Bradley Wicks

Bradley Wicks serves as the primary contracting lead for Nuwc Division Newport, a key research and development hub within the Department of the Navy. In this role, he manages the acquisition of advanced maritime systems critical to naval dominance across undersea, surface, and aerial domains. His responsibilities include overseeing the full lifecycle of contracts for sensor technologies, electronic warfare components, and integrated communication systems, ensuring alignment with the agency’s mission to develop and evaluate next-generation naval capabilities. Wicks specializes in complex technical procurements requiring stringent performance validation and rapid prototyping, often coordinating with engineering and operational teams to translate warfighter needs into precise solicitation requirements. Wicks maintains consistent partnerships with a select group of high-caliber contractors, including Science Applications International Corporation, Aerospace & Commercial Technologies, LLC, Astronics Test Systems Inc, Serco Inc, and Mikel Inc. These relationships reflect a preference for vendors with proven expertise in defense-grade instrumentation, test and evaluation infrastructure, and mission-critical subsystems. His contracting approach emphasizes long-term collaboration with firms capable of delivering ruggedized, field-deployable solutions under tight technical and schedule constraints, fostering a culture of innovation and accountability. Wicks exhibits a balanced approach to socioeconomic set-asides, with approximately half of his acquisitions designated as total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5, while the remainder remain open competition. This pattern underscores a deliberate commitment to expanding opportunities for small businesses without compromising access to specialized capabilities, reflecting a strategic alignment with Navy-wide small business participation goals. His procurement focus centers on NAICS 334515 and 334511, encompassing the manufacture of precision instruments for electrical signal measurement and naval navigation systems. He also frequently procures components from NAICS 332991, 335999, and 332710, including specialized bearings, electrical subsystems, and precision-machined parts. This technical portfolio highlights deep expertise in electro-optical, acoustic, and mechanical systems integral to undersea surveillance, sonar arrays, and autonomous platform integration.