Introduction
The United State Coast Guard (USCG) is collecting information on the capabilities available to obtain Automatic Identification System (AIS) data and maintenance support services for designated regions/ports of Alaska 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The AIS data will be used by the USCG and shared with other Government agencies. The USCG is issuing this Request for Information (RFI) for the purposes of market research to gather industry input about the service capabilities of vendors.
DISCLAIMER: This is a market survey for written information only. This is not a solicitation for proposals and no contract will be awarded from this announcement. Respondents are advised that the U.S. government will not pay for any information or costs incurred in response to this Request for Information. No basis for claim against the government shall arise as a result from a response to this Request for Information or government use of any information provided. All costs associated with responding to this request will be solely at the responding party's expense.
Purpose
The purpose of this RFI is solely for informational, market research, and planning purposes, that may be of interest to the United States Coast Guard (USCG). The result of this market research will contribute to determining the method of procurement. Pursuant to FAR Part 10 (Market Research), the purposes of this notice is to: (1) determine if sources capable of satisfying the agency's requirements exist, (2) ascertain potential market capacity, (3) determine the commercial practices of companies engaged in providing the needed service or supply, and (4) implement a successful project management plan that includes compliance with tight program schedules; cost containment; and meeting and tracking performance.
Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned. Not responding to this request does not preclude participation in any further RFP, if any is issued. In accordance with FAR 15.201 (e) (Exchanges with Industry Before Proposals), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the U.S. Government to form a binding contract. Pursuant to FAR Part 6 (Competition Requirements) and FAR Part 19 (Small Business Programs), competition and set-aside decisions may be based on the results of market research. This notice in no way obligates the Government to any further action.
After reviewing the responses to this Request for Information, and if the USCG still plans to proceed with the acquisition, a solicitation announcement will be publicly posted in accordance with the USCG's acquisition strategy. A response to this Request for Information does not constitute as an adequate response to any future solicitation announcement. All interested offerors will have to respond to any solicitation in addition to responding to this Request for Information.
Regardless of the information obtained from this Request for Information, the Government reserves the right to consider any arrangement as determined appropriate for this requirement. Respondents are advised that the Government will acknowledge receipt of the information received and provide feedback to respondents with respect to the information submitted. No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in your response to this Request for Information. The Government reserves the right to use any information provided by respondents for any purpose determined necessary and legally appropriate, including using technical information provided by respondents in any resultant solicitation. At this time, no solicitation exists; therefore, Do Not Request a Copy of the Solicitation.
Requirements
The US Coast Guard (USCG) Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, and Intelligence Service Center (C5ISC) intends to award a delivery order. The anticipated period of performance start date will be 30 March 2026.
The U.S. COAST GUARD as mandated by the U.S. CONGRESS is required, as a charter member of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), to provide NAIS data collection via shore-based communications. In every State the USCG has deployed an enterprise network of NAIS base stations to monitor commercial and military shipping in ports, inland waterways and coastal shipping routes throughout US Territory. In Alaska, the USCG has deployed three (3) NAIS base stations in the areas of Valdez, Juneau, and Anchorage that provide coverage for the local area ports but do not provide sufficient area coverage to meet agency requirements. The Coast Guard only sustains six (6) dedicated Terrestrial AIS receiver sites in Alaska. The three (3) previously referenced and three (3) remote sites associated with the Vessel Traffic Service Prince William Sound. These three (3) sites are legacy Terrestrial Sites commissioned to aid in the monitoring and safe navigation of commercial crude oil container vessels into and out of the Port of Valdez. The Terrestrial AIS sites do not have the range or capability to monitor outside of Prince William Sound. As a result, there is a need to commercialize this effort for data feeds and monitoring for commercial sites. This contract is necessary to provide supplemental AIS data for coverage for areas not reachable by the six (6) aforementioned AIS sites in the following designated areas of Alaska:
Port of Anchorage
Ports of Valdez
Juneau, AK
Ketchikan, AK
Sitka, AK
Yakutat, AK
Adak Island
Attu Island
Dutch Harbor
Unimak Pass
Gulf of Alaska between 137 and 144 west longitude
Cook Inlet North and East of Anchorage (Turnagin and Knik Arms)
Aleutian Islands west of Dutch Harbor
Alaska Peninsula west of 155 west longitude
Alaska Bering Sea coast north of Kotzebue to Canadian border
Any questions concerning the technical specifications should be directed to Craig Anderson, Contracting Officer, at Craig.E.Anderson@uscg.mil and Laura Logreco, Contract Specialist, at Laura.L.Logreco2@uscg.mil. Responses to this Request For Information along with any capability statements, company literature, brochures should be emailed to the Contracting Officer, Craig Anderson, Contracting Officer, at Craig.E.Anderson@uscg.mil and Laura Logreco, Contract Specialist, at Laura.L.Logreco2@uscg.mil with Request for Information 70Z0G326RFI-NAIS Terrestrial in the subject line. Telephone responses will not be accepted. The USCG respectfully requests that written responses be limited to 10 pages or less. This 10 page limit does not include commercial brochures. Written responses are requested by 3pm on October 17, 2025 . Written responses can be submitted earlier if desired.
Background
The United States Coast Guard (USCG) is conducting a Request for Information (RFI) to gather industry input on capabilities available for obtaining Automatic Identification System (AIS) data and maintenance support services for designated regions and ports in Alaska.
This initiative aims to enhance the USCG's ability to monitor commercial and military shipping in these areas, which is critical for their mission of ensuring maritime safety and security. The AIS data collected will be utilized by the USCG and shared with other government agencies.
Work Details
The contract will involve providing supplemental AIS data coverage in areas not currently reachable by existing Terrestrial AIS receiver sites operated by the USCG.
The specific tasks include:
- Collecting NAIS data via shore-based communications as mandated by the U.S. Congress and the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
- Supporting 24/7 operations to ensure continuous monitoring of shipping activities.
- Expanding coverage to include the following designated areas in Alaska: Port of Anchorage, Ports of Valdez, Juneau, Ketchikan, Sitka, Yakutat, Adak Island, Attu Island, Dutch Harbor, Unimak Pass, Gulf of Alaska between 137° and 144° west longitude, Cook Inlet North and East of Anchorage (Turnagin and Knik Arms), Aleutian Islands west of Dutch Harbor, Alaska Peninsula west of 155° west longitude, and Alaska Bering Sea coast north of Kotzebue to the Canadian border.
Period of Performance
The anticipated period of performance is expected to start on March 30, 2026.
Place of Performance
The contract will be performed in various designated regions/ports throughout Alaska.
