Cheryl Copeland

Cheryl Copeland serves as a key procurement professional within the Norfolk Naval Shipyard Gf, supporting the Department of the Navy’s mission to maintain and modernize critical naval vessels through precision industrial and ship repair services. She manages a diverse portfolio of contracts focused on shipyard-specific maintenance, machinery overhaul, and metal heat treatment operations essential to fleet readiness. Her acquisitions ensure compliance with stringent naval engineering standards and support the lifecycle extension of naval platforms through technical, compliance-driven contracting. She routinely handles complex service-based contracts requiring specialized industrial expertise and stringent quality assurance protocols. Copeland maintains consistent working relationships with a core group of specialized contractors including G I INDUSTRIAL-MARINE, LLC, OWL INTERNATIONAL INC., AMEE BAY, LLC, MID ATLANTIC ENGINEERING TECHNICAL SERVICES, INC., and MILLS MARINE & SHIP REPAIR LLC. These vendors provide mission-critical services such as machinery repair, hull and propulsion system maintenance, and thermal processing of marine-grade metals. Her procurement approach emphasizes long-term vendor partnerships grounded in technical capability, past performance, and adherence to naval industrial standards, fostering reliable, repeat engagement with firms possessing niche shipyard expertise. Her contracting patterns reflect a balanced commitment to socioeconomic objectives, with 40% of awards designated as total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5, demonstrating a deliberate emphasis on leveraging small business capacity in specialized industrial sectors. While the majority of acquisitions remain open to all competitors, she consistently prioritizes small business participation in technical service categories where niche capabilities are prevalent, aligning with broader Navy goals to strengthen the industrial base. Copeland’s procurement focus centers on NAICS 332811 (Metal Heat Treating) and 811310 (Commercial and Industrial Machinery Repair), each accounting for 40% of her portfolio, alongside 20% in shipbuilding and repair (336611). She procures high-precision services including surface hardening, gear and bearing refurbishment, propulsion system overhauls, and structural steel fabrication—domains requiring certified technicians and Navy-approved quality control systems. Her expertise lies in sourcing contractors capable of delivering mission-critical industrial support under demanding maritime operational constraints.