U.S. Coast Guard Biometrics at Sea System (BASS) Capability Needs Statement – January 2026

This document is a Capability Needs Statement (CNS) outlining operational requirements for the U.S. Coast Guard's Biometrics at Sea System (BASS) program. BASS provides critical capability for collecting, analyzing, and utilizing biometric data to meet requirements of 46 U.S.C. 70123 and support law enforcement authorities and force protection responsibilities. The system addresses challenges of operating in dynamic maritime environments with disconnected, intermittent, and low-bandwidth (DIL) connectivity, enabling the Coast Guard to enhance maritime domain awareness, identify individuals involved in illicit activities, and improve officer safety during maritime operations.

The CNS defines three primary capability areas: (1) On-Scene Identity Verification and Enrollment—enabling rapid collection of multiple biometric modalities (fingerprints, iris scans, facial images) and contextual data (photographs of scars, marks, tattoos) with immediate local screening against watchlists and seamless enrollment into authoritative databases; (2) Seamless and Assured Data Exchange—ensuring reliable transmission of collected data and receipt of critical results regardless of connectivity status with clear confirmation of successful delivery and secure audit trails; and (3) Mission-Ready Operational Capability—providing fully functional, portable, rugged devices capable of withstanding maritime environments with extended battery life and comprehensive operator training. Key performance attributes include device compliance with MIL Std 810, weight under 5 pounds, battery life of 4 hours with hot-swap capability, collection of biometrics meeting ANSI/NIST standards, and database response delivery within 180 seconds. The system must support secure data handling using Coast Guard-approved encryption, integration with authoritative biometric databases (FBI, DoW, DHS), and continuous updates to reflect emerging threats and technological advancements. Requirements management follows Coast Guard established processes with stakeholder collaboration, operational field feedback integration, and compliance with Coast Guard and DHS standards for records management, accessibility, and privacy.