The United States Coast Guard is conducting market research for vessels, including labor, equipment, and supervision, to provide seasonal icebreaking services in the Great Lakes, including maintaining commercial channels, assisting transit-locked vessels, breaking ice jams to help prevent flooding, and supporting search and rescue. Required vessel capabilities include breaking first-year freshwater ice at least 12 inches thick, holding a valid U.S. Coast Guard Certificate of Inspection, and accommodating a Coast Guard ship-rider; the stated performance period is January 2 through April 1, 2027, with operations available up to 12 daylight hours per day. Interested parties are asked to submit capability statements to Sara Andrukonis and Justin Geisendaffer by October 19, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. EDT.