Candia Lee

Candia Lee serves as the primary contracting lead for NIWC Atlantic, overseeing the acquisition of mission-critical naval warfare systems under the Department of the Navy. She manages a diverse portfolio of contracts focused on advanced communications equipment, engineering services, and integrated electronic systems that support radar, electronic warfare, command and control, and secure tactical networks. Her role is central to the agency’s mission of modernizing maritime sensor architectures and enhancing cybersecurity for naval platforms, ensuring timely delivery of technically complex solutions aligned with operational readiness requirements. She interfaces closely with engineering and program management teams to translate technical requirements into compliant, performance-based solicitations. Lee maintains strong, ongoing relationships with industry leaders such as Amazon Web Services, Inc. and Leidos, Inc., partnering with vendors capable of delivering scalable cloud-enabled architectures, systems integration, and mission-critical software development. Her procurement approach emphasizes proven technical capability, cybersecurity compliance, and rapid prototyping, often favoring large, established contractors with demonstrated experience in defense-grade IT and communications systems. These partnerships are characterized by sustained engagement, iterative contract performance, and a focus on lifecycle sustainment of deployed capabilities. Lee’s contracting activity is exclusively classified as “No Set-Aside,” reflecting a strategic emphasis on technical excellence and mission-critical performance over socioeconomic preferences. While small business participation is not formally prioritized in her portfolio, her solicitations remain open to all qualified offerors, with selection based on technical merit, past performance, and compliance with DoD cybersecurity standards such as NIST SP 800-171 and CMMC. Her primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 334290 (Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing) and 541330 (Engineering Services), encompassing the acquisition of tactical radios, signal processing hardware, secure data links, and systems engineering support for naval platforms. She specializes in procuring integrated electronic systems that enhance situational awareness and interoperability across fleet-wide networks, with deep expertise in electromagnetic spectrum management and real-time data fusion technologies.