Sara Kniceley

Sara Kniceley serves as a Contract Specialist at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division (NSWC Dahlgren), where she plays a pivotal role in executing complex acquisitions to support the Department of the Navy’s advanced warfighting capabilities. Her responsibilities encompass the full lifecycle management of contracts for research, development, test, and evaluation of electronic warfare systems, command and control platforms, embedded computing, and sensor technologies. She specializes in securing mission-critical hardware, software, and engineering services that enable integrated naval combat systems, ensuring compliance with federal acquisition regulations and technical performance standards. Kniceley maintains consistent working relationships with key contractors including TEX-TECH ENGINEERED COMPOSITES, LLC, TATITLEK GOVERNMENT SERVICES, INC., 3DB LABS INC, WASTE REMOVAL USA, LLC, and BOWHEAD PROGRAM MANAGEMENT & OPERATIONS, LLC. These partnerships reflect a focus on high-performance materials, systems integration, specialized engineering support, and mission logistics. Her procurement approach emphasizes technical rigor, risk mitigation, and performance-based outcomes, fostering long-term vendor collaboration grounded in compliance and mission alignment. Her contracting patterns show a strong preference for unrestricted competitions, with 93.3% of awards issued without set-asides, indicating a focus on broad market competition for technically demanding requirements. When small business participation is pursued, it is primarily through Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5, reflecting a measured but deliberate commitment to socioeconomic objectives without compromising mission readiness. Kniceley’s primary NAICS focus areas include Machine Tool Manufacturing, Ship Building and Repairing, Computer Storage Device Manufacturing, and Custom Computer Programming Services, underscoring her expertise in procuring advanced manufacturing components, naval platform integration, data storage systems, and bespoke software solutions. Her portfolio reflects deep technical alignment with electronic warfare, signal processing, and embedded systems development, supporting NSWC Dahlgren’s mission to deliver next-generation naval combat capabilities.