All Season Buoys
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The U.S. Coast Guard, under the Department of Homeland Security, is conducting a Sources Sought market research effort to identify manufacturers of All Season Buoys for the Great Lakes Area. This initiative aims to find commercially available, all-weather navigational buoys that can potentially eliminate the need for seasonal buoy changes. Responses are due by April 15, 2026.
Scope of Work
The Coast Guard is seeking information on buoys with an anticipated lifespan of 35 years or greater. Key requirements include:
- Construction: Impact-resistant plastic/resin hull, corrosive-resistant or coated steel mooring structure, and unsinkable core material.
- Ice Resistance: Must be capable of surviving severe ice accumulation and withstanding submersion under ice.
- Dimensions: Length not to exceed 15 feet, and weight not to exceed 3,000 lbs (including batteries and hardware).
- Hardware: Support for a self-contained, easily installable/uninstallable lantern; three mooring pad eyes; and opposing double lifting pad eyes.
- Operational Requirements: Ability to maintain signal in a 4+ knot current, a visual range of 1.4 nautical miles, and an average Radar Cross Section (RCS) greater than 50m².
Contract & Timeline
This is a Sources Sought notice for market research purposes only; no solicitation exists at this time. If sufficient sources are identified, the government anticipates issuing a single solicitation for an Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract. The anticipated period of performance is a base year plus four option years, with an expected start date around September 1, 2026. The anticipated North American Industrial Classification Code (NAICS) is 326199 (All Other Plastic Products Manufacturing) with a small business size standard of 750 employees.
- Opportunity Type: Sources Sought
- Response Due: April 15, 2026, by 3:00 p.m. ET
- Published Date: March 31, 2026
Submission & Evaluation
Interested companies should submit product literature, specifications, testing data, published price lists (if available), and statements detailing how their products meet or exceed the desired results. This market research will inform future competition and set-aside decisions. Respondents must include: Company Name, Address, Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), Point of Contact, Phone Number, Business Size for NAICS 326199, and evidence of manufacturing/supplying experience.
Eligibility / Set-Aside
Competition and set-aside decisions will be determined based on the results of this market research. Responsible sources that manufacture navigational buoys meeting the specified requirements are encouraged to respond.
Additional Notes
Responses should be emailed to Arvett.L.Blount@uscg.mil and copied to Jeffrey.D.Haycox@uscg.mil. Questions regarding this notice should be directed to Arvett Blount via email.