Sources Sought
U.S. Coast Guard Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality Training Devices
Department of Homeland Security · U.S. Coast Guard
AI summaryThe U.S. Coast Guard (CG-AIR-COCO-1) posted sources sought / request for information (RFI) 70ZA0127AIRC12001 on augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) training devices using VR headsets for pilots, aircrew and maintainers. About 200 headsets are envisioned across HC-130J, HC-144B, MH-60T and MH-65E aircraft. It is market research, not a request for proposals. Written responses are due November 23, 2026, 2:00 PM Eastern. More in the summary
Market research, not a bid. Replying is free and tells U.S. Coast Guard who could do this work. Send a short reply to the contracting contact; no price is needed. See the contact
AI summary Beta
The U.S. Coast Guard (CG-AIR-COCO-1) posted sources sought / request for information (RFI) 70ZA0127AIRC12001 on augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) training devices using VR headsets for pilots, aircrew and maintainers. About 200 headsets are envisioned across HC-130J, HC-144B, MH-60T and MH-65E aircraft. It is market research, not a request for proposals. Written responses are due November 23, 2026, 2:00 PM Eastern.
How to submit: Email to Sharita.L.Leathers@uscg.mil, cc Joel.M.Gibney2@uscg.mil, subject line "RFI Response: Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) Training Devices - [Your Company Name]". What to include is under Full summary below. Check the solicitation's instructions on SAM.gov.
Things to watch (5)
From the version posted Oct 23, 2026.
- Worth checking: Cybersecurity is marked critical. The Coast Guard asks whether the system works fully offline, needs commercial headset accounts, and has held an ATO on any DoD or federal network.
- Worth checking: Open, non-proprietary architecture wanted. The Coast Guard asks whether a third party or the Government can add checklists without OEM lock-in, which may count against closed systems.
- Minor: Market research only, not a solicitation. The Coast Guard is not seeking proposals or quotes now. Responding is voluntary and does not commit the Government to buy.
Show all 5Show fewer
- Minor: Wide delivery footprint. Headsets would go to 26 operational air stations and two training centers, so fielding and support cost across many sites matters.
- Minor: Only one NAICS code will be used in any solicitation. The RFI lists two NAICS codes, 541511 and 541512, but only one will be assigned later, which sets the size standard that applies to you.
Read from the notice and 1 attachment. Show which files.
- Augmented Reality-Virtual Reality_RFI 70ZA0127AIRC12001.pdf (read)
Full summary
What they want
- VR headset training for checklist procedures, emergency procedures, systems knowledge, Maintenance Procedure Cards (MPCs) and aircraft diagnostics
- About 200 headsets: 5 headsets at each of 26 operational air stations, and 35 at each of 2 aviation training centers (Elizabeth City, NC and Mobile, AL)
- Common hardware at units across the fleet, with instructors able to conduct, monitor and guide training remotely
- Training content for four aircraft: HC-130J, HC-144B, MH-60T and MH-65E
- Answers on cybersecurity: air-gapped (offline) operation, no external commercial headset accounts, and any past Authority to Operate (ATO)
- Software licensing model, hardware refresh plans and a Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) cost estimate across six cost elements
- Contract type
- Not decided; the RFI asks respondents which contract type they recommend
- Place of performance
- Washington, DC, USA (as shown on SAM.gov); headsets would go to 26 operational air stations and two aviation training centers, in Elizabeth City, NC and Mobile, AL
- Estimated value
- Not stated
- Offers due
- November 23, 2026, 2:00 PM Eastern
- How to submit
- Email to Sharita.L.Leathers@uscg.mil, cc Joel.M.Gibney2@uscg.mil, subject line "RFI Response: Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) Training Devices - [Your Company Name]"
- Page limits
- Written response: 15 pages, excluding the cover page; email attachment no larger than 10MB
What to include when you submit
- Send the response as MS Word or searchable PDF
- Company profile: name, address, website, point of contact (POC) name, email and telephone, socioeconomic status and Unique Entity Identifier (UEI)
- Say what Government Furnished Information (GFI) or technical data your system needs, and what can be adapted from commercially available files
- List existing contract vehicles or interagency agreements the Coast Guard could order from, with contract number, prime contract holder, managing agency and agency POC
- Describe contract type, software licensing model and hardware technology refresh approach
- Address technical capability: common hardware across the four aircraft, remote instructor tools, open standards, footprint and tracking, hand-tracking fidelity, and student performance metrics and learning management system export
- If teaming or significant subcontracting is needed, explain the logistical, administrative and management structure
- Address cybersecurity: air-gapped operation, external account needs and ATO history
- Provide a ROM cost estimate covering initial software and content development, hardware for 200 headsets, annual software licensing and sustainment, deployment and Train the Trainer, hardware refresh, and warranty
- Do not include proprietary, classified, confidential or sensitive information in the response
- Send clarifying questions by email to the same two addresses
Not in the notice text
- Contract type, period of performance, estimated value and any set-aside are not stated
- Which single NAICS code will be assigned in any formal solicitation is not stated
- No question deadline is stated
- The Government furnished data the work would depend on is not listed; the RFI asks respondents to say what they need
Eligibility and how to respond
- No set-aside. Any business can reply: this is market research, and no bid is being taken yet.
- To respond, send a short reply to the contracting contact near the top of this page. No price is needed.
Notice details
- Posted
- Oct 23, 2026
- Notice type
- Sources Sought
- Office
- CG-Air-Coco-1, Elizabeth City, NC
- Product/service code
- 6910 · Training Aids
- Business type
- IT, software & telecom (FedReady's grouping, from NAICS 541511)
- Attachments
Past awards and competition
Who has won work like this before, the likely incumbent, and what similar contracts paid, from USAspending.gov.
Before you respond
Terms on this notice: Sources sought notice
Full notice text from SAM.gov
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