Maritime Security Advisor
STATE, DEPARTMENT OF.STATE, DEPARTMENT OF.ACQUISITIONS - INL · Response deadline: Wed, 18 Nov 2026
What the government is buying
The Department of State's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) is seeking a Maritime Security Advisor through a combined synopsis/solicitation. This type of role typically involves providing expertise to strengthen maritime law enforcement capabilities, port security, or counter-narcotics operations in international settings. INL frequently supports foreign partner nations in building their capacity to secure maritime borders, interdict illegal trafficking, and enforce laws at sea.
NAICS code 921190 covers "Other General Government Support"—a broad category that includes various advisory and support services to government entities. With a classification code of 9999 (Miscellaneous), this appears to be a specialized professional services requirement rather than a straightforward goods or equipment purchase.
Given INL's global mission, this position likely entails deployed advisory work, training delivery, or programmatic guidance related to maritime security sector assistance. Specific deliverables, performance locations abroad, and duration of performance are not available in the metadata; see the solicitation for these details.
Key facts
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Agency | Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) |
| Notice type | Combined Synopsis/Solicitation |
| Solicitation number | PSC-27-003-INL |
| NAICS | 921190 |
| Set-aside | None (full and open competition) |
| Response deadline | November 18, 2026, 3:00 PM ET |
| Place of performance | Not specified in metadata; see the solicitation |
Who can bid
This is a full and open competition with no small-business set-aside. All responsible sources—large and small businesses alike—may submit proposals. Firms without size restrictions compete directly with major government contractors.
Small businesses should assess whether they possess:
- Demonstrated maritime security subject-matter expertise
- Experience with Department of State, INL, or comparable international development/law enforcement assistance programs
- Capacity to deploy personnel internationally, if required
- Relevant past performance in advisory or training roles
Given INL's typical requirements, prior federal contracting experience, security clearances, and international operations capabilities may prove critical discriminators even though they are not mandatory entry conditions.
How to put together a competitive bid
Emphasize specialized expertise. Maritime security advisory work demands more than generic security consulting. Highlight specific experience with coast guard development, port security assessments, vessel tracking systems, or maritime interdiction operations. Document any prior INL, DOD, or similar international capacity-building engagements.
Demonstrate international deployment readiness. If the performance involves overseas work—which is common for INL contracts—address your firm's ability to mobilize personnel, obtain visas and country clearances, manage logistics in challenging environments, and sustain operations abroad.
Validate past performance rigorously. Without a set-aside, you compete against large firms with extensive federal track records. Obtain and prepare Contractor Performance Assessment Reports (CPARs) or comparable documentation from relevant contracts. Customer testimonials from State Department or international program clients carry substantial weight.
Address personnel qualifications specifically. For advisor roles, resumes and credentials of proposed key personnel often determine competitive standing. Identify candidates with direct maritime operational experience, foreign language capabilities, and prior advisory roles.
Price strategically. Full and open competition means cost realism matters alongside technical merit. Understand the agency's evaluation methodology—likely best-value tradeoff—by reviewing the solicitation's Section M provisions.
Next steps
Read the full solicitation on SAM.gov using solicitation number PSC-27-003-INL. The posted date is November 4, 2026, with responses due November 18, 2026 at 3:00 PM Eastern Time—a compressed 14-day turnaround. Verify the complete scope of work, evaluation criteria, and any amendments posted after the initial release. Given the tight deadline, begin proposal development immediately after reviewing requirements.
View the official notice on SAM.gov →