RFP_IDIQ_Questions and Answers.pdf

RFP No. 70Z02326R9328001 (IDIQ) 19 December 2025

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IDIQ Q&As

1. SOW 3.27.1 requires the establishment and maintenance of minimum anti-terrorism/force protection. Do you have any information on what training/equipment would be required to meet this requirement?

Answer: Requirements for the minimum level of security are outlined in eCFR :: 33 CFR Part 104 -- Maritime Security: Vessels . Specific questions regarding training, equipment, and requirements can be found in Subpart B and D. Any further AT/FP measures will be provided by USCG personnel as needed in future Task Orders.

2. It is our understanding that all provisions in the IDIQ SOW pass through to the TO1 SOW unless modified by the TO1. Is this correct? Example- the TO1 SOW does not specify a stores crane, however this is required in the IDIQ SOW, therefore the crane is required for

TO1.

Answer: Correct. The requirements outlined in the IDIQ pass through to the individual Task Orders as a “baseline requirement.”

3. Are foreign flagged vessels eligible to be considered to compete for the subject RFP?

Answer: No. Foreign-flagged vessels are not eligible for award.

4. With an anticipate area of responsibility of US Gulf, Carib, Pacific etc., is it permissible to homeport the nominated vessel on the US West Coast or will it be required to be “on station” in the US Gulf?

Answer: The nominated vessels for the IDIQ can be homeported anywhere in the U.S.

However, specific homeporting or “on station” requirements will be outlined in individual Task Orders.

5. Will the Government consider awarding entry to the IDIQ to a bidder committed to building

(2) new vessels to the requirement with availability of the vessels beginning mid to late 2026?

Answer: No, the vessels must exist at time of proposal submission.

6. If available vessels require conversion, what is the availability required by the Government for the offer to be considered competitive?

Answer: Conversions/modifications to a vessel are an acceptable approach to meeting the IDIQ requirements. Timelines for availability are determined at the Task Order level (e.g., Task Order 1 requires availability within 30 days of award).

7. Does vessel need to be Arctic class since the Arctic is an area mentioned to work in now?

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-33/chapter-I/subchapter-H/part-104#104.115 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-33/chapter-I/subchapter-H/part-104#104.115

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Answer: There is no Arctic Class requirement for the IDIQ. An Arctic class requirement may be specified on a future Task Order, if necessary.

8. What grades of fuel is USCG expecting the vessel to carry?

Answer: Fuels most likely to be carried are the below. The Coast Guard may specify other types of fuel in future Task Orders.

• NATO F-76 in accordance with MIL-DTL-16884.

• Marine Gas Oil (MGO) conforming to ISO 8217 Grade DMA.

• ASTM D975 Grade Number 2 Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD).

• NATO F-44 (JP-5) in accordance with MIL-DTL-5624.

9. Does Crane need to be ABS classed/ Man riding capable? Or just stores?

Answer: The crane just needs to be capable of moving stores.

10. Does USCG expect vessel company to provide PAMs if needed? Or will USCG provide?

Answer: PAMs are the responsibility of the vessel company.

11. What sea state the crane is expected to be utilized while offshore?

Answer: Crane operations are expected to be conducted in up to sea state 3.

12. Is the Coast Guard considering autonomous vessels in this solicitation? Are autonomous solutions welcome?

Answer: No, the Coast Guard is not considering autonomous/unmanned vessels in this solicitation.

13. For the IDIQ, how should conversions/modifications be financially accounted for?

Answer: For the IDIQ, costs for PAMs or other modifications necessary to meet Coast Guard requirements should be priced into the proposed day rates. The Coast Guard does not anticipate providing PAMs.

14. Does the Government allow the offeror to utilize a subcontracted or leased vessel to meet all threshold requirements, provided full operational control remains with the prime contractor?

Answer: The Coast Guard will not preclude the offeror from utilizing a subcontracted or leased vessel to meet all threshold requirements, provided full operational control remains with the prime contractor for the duration of the contract periods.

15. Past Performance Considerations - For evaluation purposes, will the Government consider comparable commercial logistics or offshore support operations as relevant past performance when assessing offeror capability under this requirement?

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Answer: Relevancy is defined in Section 8.2. Relevant past performance is not limited to previous Government experience.

16. Must the vessel be US built?

Answer: Yes, see IDIQ SOW 3.1.

17. Will foreign flag vessels be considered if they have unique features, such as polar / arctic capabilities?

Answer: No.

18. Do you have to meet all technical requirements in order to offer / be considered? For example, if a vessel complies with all requirements except the 20ft IMO containers, will the vessel be considered / acceptable?

Answer: Yes. Proposed vessels must meet all technical requirements to be eligible for award.

19. SOW 3.13.1 - Please confirm maximum weight for the containers? Should the containers have a fixed storage location, or just anywhere on deck? How much access space is needed at the doors?

Answer: The Government does not have a maximum weight for the containers. The containers can be anywhere on deck. Access space requirements will be added to the IDIQ Statement of Work.

20. SOW 3.18.1 - 15 feet from the vessel's side to the deck of a vessel alongside may not be practical underway. Confirm the vessels will be stationary.

Answer: The use of the crane at sea will be while both the sending vessel and receiving vessels are underway not making way with the receiving vessel alongside the delivering vessel.

21. SOW 3.19.1 - Please confirm underway speeds, if applicable.

Answer: There is no defined underway speed.

22. SOW; section 3.21.1 - Please confirm temporary living quarters/portable accommodations modules will be acceptable for the eight dedicated passenger cabins (4 single-man and 4 two-man).

Answer: Confirmed. Conversions/modifications to a vessel are an acceptable approach to meeting the IDIQ requirements.

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23. Ref: Attch 4 - Technical Capabilities; section 3.19: Please confirm that each vessel must be equipped with a DP1 or higher system installed onboard? Also further verify whether such a system if required need to be classed by a classification society or not.

Answer: Yes, a class-approved Dynamic Positioning (DP) system of DP1 or higher is a mandatory requirement. The vessel's classification certificate, issued by a recognized society such as ABS or DNV, must explicitly include the notation "DP1" or an equivalent like "DPS- 1." A proposal for a vessel that lacks a class-approved DP1 or higher system will be considered technically unacceptable.

24. Please clarify why there is requirement for the vessel to be US built as noted in Section 3.1 of the SOW. Our understanding is that Jones Act is not applicable as it relates to the intended mission of the vessel. For reference, a non-US built vessel is capable of being US flagged and holding a USCG Certificate of Inspection. Therefore, we respectfully request the solicitation be amended to also allow non-US built vessel to be offered.

Answer: The Coast Guard reviewed the requirement and reaffirms it requires US-built vessels.