Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Southeast awarded an over $17 million firm-fixed-priced multiple award construction contract to Archer Western Construction, LLC, Chicago, Illinois, March 28, for the design and construction of a Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) parking garage located at Naval Station (NS) Mayport.

The parking facility supports the LCS program, which includes the LCS Operational Trainer Facility (LTF), and provides parking for several adjacent and nearby facilities.

"The LTF provides innovative, immersive, virtual reality training for LCS crews which allow them to be better prepared for the operational scenarios they will encounter at sea," said Commander Littoral Combat Ship Squadron Two Capt. Shawn Johnston. "It is not surprising that many other ship classes will begin to utilize similar high fidelity simulators. This increased LCS training capacity will allow the 14 LCS expected to call Mayport home."

LCS crew training is based on a virtual ship-centric concept, accomplished through a combination of classroom instruction, vendor training, shore-based trainers and sophisticated virtual reality training systems. The LTF will provide LCS crews with the necessary training and certifications they require prior to deployment.

NS Mayport is expected to receive a total of 14 LCS to the base. The parking facility will accommodate the increase in personnel and crew required to support the ships.

The work to be performed provides for the design and construction of a five story, 1,355 vehicle structured parking facility. The facility shall be fully handicapped accessible and be an open “public” parking structure. The work includes all civil engineering and site design for the associated parcel.

Work will be performed in Jacksonville, Florida and is expected to be completed by April 2021.

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