Solicitation
Homeland Security Cutter - Light Icebreaker (HSC-L) Solicitation
Department of Homeland Security · US Coast Guard · Sol. 70Z02326R93280004
AI summary Beta
Some details weren't available to this summary, so it may miss requirements. Check the attachments on SAM.gov.
The U.S. Coast Guard wants a shipyard to design, build, test and deliver Homeland Security Cutter - Light Icebreaker (HSC-L) vessels under a large IDIQ contract (a contract with orders placed over time). The notice is flagged as a total small business set-aside, but the competition is a two-phase down-select: Phase 1 is finished, and only firms that elected to continue may submit Phase 2 proposals, now due October 23, 2026 at 2:00 PM Eastern (extended from October 16).
Watch out for
- Phase 2 is closed to new bidders. Only firms that elected to continue after Phase 1 can bid now, so a business that did not take part in Phase 1 likely cannot compete (teaming with a Phase 2 firm may be the only route).
Phase 2 proposal submissions are limited to Offerors that timely elected to continue participation in Phase 2.
- Very large, capital-intensive shipbuilding program. Design maturation, production of a lead and follow-on icebreaking cutters, vessel transport, deep spares and a 900-day first-hull requirement call for a major shipyard, far beyond most small businesses even with a set-aside.
Delivery of two to four vessels per year is the Government’s preference.
- Due date conflict. The SAM header shows October 16, 2026 at 2:00 PM, but Amendment A00006 extended Phase 2 proposals to October 23, 2026 at 2:00 PM Eastern; use the later date from the amendment and confirm with the Contracting Officer.
to October 23, 2026, at 2:00 PM Eastern Time
- Large parts of the solicitation were not provided. Sections C (SOW), L (instructions) and parts of M, the J-7 pricing schedule, the Contract Design package and the Phase 2 Q&A were not available, so key requirements, page limits and submission method are unknown.
- Technical data rights are evaluated and offering less is penalized. Proposing less than the Government's requested data rights in J-9B will be evaluated negatively, which can conflict with a firm's proprietary designs.
- Price risk terms. Production CLIN uses fixed price with economic price adjustment, and Amendment A00001 revised the liquidated damages clause (FAR 52.211-11), so late delivery can cost money.
Contract Type:Fixed Price Economic Price Adjustment
- Incomplete price schedule means ineligibility. Not completing Attachment J-7, not following its instructions, or missing subcontract pricing for covered subcontractors can make the proposal incomplete and ineligible for award.
Failure to provide a completed Attachment J-7, to follow the Attachment J-7 instructions, to align
- Controlled distribution and brand-name-or-equal items to come. The Contract Design package is provided only to Phase 2 Offerors under distribution requirements, and engines or major equipment named by brand will be identified only in Phase II.
Read from the notice and 12 attachments. 27 not read in full.
