The U.S. Navy awarded Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) a major cost-plus-fixed-fee contract, valued up to $471.9 million, for vital Nuclear Carrier Engineering Support. This massive commitment ensures the continued operational readiness and modernization of the nation’s most critical naval assets, securing HII’s specialized role as the sole source provider for the Nimitz-class and Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers.
Details of the Sole-Source Award
The contract secures HII’s services through November 2030 if the Navy exercises all performance options. The initial value is approximately $91.9 million, with the full potential value reaching $471.9 million upon the execution of all options. HII’s work primarily executes at its Newport News Shipbuilding division in Virginia, where shipbuilders perform 96% of the necessary functions. Additional support takes place in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and Bremerton, Washington.
The Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) determined that the contract was not competitively procured. As the original designer and builder of these nuclear-powered vessels, HII is the only source capable of providing the required highly specialized technical services needed for the complex design and configuration management of these carriers.
The Scope of Critical Fleet Modernization
Under the terms of the agreement, HII provides a comprehensive suite of technical and design services essential for maintaining the operational capacity of the nuclear fleet. The company executes configuration and database management, integrated logistics support, various modernization initiatives, and the development of ship change documents. This critical Nuclear Carrier Engineering Support directly maintains the operational readiness and maximizes the lifespan of the Navy’s power projection platforms.
By leveraging the unique expertise gained from designing and constructing every American nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, HII effectively helps the Navy manage the carriers’ complete life cycle. The extensive support covers both the currently deployed Nimitz-class and the next-generation Gerald R. Ford-class, ensuring the fleet maintains its global superiority for decades to come.
