Tori Kern

Tori Kern serves as a key procurement professional within the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division (N00164), supporting the Department of the Navy’s mission to develop, test, and sustain advanced electronic, electro-optical, and ordnance systems for naval warfare. She manages complex acquisitions in precision sensing, signal processing, and electronic warfare technologies, ensuring timely delivery of mission-critical capabilities to surface and expeditionary forces. Her work directly enables the modernization of radar, communications, and signal intelligence platforms, aligning procurement strategy with operational readiness priorities across the naval enterprise. Kern maintains consistent contracting relationships with leading defense contractors including Lockheed Martin Corporation, Programs Management Analytics & Technologies Inc., and Black Hills Ammunition Inc., reflecting a preference for established industry partners with proven expertise in high-technology systems integration. She also engages specialized firms such as Integrity Defense Services Inc. and McKenzie Construction & Site Development LLC to support technical infrastructure and site development needs. Her contracting patterns emphasize technical reliability and mission alignment over socioeconomic set-asides, with all awards issued under full and open competition. There is no preference for socioeconomic set-asides such as 8(a), HUBZone, or SDVOSB programs; all acquisitions are conducted under full and open competition, indicating a focus on technical capability and performance over socioeconomic criteria. This reflects a mission-driven procurement posture where system performance and operational readiness take precedence. Kern’s procurement portfolio is dominated by NAICS 334511 (Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing), reflecting deep engagement in radar, electronic warfare, and navigation systems. She also regularly procures engineering services under NAICS 541330, supporting design, analysis, and testing of electro-optical and ordnance systems. Her technical focus lies in advanced signal processing, electronic countermeasures, and precision weapon guidance technologies critical to modern naval dominance.