Brandi Firestien

Brandi Firestien serves as a Contract Specialist within the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), supporting the acquisition and lifecycle management of critical naval aviation systems for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. In this role, she manages complex contract actions spanning aircraft platforms, weapons systems, avionics, and logistics support infrastructure, ensuring alignment with defense acquisition regulations and operational readiness requirements. Her work is central to NAVAIR’s mission of maintaining air superiority through timely, compliant, and technically sound procurement of advanced aerospace capabilities, with a focus on carrier-based and expeditionary aviation systems. Firestien maintains established working relationships with leading defense prime contractors including Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, Lockheed Martin Corporation, and General Atomics, consistently engaging these partners on high-priority programs involving manned and unmanned aircraft, missile systems, and mission-critical avionics. Her contracting approach emphasizes performance-based outcomes, risk mitigation, and rigorous technical oversight, fostering long-term vendor partnerships grounded in accountability and mission alignment. She also collaborates with specialized logistics and training providers such as Global Air Logistics and Training, Inc., to ensure comprehensive sustainment support. Her procurement portfolio reflects a strong preference for open competition, with 77.8% of awards issued without set-asides, indicating a focus on leveraging full market capability for complex, high-performance systems. However, she actively supports small business participation, with 22.2% of awards designated as total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5, demonstrating a balanced commitment to both mission necessity and socioeconomic contracting goals. Firestien’s primary technical focus lies in NAICS 336411 (Aircraft Manufacturing) and 336414 (Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing), reflecting her expertise in procuring advanced airframes and precision-guided munitions. She also routinely handles acquisitions in 334511 (aeronautical systems and instrumentation) and 332994 (ordnance accessories), underscoring her deep familiarity with integrated weapons systems, sensor technologies, and specialized components critical to naval aviation operations.