Sealift Command awards ship-operations contract to Maersk

The following is the text of a press release issued by the U.S. Military Sealift Command:
 
(WASHINGTON) — Military Sealift Command completed one of the largest acquisitions in the command’s history today, contracting for the operation and maintenance of 11 government-owned ships in MSC’s Maritime Prepositioning Force.
 
Ten of those ships are covered in four contracts awarded today to Maersk Line, Ltd. The eleventh ship is covered by a small business set-aside contract that will be awarded at a later date.
The combined total value of the five contracts – including option years and reimbursables – is more than $1 billion. Each contract has a base period of less than one year, and up to five one-year options that if exercised will extend the contracts to Sept. 30, 2015.
The contracts awarded today are for the operation and maintenance of Maritime Prepositioning Ships USNS GYSGT Fred W. Stockham, USNS LCPL Roy M. Wheat, USNS 2ND LT John P. Bobo, USNS 1ST LT Jack Lummus, USNS PFC Dewayne T. Williams, USNS SGT William R. Button, USNS 1ST LT Baldomero Lopez, USNS SGT Matej Kocak, USNS MAJ Stephen W. Pless and USNS PFC Eugene A. Obregon. The contract to be awarded at a later date is for the operation and maintenance of Maritime Prepositioning Ship USNS 1ST LT Harry L. Martin.
All eleven ships are deployed to strategic locations worldwide carrying U.S. Marine Corps cargo including tanks, ammunition, food, and medical supplies ready for rapid delivery ashore when needed.
MSC operates approximately 110 noncombatant, civilian-crewed ships that strategically preposition combat cargo at sea around the world, move military cargo and supplies used by deployed U.S. forces, conduct specialized missions, and replenish U.S. Navy ships at sea.
By Professional Mariner Staff