Caroline Ethridge

Caroline Ethridge serves as a Contract Specialist within the W6QK Acc-rsa office of the Department of the Army, where she plays a pivotal role in securing mission-critical aerospace systems and support services that sustain and modernize the Army’s aerial and missile defense capabilities. Her portfolio centers on the procurement of aircraft components, avionics, propulsion systems, and sensor technologies essential to platforms such as the UH-60 Black Hawk and AH-64 Apache. Ethridge manages full lifecycle acquisitions—from market research and solicitation development to contract award and administration—ensuring compliance with federal regulations and alignment with the Army’s strategic modernization priorities. While specific contractor names are not disclosed, Ethridge maintains a robust network of Tier 1 and Tier 2 aerospace suppliers, including specialized manufacturers of flight control systems, radar integration modules, and mission-critical electronic components. Her contracting approach emphasizes technical rigor, performance-based outcomes, and supply chain resilience, fostering long-term partnerships with firms capable of delivering high-reliability systems under stringent military specifications. Ethridge’s procurement patterns reflect a strong preference for open competition, with 88.5% of her acquisitions conducted without set-asides. However, she consistently supports small business participation, allocating 11.5% of her portfolio to Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5, demonstrating a balanced commitment to both operational readiness and socioeconomic goals. She actively engages with small businesses possessing technical expertise in aerospace manufacturing and defense electronics. Her primary NAICS focus is 336413, encompassing other aircraft parts and auxiliary equipment manufacturing, with secondary emphasis on industrial gear systems, communications equipment, and electronic component manufacturing. Ethridge specializes in procuring precision-engineered subsystems critical to flight safety, mission avionics, and integrated defense architectures, positioning her at the technical nexus of Army aviation modernization.