Bid guide
How to bid on USCG Kotzebue Buoy Placement and Operations for Homeland Security
What the agency is buying and why a vendor would care
The U.S. Coast Guard, part of the Department of Homeland Security, is seeking a small business to provide buoy placement and operations services in the Kotzebue, Alaska navigational area. This is a significant opportunity for a firm with relevant expertise, as the contract includes a base term from August 15, 2026, to May 31, 2027, plus four one-year option periods that could extend the work through May 31, 2031.
The Coast Guard needs reliable support for maintaining navigational aids. This contract is set aside for small businesses, making it a targeted opportunity for eligible firms in the facilities category, specifically those with a NAICS code of 561790 and a size standard of $47 million annually.
Key dates and what happens at the deadline
The solicitation was published on July 29, 2026. If you have questions about the requirements, they must be submitted by August 4, 2026. The final deadline for submitting your quote is August 12, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. Alaska time (which is 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time).
Quotes received after this deadline may not be considered for award, though the government reserves the right to accept late submissions if it is in their best interest. It is crucial to submit your complete response on time.
Who this opportunity suits
This opportunity is ideal for small businesses specializing in marine operations, navigational services, or facilities maintenance, particularly those with a strong presence and expert knowledge of the Kotzebue, Alaska area. The Coast Guard specifically requires demonstrated local navigation expertise.
Vendors must also prove their capability to respond to unplanned or emergency support requests within a 48-hour timeframe. This indicates a need for readily available resources and operational flexibility.
How to respond
To access the full solicitation details and documents, click the “View original source” link. If the first click takes you to a homepage, click the link again to go directly to the bid. You may need to create a free account on the portal to view all documents, though this is not always required.
Your response must include a technical capability section, limited to five pages, detailing your ability to perform the required services, including your expert knowledge of the navigational area and your capacity for 48-hour emergency response. You must also provide a firm-fixed price for the base period and each of the four option years, structured as specified in the solicitation.
Practical tips for preparing a competitive response
Focus your technical capability section on concrete examples and specific details that highlight your firm's local expertise in the Kotzebue navigational area. Clearly articulate how your team's experience directly aligns with the Statement of Work requirements. Since technical expertise and response capability are more important than price in the evaluation, a strong technical proposal is key.
For the emergency response requirement, describe your operational procedures, available equipment, and personnel readiness to demonstrate your ability to meet the 48-hour timeframe. Ensure your pricing is competitive and accurately reflects the scope of work for both the base period and all option years. Double-check that all required forms and certifications, including those incorporated by reference, are completed and submitted with your quote.
See the live bid — deadline, agency details, and how to respond
Dates and requirements can change via addenda; always verify on the bid page and at the original source before responding.
View this bid on BiddingSimpleThis guide was prepared by BiddingSimple from the solicitation’s public posting. It is not official guidance from Homeland Security, Department of; the original posting controls.