Request for Information: United States Coast Guard Core Navigation Software

Description & Purpose of Request 1.1 Objective The United States Coast Guard (USCG) is conducting market research in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 10 to identify commercially available off-the-shelf (COTS) and Non-Developmental Item (NDI) core maritime navigation software solutions that have the capability of being enhanced to meet USCG requirements (e.g. EAIS IDD). The primary objective is to survey industry capabilities to inform the prospective modernization and eventual replacement of the legacy USCG Vega navigation software suite (currently derived from commercial core navigation architectures) across the cutter and boat fleet. 1.2 Purpose & Scope of Market Inquiry The Coast Guard seeks insight into the current commercial and naval navigation software, including cutting-edge display engines, autonomous voyage planning, sensor fusion, resilient Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT), and modern software architectures (e.g., modular open systems, containerized microservices, cross-platform runtimes). The Government intends to assess software suites that can match or exceed the complete operational baseline of current USCG E-NAV capabilities while remaining flexible, open, and capable of integrating seamlessly into existing USCG shipboard hardware configurations without requiring complete bridge refits. 1.3 Disclaimer This is a Request for Information (RFI) and is issued solely for informational, market research, and planning purposes. This is not a Request for Proposals or a Request for Quotations, and it is not considered to be a commitment by the Government to award a contract/order nor is the Government responsible for any costs incurred in furnishing information provided under this RFI. No basis for claim against the Government shall arise as a result of a response to this RFI or Government use of any information provided. Further, the Government is not seeking proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals at this time. No classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in your response to this RFI. Proprietary information must be clearly marked if included. The Government reserves the right to use any information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate, including using technical information provided by respondents in any resultant solicitation. Responses will assist the Government in determining the availability of potential solutions and commercial products in the market. At this time, no solicitation exists; therefore, please do not request a copy of the solicitation. The information and requirements in this RFI, and any attachments, is subject to change at the sole discretion of the Government. 2. Operational Environment & Hardware Baseline Constraints To ensure candidate software solutions can integrate into active cutter classes without widespread structural or electrical bridge overhauls, respondents must demonstrate compatibility with the following operational constraints: 2.1 Installed Hardware Baseline (E-NAV) The USCG fleet operates on a variety of IEC 60945 compliant hardware baselines consisting of: rack mounted industrial computers, rack mounted servers, ruggedized small factor computers, marine-grade All-in-One (AIO) Computer/Displays, system displays ranging from 15-19 inches, KVM matrix, ruggedized mouse and keyboard. 2.2 Operating System (OS) Gatekeeper Requirements Software architecture must natively support modern enterprise operating system standards: Microsoft Windows 11 Enterprise (including Long-Term Servicing Channel [LTSC] builds). Enterprise Linux Distributions (e.g., Latest version of Red Hat Enterprise Linux [RHEL]). Vendors must state whether their software executes natively on Windows 11, Linux, or maintains a dual-OS cross-platform compiled codebase. 2.3 System Availability and Deterministic State Recovery Deterministic State Recovery: In the event of ungraceful bridge power interruption or system reset, the software must reboot and restore its previous operational state, active route, safety parameters, and sensor assignments without manual database rebuilding. 