William J. Hepler

William J. Hepler serves as a key procurement professional within the Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) Systems and Experimental Warfare Center, supporting the Department of the Navy’s mission to advance maritime operational readiness through cutting-edge engineering and scientific research. He manages a diverse portfolio of acquisitions focused on experimental warfare technologies, ocean infrastructure development, and explosive effects analysis, ensuring the procurement of technically complex systems that meet rigorous naval standards. His work bridges scientific innovation with acquisition execution, overseeing contracts that span research, engineering services, and specialized construction to sustain naval installations and emerging maritime capabilities. Hepler maintains strategic relationships with a select group of high-specialization contractors, including Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution for oceanographic research, Sociedad Española de Montajes Industriales SA for advanced industrial systems, and Emerging Compounds Treatment Technologies, Inc. for environmental remediation solutions. His contracting patterns reflect deep collaboration with niche scientific and engineering vendors capable of delivering classified, experimental, or mission-critical technologies, often requiring tailored compliance with DoD security and environmental protocols. His procurement approach prioritizes open competition, with 78.6% of awards issued without set-aside restrictions, while maintaining a consistent 21.4% commitment to total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5. This reflects a balanced strategy that values both technical capability and socioeconomic inclusion, with small business participation focused on firms capable of delivering specialized R&D and engineering services. His primary NAICS focus is 541715 (Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences), underscoring his expertise in procuring advanced scientific services, including ocean sensing, telemetry, and explosive hazard modeling. Secondary focus areas include heavy civil engineering construction and security systems services, aligning with NAVFAC’s mission to integrate resilient infrastructure with experimental warfare capabilities.