Christopher Ward

Christopher Ward supports the operational readiness of U.S. Navy surface and auxiliary vessels through strategic procurement and contract management within Mschq Norfolk, under the Department of the Navy. He oversees acquisitions critical to ship repair, marine logistics, and mission-critical equipment sustainment, ensuring fleet assets remain deployable and mission-ready. His work centers on complex, technically demanding contracts that require deep maritime domain expertise, particularly in vessel maintenance, deep-sea freight transport, and specialized marine engineering systems. Ward plays a pivotal role in aligning procurement strategy with the Navy’s operational tempo, prioritizing reliability, compliance, and timely delivery of mission-enabling capabilities. He maintains enduring relationships with key industry partners including ExxonMobil Marine Limited for marine fuel and logistics support, Vigor Marine LLC for ship repair and dry-dock services, Booz Allen Hamilton Inc. for technical and systems integration support, Foreign Policy Research Institute for strategic maritime analysis, and Ontic Engineering & Manufacturing, Inc. for specialized engine and marine component manufacturing. His contracting patterns reflect a preference for established contractors with proven naval experience, often leveraging long-term performance histories to mitigate operational risk while ensuring compliance with military specifications. Ward consistently prioritizes small business participation, with 60% of his acquisitions set aside for small businesses under FAR 19.5, demonstrating a strong commitment to socioeconomic contracting goals. While no set-aside remains at 40%, his portfolio actively includes service-disabled veteran-owned, HUBZone, and 8(a) firms where applicable, aligning with Department of the Navy directives to broaden the industrial base and foster innovation among qualified small vendors. His primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 336611 (Ship Building and Repairing), accounting for 60% of activity, complemented by 20% each in commercial and industrial machinery repair (811310) and other engine equipment manufacturing (333618). He specializes in procuring dry-dock services, propulsion system overhauls, hull integrity upgrades, and mission-specific marine hardware, reflecting deep technical fluency in naval surface fleet sustainment and maritime infrastructure support.