RFI - USCG District Northeast_Ice Breaking.pdf

UNITED STATES COAST GUARD

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)

Title: Northeast Ice-Breaking

Date Issued: October 21, 2026

Response Due Date: November 13, 2026, by 5:00pm ET

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. THIS RFI IS ISSUED SOLELY

FOR INFORMATION AND PLANNING PURPOSES AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A

SOLICITATION. RESPONSES TO THIS NOTICE ARE NOT OFFERS AND CANNOT BE

ACCEPTED BY THE GOVERNMENT TO FORM A BINDING CONTRACT. THE

GOVERNMENT WILL NOT REIMBURSE RESPONDENTS FOR ANY COSTS

ASSOCIATED WITH PREPARING OR SUBMITTING RESPONSES TO THIS RFI.

DESCRIPTION

The United States Coast Guard (USCG) is issuing this Request for Information (RFI) to better understand commercially available icebreaking capabilities that may support emergent domestic icebreaking operations within the Coast Guard District Northeast area of responsibility. The USCG seeks information on commercial vessels and operators capable of supporting icebreaking operations necessary to maintain a safe and operational Marine Transportation System for Northeast ports, facilitate the movement of critical cargo, and mitigate navigational risk during seasonal ice conditions.

The vessel must hold a valid U.S. Coast Guard Certificate of Inspection with the proper routes and conditions to operate throughout Northeast waterways and must be in compliance with applicable U.S. laws and regulations, including manning and Classification Society requirements (if applicable). Potential waterways include, but are not limited to, Boston Harbor and its tributaries; Cape Cod Canal and Buzzards Bay; Hyannis, MA; Nantucket, MA; Martha’s Vineyard, MA; Narragansett Bay, RI and its tributaries; Bridgeport, CT; Stamford, CT; and New Haven, CT, and their tributaries.

For ice-breaking planning purposes, the intended capability for a vessel includes the ability to operate in ice conditions ranging from 4 to 18 inches and shall be available for ice breaking operations up to twelve (12) hours per day during daylight hours. Operations exceeding twelve

(12) hours require prior approval from the Contracting Officer. USCG anticipates providing the contactor with a 72-hour notification for services, and a minimum 7-day window of operations for continuous support.

The contractor shall provide all labor, transportation, equipment, and supervision necessary to mobilize within the Northeast by January 2, 2027, and be available to support emergent domestic icebreaking operations within the Coast Guard District Northeast area of responsibility.

The vessel will operate under Coast Guard tasking and prioritization while the contractor retains responsibility for safe vessel operations in accordance with applicable flag-state, class, and regulatory requirements.

PURPOSE

The United States Coast Guard (USCG) is conducting market research to identify qualified sources capable of providing appropriate vessel platforms with competent officers and crew to service the Coast Guard’s domestic ice-breaking operations in the Northeast.

The purpose of this RFI is to obtain capability information, industry feedback, and best practices to inform a potential future procurement. This is not a Request for Proposal (RFP) or Request for Quotation (RFQ), and no contract will be awarded from this announcement. Respondents are encouraged to provide detailed information regarding vessel capabilities, crew qualifications, prior experience with ice-breaking or similar deployment timelines, and any constraints that would affect performance in an emergency environment.

BACKGROUND

Domestic ice-breaking cutters facilitate the safe and secure flow of maritime commerce that is vital to our economic prosperity throughout the winter. They ensure commercial shipping movements proceed through the ice without delay and maintain channels. The specific services requested include:

• Marine Transportation: Maintain commercial channels to ensure vessel transit and delivery of cargo.

• Exigent Community Services: Breaking ice jams to prevent severe localized flooding or to assist isolated communities requiring emergency supplies.

REQUESTED INFORMATION

Interested parties are invited to submit responses that include, at a minimum, the following information:

1. Company Information

• Company name, address, point of contact, email, and phone number

• Provide suggested NAICS code for this requirement and your applicable business size associated with the suggested NAICS code, such as small or large

2. Vessel Information

• Vessel name(s), type, flag, ownership, build (including year built and place of build), and whether the vessel is Jones Act / coastwise qualified. The Government is only interested in U.S.-flag, coastwise‑qualified vessels.

• Principal dimensions, including length overall, beam, and draft

• Fuel capacity and endurance

• Crew accommodations and manning levels

• Geographic operational boundaries

3. Operational Capability

• Ice Breaking Specific

• Food/fuel endurance capabilities

• Break 4” to 18” inches from the initial point of ice contact through the delivery point for critical cargo

• Mobilization timelines and requirements

• Vessel’s available operational capabilities. Capabilities should include, as applicable, ice thickness, track breaking, track maintenance, convoy escort, escort of critical-cargo vessels, channel clearing, and/or other icebreaking support functions.

• Respondents should also describe relevant prior experience supporting icebreaking, escort, or winter maritime operations; any operating limitations; anticipated mobilization or demobilization constraints; and any permits, approvals, or coordination requirements necessary to conduct operations in the identified waterways.

4. Notional Cost Information (Optional, for Planning Purposes Only)

• High-level, non-binding pricing information, such as typical daily rate ranges, mobilization and demobilization concepts, and any key cost drivers, sufficient to support Government market research.

5. Contract Structure

• Provide suggestions on how to best structure a contract to meet the requirements herein, with consideration given to cost effectiveness. Examples may include, but are not limited to, optional CLINs, on-call / standby / emergency services, etc.

6. Additional Information

• Any constraints, risks, assumptions, estimated response time, or innovative approaches that would inform the Government’s planning for domestic ice-breaking operations.

RESPONSES

Interested parties should respond to this RFI no later than 5:00 PM, Eastern Time (ET), on November 13, 2026. RFI responses must be submitted via email to the contacts listed below in either Word or PDF format:

• Brady Gariano – Brady.A.Gariano@uscg.mil

• Jeff Center – Jeffery.A.Center2@uscg.mil

The subject line must read “RFI Response – Northeast Ice-Breaking – [Company Name].”

DISCLAIMER

This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes. It does not constitute a solicitation, and no contract will be awarded directly from this announcement. The Government is not obligated to issue a solicitation or award any contract as a result of this RFI. The Government will not reimburse any costs incurred in responding to this notice. Respondents will not be notified of the results of the review of their submissions. Information submitted in response to this RFI will not be returned. Respondents are responsible for clearly marking any proprietary or business-sensitive information.

mailto:Brady.A.Gariano@uscg.mil mailto:Jeffery.A.Center2@uscg.mil