in support of USCG missions,” according to documents online. “The place of performance may include the Caribbean Basin, Gulf of America and surrounding areas, the Atlantic Area, the Pacific Area, and the Polar Regions.”
The contract periods would be five years and the Coast Guard prepared to spend up to $99 million altogether. The period of performance is 5 years, with a cummalitive ceiling of $99,000,000.00. This solicitation is unrestricted and open to all responsible sources.
“The Coast Guard is taking a historic approach to delivering new capabilities by partnering with industry in innovative ways that accelerate timelines,” according to a program statement. The move is modeled on the Coast Guard’s December 2024 acquisition of the Storis, a former Edison Chouest icebreaker/anchor handling tug, that after modifications and upgrades became the first polar icebreaker to join the fleet in 25 years.
A list of general ship specifications includes ability to operate at sea for 30 days without resupply, and capable of operating in sea state 4. Minimum range must be 2,000 nautical miles and transit speeds at 10 knots or greater.
Accommodations must include berthing in a minimum of 4 one-person staterooms and 4 two-person staterooms for Coast Guard personnel, for up to 12. Vessels must be suitable to handle at least four 20’ IMO containers.
Interested vessel owners must respond by Jan. 8, 2026. “If your organization has vessels that can augment the Coast Guard's fleet, this is the moment to engage, explore, and help chart the future for the U.S. Coast Guard,” according to program officials.
