Action Kit: Coast Guard Icebreaker Contract Award to Davie Defense

Immediate Actions (This Week)

• [ ] Assess your maritime defense positioning — Review your company's capabilities in shipbuilding, vessel maintenance, Arctic operations support, or related maritime services to identify alignment with Coast Guard icebreaking mission requirements
• [ ] Monitor for subcontracting opportunities — Contact Davie Defense's procurement office to register as a potential subcontractor; request briefings on their teaming strategy for systems integration, maintenance, logistics, or specialized Arctic equipment
• [ ] Review ITAR compliance status — Verify your current ITAR registration is active and covers maritime defense articles; icebreaker contracts involve controlled technical data for navigation systems, propulsion, and communications equipment
• [ ] Scan SAM.gov for related solicitations — Search for Coast Guard requirements in NAICS 336611 (Ship Building and Repairing), 488390 (Other Support Activities for Water Transportation), and 811310 (Commercial and Industrial Machinery Repair) that may support this program
• [ ] Evaluate Buy American Act implications — Determine whether your supply chain for maritime components, steel, propulsion systems, or electronics meets domestic content requirements for future Coast Guard procurements

Short-Term Actions (30 Days)

• [ ] Develop Arctic operations capability statement — Create targeted marketing materials highlighting experience with cold-weather operations, polar logistics, icebreaker support services, or specialized maritime equipment that aligns with Coast Guard Arctic strategy
• [ ] Engage Coast Guard acquisition contacts — Reach out to Coast Guard Surface Forces Logistics Center (SFLC) and Coast Guard Yard to introduce capabilities relevant to icebreaker lifecycle support, modernization, or sustainment
• [ ] Conduct competitive landscape analysis — Research other maritime defense contractors active in Coast Guard shipbuilding programs; identify gaps in the market for specialized services, components, or maintenance support
• [ ] Review Jones Act compliance — If pursuing vessel operations or transportation services, verify your corporate structure and vessel documentation meets Jones Act requirements for U.S.-flagged, U.S.-built, and U.S.-crewed operations
• [ ] Assess DFARS cybersecurity readiness — Ensure DFARS 252.204-7012 compliance for controlled unclassified information (CUI) if pursuing subcontracts involving technical data, engineering drawings, or operational specifications
• [ ] Build relationships with Arctic operations stakeholders — Connect with Coast Guard District 17 (Alaska), Navy Arctic programs, and NOAA polar operations to understand emerging requirements for icebreaking support services

Long-Term Actions (90+ Days)

• [ ] Pursue relevant past performance — Target Coast Guard, Navy, or NOAA maritime contracts that build credible past performance for future icebreaker-related solicitations; focus on vessel maintenance, Arctic logistics, or specialized maritime systems
• [ ] Invest in Arctic-specific certifications — Obtain ISO certifications, cold-weather testing capabilities, or specialized training programs that differentiate your offering for polar operations support
• [ ] Develop teaming partnerships — Establish formal teaming agreements with shipyards, systems integrators, or specialized equipment manufacturers to position for follow-on icebreaker procurements or lifecycle support contracts
• [ ] Monitor Coast Guard budget cycles — Track DHS and Coast Guard budget justification documents for future icebreaker procurement funding, maintenance appropriations, or Arctic operations investments
• [ ] Prepare for potential follow-on procurements — The Coast Guard's Polar Security Cutter program and Heavy Polar Icebreaker recapitalization represent multi-decade investment; position for additional vessel awards, modernization contracts, or sustainment vehicles
• [ ] Enhance ITAR and export control programs — Strengthen internal compliance infrastructure for maritime defense technical data, especially for navigation systems, propulsion technology, and communications equipment that may be export-controlled

Compliance Checklist

This contract award triggers multiple regulatory compliance surfaces for prime contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers:

ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations)

• [ ] Verify ITAR registration with DDTC is current (required for defense articles and services)
• [ ] Implement technical data access controls for icebreaker design specifications, propulsion systems, navigation equipment, and communications systems
• [ ] Establish export compliance procedures for any foreign national access to controlled technical data
• [ ] Train employees on ITAR requirements for maritime defense articles under USML Category VI (Vessels of War)

DFARS (Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement)

• [ ] Implement DFARS 252.204-7012 safeguarding requirements for CUI (technical drawings, specifications, operational data)
• [ ] Ensure DFARS 252.204-7020 NIST SP 800-171 compliance for information systems processing controlled technical information
• [ ] Verify DFARS 252.225-7000 Buy American compliance for steel, propulsion components, and electronics
• [ ] Confirm DFARS 252.247-7023 Transportation of Supplies by Sea compliance if shipping components or equipment

Buy American Act

• [ ] Document domestic content for steel, iron, and manufactured components used in icebreaker construction or support
• [ ] Obtain cost certifications from suppliers verifying U.S. origin for critical materials
• [ ] Establish waiver request procedures if foreign-sourced components are necessary for specialized Arctic equipment
• [ ] Maintain supply chain traceability documentation for audit purposes

Jones Act (Merchant Marine Act of 1920)

