Nicole Mendes

Nicole Mendes serves as a primary procurement lead within the Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) Systems and Experimental Warfare Center, where she manages complex technical acquisitions aligned with the Department of the Navy’s mission to advance maritime innovation. She oversees the solicitation and award of contracts for cutting-edge research, engineering services, and experimental warfare technologies, ensuring alignment with naval operational readiness goals. Her portfolio centers on high-stakes scientific and technical projects requiring specialized expertise in ocean systems, explosive effects analysis, and infrastructure resilience, making her a critical link between naval requirements and industry capabilities. Mendes maintains strategic relationships with a select group of specialized contractors, including Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution for oceanographic research, Sociedad Española de Montajes Industriales SA for advanced engineering systems, and Emerging Compounds Treatment Technologies, Inc. for environmental remediation solutions. She frequently collaborates with niche research institutions and small technical firms capable of delivering tailored, non-commercial solutions for experimental warfare and marine infrastructure. Her contracting patterns reflect a preference for long-term, mission-critical partnerships with vendors possessing deep domain expertise in naval environments. Her procurement approach prioritizes open competition, with 69.2% of awards issued without set-aside restrictions, yet she consistently supports small business participation through Total Small Business, Women-Owned Small Business, and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business set-asides, each representing 7.7% of her awards. This balanced strategy ensures access to innovative capabilities while fostering socioeconomic diversity among her vendor base. Mendes primarily procures under NAICS 541715 (Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences) and 541330 (Engineering Services), reflecting her focus on advanced scientific R&D and technical engineering support. She also acquires environmental consulting and specialized construction services for power and communication infrastructure, demonstrating expertise in multidisciplinary projects that bridge laboratory innovation with field-deployable naval systems.