Taura Helms

Taura Helms serves as a primary contracting professional at Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center Puget Sound, where she plays a central role in executing acquisitions critical to the readiness and sustainment of U.S. Navy surface and submarine fleets. She manages a diverse portfolio of contracts for marine engineering systems, structural components, and precision-fabricated hardware essential to vessel integrity and operational longevity. Her work directly supports the agency’s mission to ensure the continued functionality of naval platforms through timely, compliant procurement of mission-critical industrial and mechanical systems. Helms maintains established relationships with key industry partners including Timken Gears & Services Inc., Curtiss-Wright Electro-Mechanical Corp, Bellingham Marine Industries, Palfinger Marine USA, and Jered LLC. These partnerships reflect a focus on high-reliability suppliers capable of delivering complex mechanical, electro-mechanical, and marine-specific fabrication solutions under stringent naval specifications. Her contracting approach emphasizes long-term vendor collaboration, technical alignment, and performance accountability to meet the rigorous demands of naval maintenance and modernization cycles. A strong advocate for small business participation, Helms consistently prioritizes Total Small Business Set-Aside contracts under FAR 19.5, with over 61% of her acquisitions reserved for small businesses. This reflects a deliberate strategy to foster competition, enhance industrial base resilience, and leverage the agility of small manufacturers in supporting niche naval requirements. Her contracting patterns demonstrate a sustained commitment to socioeconomic programs that expand opportunities for qualified small entities across the defense supply chain. Her procurement focus centers on NAICS 336611 (Ship Building and Repairing), with significant activity in 333923 (Overhead Traveling Crane and Monorail System Manufacturing), and related categories including gasket and sealing device manufacturing and miscellaneous fabricated metal product production. She specializes in acquiring precision-engineered components for propulsion systems, deck machinery, and structural reinforcements, demonstrating deep technical familiarity with naval vessel maintenance and industrial fabrication standards.