Concrete Sinkers for Buoy Tenders

The U.S. Coast Guard, through the Department of Homeland Security's LOG-9 office in Norfolk, Virginia, is conducting market research to identify capable small businesses for the fabrication and delivery of concrete sinkers weighing 1,000lb, 1,500lb, and 2,000lb to support River Buoy Tender operations across the Ohio River Valley, Upper Mississippi Valley, and Lower Mississippi River Valley. This effort, identified by solicitation number 70Z08426QWOPL0002, is a Sources Sought Notice and not a formal solicitation, with responses due by December 19, 2025. The contract is structured as a Total Small Business Set-Aside under FAR 19.5, with NAICS code 327331, indicating the government seeks responses only from small businesses meeting the 500-employee size standard. The concrete sinkers must conform to USCG Drawing No. 121206, with material requirements including ASTM C150 and C33 standards, a minimum 28-day compressive strength of 3,000 psi, and a minimum density of 140 lb per cubic foot. Lifting eyes must be fabricated from ASTM A36 steel and properly embedded, and no on-site pouring is permitted. Delivery is governed by F.O.B. Destination terms per FAR 52.247-35, requiring the contractor to assume all risks and costs until goods reach designated piers in locations including Chattanooga, St. Louis, Memphis, and others. Performance milestones require delivery of 20% within 30 days of award, escalating to 100% by day 150, with smaller orders of 200 sinkers or fewer subject to a 50%-50% split over 30 and 60 days. Sinkers must cure for a minimum of three days before handling and meet a strict weight tolerance of –3% to +10% of design weight. Deliveries must occur only on weekdays between 8:00 AM and 1:00 PM, excluding federal holidays. The point of contact for inquiries is James C. Kanash, with responses required to be submitted electronically to designated email addresses. No formal evaluation factors, pricing information, or contract value are available at this stage, as the current phase is purely for market research to inform future