Ashley E. Houghton

Ashley Houghton serves as a primary contracting professional within Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSYSCOM), playing a critical role in advancing the U.S. Navy’s maritime technological superiority through the acquisition of advanced nautical and aerospace systems. Responsible for managing complex procurement actions under the N00024 agency code, Houghton specializes in the lifecycle support of mission-critical naval electronics, including search, detection, navigation, and guidance systems. Their work directly supports fleet readiness by ensuring the integration of cutting-edge sensor suites, sonar arrays, and combat control systems onto surface and undersea platforms, aligning acquisitions with NAVSEA’s strategic imperatives for modernization and operational readiness. Houghton maintains established working relationships with leading defense contractors including Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation, Huntington Ingalls Incorporated, and Damen Shipbuilding & Cooperation B.V., as well as specialized technology providers such as G.S.E. Dynamics, Inc. and Aerospace & Commercial Technologies, LLC. These partnerships reflect a focus on prime contractors with proven expertise in naval systems integration, electronics manufacturing, and shipboard system modernization. The contracting approach emphasizes performance-based outcomes, technical compliance, and long-term sustainment capabilities, often involving multi-year, high-complexity contract vehicles. Set-aside preferences indicate a strong emphasis on open competition, with 77.8% of awards issued without socioeconomic set-asides. However, a consistent 22.2% of contracts are awarded under Total Small Business Set-Asides (FAR 19.5), demonstrating a deliberate commitment to enabling small business participation in high-technology naval procurement without compromising mission requirements. Houghton’s procurement portfolio is exclusively focused on NAICS 334511—Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing. This specialization underscores deep expertise in procuring precision maritime electronics, including radar systems, sonar transducers, inertial navigation units, and integrated combat management hardware essential to modern warships and submarines. Their work ensures the Navy maintains technological dominance in undersea and surface warfare domains through the acquisition of mission-critical sensor and control systems.