BAE Systems Wins Contract for Work on USNS Bridge

BAE Systems announced the award of a $3.8m contract to its San Diego shipyard by Military Sealift Fleet Support Command (MSFSC). The contract for the USNS BRIDGE (T-AOE 10) Mid-Term Availability (MTA) is scheduled to be performed this summer. If all options are exercised by MSFSC, the contract could exceed $4.8 million. The 754-foot long USNS BRIDGE, one of four Fast Combat Support Ships, carries a crew of 160 civilians and 28 Sailors. These support ships are Military Sealift Command's largest combat logistics vessels and are part of the 36-ship Naval Fleet Auxiliary Force. The ships carry oil, ammunition and dry and refrigerated stores and are capable of rapidly replenishing Navy carrier strike groups. "The timing of this award is perfect, as it helps to fill in the summer downturn of work that our San Diego yard is facing. This contract will allow us to keep a few hundred workers employed," said Al Krekich, president of BAE Systems Ship Repair. During a typical 5-year maintenance cycle, which includes a dry docking period, these ships undergo MTAs every 15 months. The pier side MTA work package on the USNS BRIDGE includes normal maintenance items and upgrades. Those upgrades include habitability modernization (replacement of two sanitation systems and piping, electrical and ventilation modifications), installation of camera monitoring and machinery control systems, replacement of non-skid on the helicopter deck, overhauling of fire main valves, switchboard cleaning and refurbishment and rib rescue boat servicing.