Hanley Kerh

Hanley Kerh serves as a key procurement lead within Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), supporting the Department of the Navy’s mission to sustain and modernize the U.S. fleet through strategic acquisition of naval platforms and mission-critical systems. Responsible for managing complex contracting actions across the lifecycle of warship construction, repair, and electronic system integration, Kerh ensures alignment with naval readiness objectives and technological innovation. Their work centers on large-scale, mission-essential acquisitions involving shipbuilding, combat systems, and naval electronics, often coordinating with engineering and logistics teams to deliver capability-driven outcomes under stringent defense acquisition regulations. Kerh maintains consistent contracting relationships with prime contractors including Damen Shipbuilding & Cooperation B.V., Huntington Ingalls Incorporated, Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation, G.S.E. Dynamics, Inc., and Aerospace & Commercial Technologies, LLC. These partnerships reflect a focus on Tier-1 defense industrial base vendors with proven expertise in naval architecture, integrated combat systems, and advanced maritime electronics. The working relationships are characterized by long-term collaboration on multi-year programs, often involving technical specifications development, performance-based contracting, and rigorous oversight of delivery schedules and quality assurance protocols. Kerh’s procurement activity reflects a strict preference for full and open competition, with 100% of awards issued without socioeconomic set-asides. This indicates a strategic emphasis on leveraging the full capacity of the defense industrial base rather than targeted small business set-asides, aligning with NAVSEA’s need for high-capability, large-scale industrial partners capable of delivering complex naval systems under tight operational timelines. The primary acquisition focus lies in NAICS 336611 (Ship Building and Repairing), accounting for 80% of activity, encompassing new construction, dry-dock repairs, and mid-life modernizations of surface and undersea vessels. The remaining 20% targets NAICS 334511, involving procurement of navigation, sonar, radar, and guidance systems critical to fleet combat effectiveness. Kerh’s expertise lies in managing technically demanding contracts that require deep domain knowledge in naval engineering, systems integration, and defense acquisition compliance.