MNBMcD Waterfront JV Wins $249 Million NAVFAC Hawaii Contract

A $249 Million Blueprint for Hawaii’s Naval Waterfronts

The Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) Hawaii has awarded a massive contract valued at up to $249 million to the MNBMcD Waterfront JV of Honolulu, according to a report from dvidshub.net. This multi-year agreement is designed to secure the specialized engineering and design expertise required to maintain and upgrade the critical waterfront infrastructure that supports Navy and Marine Corps operations across the islands.

This isn’t a contract for a single, massive construction project. Instead, it functions as a flexible vehicle that allows the Navy to order specific design and engineering services as needs arise. This distinction is vital for long-term readiness; rather than waiting for a specific facility to fail, the Navy can use this contract to proactively plan improvements, conduct geotechnical investigations, or develop detailed construction documents for a variety of waterfront assets.

The scope of work is broad, covering everything from the initial stages of project planning and cost estimation to the highly technical phases of interior design and engineering support during active construction. As noted by highergov.com, the services can range from early-stage site investigations and hydrographic studies to the final engineering packages needed to break ground on new infrastructure.

Scaling Up from Previous Waterfront Initiatives

The scale of this new award represents a significant increase in the financial commitment to Hawaii’s maritime infrastructure. To understand the magnitude of the $249 million figure, it helps to look at the preceding contract vehicle. In November 2024, an earlier waterfront architect-engineering contract held by the Moffatt & Nichol–Burns & McDonnell Hawaii joint venture received an $81 million modification, as reported by highergov.com.

While that previous work was slated to conclude by September 2025—with approximately 95% of the effort centered in Hawaii and the rest in the South Pacific—this new award provides a much deeper well of funding and a longer operational horizon. The current contract is structured with a 12-month base period followed by four optional 12-month periods. If the Navy exercises all these options, the partnership is expected to continue through October 2031.

Contract Detail	Specification
Maximum Value	Up to $249 million
Primary Contractor	MNBMcD Waterfront JV
Expected End Date	October 2031 (if all options exercised)
Primary Location	Hawaii (with limited U.S. mainland work)

The Strategic Stakes of Fleet Readiness

For the military installations in Hawaii, these engineering services are about more than just maintaining docks and piers; they are about sustaining the ability of the fleet to operate in a complex maritime environment. Capt. Andrew Hunt, executive officer of NAVFAC Hawaii, emphasized the direct link between these technical services and operational capability.

Waterfront jv wins million navfac hawaii waterfront engineering contract — Photo: highergov.com

“This contract provides the engineering and design expertise needed to plan and deliver critical waterfront improvements,” said Capt. Andrew Hunt. “These projects help ensure our waterfront facilities can support Navy operations and sustain fleet readiness.”

The procurement process for this contract was highly competitive, managed through the SAM.gov platform. Rather than simply choosing the lowest bidder, NAVFAC utilized a qualifications-based selection process. This method prioritizes the demonstrated competence and technical qualifications of architect-engineering firms, ensuring that the entities handling complex maritime designs have a proven track record of managing the unique environmental and structural challenges of waterfront engineering.

Inside the Navy’s $5 Billion Hawaii and Wake Island Waterfront MACC

While the vast majority of the work will be performed within Hawaii to support local installations, the contract does allow for limited work to be conducted elsewhere in the United States. This flexibility ensures that the joint venture can tap into specialized resources if a project requires expertise that is not locally available.

The technical depth required for these tasks is outlined in NAVFAC Hawaii’s official guidance on architect-engineering contracts, which details the necessity of everything from site investigations to technical assistance during the actual construction phase. By securing this long-term engineering pipeline, the Navy is attempting to bridge the gap between aging infrastructure and the evolving demands of modern naval operations through the end of the decade.