This year’s Coast Guard edition is really outstanding. It discusses some issues I think are fundamental to the future of the Coast Guard. If you are a regular reader of my blog, you probably ought to be a member, but even if you are not, you can get limited access.
Topics include the need for a Coast Guard Yard on the West Coast (mentioned in three different articles), arming National Security Cutters, the process behind Force Design.
- Reclaim Mare Island as an NSC Center of Excellence
- Build Future Frigate Lethality on Coast Guard Cutters Now
- Foresight, Force Design, and How the Coast Guard Can Win the Long Game
All three noted above are written by serving Coast Guard Officers.
Chuck Hill's CG Blog 
Mare Island would make a great USCG West Coast Super Base, and expand the maintenance facilities just like in Charleston.
IF the USCG were to create a NSC Center for excellence then it should be a joint Navy/USCG Center of Excellence for the Class and include the Frigate.
Ideally the Frigate upgrades would be what takes place to U.S. Navy FF(X) for production, and prepares USCG personnel for potential mobilization. The ASW mission equipment upgrade should be included along with the Propulsion System.