The federal government announced an intention to enter into a contract with Seaspan Victoria Shipyards for maintenance and repair work on Royal Canadian Navy frigates.
Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) says Advanced Contract Award Notices have been issued to Seaspan Victoria, along with Halifax’s Irving Shipbuilding Inc. and Davie Shipbuilding in Levis, Que.
The contracts would be worth an estimated $7 billion for work to maintain Canada’s 12 Halifax-class frigates, with five of those stationed in Esquimalt.
The government said it determined the three shipyards had the required workforce and infrastructure needed to handle the workload.
Competition for the contract remains open and interested suppliers have 15 days to come forward if interested in bidding.
PSPC says they must submit a “statement of capabilities” that meets the requirements laid out in the contract notice.
A government release says the ships require a wide range of engineering change work, equipment installations, docking work and corrective maintenance activities through their operational life, which is estimated to be another 20 years.
The maintenance and repair work is needed until replacement Canadian Surface Combatant ships are delivered.
Last month, workers at Halifax’s Irving Shipyard raised concerns about repair work they currently do being transferred to Quebec.