Gary Whitehead

Gary Whitehead serves as a Contracting Officer at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard IMF (N4523A), a critical component of the Department of the Navy responsible for sustaining the readiness of the U.S. Navy’s fleet through complex ship repair, maintenance, and industrial modernization. In this role, he manages the full lifecycle of procurement actions for mission-critical naval infrastructure, overseeing solicitations, contract awards, and performance monitoring for technical and industrial support services essential to vessel lifecycle management. His acquisitions primarily support shipyard operations, including mechanical, electrical, and precision manufacturing systems required for naval vessel sustainment. Whitehead maintains consistent working relationships with a core group of specialized vendors, including LAKE UNION DRYDOCK CO, SUNBELT RENTALS, INC, FLUKE ELECTRONICS CORP, PAULEY RODINE INC, and MOTIVE POWER MARINE, LLC. These partnerships reflect a preference for established contractors with proven expertise in naval shipyard environments, particularly those capable of delivering heavy industrial services, precision testing equipment, and marine-specific maintenance solutions. His contracting approach emphasizes reliability, technical compliance, and operational continuity, often favoring vendors with prior performance history in Department of Defense ship repair facilities. His procurement strategy reflects a strong orientation toward open competition, with 86.7% of awards issued without set-aside restrictions, while maintaining a deliberate 13.3% commitment to Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5. This balance ensures access to specialized capabilities while preserving competition and efficiency in high-demand industrial categories. Whitehead’s primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 336611 (Ship Building and Repairing), accounting for 60% of his portfolio, followed by industrial valve manufacturing (332911), specialty trade contracting (238990), electroplating services (332813), and marine navigational services (488330). His technical expertise centers on naval vessel systems integration, corrosion control, and precision industrial maintenance, ensuring acquisition decisions align with stringent military specifications and fleet readiness requirements.