Kelli Wright

Kelli A.L. Wright serves as a Contract Specialist responsible for managing the full lifecycle of complex procurement actions within the naval and maritime acquisition domain. She ensures compliance with federal acquisition regulations while executing competitive and non-competitive contracts aligned with national defense priorities. Her work centers on the planning, solicitation, evaluation, award, and administration of contracts for shipbuilding and repair services, requiring deep familiarity with technical specifications, cost realism analysis, and performance-based acquisition methods. Wright plays a critical role in translating operational requirements into enforceable contractual obligations that support fleet readiness and industrial base sustainability. Wright engages with a select group of qualified shipyard contractors and maritime system integrators, primarily those with specialized expertise in naval vessel construction, maintenance, and modernization. Her contracting patterns reflect a preference for established industry partners with proven track records in military shipbuilding, including both large prime contractors and qualified subcontractors with niche capabilities in propulsion, hull integrity, and combat systems integration. She fosters collaborative relationships grounded in transparency, rigorous performance metrics, and timely contract modifications to accommodate evolving technical and logistical demands. Wright’s procurement portfolio reflects a strong preference for unrestricted competition, with 100% of her awards issued under the “No Set-Aside” category. While she does not currently prioritize socioeconomic set-asides such as 8(a), HUBZone, or SDVOSB programs, her approach emphasizes merit-based selection grounded in technical capability, past performance, and industrial capacity rather than socioeconomic criteria. This reflects a mission-driven focus on ensuring the highest standards of quality and readiness in naval assets. Her primary area of expertise lies in NAICS 336611—Ship Building and Repairing—where she specializes in procuring the design, fabrication, overhaul, and repair of military vessels, including surface combatants, support ships, and auxiliary craft. She possesses deep technical knowledge of naval architecture standards, marine engineering systems, and defense-specific compliance requirements, ensuring acquisitions align with Navy and Coast Guard operational needs.