Clarissa D Hester

Clarissa D. Hester serves as a Contract Specialist responsible for managing the full lifecycle of federal acquisitions, from requirement validation and market research through solicitation, evaluation, award, and contract administration. She plays a critical role in ensuring compliance with FAR and agency-specific procurement policies while aligning acquisitions with mission-critical operational needs. Her portfolio primarily encompasses complex technical services and specialized maritime infrastructure projects, requiring deep subject matter expertise in both defense systems and IT modernization. Hester routinely handles competitive sealed bidding and negotiated procurements, often coordinating with technical stakeholders to define performance-based requirements and ensure sound risk mitigation strategies. While specific contractor names are not available, Hester maintains consistent engagement with prime contractors possessing demonstrated capability in shipbuilding, repair, and computer systems design. Her procurement patterns reflect a preference for established industry vendors with proven track records in delivering high-integrity, defense-relevant solutions. She fosters collaborative vendor relationships grounded in transparency, compliance, and performance accountability, ensuring contractors meet stringent quality and delivery standards across technically demanding contracts. Hester’s contracting activity is entirely non-set-aside, with 100% of her awards conducted under full and open competition. This reflects a strategic alignment with mission requirements that prioritize technical capability and operational readiness over socioeconomic preferences, though she remains fully compliant with all statutory small business obligations. Her approach emphasizes merit-based selection, ensuring the best value is achieved without reliance on set-aside programs. Her primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 336611 (Ship Building and Repairing), where she manages contracts for vessel maintenance, modernization, and naval support systems, and NAICS 541512 (Computer Systems Design Services), where she oversees IT modernization, cybersecurity integration, and mission-critical software development. This dual specialization positions her at the intersection of maritime defense infrastructure and digital transformation, requiring nuanced understanding of both physical asset lifecycle management and complex IT architectures.