The U.S. Navy’s Military Sealift Command has awarded Norfolk-based U.S. Marine Management a $36 million contract to operate and maintain Bob Hope-class vessels.
The seven Bob Hope-class surge large, medium-speed roll-on/roll-off vessels are used for prepositioning of Army vehicles and were built between 1993 and 2001 by Avondale Shipyards.
The contract awarded to U.S. Marine Management includes a 12-month base period, four 12-month option periods and a six-month option, which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to over $196 million.
Under the initial contract, U.S. Marine Management will be operating the ships worldwide until September 2018. If all options are exercised, work will continue through March 2023.