N00024_22254.pdf

This is a Justification and Approval (J&A) document for use of other than full and open competition issued by the Department of the Navy, Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), Shipbuilding Contracts Division (SEA 022).

The document approves a sole-source contract modification for the Detail Design and Construction (DD&C) of Yard Repair, Berthing and Messings Barges (YRBM) to be awarded to Conrad Industries. The Navy requires additional YRBMs to address critical shortfalls in sailor living conditions during ship repairs and overhauls, a need emphasized by Navy priorities and Congressional appropriations. YRBM craft are non-self-propelled barges designed to dock pierside at berthing and messings facilities, supporting maintenance of destroyers, cruisers, littoral combat ships, and submarines. The barges will be constructed to commercial standards, classed to American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) Guide for Building and Classing Accommodation Barges, and will maximize Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) equipment while complying with applicable regulatory requirements.

The justification establishes that YRBMs are available from only one responsible source under 10 U.S.C. § 3204(b), as they are highly specialized equipment originally developed by the incumbent contractor, Conrad Industries. Award to any other source would result in unacceptable delays in fulfilling the Navy's urgent requirements. The document notes that while individual YRBM components may be commercially available, the integrated system is a highly specialized solution. Conrad Industries possesses intimate knowledge of the specialized requirements gained through experience designing and building current YRBMs and can deliver required barges within an accelerated timeline from contract award. A competitive procurement would introduce minimum delays for contract finalization and design/familiarization phases, resulting in a total timeline exceeding Navy delivery needs by several months, leaving sailors in unacceptable living conditions. The approval is dated October 14, 2025, and is signed by Scott Anderson, Director, Shipbuilding Contracts, SEA 022.