Small Firms Share Navy Support Contract The Navy has awarded 151 multiple award contracts for support services of naval ship and shipboard weapon systems. The Naval Sea Systems Command says two-thirds of the awards went to small businesses. By switching to a multiple award contract, called SeaPort Enchanced or SeaPort-e, NAVSEA eliminated more than 250 other contractors who had been providing the services, the Washington Post reported. The Navy estimates it will procure up to $1.3 billion of services per year under the contracts. Under terms of the contract, each company agreed to an 8% limit on profit. The Navy said competition on a task-order basis will lead to cost savings in addition to the already capped fees and pass-through rates established on the SeaPort-e contracts. The awards have a five-year base period with two additional five-year award terms. NAVSA said the contracts contain a full small business set-aside and cascading small business set-aside clause in order to protect the small vendor base for each Warfare Center. “SeaPort-e reflects a tangible example of the transformation occurring in how our Navy is doing business in the 21st century: paperless, reduced administration, harnessing Web technology,” said Vice Adm. Phillip Balisle, NAVSEA commander. “SeaPort-e is a common vehicle to contract more efficiently. It is a consummate win-win effort as it provides a good business process for the Navy while providing ready access for our industry partners.” SeaPort-e is the Web-based portal where requests for services are managed “from cradle to grave,” the Navy said. SeaPort-e is an extension of the current SeaPort procurement vehicle used at NAVSEA.