• [ ] Verify vessel documentation and U.S. flag registry if providing maritime transportation services
• [ ] Confirm U.S. ownership structure (75% U.S. citizen-owned) for any vessel operations
• [ ] Ensure crew composition meets U.S. citizen and permanent resident requirements
• [ ] Document compliance with U.S.-built vessel requirements for coastwise trade

Additional Compliance Considerations

• [ ] Implement FAR 52.203-13 Contractor Code of Business Ethics and Conduct
• [ ] Establish FAR 52.204-21 Basic Safeguarding of Covered Contractor Information Systems
• [ ] Verify small business subcontracting plan compliance if pursuing prime contract opportunities
• [ ] Document cybersecurity incident reporting procedures per DFARS 252.204-7012

Resources

• ITAR Regulations: 22 CFR Parts 120-130 (USML Category VI - Vessels of War) (https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-22/chapter-I/subchapter-M)
• DFARS: DFARS 252.204-7012 Safeguarding Covered Defense Information (https://www.acquisition.gov/dfars/252.204-7012-safeguarding-covered-defense-information-and-cyber-incident-reporting)
• NIST SP 800-171: Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information (https://csrc.nist.gov/publications/detail/sp/800-171/rev-2/final)
• Buy American Act: FAR Subpart 25.1 (https://www.acquisition.gov/far/subpart-25.1)
• Jones Act: 46 U.S.C. § 55102 - Coastwise Transportation (https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/46/55102)
• Coast Guard Acquisition Directorate: USCG Major Systems Acquisition (https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/Assistant-Commandant-for-Acquisitions-CG-9/)
• DHS Acquisition Regulations: HSAR Homeland Security Acquisition Regulation (https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/hsar)

How Cabrillo Club Automates This

Cabrillo Signals War Room has already detected this Coast Guard contract award and delivered this briefing within minutes of the public announcement. The War Room continuously monitors federal contract awards, DHS policy updates, Coast Guard acquisition strategy documents, and maritime defense regulatory changes across SAM.gov, FPDS-NG, agency press releases, and Federal Register notices. You didn't need to manually track Coast Guard procurement activity or set up custom alerts — the system identified this high-severity event based on contract value, agency priority, and market impact, then automatically generated this action kit with compliance guidance specific to maritime defense contracting.

Cabrillo Signals Match Engine is automatically rescoring your opportunity pipeline right now based on this contract award. If you have open opportunities in NAICS 336611, 336612, 488390, 541330, or 811310 tagged to DHS or Coast Guard, their match scores are being updated to reflect the increased agency investment in icebreaking capabilities and Arctic operations. The engine recognizes that this award signals Coast Guard budget prioritization for maritime defense, which elevates the probability of follow-on solicitations for vessel maintenance, logistics support, and specialized Arctic equipment. Your saved opportunities related to shipbuilding, polar operations, or maritime services now show higher strategic alignment scores.

Cabrillo Signals Intelligence Hub allows you to configure saved searches that automatically alert you when follow-on solicitations appear matching this event's profile. Set up alerts for Coast Guard opportunities in NAICS 336611 (Ship Building and Repairing), 488390 (Support Activities for Water Transportation), and 811310 (Machinery Repair) with keywords like "icebreaker," "Arctic operations," "polar," "vessel maintenance," or "maritime logistics." The Intelligence Hub tracks affected agencies (DHS, USCG) and monitors for related contract modifications, option exercises, or new procurement actions that indicate expanding icebreaker program scope.

Proposal Studio (Proposal OS) helps you respond to future Coast Guard maritime solicitations by maintaining your win themes library, past performance database, and compliance matrices specific to ITAR, DFARS, Buy American Act, and Jones Act requirements. When a Coast Guard icebreaker support RFP drops, Proposal Studio generates first-draft technical approaches drawing from your documented Arctic operations experience, vessel maintenance capabilities, and maritime logistics past performance. The AI-powered compliance engine automatically maps solicitation requirements to your capability statements and flags gaps in ITAR registration, DFARS cybersecurity controls, or Buy American documentation that need attention before proposal submission.

Proposal Studio Workflow Tracker manages the 9-gate capture process from initial opportunity identification through post-submission tracking for Coast Guard maritime pursuits. When you advance an icebreaker-related opportunity to Gate 3 (Bid Decision), the Workflow Tracker automatically routes ITAR compliance verification to your export control officer, DFARS cybersecurity attestations to your IT security team, and Buy American supply chain documentation to procurement. The system generates audit-ready compliance packages documenting Jones Act vessel eligibility, NIST SP 800-171 implementation, and domestic content certifications required for Coast Guard contract awards.

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Ready to automate your response to market-shifting events like this? Explore the Signals War Room to see what other high-priority contract awards, regulatory changes, and agency policy shifts are affecting your pipeline. Configure saved searches in the Intelligence Hub to get instant alerts when Coast Guard icebreaker follow-on opportunities hit SAM.gov, and let Proposal Studio build your next maritime defense proposal with automated compliance checking and AI-generated technical content.

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