- Section J-09A Technical Data Rights Table Instructions.pdf
- RFP_70Z02326R93280004_HSC-L_Conformed_A00005.pdf
- Section J-01 HSC-L System Specification_A00005.pdf
- SF-30 Amendment A00001.pdf
- SF-30 Amendment A00002.pdf
- SF-30 Amendment A00003.pdf
- SF-30 Amendment A00004.pdf
- SF-30 Amendment A00005.pdf
- SF-30 Amendment A00006.pdf
- Section J-01 PPD-589-001 Detail Spec for Buoy Crane.pdf
- Section J-02 Design and Readiness Review Requirements and Criteria_A00005.pdf
- Section J-06 Notice for Filing Agency Protest.pdf
- Section J-07 Pricing Schedule_A00005.xlsx: spreadsheet: not read yet
- Section J-08_Insurance_Spares_List_A00005.pdf: over the file limit for one brief
- Section J-09B Tech Data Tables.xlsx: spreadsheet: not read yet
- Section J-10 Section 508 Contract Language for HSC-L.pdf: over the file limit for one brief
- Section J-11 MIL-HDBK-61B.pdf: over the file limit for one brief
- Section J-12 HSC-L Design Placemat.pdf: over the file limit for one brief
- Section J-13A ATCH 083-001-1 MECL.xlsx: spreadsheet: not read yet
- Section J-13B ATCH 083-001-2 ESWBS WORKBOOK.xlsx: spreadsheet: not read yet
- Section J-13C ATCH 083-004-1 PPL Template.xlsx: spreadsheet: not read yet
- Section J-13D ATCH 085-002 3D TDP.pdf: over the file limit for one brief
- Section J-13E SFLC Std Spec 6310 Requirements for Preservation of Ship Structures.pdf: over the file limit for one brief
- Section J-13F SFLC Std Spec 6341 Interior Deck Covering.pdf: over the file limit for one brief
- Section J-13G COMDTINST M5260_6A Management of Scientific and Technical Information (STINFO).pdf: over the file limit for one brief
- Section J-13H COMDTINST M10360_3D Colors and Coatings Manual.pdf: over the file limit for one brief
- Section J-13J ATCH 086-001 2025-04-04 PROMULGATION FRONT MATTER WITH COPYRIGHT (IPW).pdf: over the file limit for one brief
- Section J-13K ATCH 085-005-2 2D TDP.pdf: over the file limit for one brief
- Section J-13L COMDTINST 9085_1D Naval Engineering Computer Aided Design Standards.pdf: over the file limit for one brief
- Section J-52 Outfitting List.pdf: over the file limit for one brief
- Section J-53 Sand Chart Template_A00005.xlsx: spreadsheet: not read yet
- Attachment 1 - Government Responses to Solicitation Questions_A00001.pdf: over the file limit for one brief
- Attachment 2 - Government Responses to Solicitation Questions_A00002.pdf: over the file limit for one brief
- Attachment 3 - Government Responses to Solicitation Questions_A00003.pdf: over the file limit for one brief
- Attachment 4 - Government Responses to Solicitation Questions_A00006.pdf: over the file limit for one brief
- Section J-03 Past Performance Questionnaire.docx: over the file limit for one brief
- Section J-13I DD Form 1692 Engineering Change Proposal.pdf: over the file limit for one brief
- Section J-13M COMDTINST M5260_6A Directives System Program.pdf: over the file limit for one brief
- Section J-13N DD Form 1694 Request for Deviation-Waiver.pdf: over the file limit for one brief
Full brief
What they want
- Mature the Government's Contract Design into a production-ready icebreaking cutter design (design and engineering)
- Build and deliver a lead vessel and follow-on vessels; Government prefers delivery of two to four vessels per year
- Long lead time materials, production, vessel transport to the delivery location, and operational test support
- Crew familiarization training, display model, and special studies
- Technical data package deliveries (TDS-1, TDS-2, TDS-3) and technical data rights per Attachment J-9
- Optional deep insurance spares (propellers, shafting, main engines, reduction gear, bow thruster, generators, switchboards, steering gear, AC plant, crane, winch and more)
- Design and readiness reviews (PDR, CDR, PRR, TRR) with many CDRL deliverables
- Contract type
- Indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract; most CLINs firm-fixed-price, production CLIN 0002AB is fixed price with economic price adjustment, special studies in the base period are cost-type
- Period of performance
- Base ordering period plus option ordering periods shown starting 12/1/27 (365 days), 12/1/28 (364 days) and 12/1/29 (364 days), with further periods beyond; first hull required 900 days after award per Section M
- Place of performance
- USA (no specific site stated in the visible text; delivery location is in SOW C.2.11, which was not provided)
- How they'll choose
- Two-phase advisory down-select. Phase 1 (Factor 1 design/readiness and Factor 2 past performance) is done. Phase 2 evaluates Factor 3 Project Approach, Factor 4 Schedule and Factor 5 Price, with confidence ratings (High, Some, Low) for the non-price factors and price judged for completeness and reasonableness. The overall award trade-off statement was in the part of Section M that was left out.
