Melissa Ford

Melissa Ford serves as a primary contracting professional at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Philadelphia Division, where she plays a critical role in acquiring advanced engineering, electronic, and mechanical systems essential to naval shipboard readiness. Her portfolio centers on mission-critical procurement for propulsion, damage control, ballast, and industrial control infrastructure, ensuring sustained operational capability across surface fleets. She manages complex acquisitions under the Department of the Navy, aligning with strategic modernization goals through technical oversight, competitive sourcing, and compliance with federal acquisition regulations. Ford maintains consistent working relationships with leading defense and industrial contractors including FAIRBANKS MORSE, LLC, LEIDOS, INC., ROLLS-ROYCE CORPORATION, G. S. E. DYNAMICS, INC., and KAMPI COMPONENTS CO INC. These partnerships reflect a balance between established prime contractors delivering integrated systems and specialized vendors providing niche components and engineering services. Her procurement approach emphasizes technical rigor, lifecycle support, and performance-based contracting to ensure reliability in high-stakes naval environments. A strong advocate for small business participation, Ford consistently structures solicitations to maximize opportunities for small businesses, with nearly 44% of her awards designated as total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5. While no set-aside remains the majority, her pattern demonstrates deliberate inclusion of small and emerging vendors, particularly those with expertise in niche manufacturing and engineering services, supporting broader socioeconomic objectives within naval procurement. Her primary NAICS focus includes 532490 for equipment leasing, 327999 for nonmetallic mineral products, 325211 for plastics materials, 541330 for engineering services, and 333912 for air and gas compressor manufacturing. These reflect a technical emphasis on specialized components, material systems, and engineering support critical to shipboard integration, demonstrating deep domain knowledge in naval mechanical and industrial systems procurement.