Sarah Shelton

Sarah Shelton serves as a secondary procurement lead within the Commander (M00264) under the Department of the Navy, supporting the modernization of naval warfighting systems through technical acquisition services. Though not the primary contracting officer, she plays a critical role in facilitating the planning, solicitation, and execution of mission-critical contracts aligned with command and control modernization, tactical computing, and cyber-enabled decision support. Her work centers on securing advanced systems engineering and integrated technology solutions that enhance operational readiness, particularly in sensor networks, secure communications, and armored vehicle command systems. She routinely engages in complex, performance-based acquisitions requiring rigorous technical evaluation and systems integration expertise. Shelton maintains consistent working relationships with a core group of specialized contractors including GOLDBELT HAWK L.L.C., ALEX-ALTERNATIVE EXPERTS, LLC, TNDA TECHNOLOGIES INC., BC MARKET SOLUTIONS LLC, and BIOSPACE, INC. These partners are selected for their proven capabilities in delivering high-assurance computing environments, mission-critical software development, and defense-grade systems integration. Her procurement approach favors established vendors with deep domain expertise in naval operational architectures, often engaging them through competitive sealed bidding and performance-based task orders that emphasize technical innovation and rapid fielding. Shelton’s contracting portfolio reflects a strict preference for open competition, with 100% of acquisitions issued without set-aside designations such as 8(a), HUBZone, or SDVOSB. This indicates a procurement strategy prioritizing technical capability and mission urgency over socioeconomic preferences, aligning with the agency’s focus on rapid capability insertion and operational continuity. Her primary procurement focus is on NAICS 541512 (Computer Systems Design Services), encompassing the design, integration, and sustainment of secure, real-time tactical computing systems. She consistently acquires advanced software architectures, embedded systems, cybersecurity-hardened platforms, and mission-specific data analytics tools that directly support naval command, control, and intelligence operations.