DeAnn Cloaninger

Deann Cloaninger serves as a Contract Specialist at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center under the Department of the Navy, where she plays a pivotal role in executing complex procurement actions to sustain and modernize naval surface platforms. Her responsibilities encompass the full lifecycle management of contracts for critical industrial and mechanical systems essential to fleet readiness, including structural components, specialized manufacturing, and infrastructure-supporting equipment. She ensures compliance with federal acquisition regulations while aligning acquisitions with the center’s mission to maintain operational integrity of naval vessels through precision maintenance and industrial support. Cloaninger 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., all of which provide specialized manufacturing, systems integration, and industrial maintenance services. Her procurement approach emphasizes collaboration with vendors possessing niche technical capabilities in shipboard systems, reflecting a preference for established partners with proven experience in naval-grade fabrication and compliance with military specifications. A strong advocate for small business participation, Cloaninger consistently prioritizes Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5, with approximately two-thirds of her acquisitions reserved for small businesses. This pattern underscores a deliberate strategy to foster economic opportunity within the defense industrial base while ensuring access to agile, specialized suppliers capable of meeting stringent naval requirements. Her primary procurement focus centers on NAICS 333923 (overhead crane and hoist systems), 339991 (gaskets, packings, and sealing devices), and 313320 (fabric coating mills), reflecting deep expertise in procuring mission-critical mechanical subsystems and engineered components vital to vessel integrity. She specializes in sourcing high-reliability industrial products engineered for harsh maritime environments, demonstrating technical fluency in materials science, corrosion resistance, and naval engineering standards.