Kirsten A. Newhard

Kirsten A. Newhard serves as a key procurement professional within the Naval Undersea Warfare Center, supporting the acquisition of advanced undersea warfare systems critical to U.S. Navy operational superiority. She manages a diverse portfolio of contracts focused on the development, testing, and sustainment of sonar, navigation, guidance, and underwater sensor technologies, with emphasis on electronic warfare, signal processing, and ruggedized computing platforms for submarines and unmanned undersea vehicles. Her work directly enables the agency’s mission to maintain technological dominance in the undersea domain through timely and technically rigorous contracting actions. Newhard maintains established relationships with a core group of specialized contractors, including ORDNANCE TECHNOLOGY SERVICE, INC., Boh Environmental, L.L.C., and AEROSPACE & COMMERCIAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC, who provide niche engineering, environmental compliance, and advanced electronics support. She also collaborates with MCKENZIE CONSTRUCTION & SITE DEVELOPMENT LLC for facility-related infrastructure and EOS OF NORTH AMERICA, INC. for specialized component manufacturing. Her contracting patterns reflect a preference for long-term, technically complex partnerships with firms possessing deep domain expertise in undersea systems and defense-grade manufacturing. Her procurement strategy prioritizes open competition, with approximately 70% of awards issued without set-asides, while maintaining a consistent 30% commitment to total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5. This reflects a balanced approach that ensures access to specialized capabilities while actively fostering small business participation across the defense industrial base. Her primary NAICS focus areas include 332710 (Machine Shops) and 336611 (Ship Building and Repairing), underscoring her expertise in procuring precision-machined components and vessel integration services. Additional emphasis on 334419 (Other Electronic Component Manufacturing) and 335929 (Other Communication and Energy Wire Manufacturing) highlights her technical proficiency in sourcing ruggedized electronics and underwater communication systems essential to undersea platform survivability and mission effectiveness.