Federal Contract Alert: USS RUSHMORE (LSD-47) SRA 7C1 — DEPT OF DEFENSE.DEPT OF THE NAVY.NAVSUP.NAVSUP GLOBAL LOGISTICS SUPPORT.NAVSUP FLC YOKOSUKA.NAVSUP FLT L

USS Rushmore (LSD-47) Ship Repair and Alteration Contract: What You Need to Know

The USS Rushmore (LSD-47) is a Whidbey Island-class amphibious transport dock operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet. This is a Ship Repair and Alteration (SRA) contract for maintenance and modernization work at Naval Base Yokosuka in Japan. NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center Yokosuka manages the contract. The work scope will be detailed in the solicitation once released, but expect a mix of engineering assessment, scheduled maintenance, and possible hull or mechanical upgrades typical of mid-life naval vessel support.

Who Can Bid

NAICS 336611 covers Ship Building and Repairing. There is no set-aside for small business, women-owned, veteran-owned, or HUBZone firms, so you're competing directly against large defense contractors and established military shipyards. This is unrestricted competition. Your firm needs a valid CAGE code, active SAM registration, and prior naval shipyard experience or a teaming agreement with a yard that has Yokosuka credentials or Navy 5-star vendor status.

Key Deadline and Solicitation Details

The solicitation closes September 8, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Japan Standard Time. That's a hard stop; NAVSUP Yokosuka does not grant extensions for late electronic submissions. The full Solicitation and Statement of Work (SOW) will appear on SAM.gov and the Navy's electronic bidding system. You need at least four to six weeks after SOW release to assess scope, prepare a realistic quote, and compile compliance documentation. If the notice posts in late August, you're working with a very compressed timeline.

Honest Assessment Before You Bid

SRA contracts for active naval vessels at forward bases are rarely won by smaller or newer contractors on first bid. NAVSUP Yokosuka heavily weights past performance with the Navy in Japan, existing relationships with the vessel's homeport supply chain, and demonstrated capability to work under strict foreign national security protocols. If your firm has never done work in Japan or doesn't have Kadena, Atsugi, or other DOD-Japan network clearances in place, the compliance burden and pre-qualification delays alone make this a long shot. That said, if you're already qualified and have done work at Yokosuka or other 7th Fleet facilities, this contract is worth serious pursuit.

CMMC & DFARS Compliance Checklist

Expected CMMC Level: Likely Level 2. Most Navy surface ship contracts involving machinery, electrical systems, or any digital control interfaces now require Level 2 compliance. Confirm in the RFQ—some classified or export-controlled components may push the requirement to Advanced (Level 3).

Key DFARS Clauses to Verify: Check for clauses 252.204-7012 (Safeguarding Controlled Unclassified Information) and 252.204-7020 (NIST SP 800-171 security controls). These are standard in Navy contracts. If the vessel's systems include cybersecurity components or the work touches network-connected equipment, expect 252.204-7019 (Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency requirements).

SPRS Self-Assessment: Before final submission, your firm must complete a Supplier Performance Risk System (SPRS) self-assessment on sam.gov. Navy procurement offices now review this as part of responsibility determination. A poor score delays award or triggers a Request for Information (RFI).

What You Must Have in Place: CMMC Level 2 assessment from an accredited C3PAO, DoD-approved secure facility or cloud environment for handling controlled unclassified information, proof of Japan foreign national clearances or a plan to obtain them, and current insurance including cyber liability coverage. Do not submit a bid if your firm lacks CMMC certification; the Navy will reject it without evaluation.

Three Actionable Tips

1. Verify Japan Access Before Committing Resources – Contact NAVSUP Yokosuka's contracting office now to confirm that your firm meets their facility security clearance and foreign national work permit requirements. Do not wait until the SOW drops; some contractors have lost weeks to pre-award security vetting.

2. Request Past Performance References from the Vessel's Previous SRA Contractor – If possible, speak with the incumbent's subcontractors. They can tell you the real scope, material lead times for Navy-approved parts, and whether Yokosuka's supply chain logistics are reliable. This intel is worth more than the official SOW description.

3. Budget for CMMC and Facility Upgrades Early – If you don't have Level 2 certification yet, factor the assessment cost (typically $4,000–$8,000) and any facility hardening into your overhead timeline. Start the C3PAO search now, not after solicitation release.

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