Karen Tempest

Karen Tempest serves as a key procurement lead within Mschq Norfolk, operating under the Department of the Navy, where she manages mission-critical acquisitions to sustain the operational readiness of U.S. Navy surface and auxiliary vessels. Her responsibilities center on securing deep-sea freight transportation services and specialized marine logistics solutions that enable continuous fleet deployment. Tempest oversees the full lifecycle of contract actions—from solicitation through award and performance monitoring—ensuring compliance with federal acquisition regulations and naval operational requirements. She specializes in complex, high-stakes maritime transport contracts that require precise scheduling, international coordination, and vessel-specific engineering support, making her a vital link between naval operational needs and commercial logistics capabilities. Tempest maintains longstanding relationships with a select group of high-capacity contractors, including EXXONMOBIL MARINE LIMITED and VIGOR MARINE LLC, both of which provide specialized maritime transport and shipyard support services. She also collaborates regularly with BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC for strategic logistics planning and ONTIC ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING, INC for mission-critical marine equipment. Her contracting pattern reflects a preference for proven, technically capable vendors with demonstrated experience in naval environments, prioritizing reliability, regulatory compliance, and operational continuity over competitive bidding alone. Tempest’s procurement portfolio is entirely non-set-aside, with 100% of awards issued under full and open competition. This reflects a strategic emphasis on securing the highest-capability providers for time-sensitive, mission-essential maritime operations, where specialized expertise and proven performance outweigh socioeconomic preferences. While small business participation is not formally prioritized in her portfolio, all awards adhere strictly to FAR guidelines and ensure fair competition among qualified industry participants. Her primary focus is on NAICS 483111—Deep Sea Freight Transportation—where she procures heavy-lift oceanic cargo services, roll-on/roll-off vessel charters, and specialized maritime logistics for naval asset sustainment. Tempest’s domain expertise lies in the technical and regulatory complexities of international maritime transport, including compliance with MARPOL, ISPS, and U.S. maritime security protocols, ensuring that contracted services meet the Navy’s stringent operational and environmental standards.