Karen McElhiney

Karen McElhiney serves as a Contract Specialist within the W4MM USA Joint Munitions Command, a critical component of the Department of Defense responsible for the lifecycle management of conventional ammunition and explosives. In this role, she executes full-cycle procurement actions for mission-critical materiel and support services essential to sustaining combat-ready forces across land, air, and naval domains. Her responsibilities include soliciting, evaluating, awarding, and administering contracts aligned with FAR and DFARS requirements, with a focus on ensuring timely delivery of munitions-related supplies while maintaining strict safety and regulatory compliance standards. While specific contractor names are not publicly disclosed, McElhiney maintains consistent working relationships with a diverse pool of vendors, including defense industrial base manufacturers, logistics providers, and specialized packaging and material suppliers. Her procurement patterns reflect collaboration with both large-capacity industrial contractors and small businesses capable of meeting stringent military specifications for ordnance packaging, containment, and support infrastructure. McElhiney demonstrates a strong commitment to socioeconomic contracting, with approximately 33% of her awards directed toward small business set-asides, including Total Small Business and 8(a) competed contracts. Her approach prioritizes expanding opportunities for small and disadvantaged firms while maintaining mission readiness, aligning with DoD’s broader goals for supply chain resilience and inclusive procurement. Her primary procurement focus centers on NAICS 561210 (Facilities Support Services), reflecting a high volume of contracts for ammunition storage, handling, and logistics support. She also regularly procures specialized manufacturing services under NAICS 326111 and 322212 for protective packaging and containment systems, as well as NAICS 331315 and 332994 for aluminum foil and ordnance accessories manufacturing. This technical expertise underscores her deep familiarity with the unique material and safety requirements of munitions lifecycle management.