Northrop Grumman Ship Systems, New Orleans, La., is being awarded a $2,491,389,968 fixed-price incentive contract for construction of two LPD 17 Class amphibious transport dock ships (LPD 22 and 23), with long lead time materials and associated labor for a third (LPD 24). In addition to ship production, this effort will include procurement of long lead material and also inspection, testing, storing and maintaining long lead material. The contractor will perform material sourcing, material ordering, vendor interface and material quality assurance. In addition, the contractor will provide the management efforts including subcontract and risk management. Work will be performed in Pascagoula, Miss., and New Orleans, La., and is expected to be completed by October 2011. Contract funds will not expire by the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.