Homeland Security Cutter – Light Icebreaker (HSC-L)

SOL #: 70Z02326IHSCL1GHTSources Sought

Overview

Buyer

Homeland Security
Us Coast Guard
HQ CONTRACT OPERATIONS (CG-912)(000
WASHINGTON, DC, 20593, United States

Place of Performance

Place of performance not available

NAICS

Ship Building and Repairing (336611)

PSC

Special Service Vessels (1925)

Set Aside

No set aside specified

Timeline

1
Posted
Mar 18, 2026
2
Last Updated
Apr 9, 2026
3
Response Deadline
Apr 14, 2026, 9:00 PM

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 United States Coast Guard (USCG) is conducting market research through this Request for Information (RFI) for the Homeland Security Cutter – Light Icebreaker (HSC-L) program. The USCG plans a potential future acquisition of up to seven HSC-L vessels to recapitalize its light icebreaking capability. This RFI seeks industry feedback on the draft design, production feasibility, and acquisition strategy. Responses are due April 14, 2026, at 5:00 PM Eastern Time.

Purpose & Scope

The USCG intends to replace its aging 65-ft WYTL class icebreakers with new HSC-L vessels. The future contract will require the selected contractor to mature a Government-provided Contract Design (CD) baseline into a production-ready design, perform production engineering, and then construct, test, and deliver up to seven HSC-L vessels. The primary capability is icebreaking, with secondary roles including aids to navigation (ATON), buoy maintenance, lift capability, vessel escort, command and control, communications, sensor employment, and search and rescue.

RFI Focus Areas

The USCG specifically requests industry input on the Draft Statement of Work (SOW), Draft Specification (SPEC), Contract Design (CD) artifacts, production feasibility, industrial base considerations, execution approach, and program risks (cost and schedule drivers). Feedback is also sought on a high-level solicitation approach, which may include a potential two-phase advisory down-select process. The objective is to improve requirement clarity, validate design maturity, and ensure future solicitations reflect realistic and executable requirements.

Potential Acquisition Strategy & Evaluation

A potential contract award is anticipated in late 2026, likely utilizing FAR Part 12 and FAR Part 15 procedures. The envisioned two-phase advisory down-select process would involve:

  • Phase I: Evaluation of Production Capability and Past Performance.
  • Phase II: Evaluation of Design and Production Approach, and Price. For evaluation, non-price factors (Design and Production Approach, Production Capability, Past Performance) are expected to be significantly more important than price, though price importance increases as non-price factors become more equal.

Submission Details

Responses to this RFI are due by April 14, 2026, at 5:00 PM Eastern Time. Submissions should include a PDF narrative (maximum 10 pages) and an Excel comment matrix. This RFI is for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation or commitment to award a contract.

Key Attachments

Detailed technical documents are provided, including a Draft Statement of Work, Draft Specification, Master Equipment List, Hull Lines and Offsets, Weight Estimate, Midship Section, Decks and Bulkheads, Shell Expansion, Deckhouse Structure, Machinery Arrangement, Electrical Plant Load Analysis, and Electrical Block Diagram. These preliminary documents offer critical insights into the vessel's design, materials, systems, and structural requirements, essential for understanding the scope of work.

People

Points of Contact

William E. LewisPRIMARY
Christopher A. WellonsSECONDARY

Files

Files

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Versions

Version 3Viewing
Sources Sought
Posted: Apr 9, 2026
Version 2
Sources Sought
Posted: Mar 24, 2026
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Version 1
Sources Sought
Posted: Mar 18, 2026
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Homeland Security Cutter – Light Icebreaker (HSC-L) | GovScope