Request for Information - USCG District Northeast Ice Breaking

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.