Thomas Blake Clift

Thomas Blake Clift serves as a Contract Specialist at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division (NSWC Dahlgren), where he plays a critical role in executing complex acquisitions to support the development and integration of advanced naval warfare systems. His responsibilities encompass the full lifecycle of contract management—from solicitation and evaluation to award and administration—focusing primarily on engineering services and specialized manufacturing needs aligned with the Center’s mission in electronic warfare, command and control, and embedded computing. Clift ensures compliance with federal acquisition regulations while facilitating timely delivery of mission-critical technologies for surface ship combat systems and networked battle environments. Clift maintains consistent working relationships with key contractors including TEX-TECH ENGINEERED COMPOSITES, LLC, TATITLEK GOVERNMENT SERVICES, INC., 3DB LABS INC, WASTE REMOVAL USA, LLC, and BOWHEAD PROGRAM MANAGEMENT & OPERATIONS, LLC. These partnerships reflect a preference for established vendors with proven technical capabilities in defense-grade engineering, systems integration, and logistics support. His procurement approach emphasizes performance-based contracting, technical rigor, and vendor reliability, fostering long-term collaborations with firms capable of delivering high-assurance solutions under stringent military standards. Clift’s acquisition portfolio reflects a 100% preference for open, unrestricted competitions with no set-asides for 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, or other socioeconomic programs. This indicates a procurement strategy prioritizing technical capability and mission readiness over socioeconomic targeting, aligning with NSWC Dahlgren’s operational urgency and specialized technical requirements. His primary NAICS focus is 541330 (Engineering Services), driving the majority of his acquisitions in systems engineering, test and evaluation, and advanced sensor integration. A secondary focus on 333923 (Overhead Traveling Crane, Hoist, and Monorail System Manufacturing) supports specialized infrastructure needs for weapon system testing and assembly. Clift’s expertise lies at the intersection of defense engineering and procurement, ensuring that NSWC Dahlgren’s cutting-edge RDT&E initiatives are enabled by precisely scoped, technically sound contracts.