Multibillion-Dollar Navy Dry Dock Project Signals Major Investment in Kitsap County

Planned modernization at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard could generate long-term opportunities for contractors, suppliers and workers throughout the region.

NAVFAC Northwest is preparing a multiple-award construction contract to deliver the Multi-Mission Dry Dock and related waterfront modernization projects at  Naval Base Kitsap. A massive new dry dock planned for Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility is bringing national attention to Bremerton—and highlighting the scale of federal investment expected in Kitsap County over the coming decade.

As Peiyu Lin reports for the Kitsap Sun, the Navy is advancing plans for the Multi-Mission Dry Dock, a multibillion-dollar project that will significantly expand Puget Sound Naval Shipyard’s ability to maintain and repair the nation’s nuclear-powered fleet. Also see: Navy Signals $30 Billion Dry Dock Program for Bremerton Shipyard

The new facility is being designed to accommodate the Navy’s newest Ford-class aircraft carriers, current Nimitz-class carriers, submarines and other vessels. Puget Sound Naval Shipyard is currently the only public naval shipyard on the West Coast with a dry dock capable of servicing nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, but its existing infrastructure cannot fully support the larger Ford-class ships. Much of the shipyard’s infrastructure is also more than 100 years old.

The project will involve far more than constructing a large concrete dry dock. Planned work includes:

• Excavation, dredging and marine construction
• Drainage, dewatering and flooding systems
• A new caisson and caisson gate
• Utility tunnels and electrical substations
• Roadways, rail systems and portal crane tracks
• Mechanical and communications systems
• Demolition and replacement of aging waterfront infrastructure
• New and relocated supporting facilities at Bremerton and Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor

The Navy is preparing a Multiple Award Construction Contract that could have a ceiling of up to $30 billion and extend for as long as 10 years. Up to five major prime contractors are expected to be selected, with individual construction packages potentially valued in the billions of dollars. The full request for proposals is currently anticipated in fall 2026, with contract awards expected in 2027. Construction could begin in 2028, pending completion of the environmental review and other required approvals.

While the largest contracts will likely be led by major national construction and engineering firms, a project of this size will require extensive networks of subcontractors, suppliers and service providers. Potential opportunities may extend across marine and heavy civil construction, engineering, environmental services, manufacturing, transportation, logistics, utilities, equipment rental, security, workforce training and other professional and technical services.

That activity could support jobs, business growth and private investment throughout Kitsap County and the broader Puget Sound region. It will also create increased demand for skilled workers in construction, engineering, advanced manufacturing and the building trades.

The project reinforces Puget Sound Naval Shipyard’s long-term strategic importance. The shipyard performs approximately half of the Navy’s planned major aircraft-carrier dry-docking maintenance periods and is the only Navy shipyard authorized to recycle nuclear-powered submarines. The new dry dock is intended to ensure that this critical work can continue in Bremerton for decades.

KEDA is working with the Navy, regional partners and government-contracting specialists to help Kitsap businesses better understand the project, establish relationships with potential prime contractors and prepare for future subcontracting opportunities.  Visit our SIOP  Business Hub for more on this historic investment in Naval Base Kitsap.

For local companies, the message is clear: this is a long-term opportunity, but preparation needs to begin now.