USCG Awards Credentialing Contract

The U.S. Coast Guard announced September 12 it has awarded a blanket purchase agreement to Stealth Solutions Inc. to modernize the service’s Mariner Credentialing Program (MCP) information technology system and support revitalization of the maritime workforce and industry.

“The MCP is essential to vetting and denying criminals access to critical maritime infrastructure and supporting the Marine Transportation System (MTS),” the Coast Guard said on its website.  The National Maritime Center (NMC) processed nearly 75,000 credential requests and 66,000 medical certificate applications in 2024.

The blanket purchase agreement, with a total potential value of $49.6 million and a five-year performance period, will include “comprehensive efforts to update and streamline the merchant mariner credentialing process and other mariner credentialing requirements.”

Founded in 2014, Stealth Solutions Inc. is based in Sterling, Va., specializing in information technology (IT) modernization for government clients. Its founder and president is Rahul Sundrani. Former clients include the U.S. Agency for International Development, the city of San Diego and the Washington, D.C. Department of Health.

Concurrent with the award, the Coast Guard issued a $3.8 million order for development of the first release of NAVITA, a modernized system for issuing merchant mariner credentials and medical certificates to U.S. merchant mariners. This new system will replace the current labor-intensive manual process with a modern, user-friendly automated system, making the application process faster and more efficient, the Coast Guard said. The system is designed to assist mariners by providing online applications, mariner profiles and self-service features supporting the timely issuance of mariner credentials.

“The NAVITA system represents a transformative leap forward in supporting America’s maritime industry, providing our merchant mariners—who are vital to our nation’s economy and security—with a streamlined process to receive their credentials with speed and focus,” said Rear Adm. Wayne Arguin, assistant commandant for prevention policy. “By improving our service delivery, we are advancing the effort to restore American maritime dominance and supporting the flow of commerce vital to economic prosperity and strategic mobility through our Marine Transportation System.”

These efforts are supported in part by the investments made through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Modernization of the MCP aligns with Force Design 2028, the Coast Guard’s strategic plan to leverage advanced technology, modernize operations to improve service delivery and transform into a more agile, capable and responsive force.