Dr. Richard T. Carlin

Dr. Richard T. Carlin serves as Department Head of the Sea Warfare and Weapons Department, where he leads strategic acquisition planning and contract execution for advanced naval systems and defense-related technical services. In this capacity, he plays a pivotal role in shaping the department’s procurement strategy to support maritime dominance, weapons modernization, and operational readiness. His portfolio primarily encompasses management consulting services aligned with defense innovation, systems integration, and operational analysis, ensuring that technical requirements are translated into effective, compliant acquisition pathways. He works closely with program managers, engineering teams, and acquisition stakeholders to align contracting outcomes with mission-critical naval priorities. Dr. Carlin’s contracting approach emphasizes collaboration with specialized consultants who bring deep domain expertise in naval warfare systems, weapons lifecycle management, and defense policy analysis. While specific contractor names are not publicly disclosed, his pattern of engagement favors firms with proven experience in defense consulting, systems engineering support, and tactical capability assessment. His working relationships are characterized by long-term, performance-based partnerships that prioritize technical rigor, compliance with federal acquisition regulations, and adaptive problem-solving in rapidly evolving operational environments. A defining feature of Dr. Carlin’s procurement philosophy is his exclusive use of Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5, reflecting an unwavering commitment to expanding economic opportunity within the defense industrial base. All acquisitions under his purview are reserved for small businesses, fostering innovation and resilience through broad-based participation. This approach ensures that emerging firms with niche capabilities in defense consulting can contribute meaningfully to national security objectives. His primary procurement focus is on NAICS 541618 — Other Management Consulting Services — encompassing strategic planning, operational efficiency analysis, and defense program advisory services. Dr. Carlin specializes in acquiring high-value, non-engineering consulting support that informs weapon system development, fleet modernization initiatives, and sea warfare doctrine evolution, making him a key architect of capability-driven procurement in the naval domain.