Stephen D. Noethen

Stephen D. Noethen serves as a Contract Specialist at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock (N00167), where he plays a pivotal role in executing complex acquisitions that support the development, testing, and evaluation of advanced naval maritime systems. His responsibilities include managing the full lifecycle of contracts for research, engineering, and specialized manufacturing services critical to enhancing ship survivability, signature management, and propulsion efficiency. Noethen routinely handles performance-based, cost-reimbursement, and firm-fixed-price contracts aligned with the Department of the Navy’s strategic modernization goals, ensuring compliance with FAR and DFARS requirements while maintaining rigorous technical oversight. He maintains consistent working relationships with leading defense and aerospace contractors including BAE Systems Land & Armaments L.P., Goodrich Corp, and Aerospace & Commercial Technologies, LLC, partnering with firms capable of delivering high-precision engineering solutions and mission-critical hardware. His procurement approach emphasizes collaboration with established industry leaders with proven capabilities in naval systems integration, while also engaging specialized joint ventures such as CB Design & Huitt Zollars Joint Venture, LLC, to address niche technical requirements in structural testing and advanced diagnostics. Noethen’s contracting portfolio is overwhelmingly non-set-aside, with 93.8% of awards issued under full and open competition, reflecting the highly specialized nature of Carderock’s technical demands. While small business participation is limited, he consistently leverages Total Small Business Set-Asides (FAR 19.5) when market conditions and technical scope permit, demonstrating a measured commitment to socioeconomic goals without compromising mission readiness. His primary NAICS focus areas include 541330 (Engineering Services), 541712 (R&D in Physical and Engineering Sciences), 332710 (Machine Shops), 334516 (Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing), and 333413 (Industrial Fan and Blower Manufacturing), underscoring his expertise in procuring precision machining, sensor instrumentation, computational modeling, and aerodynamic testing equipment essential to naval platform development.