Dawn M. Hessell

Dawn M. Hessell serves as a Contract Specialist at W4GG Hq US Army Tacom, where she plays a pivotal role in executing complex acquisition strategies for ground combat and support vehicle systems. Responsible for managing the full lifecycle of procurements—from requirement validation to contract award and administration—she ensures alignment with Department of Defense acquisition regulations and the Army’s modernization priorities. Her portfolio primarily encompasses contracts for armored vehicle components, tactical wheeled platforms, ordnance systems, and associated avionics and fabricated metal subsystems, supporting the agency’s mission to sustain and enhance the technological superiority of U.S. land forces. Hessell maintains enduring relationships with key industrial partners including Schutt Industries of Clintonville, ONTIC Engineering & Manufacturing, A&M Aerostuctures, and Bowhead Avionics Manufacturing, LLC. These contractors provide specialized engineering, manufacturing, and integration services critical to vehicle survivability, mobility, and power systems. Her procurement approach emphasizes technical rigor and performance-based outcomes, fostering long-term partnerships with vendors possessing deep domain expertise in military-grade fabrication and systems integration. Her contracting patterns reflect a strong commitment to small business participation, with nearly half of her awards structured as Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5. While no set-aside remains the most frequent category, her consistent use of small business mechanisms underscores a deliberate effort to broaden industrial base capacity and promote socioeconomic equity in defense contracting. Hessell’s primary NAICS focus areas include 332994 (Small Arms and Ordnance Manufacturing), 336992 (Military Armored Vehicle Manufacturing), and 332710 (Machine Shops), reflecting her specialization in procuring precision-engineered components for armored platforms, tactical weapon systems, and mission-critical metal fabrications. Her technical acumen spans ordnance integration, vehicle survivability systems, and electromechanical subsystems, positioning her as a key enabler of the Army’s ground combat modernization initiatives.