Darlene Shipp

Darlene Shipp serves as a Purchasing Agent at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center under the Department of the Navy, where she plays a pivotal role in securing critical components and industrial services essential to the sustainment and modernization of naval surface platforms. Her responsibilities encompass the full lifecycle procurement of fabricated metal products, mechanical subsystems, and shipbuilding-related infrastructure, ensuring alignment with fleet readiness objectives. She manages competitive acquisitions under FAR Part 15 and Part 13, balancing technical requirements with mission-critical timelines, and collaborates closely with engineering and logistics teams to validate specifications for structural metal systems, crane mechanisms, and precision fasteners. Shipp maintains consistent working relationships with key contractors including Fairlead Boatworks, Inc., General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc., Howard W. Pence, Inc., and Kampi Components Co., Inc., who provide specialized ship repair services, industrial fabrication, and engineered metal components. Her procurement approach emphasizes long-term vendor partnerships grounded in quality assurance, on-time delivery, and compliance with naval specifications. She routinely engages with contractors possessing Navy-qualified certifications and ISO standards, fostering reliable supply chain resilience for high-integrity naval applications. A strong advocate for small business participation, Shipp prioritizes Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5, with over two-thirds of her acquisitions reserved for small businesses. Her contracting patterns reflect a deliberate strategy to expand economic opportunity among qualified small manufacturers, particularly those with expertise in metal fabrication and marine industrial services, while maintaining rigorous performance standards. Her procurement focus centers on NAICS 332999 (miscellaneous fabricated metal products), 336611 (shipbuilding and repair), and 332722 (fastener manufacturing), underscoring her technical expertise in structural components, mechanical subsystems, and precision hardware critical to vessel integrity. She routinely procures custom-fabricated metal assemblies, crane systems, and machined parts requiring adherence to military and naval engineering standards.