Michelle K. Cohn

Michelle Kelly Cohn serves as a Contract Specialist at the Naval Surface Warfare Center (N61331), where she plays a critical role in executing complex acquisitions that support the modernization of naval electronic warfare, sensor, and communications systems. She manages the full lifecycle of contracts for engineering services, custom software development, and satellite telecommunications, ensuring compliance with Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) requirements and alignment with the Center’s mission to enhance fleet situational awareness and undersea dominance. Her work directly enables the integration of advanced signal processing, radar, and sonar technologies onto surface ships and maritime platforms. Cohn maintains consistent contracting relationships with key vendors including ISPA Technology LLC, Five Rivers Analytics, LLC, and Bauer Compressors, Inc., primarily engaging firms with proven expertise in defense-grade engineering, data analytics, and mission-critical hardware. Her procurement approach emphasizes technical proficiency and past performance, fostering long-term partnerships with contractors who deliver specialized solutions in electronic systems integration and real-time data processing. Her contracting portfolio reflects a strong preference for open competition, with 85.7% of awards issued without set-asides, while maintaining a meaningful 14.3% allocation to Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5. This balance underscores her commitment to fostering innovation through small business participation without compromising mission-critical performance standards. Cohn’s primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 541330 (Engineering Services), followed by 517410 (Satellite Telecommunications) and 541511 (Custom Computer Programming Services). She routinely acquires technical solutions for embedded systems, secure communications architectures, and tailored software applications that support naval command, control, and intelligence functions, demonstrating deep expertise in defense electronics and maritime technology domains.