Coast Guard issues OPC program RFI

Eastern will now build up to four of the Coast Guard's Offshore Patrol Cutters out of a planned 26

Following the Department of Homeland Security decision to make changes in its Offshore Patrol Cutter contract with Eastern Shipbuilding, the U.S. Coast Guard has released a request for information (RFI) to gauge industry interest in re-competing the remainder of the offshore patrol cutter (OPC) program of record.

“This information will inform the acquisition strategy for the follow-on procurement,” says the Coast Guard. “The decision to immediately re-compete the remaining program is a means to balance acquisition risk. The Coast Guard is committed to conducting a fair and open re-competition in order to acquire the OPC fleet needed to address the nation’s security needs, while maintaining public trust and stewardship of the American taxpayers’ dollars.”

The Coast Guard plans to acquire 25 OPCs. The cutters will bridge the capabilities of the national security cutters, which patrol the open ocean, and the fast response cutters, which serve closer to shore. The OPCs will replace the 270-foot and 210-foot medium endurance cutters, which are becoming increasingly expensive to maintain and operate.

The deadline to submit responses to the RFI is Nov. 6.

Access the RFI HERE