David K. Kern

David K. Kern serves as a Small Business Specialist for the W0ML USA Deputy Tobyhanna under the Department of the Army, supporting the modernization and sustainment of critical military electronics, communication systems, and industrial infrastructure at Tobyhanna Army Depot. In this role, he facilitates the integration of small businesses into the defense supply chain by advising contracting teams on socioeconomic program eligibility, ensuring compliance with FAR Part 19, and promoting equitable access to procurement opportunities. His work directly enables the agency’s mission to maintain readiness of electronic warfare, signal, and instrumentation systems through strategic sourcing of specialized components, test equipment, and technical services. Kern maintains a consistent partnership with MCKENZIE CONSTRUCTION & SITE DEVELOPMENT LLC, a key vendor providing site preparation and infrastructure support services. While his portfolio includes a diverse range of contractors, his engagement patterns reflect a preference for established small business partners with proven technical capabilities in industrial and facility-related support, often collaborating with firms experienced in defense-grade compliance and rapid turnaround logistics. His procurement strategy prioritizes open competition, with 78.6% of acquisitions conducted without set-asides, yet he actively promotes small business participation through Total Small Business Set-Asides (21.4%), aligning with FAR 19.5 guidelines. Though not focused on 8(a), HUBZone, or SDVOSB-specific programs, Kern ensures that eligible small businesses are identified and considered in competitive solicitations, reinforcing the agency’s commitment to broad-based socioeconomic inclusion. Kern’s primary procurement focus centers on NAICS 611699 (miscellaneous instructional services), reflecting a significant demand for technical training and workforce development related to military electronics maintenance. He also oversees acquisitions in machine tool manufacturing (333517), metalworking machinery (333519), and site preparation (238910), demonstrating expertise in procuring specialized industrial equipment, precision machining services, and facility upgrades critical to depot sustainment operations.