Kayla J.Dicks

Kayla J. Dicks serves as a key procurement professional within the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Philadelphia Division, supporting the U.S. Navy’s mission to modernize and sustain surface ship systems. She manages complex acquisitions for advanced electronic, mechanical, and industrial control systems critical to naval platform readiness, including propulsion, damage control, and shipboard integration technologies. Her work ensures timely delivery of mission-critical hardware and engineering services aligned with DoD acquisition regulations and technical specifications, directly contributing to the operational resilience of the fleet. Dicks maintains strategic relationships with leading defense contractors including FAIRBANKS MORSE, LLC, LEIDOS, INC., ROLLS-ROYCE CORPORATION, G. S. E. DYNAMICS, INC., and KAMPI COMPONENTS CO INC. These partnerships reflect a preference for established industry leaders with proven expertise in naval systems integration, precision instrumentation, and industrial control infrastructure. Her contracting approach emphasizes technical rigor, performance-based outcomes, and long-term sustainment capabilities, fostering collaborative vendor engagement to meet stringent military standards. Her procurement portfolio is overwhelmingly non-set-aside, with approximately 90% of awards issued under full and open competition, reflecting the specialized nature of the systems acquired. However, she consistently allocates 10% of opportunities to Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5, demonstrating a measured commitment to small business participation without compromising technical requirements or mission readiness. Dicks specializes in procurements governed by NAICS codes 334111 (Electronic Computer Manufacturing), 334516 (Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing), and 334290 (Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing), with additional focus on 336611 (Ship Building and Repairing). Her acquisitions center on high-reliability electronic systems, sensor networks, shipboard control interfaces, and test instrumentation essential for naval platform modernization and lifecycle support.