Evaluation and Prioritization of AI Technology for Improving Worker Safety, Port Operations, and Vessel Traffic

The U.S. Center for Maritime Innovation (USCMI) is building a collaborative team to evaluate and prioritize artificial intelligence technology that can improve worker safety, port operations and vessel traffic management across the maritime domain

The opportunity

The United States Center for Maritime Innovation (USCMI) is building collaborative teams in a forthcoming series of projects related to the application of artificial intelligence to maritime safety and operations. This project focuses on evaluation and prioritization of AI technology for improving worker safety, port operations and vessel traffic. The work includes background research, identification of relevant AI technologies and operational use cases, collection and comparison of information on technical capabilities, maturity, required data, implementation conditions and observed benefits, assessment of risks and governance considerations, prioritization of candidate pilots, and preparation of a final report with recommendations.

This invitation seeks submissions from stakeholders in specific analytic and stakeholder feedback roles, including but not limited to port authorities, vessel traffic stakeholders, maritime operators, safety professionals, labor representatives and technology providers. USCMI will execute this project as Secretariat Managed, and the Secretariat will select and engage multiple organizations to execute the defined Scope of Work as a collective group. At least one facilitated, interactive stakeholder engagement will review the assembled research, and results will be summarized in a public report.

This is a funded project, and participants may receive funding based on role and level of effort. The project budget includes up to $150K for analysis support. USCMI funding is prioritized for domestic entities as recipients or subrecipients.

The outcomes of this project are planned for public release. The USCMI will respect all project team members’ intellectual property rights in compliance with applicable federal law and the project agreements governing the scope of work.

Participant roles

Role 01

Setting up and executing the analysis

Assistance is sought in identifying and evaluating AI technologies and applications, developing use cases, assessing implementation and governance considerations, and supporting prioritization of candidate pilots. The analysis support role includes helping design, plan and execute the analysis.

Up to $150K estimated, not to exceed

Role 02

Participating in the review

Join the advisory group for the project. The advisory group will review the analysis and provide feedback from relevant stakeholder perspectives.

Unfunded advisory group participation

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How to apply

Submit a short response of no more than five pages that notes the role or roles of interest, identifies the specific elements of the Scope of Work your organization is applying to support, documents demonstrated capabilities and estimates costs or rates for participation.

Note the role or roles of interest.
Identify the Scope of Work elements you would support.
Document your demonstrated capabilities.
Provide estimated costs or rates for participation.
Submit by 11:59 P.M. ET on October 23, 2026.

Email responses to info@uscmi.org or use the link below.

Submit your response

USCMI funding is prioritized for domestic entities as recipients or subrecipients. Questions may be directed to info@uscmi.org. Additional project opportunities will be announced separately, and updates to this notice may be issued.

About USCMI

The James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 directs the Secretary of Transportation, through a competitive cooperative agreement, to establish the U.S. Center for Maritime Innovation to support the study, research, development, assessment and deployment of emerging marine technologies and practices related to the maritime transportation system (MTS). USCMI is authorized under the Maritime Administration (MARAD) Maritime Environmental and Technical Assistance (META) program and serves as a national resource for agencies that oversee and develop the MTS.