Kekoa Erber

Kekoa Erber serves as a key procurement professional within Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA HQ), supporting the Department of the Navy’s mission to sustain and modernize the U.S. fleet through strategic acquisition of naval vessels and mission-critical systems. Responsible for managing complex contract actions across the lifecycle of surface and undersea platforms, Erber specializes in shipbuilding, repair, and integration of advanced naval electronics. Their work directly enables fleet readiness by ensuring timely delivery of technologically sophisticated maritime assets, aligning procurement decisions with NAVSEA’s strategic imperatives for innovation and operational superiority. Erber maintains established relationships with leading defense 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 span major shipyard construction, systems integration, and specialized naval engineering services. The working relationships reflect a preference for established industry primes with proven track records in delivering high-assurance, mission-essential platforms, often involving multi-year, performance-based contract structures. Set-aside preferences are heavily weighted toward full and open competition, with approximately 90% of acquisitions conducted without socioeconomic set-asides. The remaining 10% are competed under the 8(a) program, indicating a measured but intentional engagement with small business concerns, particularly for niche technical services or specialized support functions. This pattern reflects a focus on mission-critical performance over socioeconomic quotas, while still maintaining compliance with federal small business participation goals. The primary procurement focus is on NAICS 336611 (Ship Building and Repairing), encompassing new construction, mid-life upgrades, and dry-docking services for naval vessels. A secondary emphasis on NAICS 541511 (Custom Computer Programming Services) underscores expertise in procuring integrated combat systems, shipboard software modernization, and digital engineering solutions critical to next-generation warfighting platforms. Erber’s technical domain centers on naval architecture, propulsion systems, and electronic warfare integration.