- Offers due
- Phase 2 proposals: 2:00 PM Eastern Time, October 23, 2026 (extended by Amendment A00006; the SAM header still shows October 16, 2026)
- How to submit
- Per Section L of the solicitation (not visible in the text provided); acknowledgments of amendments go by email to the Contracting Officer and Contract Specialist named in Section L.2(b)
What they'll judge offers on
- Phase 1 Factor 1: design and engineering (details not visible)
- Phase 1 Factor 2: Past Performance (recent and relevant references, confidence rating)
- Phase 2 Factor 3: Project Approach (teaming and subcontractor data, design approach, production approach, delivery approach, technical data rights)
- Phase 2 Factor 4: Schedule (realistic, logical plan; first hull due 900 days after award; 2 to 4 vessels per year preferred)
- Phase 2 Factor 5: Price (Total Evaluated Price from Attachment J-7)
What to include when you submit
- Only Offerors that timely elected to continue in Phase 2 may submit Phase 2 proposals
- Prepare Phase 2 proposals under the revised Sections L and M in Amendment A00005 (Factors 3 to 5)
- Complete Attachment J-7 Pricing Schedule and follow its instructions; align pricing with the Section B CLIN structure
- Provide subcontract pricing information for covered subcontractors (Section L.14, Factor 5)
- Complete Attachment J-9B data rights tables and FAR 52.227-15 information
- Provide a schedule and narrative (in calendar days from award), a sand chart (J-53) and a labor hour alignment
- Acknowledge receipt of Amendment A00006 and all amendments
- The Contract Design package and CDRL (J-04) are sent separately to Phase 2 Offerors
You must have
- Offeror must have timely elected to continue in Phase 2 (Phase 1 is closed); new entrants appear to be excluded
Phase 2 proposal submissions are limited to Offerors that timely elected to continue participation in Phase 2.
- Small business set-aside (total), as shown in the SAM listing; size standard and rules are in the solicitation sections not provided
- Buy American Act supplies clause and certificate apply (replaced the Trade Agreements clauses)
adds FAR 52.225-1, Buy American—Supplies, and FAR 52.225-2, Buy American Certificate.
- Must show design, engineering and shipbuilding capability; Phase 1 evaluated relevant past performance such as steel-hulled, ice-capable, self-propelled vessels built concurrently
The Offeror produced ice capable vessels.
- Restrictions on access to and release of technical information to foreign persons and export controls will apply (details to come in Phase II amendment)
Not in the notice text
- Section C Statement of Work (not provided), including the delivery location (SOW C.2.11) and the number of vessels
- Section L Phase 2 proposal instructions: exact submission method, volume structure and page limits
- Overall award decision rule and relative importance of factors (start of Section M and Phase 2 factor weights were left out)
- Pricing schedule (Attachment J-7), estimated quantities and contract value (CLIN quantities and prices are blank)
- Government responses to Phase 2 questions (Attachment 4 / Amendment A00006) and the conformed changes coming in Amendment A00007
- Size standard and any subcontracting or limitations on subcontracting rules for the small business set-aside
- Insurance spares list, Section 508 language, Design Placemat, Contract Design package and CDRL list
- Detailed Phase 1 Factor 1 evaluation criteria and whether late entrants are allowed in Phase 2
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Key facts
- Response due
- Oct 16, 2026, 6:00 PM UTC
- Posted
- Oct 2, 2026
- Notice type
- Solicitation
- Solicitation
- 70Z02326R93280004
- Agency
- Department of Homeland Security · US Coast Guard
- Office
- CG-Sea-CA3
- Set-aside
- Small Business Set Aside - Total
- NAICS
- 336611
- Product/service code
- 1925
- Business type
- Aircraft, ship & vehicle parts
- Contracting contact
- William E. Lewiswilliam.e.lewis3@uscg.mil
- Versions
- 7 (amended since first posted)
Full notice text from SAM.gov
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