USNS COMFORT (T-AH 20) Mid-Term Availability (MTA)

Summary (Newest Update)

Background The Department of the Navy, Military Sealift Command (MSC) Norfolk is issuing a Class Justification and Approval (J&A) for the Mid-Term Availability (MTA) of the USNS COMFORT (T-AH 20). The contract modifications are awarded to Alabama Shipyard (ASY) to incorporate necessary work items that comply with regulatory requirements. The original contract was awarded for $16,707,619.00 based on adequate competition. Work Details The work includes 131 specific tasks required to meet regulatory compliance standards set by the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, and American Bureau of Shipping. These tasks were identified during inspections conducted from January 23, 2026, through March 15, 2026, which revealed deficiencies that must be repaired before the vessel can leave the shipyard. The urgency of these repairs is underscored by the need to maintain Safety Management System objectives and ensure Operational Availability of the vessel. It has been determined that competitively soliciting these work items is not feasible due to the potential delays in returning the vessel to a mission-ready status; a procurement package of this size would require a lead time of 381 days plus additional time for repairs. Period of Performance The revised period of performance for this contract is from January 22, 2026, through May 03, 2026. Place of Performance The work will be performed at Alabama Shipyard.