April McNellie

April McNellie serves as a Contract Specialist within the Commanding Officer’s office (N63394) of the Department of the Navy, where she plays a pivotal role in executing mission-critical acquisitions to sustain and modernize naval aviation and electronic warfare systems. She manages the full lifecycle of contracts for aerospace components, secure communications infrastructure, and advanced sensor technologies, ensuring alignment with operational readiness goals and cybersecurity standards. Her work directly supports the procurement of mission-enabling systems critical to fleet readiness, with a focus on high-technical-risk, low-volume, and specialized engineering services. McNellie maintains strategic relationships with prime contractors including Aerospace & Commercial Technologies, LLC, and Lockheed Martin Corporation, partnering with industry leaders capable of delivering complex, low-rate production items and integrated electronic systems. Her contracting approach emphasizes technical compliance, risk mitigation, and performance-based outcomes, often involving sole-source or limited-competition actions for proprietary or classified technologies. She collaborates closely with engineering and acquisition stakeholders to align contract requirements with evolving naval aviation needs. A strong advocate for small business participation, McNellie consistently prioritizes Total Small Business Set-Aside contracts under FAR 19.5, with over 58% of her awards directed to small businesses. She also actively utilizes 8(a), EDWOSB, and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business set-asides, reflecting a deliberate strategy to foster innovation and diversity within the defense supply base. Her socioeconomic contracting patterns demonstrate a balanced commitment to both capability and compliance. Her primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 481211 (Nonscheduled Chartered Passenger Air Transportation), reflecting support for specialized logistics and mobility services for naval aviation units, alongside industrial laundry services (812332) for fleet support and flight training (611512) for pilot readiness. She also procures audio/video equipment (334310) and natural gas distribution services (221210) for shore-based infrastructure, demonstrating a nuanced understanding of the diverse operational footprint required to sustain naval air operations.