Craig Barton

Craig Barton serves as a Contracting Officer responsible for managing complex acquisition programs within the maritime defense sector. He oversees the full lifecycle of procurement activities—from market research and solicitation development to contract award and administration—ensuring compliance with federal acquisition regulations and national defense priorities. His portfolio centers exclusively on shipbuilding and repair contracts, requiring deep technical understanding of naval architecture, marine systems integration, and defense industrial base capabilities. Barton plays a critical role in executing the agency’s mission to sustain and modernize the nation’s maritime fleet through strategic, transparent, and efficient contracting practices. While specific contractor names are not disclosed in available records, Barton maintains relationships with a select group of qualified prime contractors possessing the specialized infrastructure and workforce expertise required for naval vessel construction and maintenance. His procurement approach emphasizes performance-based contracting, technical risk mitigation, and rigorous source selection criteria tailored to the unique demands of shipyard operations. He collaborates closely with industry stakeholders to ensure contractual requirements align with operational readiness goals and technological advancements in naval systems. Barton’s contracting patterns reflect a consistent preference for full and open competition, with 100% of his awards issued under non-set-aside conditions. This indicates a strategic focus on maximizing competition among qualified large and medium-sized industrial firms capable of meeting the scale and technical complexity of shipbuilding requirements. While small business set-asides are not utilized in his portfolio, his processes remain fully compliant with socioeconomic contracting statutes and prioritize capability over size. His primary NAICS specialization is 336611 (Ship Building and Repairing), encompassing the procurement of new construction, dry-docking, hull modifications, propulsion system upgrades, and combat system integrations for military and government-owned vessels. Barton’s technical expertise lies in marine engineering, naval logistics, and defense industrial base resilience, making him a key liaison between operational fleet requirements and industrial capacity planning.