Brandi Firestien

Brandi Firestien supports the Fleet Readiness Center’s mission to sustain and modernize U.S. Navy aviation and maritime combat systems through strategic procurement of critical maintenance, repair, and technical services. While her official title is not publicly listed, her procurement activities center on acquiring advanced avionics, mission-critical equipment, and digital technical documentation solutions that ensure fleet readiness. She manages a diverse portfolio of acquisitions spanning aircraft manufacturing, instrumentation, and software-enabled maintenance systems, aligning with the Center’s priorities in predictive analytics and legacy system modernization. Her work directly enables operational readiness by securing reliable, high-integrity components and services for naval aircraft and support infrastructure. Firestien maintains consistent working relationships with key contractors including CraneWorks, Inc., Furnacare Inc., and Carteret Fire Control, LLC—firms recognized for their expertise in aircraft component repair, thermal management systems, and fire control instrumentation. These partnerships reflect a preference for established vendors with proven capabilities in defense-grade maintenance and specialized engineering services. Her contracting approach emphasizes technical reliability, compliance with military specifications, and long-term sustainment support, fostering collaborative vendor relationships built on performance history and mission alignment. Her procurement patterns demonstrate a balanced approach to socioeconomic contracting, with 60% of awards issued under open competition and 40% reserved for small business participation. She actively utilizes 8(a) competed set-asides and Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5, reflecting a strong commitment to expanding opportunities for small, certified firms in defense technical services. This pattern supports broader DoD goals of fostering innovation and resilience within the defense industrial base. Firestien’s primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 336411 (Aircraft Manufacturing), with significant activity in 811310 (Commercial and Industrial Machinery Repair) and 513210 (Software Publishers). She regularly acquires avionics overhaul services, precision test instrumentation, and digital maintenance platforms—domains requiring deep technical expertise in naval aviation systems. Her work bridges hardware sustainment with software-enabled diagnostics, ensuring the Navy’s fleet remains operationally ready through integrated, next-generation support solutions.