Sean Duffy/Department of Transportation
Home Contract Awards DOT Awards $6.2B in Ready Reserve Force Ship Management Contracts to 7 Vendors
The Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration, or MARAD, has awarded 20 contracts worth $6.2 billion combined to seven companies to manage its fleet of 51 Ready Reserve Force, or RRF, ships to strengthen national security and restore U.S. maritime dominance.
Ready Reserve Force Fleet Management Contracts
MARAD said Wednesday the 10-year RRF fleet management contracts cover maintenance, logistics, repair, activation, operation, crewing and deactivation support for 51 RRF ships, including roll-on/roll-off vessels, auxiliary crane ships and aviation maintenance vessels.
According to award notices published on SAM.gov, the contractors are:
- Crowley Government Services
- Keystone Shipping Services
- Ocean Duchess
- Pacific-Gulf Marine
- Patriot Contract Services
- Sunrise Vessel Operations
- TOTE Services
“The Ready Reserve Force supports our military men and women and strengthens our supply chains,” said Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.
“When our military is called to respond, the RRF delivers the tanks, the trucks, and the supplies. These ships don’t just support the mission—they are the linchpin that makes the mission possible. National security depends on strategic sealift, and strategic sealift depends on the RRF,” added Duffy.
What Is the Ready Reserve Force?
Since 1976, RRF has been part of the National Defense Reserve Fleet and has been providing strategic sealift support to facilitate the rapid deployment of U.S. military forces and equipment during crises, conflicts, and emergencies. RRF vessels support the Department of Defense’s strategic sealift capability by transporting combat support gear, unit equipment, and initial resupply during critical surge periods.
These contractor-operated vessels are part of the National Defense Reserve Fleet. They can be activated within five days for deployment worldwide and are moored at various U.S. outports selected by the military planners to reduce sailing time to key sites.
The readiness of these ships is tested through DOD-directed activations for military exercises and cargo operations. Vessels in priority readiness are staffed in Reduced Operating Status with maintenance crews of about 10 merchant mariners.