Kristen Duhaime

Kristen Duhaime serves as Branch Head of the C451 Branch at Norfolk Naval Shipyard Gf, overseeing the planning, execution, and administration of critical procurement actions supporting the maintenance, modernization, and operational readiness of U.S. Navy vessels. In this role, she directs the acquisition of industrial and engineering services essential to sustaining the Navy’s fleet integrity, including ship repair, machinery overhaul, and compliance-driven maintenance programs. Her portfolio encompasses complex, mission-critical contracts requiring technical expertise in naval systems, precision engineering, and regulatory compliance, ensuring alignment with Department of the Navy strategic priorities for fleet readiness and shipyard efficiency. Duhaime maintains consistent working relationships with a core group of specialized contractors, including G I INDUSTRIAL-MARINE, LLC, OWL INTERNATIONAL INC., AMEE BAY, LLC, MID ATLANTIC ENGINEERING TECHNICAL SERVICES, INC., and MILLS MARINE & SHIP REPAIR LLC. These partnerships reflect a preference for vendors with proven capabilities in shipyard operations, marine industrial services, and naval-specific fabrication. Her contracting approach emphasizes long-term vendor reliability, technical proficiency in naval environments, and adherence to stringent quality and safety standards, fostering collaborative, performance-based engagements that support sustained operational readiness. Her procurement strategy reflects a balanced approach to socioeconomic objectives, with approximately one-third of awards structured as Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5, demonstrating a deliberate commitment to expanding opportunities for small businesses in the naval industrial base. While the majority of acquisitions remain open to all competitors, her consistent use of small business set-asides underscores a strategic emphasis on diversifying the contractor pool and enhancing competition among qualified small entities. Duhaime’s primary procurement focus centers on NAICS 562910 (Remediation Services), 238390 (Other Building Finishing Contractors), and 336611 (Ship Building and Repairing), reflecting deep expertise in environmental compliance, structural refurbishment, and vessel maintenance. She also regularly procures specialized metal fabrication and industrial ventilation systems under NAICS 332919 and 333413, underscoring her technical command over the full spectrum of shipyard support services required to sustain complex naval platforms.