Alan Kesten

Alan Kesten serves as a Contract Specialist within the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), where he plays a critical role in executing the lifecycle acquisition of naval aviation systems. Responsible for managing complex contract actions from solicitation through award and administration, Kesten supports NAVAIR’s mission to sustain and modernize carrier-based and expeditionary aircraft, weapons, and avionics. His portfolio primarily encompasses full-spectrum procurement activities for aircraft manufacturing, including airframe integration, propulsion systems, and mission-critical avionics. He works closely with program managers and technical teams to ensure contractual compliance with defense acquisition regulations and operational readiness requirements. Kesten maintains consistent, high-volume contracting relationships with leading defense prime contractors, including Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, Lockheed Martin Corporation, and General Atomics. These partnerships center on the development, production, and sustainment of advanced rotary-wing and fixed-wing platforms, unmanned aerial systems, and integrated weapons suites. His working pattern reflects deep collaboration with industry leaders who possess proven technical expertise in naval aviation systems, often involving long-term, performance-based contracts with rigorous quality and delivery standards. Kesten’s procurement activities reflect a strong preference for full and open competition, with 100% of his awards issued under no set-aside classifications. This underscores a strategic alignment with NAVAIR’s mission to prioritize technical capability and operational readiness over socioeconomic set-asides, ensuring access to the most capable industrial base for critical defense systems. While small business participation is not formally prioritized in his portfolio, he adheres strictly to all federal acquisition regulations governing fair and transparent competition. His primary focus is on NAICS 336411 (Aircraft Manufacturing), where he procures high-performance military aircraft, propulsion components, flight control systems, and associated support infrastructure. Kesten’s technical expertise lies in the acquisition of advanced aerospace systems requiring stringent certification, classified integration, and sustainment under military specification standards.