Melissa M. Kopriva

Melissa M. Kopriva serves as a Contract Specialist at W4GG Hq US Army Tacom, where she plays a critical role in executing the lifecycle acquisition and sustainment of ground combat and support vehicle systems. She manages complex procurement actions for armored vehicles, tactical wheeled platforms, and associated ordnance components, ensuring alignment with Department of Defense modernization priorities. Her work spans the full spectrum of contracting phases—from requirements validation and market research to source selection and contract administration—supporting the agency’s mission to maintain technological superiority and operational readiness of U.S. Army ground forces. Kopriva maintains consistent working relationships with key industrial partners including Schutt Industries, VAREC NV, ONTIC Engineering & Manufacturing, A&M Aerostuctures, and Bowhead Avionics Manufacturing. These partnerships reflect a focus on specialized engineering, advanced manufacturing, and avionics integration for military platforms. She engages with vendors possessing deep domain expertise in heavy-gauge metal fabrication, armored vehicle component production, and tactical system integration, fostering collaborative, performance-based contracting approaches that emphasize quality, reliability, and lifecycle support. Her procurement patterns show a strong preference for open competition, with 83.3% of awards issued without set-aside designations, reflecting the technical complexity and limited vendor base in defense-specific manufacturing. However, she actively supports small business participation, with 16.7% of awards structured as total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5, demonstrating a balanced commitment to both mission needs and socioeconomic goals. Kopriva’s primary procurement focus centers on NAICS 333912 (air and gas compressor manufacturing), 336212 (truck trailer manufacturing), 332420 (heavy-gauge metal tank manufacturing), and 336992 (military armored vehicle and tank component manufacturing). She specializes in procuring mission-critical systems including armored hulls, integrated suspension assemblies, pressure-regulated air systems, and survivability-enhancing vehicle subsystems, requiring deep technical understanding of military specifications and defense supply chain dynamics.