Carlos E. Natera

Carlos E. Natera serves as a key procurement professional at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, where he manages complex acquisitions supporting the agency’s mission in space science and Earth observation. He specializes in securing advanced research and development services, computing infrastructure, and mission-critical instrumentation for spacecraft and ground systems. His procurement activities directly enable the design, integration, and operation of scientific payloads, data processing networks, and deep-space communication systems. Natera’s portfolio is heavily oriented toward technical R&D and high-performance computing services, aligning with Goddard’s strategic priorities in climate monitoring, heliophysics, and astrophysics. Natera maintains long-standing relationships with premier research and technology partners, including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Lincoln Laboratory and Aerospace & Commercial Technologies, LLC. These partnerships reflect a preference for high-caliber, mission-essential contractors with proven expertise in space systems engineering, sensor development, and data infrastructure. His contracting patterns emphasize technical rigor, performance-based outcomes, and sustained collaboration with institutions capable of delivering cutting-edge solutions under stringent NASA compliance standards. Natera’s procurement portfolio reflects a strong focus on open competition, with 100% of awards issued under no set-aside preferences. This indicates a deliberate emphasis on technical merit and capability over socioeconomic classifications, prioritizing mission readiness and system performance above targeted small business participation. While small business involvement is not formally incentivized in his portfolio, contractors are selected based on demonstrated technical excellence and mission alignment. His primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 541715, encompassing physical and engineering research and development for space and Earth science applications, supplemented by NAICS 518210 for high-performance computing and data services. He regularly acquires advanced modeling tools, sensor calibration systems, telemetry processing platforms, and mission control software, underscoring deep expertise in space systems engineering and scientific data infrastructure.