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MK 41 VERTICAL LAUNCH SYSTEM (VLS) OVERHAUL

DEPT OF DEFENSE.DEPT OF THE NAVY.NAVSEA.REGIONAL MAINTENANCE CENTER.SOUTHEAST REGIONAL MAINT CENTER · Response deadline: Thu, 29 Oct 2026

What the government is buying

The U.S. Navy is seeking a contractor to perform overhaul work on the MK 41 Vertical Launch System (VLS). The MK 41 VLS is a widely deployed shipborne missile launching system used aboard U.S. Navy surface combatants including cruisers and destroyers. Overhaul work on naval weapons systems typically involves disassembly, inspection, repair or replacement of components, recertification, and testing to return the system to operational specifications. The actual scope of work—including which specific maintenance activities, technical manuals, or quality standards apply—see the solicitation.

This requirement is being managed by Southeast Regional Maintenance Center (SERMC), a Navy Regional Maintenance Center under Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA). SERMC provides surface ship maintenance, modernization, and technical support in the southeastern United States, with its primary facility in Jacksonville, Florida.

Key facts

Who can bid

This is a full and open competition with no set-aside program, meaning any responsible offeror—regardless of size or socioeconomic status—may bid. Small businesses compete directly against large businesses and other entities.

However, NAICS 336611 (Ship Building and Repairing) carries a 1,250-employee size standard for SBA small business eligibility. If your firm qualifies as small under this threshold, you retain small business status for federal contracting purposes regardless of this competitive opening.

Given the specialized nature of MK 41 VLS overhaul work, prospective bidders should realistically assess their capabilities in:

• Navy weapons system maintenance and technical expertise
• Security clearances and facility access requirements typical of naval munitions work
• Experience with military specifications, naval engineering standards, and ordnance handling protocols

How to put together a competitive bid

For full-and-open naval maintenance solicitations, focus on these elements:

Technical capability: Demonstrate direct experience with MK 41 VLS or comparable naval combat systems. Identify certified technicians, QA/QC processes, and any past performance with SERMC, other RMCs, or Navy shipyards. If you lack direct VLS experience, highlight analogous complex electronic-mechanical overhaul work.

Past performance: Include relevant Navy contracts, especially ship repair or weapons system maintenance. Emphasize on-time delivery, quality metrics, and any Superior or Exceptional CPARS ratings.

Personnel and facilities: Detail your Jacksonville-area presence or ability to establish operations at the performance location. Address apprenticeship programs, journeyman certifications, and security clearance holdings—see the solicitation for specific personnel or facility requirements.

Pricing strategy: Full-and-open competition often draws experienced large contractors. Analyze whether to compete as prime or pursue subcontractor/teaming arrangements. Review the solicitation for any cost realism analysis or limitation-of-funds clauses common in Navy ship repair work.

Compliance: Verify your registration in SAM.gov, any required NIST 800-171 cybersecurity self-assessment, and applicable DFARS clauses for naval procurements.

Next steps

1. Read the full solicitation on SAM.gov using solicitation number N4002726R0005 to understand technical requirements, deliverables, evaluation criteria, and mandatory clauses.
2. Note the deadline: Responses are due October 29, 2026, at 12:00 PM EDT—allow time for SAM.gov technical issues and any required Certificate of Beismergery Financial Bankia and Cost Accounting Standards submissions relevant to your entity type.

For questions, contact the contracting office identified in the SAM.gov notice before the solicitation's Q&A cutoff, if specified.

View the official notice on SAM.gov →