ex-CGN9 Long Beach Dismantlement and Disposal
DEPT OF DEFENSE.DEPT OF THE NAVY.NAVSEA.NAVSEA HQ.NAVSEA HQ · Response deadline: Fri, 13 Nov 2026
What the government is buying
The Navy is soliciting a contractor to dismantle and dispose of the ex-CGN9 USS Long Beach, the world's first nuclear-powered surface combatant. This is a unique ship dismantlement project involving a former guided-missile cruiser that was decommissioned in 1995 after more than three decades of service.
Ship dismantlement and disposal (also called ship recycling or scrapping) for nuclear-powered vessels involves specialized work that goes far beyond conventional maritime demolition. Because the Long Beach was nuclear-powered, this contract will require handling of controlled materials, strict radiological controls, and compliance with Navy and Nuclear Regulatory Commission requirements for decommissioned naval reactors. The actual reactor compartments from nuclear cruisers are typically removed and disposed of separately through the Navy's formal ship defueling and reactor disposal program at designated facilities.
The scope generally includes towing or transporting the vessel to a qualified facility, complete structural breakdown, processing of various material streams (ferrous and non-ferrous metals, equipment, waste), environmental compliance, and final disposal documentation. See the solicitation for specific work requirements, deliverables, and any technical specifications.
Key facts
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Agency | Department of the Navy, Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA HQ) |
| Notice type | Solicitation |
| Solicitation number | N0002426R4164 |
| NAICS | 336611 |
| Set-aside | None (full and open competition) |
| Response deadline | November 13, 2026, 5:00 PM ET |
| Place of performance | See the solicitation |
Who can bid
This is a full and open solicitation with no small business set-aside, meaning businesses of any size may compete. The NAICS code 336611 corresponds to Ship Building and Repairing, though dismantlement contracts often attract firms from related industries including marine salvage, industrial demolition, and environmental remediation.
Given the specialized nature of nuclear ship dismantlement, bidders should expect stringent qualification requirements. The Navy typically requires demonstrated experience with:
- Large vessel dismantlement or ship recycling
- Handling of hazardous and potentially radiologically controlled materials
- Environmental compliance under EPA and state regulations
- Security clearances and facility certifications
Small businesses without nuclear ship experience should carefully assess whether teaming with a larger or more experienced partner is viable. See the solicitation for specific past performance requirements, minimum qualifications, and any required facility certifications.
How to put together a competitive bid
For ship dismantlement work, focus your proposal on proven technical capability and risk mitigation rather than lowest price alone:
Demonstrate relevant experience with comparable projects—ideally Navy ship dismantlement, commercial ship recycling at large scale, or nuclear facility decommissioning. Include detailed case studies with vessel sizes, completion timelines, and environmental compliance records.
Address the nuclear legacy explicitly. Even though reactor compartments are typically handled separately, residual contamination concerns and radiological controls will be central evaluation factors. Detail your radiation safety program, health physics staffing, and regulatory relationships.
Facility and infrastructure matters. Describe your dry dock, graving dock, or pier-side dismantlement capability; waste processing and segregation systems; and downstream material sales or disposal arrangements. Geographic advantages matter for towing costs.
Environmental compliance history carries heavy weight. Highlight your EPA and state environmental permits, any enforcement history (clean is better), and your approach to managing PCBs, lead paint, asbestos, and other regulated shipboard materials.
Pricing strategy: Dismantlement bids typically include both the government's cost and potentially the contractor's revenue from scrap and recyclables. See the solicitation for pricing structure and payment terms.
Next steps
Read the full solicitation on SAM.gov using solicitation number N0002426R4164. Review the technical specifications, evaluation factors, and any amendments posted after the October 23, 2026 notice date.
Note the firm deadline: Proposals are due November 13, 2026 at 5:00 PM Eastern Time. Allow adequate time for SAM.gov registration, any required facility surveys or pre-bid conferences, and proposal preparation given the complexity of this procurement.
View the official notice on SAM.gov →