Opportunity
Federal Register #2026-06370
Issuance of Incidental Harassment Authorizations for Marine Mammal Protection Act Construction Activities at Naval Station Newport, RI and Homer, AK
Posted
April 02, 2026
Identifier
2026-06370
This summary covers the issuance of Incidental Harassment Authorizations (IHAs) by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) under NOAA for construction activities impacting marine mammals:
- Government Buyer:
- National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Office of Protected Resources, under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce Department
- Authorizations Issued:
- Two consecutive 1-year IHAs granted to the United States Coast Guard (USCG) for construction activities at Naval Station Newport, Rhode Island, supporting the homeporting of Offshore Patrol Cutters (OPCs)
- Consideration of an additional IHA for the City of Homer, Alaska, for the Homer Harbor System Four Float Replacement Project
- Products/Services Requested:
- Incidental Harassment Authorization for marine mammal take incidental to construction activities
- No specific OEMs, part numbers, or quantities are associated, as this is an environmental regulatory authorization, not a procurement of goods or services
- Unique or Notable Requirements:
- Authorizations require mitigation, monitoring, and reporting to minimize impacts on marine mammals
- Activities include pile driving and removal (up to 75 non-consecutive days for the Homer project)
- Compliance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and categorical exclusion from further NEPA review
- Places of Performance:
- Naval Station Newport, Rhode Island (military base)
- Homer, Alaska (city)
- No OEMs or commercial vendors are named, as this is not a product or service procurement opportunity
Description
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has issued two consecutive 1-year incidental harassment authorizations (IHAs) to the United States Coast Guard (USCG), on behalf of the United States Navy, allowing incidental take of marine mammals during construction activities related to homeporting USCG Offshore Patrol Cutters at Naval Station Newport, Rhode Island. The IHAs cover activities from June 1, 2027, through May 31, 2029, and include mitigation, monitoring, and reporting measures to minimize impact on marine mammals. The authorizations comply with the Marine Mammal Protection Act and have been categorically excluded from further environmental review under NEPA.