Photo By Petty Officer 3rd Class Brendan McCormack | Jackie Coble, level I program manager for Special Emphasis Programs at NAVSUP Weapon...... read more read more
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The Gaylord National Resort Convention Center buzzed with activity on Sunday as exhibitors from dozens of defense industry companies prepared their exhibit booths for the Sea Air Space (SAS) exposition the following day. An annual three-day event sponsored by the Navy League, SAS is as much a showcase of state of the art for defense and maritime industry and policy as it is a networking opportunity for businesses looking to contract with the U.S. Navy.
Among the official U.S. delegations to the convention was the Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP), an echelon 2 command that awards more than 40% of Navy contracts. NAVSUP’s procurement responsibilities comprise weapon systems, spares and repair parts; Navy medical supplies and services; and commercial supplies and services that support the fleet.
“Every vendor here wants to do business with one of the Navy’s weapon systems or otherwise fulfill the Navy’s procurement needs,” said NAVSUP Weapon Systems Support Vice Commander Lynn Kohl. “However, the Navy has specific procurement compliance requirements, so aspiring entrants into the marketplace often don’t know how to get started. That’s why it’s so important for NAVSUP to send representatives to the expo. Yes, we are the gatekeepers, but we’re trying to get people in, not keep them out,” Kohl clarified, “so it’s important we help businesses find the gate.”
The expo featured presentations from NAVSUP representatives, all of whom are experts in logistics, contracting, information technology, and small business. Presentation topics included how to take advantage of opportunities to work with NAVSUP, how NAVSUP conducts sourcing and how NAVSUP engages small businesses for its procurement operations.
“NAVSUP’s presence here at Sea Air Space is invaluable,” maintains NAVSUP Weapons Systems Support Level I Program Manager for Special Emphasis Programs Jackie Coble. “The Navy has unmet procurement needs and the dollars needed to meet them. But the defense industrial base is struggling to keep up with Navy demand.”
The cause of that struggle is often twofold. Sometimes existing contractors lack the capacity to fulfill Navy procurement needs completely, and sometimes there are simply no bidders for certain contracts. In the first case, the problem can be solved by connecting primary contractors with subcontractors, to whom they can outsource procurement beyond their capacity limits. In the second case, the problem can be solved by clarifying the Navy’s procurement compliance requirements so more businesses can bid for unfulfilled contracts.
“We have educated so many potential contractors here, and invited them to learn more about NAVSUP, what we do, what we are looking for, and how they can find opportunities to support us,” Coble added. “There is definitely a space for subcontractors to support the Navy, just as much as primary contractors, and we are closing this week with new and strengthened relationships and a more robust contractor pool.”
NAVSUP is headquartered in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, and employs a diverse, worldwide workforce of more than 25,000 military and civilian personnel. NAVSUP and the Navy Supply Corps conduct and enable supply chain, acquisition, operational logistics and Sailor & family care activities with our mission partners to generate readiness and sustain naval forces worldwide to prevent and decisively win wars. Learn more at www.navsup.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/navsup and https://twitter.com/navsup.
| Date Taken: | 04.23.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 04.24.2026 12:55 |
| Story ID: | 563444 |
| Location: | NATIONAL HARBOR, MARYLAND, US |
| Web Views: | 33 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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