Krista A. Francom

Krista A. Francom serves as a Contract Specialist for the Commander (M00264) under the Department of the Navy, where she manages the acquisition of mission-critical systems supporting naval warfighting readiness. Her responsibilities include planning, soliciting, awarding, and administering contracts for advanced technology solutions in command and control, tactical computing, sensor systems, and armored vehicle modernization. Francom plays a pivotal role in aligning procurement activities with the agency’s strategic priorities of cyber-enabled decision support, real-time data integration, and systems engineering excellence, ensuring acquisitions meet rigorous operational and security standards. She maintains consistent working relationships with a core group of contractors including Goldbelt Hawk L.L.C., Alex-Alternative Experts, LLC, Tnda Technologies Inc., BC Market Solutions LLC, and Biospace, Inc., which provide specialized engineering, technical services, and advanced manufacturing capabilities. These partnerships are characterized by long-term collaboration on complex, performance-based contracts requiring deep domain expertise in defense systems integration and rapid prototyping. Francom favors vendors with proven experience in naval environments and a demonstrated ability to deliver under tight timelines and classified constraints. Francom’s contracting portfolio reflects a strong preference for open competition, with 75% of awards issued without set-aside designations. However, she actively supports small business participation through HUBZone set-asides, which account for 25% of her awards, demonstrating a deliberate commitment to leveraging economically disadvantaged regions for specialized technical talent. Her procurement focus is concentrated in NAICS 326130 for laminated plastic components used in ruggedized military hardware, NAICS 334511 for search, navigation, and guidance systems, and NAICS 541330 for engineering services. She routinely acquires custom-manufactured components, tactical sensor suites, and systems engineering support critical to modernizing naval platforms and enhancing operational resilience in contested environments.