Marine Vessel Support Services for Search and Rescue (SAR) Field Exercises

The United States Coast Guard Research and Development Center is conducting market research through a Request for Information (RFI) to identify qualified contractors capable of providing marine vessel support services for a series of Search and Rescue (SAR) field experiments scheduled between September 2026 and October 2027 along the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Southeast coastal regions of the United States. This RFI, designated as RDCFY2602 and issued under NAICS code 541690, is explicitly non-binding and does not constitute a solicitation or lead to a contract award. The government is seeking detailed input from industry to inform the development of a future acquisition, including information on vessel capabilities, cost drivers, and GSA pricing sheets. Respondents must provide a cover letter containing company identity, point of contact details, Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), business size classification, and a summary of supporting documentation, alongside a technical description addressing specific operational requirements. The response must be submitted via email no later than June 19, 2026, with a strict 10-page limit excluding attachments. Contractors are expected to supply two types of vessels: a minimum of two to four trailerable center-console fishing boats ranging from 25 to 35 feet in length with licensed captains, capable of operating at 15 to 20 knots and up to 25 nautical miles offshore for 8 to 12 hour durations; and one to two work boats between 30 and 60 feet in length with a minimum 100 square foot deck space and a crew of two, including a licensed captain and deckhand. These vessels must be equipped with standard USCG-mandated safety gear, marine VHF radios, charting systems, and radar, and must be capable of operating in coastal conditions up to a small craft advisory. The work boat must additionally be able to deploy and recover rescue training manikins, six-person liferafts, and specialized mooring equipment including fluke anchors, chains, and mooring lines. Responses must include digital photographs of vessels, vessel data sheets, and a list of any existing U.S. government contracts available for potential use. All submission costs are borne by the respondent, and proprietary information must be clearly segregated. The primary point of contact is Kiemisha Sweetney, and responses are to be sent to designated USCG email addresses with a specific subject line format.