3. Core Functional Capability Matrix The USCG requires candidates to deliver functionality compliant E-NAV software on hardware-agnostic baselines and comply with the following standards and certifications. Standard / Certification Requirement IMO Resolution MSC.530(106) Performance Standards for ECDIS (Adopted Nov 2022, effective Jan 2026 for new installations) IEC 61174 (Edition 4.0) Operational and performance requirements, testing methods IEC 62288 (Edition 2.0) Presentation of navigation-related information on displays IEC 60945 General requirements for marine navigation equipment (EMC, environmental) IHO S-52 (with Presentation Library 4.0.x) Chart content and display aspects IHO S-57 / S-63 Support for ENC data transfer and data protection (encryption) IHO S-100 / S-101 Ready Dual-fuel capabilities to support next-generation S-100 products Type Approval Certificate Issued by an IACS recognized Classification Society (e.g., DNV, Lloyd's Register, ABS) 3.1 Sensor Ingestion & Data Distribution Protocol Support: Native ingestion, parsing, translation, and broadcast of NMEA 0183, NMEA 2000 (IEC 61162-3), NMEA OneNet, and Lightweight Ethernet (LWE)(IEC 61162-450) protocols. Sensor Interfacing: Interfacing with gyrocompasses, Doppler velocity logs (DVL), magnetic compasses, wind sensors, depth sounders, GPS/DGPS/Galileo receivers, Inertial Navigation Systems (INS), and radar targets (ARPA). Integrity & Checksum: Cryptographic and checksum integrity verification for all data streams; automated detection and notification of malformed or invalid sentences. Decoupled Time Distribution: Network time distribution via UDP/TCP; ability to assign an authoritative UTC time source independent of the primary positioning source. 3.2 Data Recording, Playback, and Forensics Comprehensive Logging: Continuous background recording of ownship dynamics, sensor inputs, target tracking data, alert histories, and operator interactions. Storage Flexibility: Ability to write logs and telemetry to internal storage, external mission media (USB/NAS), or enterprise shipboard repositories. Visual Playback: Integrated forensic playback mode providing time-synchronized replay of chart presentation, radar overlay, and sensor states for accident investigation and tactical debrief. 3.3 Chart Management & Next-Gen Hydrographic Standards Legacy Format Support: Seamless handling of S-57 ENC, S-63 encrypted charts, and DNC (Digital Nautical Chart) formats. S-100 Transition Framework: Implementation roadmap and readiness for the IHO S-100 Universal Hydrographic Data Model, specifically: S-101 Electronic Navigational Charts (ENC) S-102 High-Resolution Bathymetric Surfaces S-104 Water Level Information S-111 Surface Currents S-124 Navigational Warnings Manual Corrections: Ability to create, save, import, and visually verify manual notice-to-mariners chart corrections and local marine hazards. 3.4 Operational Display Area (ODA) & Ownship Dynamics Ownship Dynamics: Multi-source position fixing utilizing GNSS (GGA/GNS), INS, Radar Chart Matching, manual visual/radar Lines of Position (LOPs), and Dead Reckoning (DR). Dynamic Calculations: Automated computation of real-time Set and Drift, Course Over Ground (COG), Speed Over Ground (SOG), Speed Through Water (STW), and Rate of Turn (ROT). Tactical Plotting: Rapid generation of Danger Bearings/Ranges, Clearing Lines, Variable Range Markers (VRM), Electronic Bearing Lines (EBL), and instant Man Overboard (MOB) emergency markers. RADAR Overlay: Software must be compatible with Furuno SDK and SSR COMRIC for RADAR overlay capability. 3.5 Human-System Interface (HSI) & Publications Visual Standards: Full conformance with IHO S-52 Presentation Library colors, symbology, and display modes (Day, Dusk, Night). Coordinate Precision: Coordinate calculation and display capabilities resolving latitude and longitude to one thousandth of a second (0.001 ). Nautical Nomenclature: Standardization using Pub. 9 (Bowditch) and Chart No. 1 nautical symbology and abbreviations. Electronic Publications: Native viewer for hydrographic reference materials, Standard Bearing Books, and Adobe PDF navigation documentation. 3.6 Cybersecurity, Information Assurance & System Management DoD/DHS Compliance: Architecture capable of being hardened to DISA Security Technical Implementation Guides (STIGs), meeting NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 security controls, and aligning with Federal Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA) parameters. Role-Based Access Control (RBAC): Distinct cryptographic user/administrator profiles, group policies, and role permissions preserved across software patches and upgrades. Configuration Auditing: Secure text-searchable configuration repositories, system event logging, and controlled patch deployment. 4. Specialized Coast Guard Mission…