Melinda S Carlson

Melinda S. Carlson supports the Naval Undersea Warfare Center’s mission by managing critical procurement activities for advanced undersea warfare systems, including sonar, signal processing, and ruggedized computing platforms essential to submarine and unmanned undersea vehicle operations. She plays a key role in acquiring specialized electronic and electro-mechanical components that enable operational superiority in hostile maritime environments. Her acquisitions typically involve complex technical systems requiring stringent environmental testing, compliance with MIL-STD specifications, and integration with classified naval architectures, ensuring that delivered capabilities meet the Navy’s demanding undersea warfare requirements. Carlson maintains consistent working relationships with a core group of contractors including Ordnance Technology Service, Inc., Boh Environmental, L.L.C., and Aerospace & Commercial Technologies, LLC, all of which provide specialized engineering, environmental testing, and electronic subsystems tailored to undersea conditions. She also engages with niche manufacturers and construction firms such as McKenzie Construction & Site Development LLC and EOS of North America, Inc., reflecting a broad need for both technical hardware and facility support. Her contracting approach emphasizes technical precision, supply chain resilience, and long-term sustainment partnerships with vendors who demonstrate deep domain expertise in naval systems. Her procurement portfolio reflects a strong preference for open competition, with 61.3% of awards issued without set-asides, while 38.7% are designated as total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5. This balance indicates a strategic focus on leveraging small business innovation without compromising mission-critical performance, with particular emphasis on firms capable of delivering high-reliability components under tight technical constraints. Carlson’s primary NAICS focus areas include machine shops (332710), electronic connector manufacturing (334417), and switchgear manufacturing (335313), underscoring her specialization in precision mechanical and electronic subsystems. She procures ruggedized connectors, signal conditioning hardware, and mission-critical peripheral equipment designed for high-vibration, saltwater, and extreme-pressure environments, aligning closely with the Navy’s need for durable, high-performance undersea electronics.