Suanne M. Coonrad

Suanne M. Coonrad serves as Division Head at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock (N00167), where she leads procurement strategy for advanced maritime systems research and development. In this role, she oversees the acquisition of professional and technical services critical to enhancing naval vessel performance, signature management, and underwater platform survivability. Her portfolio encompasses high-complexity engineering support, testing, and evaluation contracts that directly enable the Department of the Navy’s mission to innovate and validate next-generation naval technologies. She manages end-to-end contracting cycles for mission-critical R&D initiatives, ensuring alignment with strategic defense priorities and technical requirements. Coonrad maintains longstanding relationships with leading defense and engineering contractors including BAE Systems Land & Armaments L.P., Goodrich Corp, Aerospace & Commercial Technologies, LLC, CB Design & Huitt Zollars Joint Venture, LLC, and Westmoreland Mechanical Testing & Research, Inc. These partnerships are characterized by deep technical collaboration, often involving proprietary hydrodynamic modeling, propulsion system validation, and sensor integration services. Her procurement approach emphasizes sustained vendor engagement, performance-based contracting, and the leveraging of specialized industry expertise to meet stringent naval operational standards. Her contracting activity reflects a strict focus on full and open competition, with 100% of awards issued under no set-aside conditions. This indicates a preference for technical merit and capability over socioeconomic classifications, aligning with the high-stakes, mission-critical nature of Carderock’s programs. While small business participation is not formally prioritized in her portfolio, she ensures compliance with all federal acquisition regulations and fosters competition among qualified industry partners. Her primary NAICS focus areas—541990 (All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services) and 921190 (Other General Government Support)—reflect her leadership in procuring advanced engineering, testing, and systems analysis services. She specializes in acquiring expertise in hydrodynamics, acoustic signature reduction, propulsion efficiency, and integrated sensor systems, directly supporting Carderock’s role as a premier naval R&D facility.