Hampton-based nonprofit wins Navy contract worth up to $126 million, expects to add 50 jobs

VersAbility Resources Inc., a Hampton-based nonprofit that provides jobs and other supports for people with disabilities, won its largest contract to date, for work for the Navy that could total $126 million.

The Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center in Jacksonville, Fla., is contracting with Versability to load shipboard provisions and move and store maintenance parts for ships’ integrated logistics overhaul projects. VersAbility is already the prime contractor for ship-provisioning services for the Navy at seven locations around the globe, but this contract expands the scope.

To manage this expanded work, the nonprofit expects to hire 50 people to its current staff of 100.

VersAbility manages operations at the Norfolk naval base, local shipyards, and Pearl Harbor. The work at other ports is subcontracted to other disability-serving organizations, which employ 300 individuals.

Under the contract, Versability will provide warehouse support, inventory support, supply item packaging, and supply item transportation for the Naval Supply Systems Command.

“This contract employs hundreds of people with disabilities in Hampton Roads and across the country in high-paying jobs with benefits that can transform their lives,” said Kasia Grzelkowski, VersAbility’s president and chief executive officer.

“They take tremendous pride in performing this mission-essential function tied to fleet readiness so the U.S. Navy can fulfill its mission around the globe,” she said.

Under the new contract, VersAbility’s work will involve warships at several U.S. ports, with 33% to be done in Norfolk, 23% at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, 22% at San Diego, 8% at the Navy’s Puget Sound bases in Washington State, 7% at Mayport, Fla., 3% at the submarine base at Kings Bay, Georgia, 2% in Guam and 2% at Groton, Conn.

The$50.1 million base contract period runs through March, but it can be extended until September 2026, at which point VersAbility would have received $126 million.

VersAbility was founded in 1953. It serves more than 1,300 people with disabilities and their families each year in early childhood, student services, day support, residential and employment programs.

Dave Ress, 757-247-4535, dress@dailypress.com

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