USCG - Response Boat, Small Third Generation (RB-S III)

The United States Coast Guard (USCG) has an upcoming requirement to design, build, test, and deliver the Response Boat, Small Third Generation (RB-S III). This acquisition recapitalizes the aging fleet of 29-foot Response Boat-Small Second Generation (RB-S II) platforms approaching their end of service life. The contractor will provide the boats, trailers, full logistics support, technical documentation, configuration management, and supply support. The RB-S III will be a commercial product designed to execute multiple missions, including Search and Rescue (SAR); Ports, Waterways, and Coastal Security (PWCS); Migrant Interdiction (MI); and Other Law Enforcement (OLE).

The Government anticipates procuring up to 400 RB-S III boats for the USCG and an additional 100 modified RB-S III variants for other Federal Government agencies, subject to final requirements, availability of funding, and applicable ordering authority.

The Government anticipates awarding up to four (4) Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contracts. The resulting delivery orders are anticipated to utilize Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) and Fixed-Price with Economic Price Adjustment (FP-EPA) line items, as identified in the solicitation.

The anticipated IDIQ ordering period is ten (10) years, consisting of a five (5) year base ordering period and one five (5) year option ordering period.

Primary production will take place at the respective contractors' facilities. Delivery will take place at various USCG locations across the continental United States which will be specified in the solicitation.

The solicitation is anticipated to be released by the end of Fiscal Year (FY) 26. The Government anticipates providing approximately 45 calendar days for submission of proposals. Formal Question and Answer procedures, including deadline for submission of questions, will be identified in the solicitation. Contract awards are anticipated in the second quarter of FY 2027. 

The Government anticipates conducting this competitive procurement using a two-phase acquisition methodology:

• Phase I - Offerors will submit initial technical, management, and conceptual design proposals. The Government will evaluate the Phase I submissions in accordance with the evaluation criteria established in the solicitation and anticipates award of up to four (4) IDIQ contracts. Each IDIQ awardee will proceed to Phase II.
• Phase II - Each Phase I IDIQ awardee will be issued an initial delivery order satisfying the minimum guarantee under its IDIQ contract to complete the detailed construction/production design, build one (1) demonstration vessel, and participate in a Government-conducted In-Water Demonstration. The Government will evaluate the results of each demonstration vessel in accordance with the Phase II evaluation methodology established in the solicitation. Following completion of the Phase II evaluation, the Government anticipates selecting one (1) IDIQ contractor to receive subsequent RB-S III production orders during the remaining ordering period. The final ordering structure and procedures will be established in the solicitation and resulting contracts.

The anticipated solicitation will provide the specific Phase I and Phase II evaluation criteria, evaluation methodology, and basis for selecting the IDIQ contractor anticipated to receive subsequent production orders.

The draft Statement of Work (SOW) and draft Specifications have been attached to this notice as follows:

1. SOW_RB-S_III_Draft
2. Specifications_RB-S_III_Draft

/// SPECIAL NOTICE / DISCLAIMER ///

This is a Presolicitation Notice only. This is NOT a Request for Proposal (RFP). No proposals are being requested, and no contract will be awarded directly from this notice. This notice is issued solely for informational and planning purposes and does not constitute a commitment by the Government to solicit or award a contract for any supply or service.

All information contained in this notice, including anticipated quantities, contract structure, ordering periods, acquisition methodology, schedule, technical requirements, and draft documents, is preliminary and subject to change. The draft SOW and draft Specifications are provided for informational purposes and may be revised, replaced, or otherwise modified in the resulting solicitation.

The Government may consider feedback, questions, or comments received regarding this notice and the attached draft documents in the development of the resulting solicitation. The Government does not intend to provide individual responses to questions or comments received in response to this notice. Receipt of feedback does not obligate the Government to respond, revise the draft documents, incorporate any recommendations, or otherwise alter the anticipated acquisition.

Responses to this notice do not constitute offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. The Government will not reimburse respondents for any information, documentation, travel, or other costs incurred in connection with this notice. All costs associated with reviewing or responding to this notice are solely at the interested party's expense.

The Government reserves the right to modify, delay, cancel, or otherwise determine whether to proceed with this acquisition based on its requirements, acquisition planning, availability of funding, administrative considerations, or other relevant circumstances. Any subsequent solicitation, if issued, will be published on the System for Award Management (SAM.gov). Interested parties are responsible for monitoring SAM.gov for any updates, amendments, notices, and any official solicitation associated with this requirement.

UPDATE 1 - August 28, 2026

The U.S. Coast Guard is updating this Presolicitation Notice to provide additional draft reference documents associated with the previously posted draft SOW and Specification. These documents are being provided for informational and planning purposes only and remain subject to revision as the Government continues to refine the RB-S III requirements.

Certain portions of the draft Specification are highlighted to identify areas that remain under Government review. The highlighting is provided solely to indicate the current draft status of those portions and should not be interpreted as establishing final requirements, evaluation preferences, or relative importance.

The additional draft reference documents provided with this update are:

• 2D_TDP_OSW_Draft
• 3D_TDP_OSW_Draft
• List_Of_Deliverables_Draft

All previously posted information remains unchanged except as expressly identified in this update. The disclaimer contained in this notice continues to apply to all draft documents and information provided under this notice.

UPDATE 2 - September 11, 2026

The U.S. Coast Guard is updating this Presolicitation Notice to provide a revised draft Specification for RB-S III. The revised draft Specification reflects continued Government review and refinement of the RB-S III requirements and supersedes the previously posted draft Specification.

The revised draft document provided with this update is:

• Specifications_RB-S_III_Draft_10SEP26

This update is being provided for informational and planning purposes only. The revised draft Specification remains subject to further revision as the Government continues to refine the RB-S III requirements prior to issuance of the solicitation.

All previously posted information and draft reference documents remain unchanged except as expressly identified in this update. The disclaimer contained in this Presolicitation Notice continues to apply to all draft documents and information provided under this notice.

UPDATE 3 - September 16, 2026

This update is being provided for informational and planning purposes only. In response to Vendor questions the Government has posted answers via the attached:

• Presolicitation_Question_Master_List

All previously posted information and draft reference documents remain unchanged. The disclaimer contained in this Presolicitation Notice continues to apply to all draft documents and information provided under this notice.

UPDATE 4 - September 23, 2026

The U.S. Coast Guard is updating this Presolicitation Notice to provide additional Government responses to Vendor questions regarding the RB-S III requirement. This update adds responses to questions 12 through 22 in the attached revised question and answer document:

• Presolicitation_Question_Master_List rev2

All previously posted information and draft reference documents remain unchanged unless expressly addressed in the attached responses. The disclaimer contained in this Presolicitation Notice continues to apply to all draft documents and information provided under this notice.