Chelsea N. Bligh

Chelsea N. Bligh serves as a key procurement professional within the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock (N00167), supporting the Department of the Navy’s mission to advance maritime warfare capabilities through research, development, and testing of naval systems. She manages acquisitions focused on signature management, hydrodynamic performance, sensor integration, and advanced testing services critical to the survivability and stealth of naval vessels and underwater platforms. Her portfolio includes complex technical contracts requiring specialized engineering and analytical expertise, often involving laboratory services, instrumentation, and mission-critical training solutions that align with Carderock’s R&D priorities. Bligh maintains consistent partnerships with leading defense and technical contractors including BAE Systems Land & Armaments L.P., Goodrich Corp, and Aerospace & Commercial Technologies, LLC, as well as joint ventures such as CB Design & Huitt Zollars. These relationships reflect a preference for established industry players with proven capabilities in naval systems testing, electromagnetic and acoustic signature analysis, and precision instrumentation. She also collaborates closely with niche firms like Westmoreland Mechanical Testing & Research, Inc., ensuring access to specialized mechanical and environmental testing services essential to naval platform validation. A strong advocate for small business participation, Bligh prioritizes Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5, directing approximately 70% of her acquisitions to small businesses. This reflects a deliberate strategy to cultivate innovation and capacity within the defense supply base, particularly among firms certified under socioeconomic programs. Her contracting patterns consistently support small business growth while maintaining rigorous technical standards. Her primary NAICS focus areas include testing laboratories and services, professional training for technical personnel, and analytical instrument manufacturing. She procures advanced equipment for electrical signal measurement, hydrodynamic analysis, and computational modeling services, demonstrating deep expertise in the technical domains of naval systems evaluation and signature reduction technologies.