June 18, 2026

Navy launches $30B shipyard contract, with big work in Bremerton

PSNS photo [enlarge]

This photo shows the USS Nimitz at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard’s Dry Dock No. 6, the largest dry dock on the West Coast.

This week, the U.S. Navy released a preliminary presolicitation for a massive construction contract worth up to $30 billion to support shipyard modernization under the Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Program.

The Multi-Mission Dry Dock Multiple Award Construction Contract (MACC), expected to move to full RFPs in September, will be structured as an indefinite delivery indefinite quantity (IDIQ) award, with awardees competing for task orders.

Work will focus on Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility in Bremerton, but also includes Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and other Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command areas.

BIG PROJECT IN BREMERTON

The Navy's Multi-Mission Dry Dock project at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard is a multi-phase overhaul that will include a new, fully pressure-relieved dry dock capable of servicing Ford-class and Nimitz-class aircraft carriers as well as other surface and subsurface vessels.

Navy officials say the effort represents one of the largest infrastructure investments in the Bremerton shipyard's history and is central to long-term fleet maintenance needs.

The project includes construction of new drainage and flooding systems, a caisson gate, portal crane tracks, access and egress structures, and extensive mechanical, electrical and communications systems.

Beyond the dry dock itself, the Navy plans to demolish, replace or build additional piers, wharves, moorings, cranes and support facilities. Related work will include a new forge shop, an expanded Radio Hill complex at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor, and dredging to deepen waters around key structures.

The Navy released a draft EIS for the Multi-Mission Dry Dock in July 2025. A final EIS is expected later this year, clearing the way for construction to begin in spring 2028. Once underway, the project will reshape major portions of Naval Base Kitsap's waterfront to support modern carrier maintenance.

SHIPYARD INFRASTRUCTURE OPTIMIZATION PROGRAM

The Multi-Mission Dry Dock MACC is one component of the Navy's Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Program (SIOP) to modernize its four aging public shipyards. Established in 2018, its primary goal is to expand maintenance capacity and efficiency to properly service the nuclear-powered fleet.

The SIOP solicitation includes the construction of the new dry dock. Task orders — many ranging from $2 billion to $4.5 billion — will cover major components such as drainage and dewatering systems, a caisson and caisson gate, utility tunnels, rail and roadway networks, mechanical and electrical systems, and demolition of existing facilities.

The Navy plans to divide the work into four major packages: a $2 billion to $3 billion marine package involving demolition, dredging, and cofferdam construction; a $3.5 billion to $4.5 billion dry dock package including excavation and construction of new dock structures; a $3.5 billion to $4.5 billion infrastructure package covering substations, tunnels, utilities and crane rail installation; and a $200 million to $300 million caisson fabrication package.

The official presolicitation notice (N4425526R0005) can be found at http://SAM.gov. More on the Multi-Mission Dry Dock can be found at https://multimissiondrydock.com/.