USCGC DOLPHIN FUEL TANK CLEANING
HOMELAND SECURITY, DEPARTMENT OF.US COAST GUARD.CG-SEA-C21 · Response deadline: Mon, 09 Nov 2026
What the government is buying
The U.S. Coast Guard intends to award a contract for fuel tank cleaning services aboard the USCGC DOLPHIN. This is a vessel-specific requirement for a Coast Guard cutter, pointing to specialized marine maintenance work that must comply with maritime safety regulations and environmental standards. Fuel tank cleaning on military vessels typically involves removing residual fuel, sludge, and contaminants; ventilation and gas-freeing of tanks; and preparing surfaces for inspection or maintenance—all while adhering to strict hazardous material handling protocols.
This notice is a Combined Synopsis/Solicitation, meaning the Coast Guard is both announcing its requirement and requesting offers in a single streamlined step. This format is common for straightforward, clearly scoped procurements where the government can move quickly from announcement to award.
Key facts
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Agency | Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Coast Guard, Acquisition Directorate (CG-SEA-C21) |
| Notice type | Combined Synopsis/Solicitation |
| Solicitation number | 52000QR270000488 |
| NAICS | 336611 - Ship Building and Repairing |
| Set-aside | Small Business Set Aside - Total |
| Response deadline | November 9, 2026, 9:00 AM ET |
| Place of performance | Mobile, Alabama |
Who can bid
This opportunity is reserved exclusively for small businesses under the Small Business Set Aside - Total program. To be eligible, a business must qualify as small under the NAICS 336611 size standard and be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) with active status. Given the NAICS code, eligible bidders will typically be ship repair contractors or marine services firms with experience in vessel maintenance.
Certification under applicable SBA programs (8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, or WOSB) is not required here—this is a general small business set-aside, not a socioeconomically targeted one. However, the business must demonstrate technical capability to perform the work safely and in compliance with Coast Guard and environmental regulations.
How to put together a competitive bid
For vessel fuel tank cleaning, emphasize safety and compliance in your proposal. The government will evaluate your approach to confined space entry, fire and explosion prevention, and waste disposal per EPA and Coast Guard standards. Detail your confined space rescue plan, atmospheric monitoring equipment, and personnel certifications (OSHA, marine chemist, etc.).
Past performance matters significantly. Include references from comparable ship repair or tank cleaning contracts, preferably for government or military vessels. Document your experience with cutters or similarly complex marine platforms.
Logistics and mobilization should address how you will stage equipment and personnel in Mobile, Alabama, and your ability to work within operational vessel schedules where mission availability is critical.
Pricing strategy: Combined Synopsis/Solicitation notices often use simplified acquisition procedures. Review the solicitation for evaluation criteria—likely lowest price technically acceptable (LPTA) or best value. Submit a complete, error-free offer; missing representations or certifications are common grounds for rejection.
Next steps
Read the full solicitation package on SAM.gov using solicitation number 52000QR270000488 to understand evaluation factors, deliverables, and required representations. Note the firm deadline of November 9, 2026, at 9:00 AM ET—late submissions will not be considered. Allow adequate time for SAM.gov registration or renewal if needed, as processing can take several business days.
View the official notice on SAM.gov →