Submarine Nuclear - SSN

The Submarine Nuclear - SSN program is a major Department of Defense acquisition program focused on nuclear-powered attack submarines for the U.S. Navy. Based on the contract data spanning from 1986 to 2024, this program encompasses the development, construction, and maintenance of nuclear submarine components and associated systems. The program represents a significant long-term investment in naval nuclear capabilities, with individual contracts often extending multiple years and reaching into hundreds of millions or billions of dollars.

The primary contractors for this program include Electric Boat Corporation in Groton, Connecticut, Bechtel Plant Machinery Inc. in Schenectady, New York, and Newport News Shipbuilding. Contract awards have ranged from small purchase orders of $50,000 to major definitive contracts exceeding $9 billion, with the largest being a $9.4 billion fixed-price incentive contract awarded in 2003. The Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) serves as the primary contracting authority, with work performed predominantly in Connecticut, New York, and Virginia. The program utilizes various contract types including Cost Plus Fixed Fee, Firm Fixed Price, and Fixed Price Incentive arrangements. Notable is the absence of small business set-asides, reflecting the specialized nature of nuclear submarine work. Deliverables include nuclear components, submarine systems, security studies, and research and development efforts related to nuclear propulsion systems.