Cheryl Copeland

Cheryl Copeland serves as a Contract Specialist at Norfolk Naval Shipyard Gf (N42158), within the Department of the Navy, where she plays a pivotal role in executing complex acquisition strategies to sustain the operational readiness of U.S. Navy vessels. She manages the full lifecycle of procurement actions for industrial and maritime support services, including maintenance, repair, and specialized equipment leasing critical to shipyard modernization efforts. Her work directly supports the shipyard’s mission of extending vessel service life through precision engineering and compliance-driven maintenance programs, ensuring all acquisitions align with federal contracting regulations and naval operational requirements. Cheryl maintains consistent working relationships with key 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 partnerships are centered on delivering specialized ship repair, machinery maintenance, and industrial equipment services tailored to naval infrastructure needs. Her contracting approach emphasizes performance-based outcomes, technical compliance, and long-term vendor collaboration to ensure mission-critical capabilities remain uninterrupted. A strong advocate for small business participation, Cheryl consistently prioritizes Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5, with over 60% of her acquisitions structured to support small business eligibility. Her contracting patterns reflect a deliberate focus on fostering economic opportunity within the maritime industrial base, regularly awarding contracts to small businesses without favoring specific socioeconomic categories beyond broad small business eligibility. Her procurement expertise is concentrated in NAICS 532490 (commercial and industrial machinery leasing), 336611 (shipbuilding and repair), and 811310 (machinery repair and maintenance), reflecting deep technical familiarity with naval vessel support systems. She specializes in acquiring heavy-duty equipment services, marine repair solutions, and industrial maintenance contracts essential to sustaining fleet readiness across the Atlantic seaboard.