Cheryl Somers

Cheryl D. Somers serves as a Contract Specialist with the Military Sealift Fleet Support Command Norfolk (N40442), where she plays a pivotal role in securing critical maintenance, repair, and modernization services for the U.S. Navy’s non-combatant fleet. Responsible for managing the full lifecycle of procurement actions, she ensures compliance with federal acquisition regulations while supporting the agency’s mission to sustain maritime logistics readiness through specialized engineering and industrial support. Her acquisitions primarily encompass propulsion systems, marine HVAC, navigation instrumentation, and vessel repair infrastructure, requiring deep technical understanding of naval engineering standards and commercial industrial capabilities. While specific contractor names are not publicly available, Somers engages with a diverse pool of vendors specializing in mechanical power transmission, marine instrumentation, and water transportation support services. Her contracting patterns reflect collaboration with both large-tier industrial contractors and niche technical firms capable of delivering complex, mission-critical components under strict defense quality assurance protocols. She fosters long-term vendor partnerships grounded in performance accountability, technical compliance, and responsive service delivery for time-sensitive vessel maintenance cycles. Somers demonstrates a balanced commitment to socioeconomic contracting, with nearly half of her acquisitions structured as total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5. This reflects a deliberate strategy to maximize opportunities for small businesses, including those certified as HUBZone, SDVOSB, or WOSB, while maintaining flexibility through non-set-aside procurements when technical requirements demand broader market participation. Her primary procurement focus centers on NAICS 333618 (Other Engine Equipment Manufacturing) and 333415 (Marine HVAC and refrigeration systems), with significant activity in 488390 (Water Transportation Support Activities). She routinely procures specialized components such as marine propulsion controls, navigation sensors, and shipboard climate control units, demonstrating expertise in the intersection of commercial industrial manufacturing and naval operational requirements.