The program supports the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps’ planned 35-ship Medium Landing Ship fleet. TOTE Services said the work will require coordination among U.S. shipyards, suppliers, designers, manufacturers and government stakeholders.
As Vessel Construction Manager, TOTE Services will provide a single accountable management structure linking government requirements with shipyard execution. The company said the approach is intended to accelerate delivery, strengthen cost and schedule discipline, and help expand the U.S. shipbuilding industrial base.
The LSM program is also expected to provide a more reliable demand signal for American shipyards, suppliers, manufacturers and skilled trades. TOTE Services said that clearer demand can help the industrial base plan, invest and build with greater consistency.
“This is a tremendous responsibility and a defining moment for American shipbuilding, the VCM model, and TOTE Services,” said Jeff Dixon, President of TOTE Services. “We are grateful to PAE Maritime, the Marine Corps, Congress, and the many government leaders who have championed this important program and helped bring the VCM model to a mission of national importance. We look forward to collaborating with and supporting PAE Maritime as we work together on LSM. The U.S. is counting on this program to succeed, and our job is clear: steward the work responsibly, cultivate the best talent and expertise, move with urgency, and deliver for the American people.”
TOTE Services helped pioneer the VCM model in U.S. government shipbuilding through the National Security Multi-Mission Vessel program for the U.S. Maritime Administration. Under that five-ship program, TOTE Services has overseen shipyard selection, design, construction, testing, delivery and lifecycle logistics.
Three National Security Multi-Mission Vessels have been delivered, with the remaining ships expected within the next 12 months. TOTE Services said that experience will now be applied to a mission-critical Navy and Marine Corps shipbuilding program.
“The VCM model shows what is possible when government requirements are paired with commercial shipbuilding practices and sustained investment in American shipyards and maritime workers,” said Matthew Paxton, President of the Shipbuilders Council of America. “The success of the NSMV program has created a strong foundation for expanding domestic shipbuilding capacity and delivering the ships our nation needs.”
TOTE Services will hold the prime contract with PAE Maritime and award and manage shipyard subcontracts directly. The company said it will soon begin issuing requests for proposals to qualified U.S. shipyards and move ahead with shipyard selection, supplier engagement, construction planning and program mobilization.
“The shipyards building these vessels are central to the success of the LSM program, and we are ready to support them every step of the way,” said Chris Clark, Vice President of New Construction at TOTE Services. “Our commitment is to provide the clarity, consistency, and support our industry partners need to do what they do best: deliver high-quality ships for the American people.”
TOTE Services will also subcontract with Leidos Gibbs & Cox, The McHenry Management Group, MAD Security and Damen to support technical execution of the program. The company said each partner will play a critical role in delivering the capability to the Navy and Marine Corps.
The award places TOTE Services in a central role in a shipbuilding effort tied to U.S. amphibious and maritime mobility requirements. It also extends the use of the VCM model into a larger defense program intended to deliver standardized, mission-ready vessels with lifecycle logistics in place.
