Military contracts help keep shipyards in operation | WorkBoat

Shipyards that sign military contracts to build for Uncle Sam’s Navy, Coast Guard and even the Army and Air Force usually have a financial leg up over those that don’t. Many such contracts run into the millions of dollars, some into billions of dollars.

The government doesn’t just give these contracts away, however. Shipyards, building in steel or aluminum, have to learn how to deal with the military construction guidelines laid out by the government.

“If you can’t perform on a military contract by delivering a product that meets the requirements and technical specifications, in the timeframe in which it was promised, at the price that you agreed to do the work for, you won’t last long in the defense business,” said Josh Pruzek, vice president, marine sales and business development, Vigor Industrial, Portland, Ore. “Military contractors are assessed and rated in a system called the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS). We pride ourselves on our performance and always work to manage our customers’ expectations and then exceed them.”