Navy officials awarded the $38 million contract modification to the General Dynamics subsidiary for repair work on the Virginia-class USS Hawaii SSN-776 submarine during its post-shakedown availability.

The new Navy contract is a modification to an original contract with General Dynamics Electric Boat from December 2006. Officials say with the newly announced award, the total value of the contract, if all options are exercised, could be $62 million.

Under the contract, General Dynamics Electric Boat will be expected to complete "maintenance, repairs, alterations, testing and other activities on the submarine" before March 2009, the release said.