Kerry L. Knapp

Kerry L. Knapp serves as a Contracting Officer responsible for managing complex acquisition programs within the defense and maritime sectors. With a primary focus on shipbuilding and repair, as well as associated engineering services, Knapp oversees the full lifecycle of contracts—from solicitation and evaluation to award and administration—ensuring compliance with federal acquisition regulations and mission-critical delivery timelines. Their work directly supports national defense readiness by securing specialized maritime systems and technical expertise essential to fleet maintenance and modernization efforts. Knapp maintains strategic relationships with a select group of prime contractors specializing in naval vessel construction, repair, and advanced engineering support. These partnerships are characterized by long-term collaboration, technical alignment, and rigorous performance oversight. While no single contractor dominates the portfolio, Knapp consistently engages firms with proven capabilities in naval architecture, systems integration, and marine propulsion technologies, fostering a competitive yet stable vendor environment grounded in quality and reliability. Knapp’s procurement strategy reflects a strong preference for full and open competition, with 100% of acquisitions conducted without set-aside designations. This approach prioritizes technical merit and industrial capacity over socioeconomic classifications, indicating a focus on mission necessity and operational readiness over socioeconomic targeting. While small business participation is not formally incentivized through set-asides, Knapp remains attentive to the capabilities of small firms that can meet stringent technical requirements. The majority of Knapp’s acquisitions fall under NAICS 336611 (Ship Building and Repairing), reflecting deep expertise in naval surface vessel construction, dry dock operations, and lifecycle sustainment. Secondary focus on NAICS 541330 (Engineering Services) underscores a reliance on specialized technical support for structural analysis, systems engineering, and naval platform integration. Knapp’s domain expertise centers on high-complexity, safety-critical maritime systems requiring rigorous certification and compliance with naval standards.