Carla McKown

Carla McKown serves as the primary contracting professional at Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division (NSWC Dahlgren), where she oversees the acquisition of advanced technology systems critical to naval warfighting capabilities. Her portfolio centers on research, development, test, and evaluation contracts for electronic warfare systems, command and control platforms, embedded computing, and signal processing technologies. She plays a pivotal role in aligning procurement strategy with the Department of the Navy’s mission to enhance integrated combat systems for surface ships and networked battle environments, ensuring timely delivery of mission-critical capabilities through complex, high-technology acquisitions. McKown maintains established relationships with key contractors including TEX-TECH ENGINEERED COMPOSITES, LLC for advanced materials, TATITLEK GOVERNMENT SERVICES, INC. for technical and engineering support, 3DB LABS INC for additive manufacturing solutions, WASTE REMOVAL USA, LLC for environmental compliance services, and BOWHEAD PROGRAM MANAGEMENT & OPERATIONS, LLC for program management and systems integration. Her contracting approach emphasizes long-term vendor partnerships grounded in technical proficiency, regulatory compliance, and mission alignment, fostering reliable delivery of specialized defense technologies. Her procurement patterns reflect a strong preference for open competition, with 92.1% of awards issued without set-asides, indicating a focus on technical merit and capability over socioeconomic categorization. While small business participation is present at 7.9%, it is primarily through Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5, reflecting a balanced but non-dominant emphasis on socioeconomic programs. McKown’s primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 513210 (Software Publishers), underscoring deep engagement with custom software development, embedded firmware, and digital signal processing systems. She also procures specialized electronic components under 334419 and industrial control instrumentation under 334513, demonstrating expertise in mission-critical electronics, sensor systems, and integrated computing architectures essential to modern naval operations.