Cheri Richards

Cheri Richards supports the procurement mission of the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard IMF, a critical node within the Department of the Navy responsible for sustaining the readiness of the U.S. Navy’s fleet through complex ship repair, maintenance, and industrial modernization. Though her formal title is not publicly designated, her role centers on managing acquisition activities for mission-critical shipyard services, ensuring compliance with federal contracting regulations and naval engineering standards. She routinely handles contracts for vessel overhauls, propulsion system refurbishments, and precision industrial maintenance, aligning procurements with the shipyard’s lifecycle management objectives and operational tempo requirements. Richards maintains consistent partnerships with a core group of industrial contractors including LAKE UNION DRYDOCK CO, SUNBELT RENTALS, INC, FLUKE ELECTRONICS CORP, PAULEY RODINE INC, and MOTIVE POWER MARINE, LLC. These relationships reflect a preference for established vendors with proven expertise in naval shipyard environments, particularly those capable of delivering specialized marine equipment, electrical diagnostics, crane and lifting systems, and heavy industrial rentals under stringent naval quality and safety protocols. Her contracting patterns emphasize reliability, technical competency, and sustained performance over short-term cost savings. Her procurement strategy prioritizes open competition, with 80% of awards issued without set-aside restrictions, while maintaining a deliberate 20% commitment to Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5. This balance ensures access to niche capabilities while fostering a competitive small business ecosystem within the shipyard’s industrial supply chain, though no specific socioeconomic categories such as 8(a) or HUBZone dominate her portfolio. Her entire procurement portfolio is focused on NAICS 336611—Ship Building and Repairing—reflecting deep specialization in naval vessel sustainment. She procures technical services and equipment related to hull integrity, electrical systems, hydraulic machinery, and non-destructive testing, requiring contractors with Navy-qualified personnel and certified shipyard experience. Her expertise lies in bridging industrial capability with naval operational needs to ensure fleet availability and mission readiness.