Counsel, Strategic Systems Programs

Dean R. Berman

Dean R. Berman is the Counsel for the Strategic Systems Programs (SSP). In this capacity, he serves as the legal advisor to the Director, SSP, a Flag rank military officer. SSP, an echelon II command, is responsible for the development, production, and maintenance of the Department of the Navy’s (DON) submarine launched strategic weapons system and fleet ballistic missile systems (including the TRIDENT II D-5 missile weapons system). SSP is also responsible for the development of the common missile compartment for the United States’ and United Kingdom’s next generation Ohio Class submarine, DON’s Nuclear Weapons Security Program, DON’s ship submersible guided nuclear attack weapons system, payload integration for DON’s large diameter missile tubes, emerging programs such as the conventional TRIDENT modification and the prompt global strike missile systems, implementation of the Polaris / TRIDENT Sales Agreement with the United Kingdom, and management of the Naval Treaty Implementation Program (DON’s arms control program). SSP has approximately 400 employees at its headquarters and 1500 employees at its 6 field offices and 5 detachments.

Mr. Berman manages SSP’s legal office, which includes 11 attorneys and one legal secretary. Mr. Berman provides legal advice in the areas of Government contract law, fiscal law, international law, civilian personnel law, litigation, ethics, arms control, environmental law, civil fraud, and intellectual property law. His main areas of expertise are Government contract law and fiscal law.

Mr. Berman was selected as SSP’s Counsel in August of 1997 and was promoted to the Senior Executive Service in January of 2010. Prior to serving as SSP’s Counsel, Mr. Berman served as SSP’s Deputy Counsel from 1990 through 1997 and as an Assistant Counsel in SSP from 1985 through 1990. From 1983 through 1985, Mr. Berman served as an Assistant Counsel with the Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) at the Patuxent River Naval Air Station. Mr. Berman’s work at NAVSUP involved mostly bid protests before the Comptroller General. Mr. Berman began his career as a law clerk working in the NAVSUP headquarters office from 1982 through 1983.

Mr. Berman has a Juris Doctorate from the National Law Center, George Washington University and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Maryland. He is a member of the District of Columbia Bar.