Melinda Milheim

Melinda Miheim serves as a Contract Specialist at the Naval Air Warfare Center (N68936), where she plays a pivotal role in executing mission-critical acquisitions that support the development and integration of advanced naval aviation systems. Her portfolio encompasses the full lifecycle of contract actions—from solicitation and source selection to award and administration—for technologies critical to airborne command and control, avionics modernization, and mission simulation systems. She ensures compliance with federal acquisition regulations while aligning procurements with the agency’s strategic priorities in electronic warfare, sensor fusion, and aerospace systems engineering. Miheim maintains established working relationships with leading defense contractors including Lockheed Martin Corporation, Jacobs Technology Inc., SAIC, Kranze Technology Solutions Inc., and Teya Support Services LLC. These partnerships span complex systems integration, engineering services, and specialized manufacturing, reflecting her experience managing high-technical-risk procurements requiring rigorous technical evaluation and performance-based contracting approaches. She collaborates closely with technical stakeholders to define performance metrics and ensure contractor deliverables meet stringent military standards for reliability and interoperability. A strong advocate for small business participation, Miheim consistently prioritizes Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5, directing approximately 60% of her acquisitions to small businesses. Her contracting patterns reflect a deliberate effort to expand the defense industrial base by engaging capable small firms in niche technical domains, fostering innovation and competition while ensuring compliance with socioeconomic goals. Her primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 334417 (Electronic Connector Manufacturing), 332710 (Machine Shops), 541330 (Engineering Services), and 332993 (Ammunition Manufacturing). These categories underscore her expertise in procuring precision electronic components, machined aerospace parts, technical engineering support, and specialized ordnance systems—key enablers of next-generation naval air platforms and mission-critical hardware.