Steven Besanko

Steven Besanko serves as a primary contracting professional at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock (N00167), where he plays a pivotal role in advancing naval maritime capabilities through the acquisition of advanced engineering, sensor, and systems integration services. He manages a diverse portfolio of procurement actions aligned with the agency’s mission to enhance ship survivability, hydrodynamic performance, and signature management technologies. His acquisitions typically support research, development, testing, and evaluation of naval platforms, with a focus on technical solutions that improve propulsion efficiency, underwater acoustics, and sensor fidelity for surface and subsurface vessels. Besanko maintains consistent working relationships with leading defense and aerospace contractors including BAE Systems Land & Armaments L.P., GOODRICH CORP, and Aerospace & Commercial Technologies, LLC, as well as specialized engineering and testing firms such as CB Design & Huitt Zollars Joint Venture, LLC and Westmoreland Mechanical Testing & Research, Inc. These partnerships reflect a preference for established industry leaders with proven expertise in naval systems, while also enabling collaboration on complex, mission-critical hardware and software integration projects requiring high-assurance compliance and technical rigor. His procurement strategy prioritizes open competition, with over half of acquisitions conducted without set-asides, yet he demonstrates strong support for small business participation, particularly through Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5, which account for nearly 44% of his awards. Women-Owned Small Businesses and 8(a) firms are also included, though at lower volumes, indicating a balanced approach that favors capability-driven competition while sustaining socioeconomic goals. Besanko’s primary NAICS focus areas include engineering services (541330), search and navigation system manufacturing (334511), and computer-related services (541519), reflecting deep expertise in acquiring advanced maritime sensors, signal processing systems, and integrated command and control solutions. His portfolio centers on technologies that enable stealth, situational awareness, and operational resilience across the naval domain.