Coast Guard solicits potential locations for additional training center

WASHINGTON — The United States Coast Guard, in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security, announced a Request for Information (RFI) and market research to identify prospective locations for an additional training center Monday. The Coast Guard is conducting market research to identify facilities across the country that can be used to support projected service growth of up to 15,000 personnel. To address existing training space deficits and secure infrastructure to support increased throughput for recruit training, minimum requirements for a potential training center are defined as follows: Lodging for 1,200 recruits A dining facility capable of seating 400 personnel A medical facility to support 1,000 personnel (minimum 200 medical encounters and 200 dental encounters per day) 14 classrooms sized to accommodate 30-60 students An auditorium with a capacity of 500+ students A pool with 6 lanes, 25 yards in length, and a minimum depth of 4 feet A multipurpose gymnasium/athletic/sports facility suitable for sitting 1,200 personnel Office space for 400 staff members A land area of 150-250 acres Proximity to a small commercial service or larger airport within 30 miles Through the RFI, the Coast Guard released screening and evaluation criteria to evaluate those locations eligible for consideration. The Coast Guard is providing communities meeting the screening criteria an opportunity to submit potential candidate locations by responding to the RFI at SAM.gov. The Coast Guard is accepting responses to this RFI until Dec. 8, 2025. Additional information regarding the RFI and market research, including location criteria, is available at the Coast Guard’s Force Design 2028 website. Potential candidates will receive additional information from the Coast Guard as part of the assessment process, based on the approved requirements and evaluation criteria. Earlier this year, Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, announced Force Design 2028 the Coast Guard’s bold blueprint for change to ensure the service is ready for the challenges of the future. By focusing on four campaigns – people, organization, contracting and acquisition, and technology – Force Design 2028 is transforming how the Coast Guard operates and shaping a more agile, capable and responsive fighting force. Growing Coast Guard end strength by up to 15,000 is a cornerstone of this transformation.