CAPT Michelle Williams

CAPT Michelle Williams serves as a key procurement leader within the Office of Naval Research, overseeing the acquisition of advanced scientific and engineering research services critical to maintaining U.S. naval technological superiority. She manages a portfolio of competitive, full and open contracts focused on translating fundamental research into operational capabilities, with emphasis on autonomous systems, advanced propulsion, maritime sensing, and next-generation naval platforms. Her acquisitions are strategically aligned with the Navy’s long-term science and technology roadmap, ensuring that funded innovations directly support warfighter readiness and fleet modernization priorities. CAPT Williams maintains consistent working relationships with leading defense and research contractors including CHEROKEE STRATEGIC SOLUTIONS, SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION, BAE SYSTEMS INFORMATION AND ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS INTEGRATION INC., SKYDWELLER US INC., and ABBOTT LABORATORIES INC. These partnerships reflect a preference for established firms with proven expertise in physical sciences, systems engineering, and applied R&D. Her contracting approach emphasizes technical rigor, performance-based outcomes, and iterative collaboration between government scientists and industry partners to accelerate technology transition. CAPT Williams exclusively utilizes full and open competition, with no set-asides designated for 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, or other socioeconomic categories. Her procurement strategy prioritizes technical merit and mission alignment over socioeconomic preferences, reflecting the Office of Naval Research’s focus on securing the highest-caliber scientific and engineering talent available, regardless of vendor size or certification status. Her primary procurement focus is on NAICS 541715—Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences—encompassing experimental physics, materials science, sensor development, computational modeling, and autonomous platform integration. She routinely procures services related to prototype development, laboratory testing, field trials, and systems integration, supporting high-risk, high-reward research initiatives that bridge the gap between basic science and naval operational deployment.