As we’ve noted before the Navy is moving to a new acquisition model and, in July, TOTE Services LLC, Jacksonville, Fla., was awarded a $2,206,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract by the Navy’s Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Maritime (PAE Maritime) to serve as Vessel Construction Manager (VCM) for the Medium Landing Ship (LSM) program, covering the new construction of up to eight (8) Medium Landing Ships, part of the Navy and Marine Corps’ planned 35-ship LSM fleet.Under the contract, TOTE Services will provide a single, accountable management structure connecting government requirements to shipyard execution, helping accelerate delivery, strengthen cost and schedule discipline, and expand the U.S. shipbuilding industrial base.Recently TOTE Services hosted more than 30 commercial shipbuilders, equipment manufacturers, marine suppliers, and defense contractors from over a dozen states across the country for its Medium Landing Ship (LSM) Industry Day — which, it says, is the foundational step in assembling a reliable, nationwide supply chain to support multi-yard construction and ensure cost and schedule discipline.“Delivering the Medium Landing Ship program for the Navy and Marine Corps relies on a resilient, high-performing industrial base,” said Jeff Dixon, president of TOTE Services. “Under the Vessel Construction Management model, our suppliers are not just vendors—they are critical execution partners. Gathering this supplier network in one room is where production speed, supply chain stability, and cost discipline begin. TOTE Services is committed to leading a disciplined management framework that harnesses the very best of American maritime expertise to deliver these mission-critical vessels on schedule.”

Attendees learned about the project timeline, technical specifications, and upcoming bidding requirements for the LSM program. Sessions covered the program’s construction schedule, vessel design standards, and subcontracting opportunities, giving shipyards, suppliers, and equipment manufacturers a clear view of how to engage with TOTE Services as work on the program moves forward.“The LSM contract serves as an opportunity to grow America’s domestic shipbuilding supply chain,” said Chris Clark, Vice President of New Construction at TOTE Services. “We’re not just building ships, we’re building a pipeline of demand that American manufacturers can plan around for years to come. Every domestic supplier we bring onto this program strengthens our U.S. industrial base and expands America’s maritime capabilities.”

Organizations that attended the LSM Industry Day include:PAE MaritimeLeidos Gibbs & CoxMAD SecurityTMMGBollinger ShipyardsEastern Shipbuilding GroupFincantieriMarinette MarineHanwha Defense USAHanwha Philly Shipyard InternationalKiewit OffshoreAmerican Bureau of ShippingAlfa LavalAppleton MarineBronswerk GroupCadmaticCAT DefenseCoastal Marine EquipmentDefense Maritime SolutionsDelta Marine TechnicalFairbanks Morse DefenseHillerKarl SennerL3 HarrisLeBlanc and AssociatesMacGregorMarine Interior SystemsPalfingerPure Flow Processing (GEA)SchottelSMS – Terma Inc.Supreme Integrated TechnologiesThompson Marine CATThrustmasterU.S. OutfittersW&O Supply and  World Wide Metric

TOTE Services’ vessel construction management model has also been used to oversee construction of the National Security Multi-Mission Vessel (NSMV) program, delivering four of five vessels to date. The fourth ship, Lone Star State, is set to be delivered to Texas A&M University this month and the fifth, Golden State, is currently under construction at Hanwha Philly Shipyard