Mercedes Thurston

Mercedes Thurston serves as a Contracting Officer responsible for managing complex acquisition programs within the maritime and shipbuilding sectors. She plays a critical role in executing full lifecycle procurement activities, from solicitation and evaluation to contract award and administration, ensuring compliance with federal acquisition regulations and mission-critical operational requirements. Her portfolio primarily supports naval and commercial water transportation infrastructure, with a focus on technical services and capital asset maintenance. Thurston is known for her precision in structuring performance-based contracts and her emphasis on risk mitigation through robust contract clauses and contractor performance monitoring. Thurston maintains professional relationships with a select group of specialized contractors experienced in shipbuilding, marine systems integration, and water transportation support services. While no single contractor dominates her award profile, she consistently engages firms with proven capabilities in vessel repair, dry dock operations, and maritime logistics support. Her contracting approach emphasizes long-term vendor reliability, technical competency, and adherence to quality standards, fostering stable, performance-driven partnerships rather than transactional engagements. Thurston’s procurement strategy reflects a strong preference for unrestricted competition, with 100% of her awards issued under the “No Set-Aside” category. This indicates a deliberate focus on technical merit and capability over socioeconomic classifications, aligning with mission needs that require specialized, non-traditional expertise. While she does not prioritize 8(a), HUBZone, or SDVOSB set-asides, her processes remain fully compliant with all small business statutes, and she actively evaluates small business participation where it enhances competition or technical capacity. Her primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 336611 (Ship Building and Repairing), where she manages contracts for vessel construction, modernization, and maintenance, and NAICS 488390 (Other Support Activities for Water Transportation), encompassing port services, marine logistics, and technical support for fleet operations. Thurston’s domain expertise centers on complex engineering systems, naval architecture standards, and maritime regulatory compliance, making her a key liaison between technical stakeholders and acquisition teams in the maritime defense and transportation sectors.