Arco Cuetara-Higa

Arco Cuetara-Higa supports the procurement mission of the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard IMF, a critical component of the Department of the Navy’s fleet sustainment infrastructure. In this role, they manage complex acquisitions for ship repair, maintenance, and industrial modernization, ensuring naval vessels remain operationally ready through timely and technically sound contracting actions. Their portfolio encompasses mission-critical contracts spanning mechanical overhauls, system refurbishments, and industrial infrastructure support, requiring deep familiarity with naval engineering standards and defense logistics frameworks. Cuetara-Higa’s work directly enables the shipyard’s core function: extending the service life and combat readiness of the U.S. Navy’s surface and submarine fleet through precision industrial contracting. They maintain consistent working relationships with leading defense and industrial contractors including Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation, Pacific Industrial Equipment Corp, Xleagle LLC, Fairbanks Morse, LLC, and Philip Rieke. These partnerships reflect a reliance on established vendors with proven capabilities in marine propulsion systems, heavy machinery repair, and specialized naval component manufacturing. Cuetara-Higa’s contracting approach emphasizes performance-based outcomes and technical compliance, fostering long-term vendor collaboration grounded in reliability and adherence to Navy-specific engineering specifications. Procurement activity is predominantly unreserved, with 88.9% of awards issued under full and open competition, reflecting a preference for technical merit over socioeconomic set-asides. However, a consistent 11.1% of contracts are set aside for total small business participation under FAR 19.5, indicating targeted support for qualified small firms capable of delivering niche industrial services. This balance underscores a commitment to both operational efficiency and broad-based industry engagement. The primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 336611 (Ship Building and Repairing), followed by industrial maintenance (811310), compressor manufacturing (333912), and professional technical services (541990). This specialization highlights expertise in heavy marine industrial systems, mechanical repair, and engineering support services essential to naval vessel sustainment.