DLA Maritime Mechanicsburg awards $5 billion contract to boost Virginia-class submarine support

The awardees—ASRC Federal, Atlantic Diving Supply, Culmen International, Fairwinds Technologies, S&K Aerospace, and SupplyCore—will provide essential support to the U.S. Navy’s latest nuclear-powered fast-attack submarines. With five one-year options each worth $1 billion, the MAAC has the potential to reach a total value of $10 billion.

In an April hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Navy leaders stressed the need to strengthen supply chain capacity to support the goal of producing two Virginia-class submarines annually. These submarines are intended to replace the aging Los Angeles-class fleet.

“This contract supports a mission that’s a top priority at the highest level,” said Elizabeth Allen, deputy director of DLA Maritime Mechanicsburg, citing the Secretary of Defense’s focus on the Virginia-class programme. She emphasised that the initiative will significantly enhance the nation’s maritime advantage.

The MAAC is the result of more than a year of effort and a competitive acquisition process that attracted nine offers. Contracting Officer Brian Stevens highlighted its alignment with the Department of Defense’s commitment to “speed over process.”

“We created this vehicle to do more with less – we can do larger contracts faster, which coincides perfectly with the Virginia-class initiative,” Stevens said. “I’m very proud of the work we’ve done.”

Allen explained that the contract’s multi-award format was necessary to manage the high volume and diverse requirements involved. “There are significantly long lead times the Navy faces… this contracting vehicle streamlines and reduces our end of the administrative lead time,” she said.

Timothy McCloskey, acquisition director for DLA Maritime Mechanicsburg, noted the wide applicability of the MAAC, stating, “The scope is broad… It’s not just a benefit for DLA here in Mechanicsburg, it’s a benefit for any other buying activity that wants to use it.”

Located within Naval Support Activity Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, DLA Maritime Mechanicsburg procures depot-level reparables in support of Naval Supply Systems Command’s submarine, surface, and aircraft carrier operations. The office operates under DLA Land and Maritime, based in Columbus, Ohio, which manages supply chains for thousands of weapon systems.

Allen confirmed the team has already begun outreach efforts with other DLA detachments and Naval shipyards and is planning further engagement through roadshows. “It’s one team, one fight,” she said. “We’re working together with the Navy – they’re excited about this contract vehicle, and we’re engaged with industry. They’re seeing the benefits. They know the need, they know the criticality of the items and they’re ready to go.”