Homeland Security Cutter - Light Icebreaker (HSC-L) Solicitation
HOMELAND SECURITY, DEPARTMENT OF.US COAST GUARD.CG-SEA-C11 · Response deadline: Fri, 23 Oct 2026
What the government is buying
The U.S. Coast Guard is soliciting bids for the Homeland Security Cutter – Light Icebreaker (HSC-L) program. This vessel is a new class of ship intended for the Coast Guard's medium-endurance cutter fleet, designed to operate in light ice conditions while performing maritime security, law enforcement, and search-and-rescue missions.
The HSC-L represents a significant shipbuilding opportunity. Vessels in this category typically involve the complete design and construction of a steel-hulled ship with integrated propulsion, navigation, command-and-control, and habitability systems. Work on programs of this nature generally encompasses detail design, construction, outfitting, and post-delivery support. See the solicitation for the specific scope, including whether this covers a single ship, multiple ships, or associated program services.
Key facts
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Agency | U.S. Coast Guard (Department of Homeland Security) |
| Notice type | Solicitation |
| Solicitation number | 70Z02326R93280004 |
| NAICS | 336611 – Ship Building and Repairing |
| Set-aside | Small Business Set Aside – Total |
| Response deadline | October 23, 2026 at 2:00 PM ET |
| Place of performance | Not specified in metadata |
Who can bid
This opportunity is set aside exclusively for small businesses under the Total Small Business Set-Aside program. To qualify, your business must:
- Meet the small business size standard for NAICS 336611 (Ship Building and Repairing), which is 1,000 employees—verify your status in the Small Business Administration's Size Standards tool
- Be registered in SAM.gov with active status
- Have the appropriate NAICS code in your SAM profile
- Certify as small and independent (not dominant in the field, not owned/controlled by large or foreign entities)
Shipbuilding solicitations of this magnitude typically require either prime contractors with substantial naval construction experience or small-business prime teams partnering with experienced subcontractors. If your firm lacks direct Coast Guard or military shipbuilding experience, consider joint-venture arrangements under SBA's Mentor-Protégé program or traditional subcontracting relationships—though subcontracting plans and limitations may apply given the set-aside restriction.
How to put together a competitive bid
Validate your capabilities against the solicitation requirements. Shipbuilding competitions of this scale demand demonstrated experience with aluminum or steel naval vessel construction, integrated logistics support, and compliance with military specifications. See the solicitation for mandatory past-performance references, facility requirements, and bonding or financial capacity thresholds.
Address the Coast Guard's mission-unique needs. Ice-capable cutters require specialized hull forms, ice-class notation compliance, and strengthened appendages. Your technical proposal should demonstrate understanding of these requirements—or credible access to partners who do.
Price for long-cycle performance. Shipbuilding contracts typically span multiple years with milestone payments. Structure your cost proposal to reflect realistic schedules, material escalation risks, and labor rate stability. Review the solicitation for contract type (likely fixed-price incentive or cost-plus structures common in shipbuilding).
Comply with structural requirements. Coast Guard acquisitions fall under Department of Homeland Security acquisition regulations, with potential Navy oversight for ship construction standards. Expect rigorous Earned Value Management, cybersecurity (DFARS/NIST 800-171), and supply-chain security requirements.
Next steps
Access the full solicitation on SAM.gov using number 70Z02326R93280004 to review technical specifications, delivery requirements, evaluation criteria, and mandatory proposal format
Confirm your small-business size status for NAICS 336611 immediately—size protests are common in high-value shipbuilding competitions
Note the deadline: proposals are due October 23, 2026, at 2:00 PM Eastern Time—shipbuilding solicitations allow substantial preparation time; use it for teaming, facility readiness reviews, and detailed cost analysis
Register questions early if the solicitation includes a Q&A period; Coast Guard ship programs rarely amend deadlines significantly
View the official notice on SAM.gov →