Carrie Cawley

Carrie Cawley serves as a key procurement professional within the Naval Research Laboratory, supporting the Department of the Navy’s mission to advance foundational science and technology for maritime security. She manages complex research and development contracts focused on high-precision sensors, electronic warfare systems, signal processing architectures, and autonomous navigation technologies. Her acquisitions bridge the gap between laboratory innovation and operational capability, ensuring that cutting-edge R&D outcomes are transitioned into viable naval platforms through agile contracting strategies. Cawley’s portfolio emphasizes early-stage prototyping and technical integration, requiring close collaboration with scientific teams and industry partners to meet stringent performance and security requirements. She maintains consistent working relationships with specialized contractors including Assurance Technology Corp, L3Harris NexGen Communications LLC, Envisioneering Inc, Integration Innovation Inc, and Analex Corporation, all of which provide advanced engineering, software development, and instrumentation services. These partnerships are characterized by long-term, performance-based engagements that prioritize technical innovation, rapid iteration, and compliance with defense standards. Cawley favors vendors with proven expertise in classified environments and DoD compliance frameworks, often leveraging Other Transaction Authorities and Broad Agency Announcements to accelerate acquisition timelines. Cawley’s contracting approach reflects a strong commitment to small business participation, with nearly half of her awards structured as total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5. While no set-aside remains the dominant category, her consistent use of small business set-asides demonstrates active support for emerging defense technology firms. She strategically engages small businesses with niche capabilities in electronics, software, and systems integration, fostering innovation through socioeconomic contracting pathways. Her primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 513210 (Software Publishers), reflecting heavy investment in embedded software, algorithm development, and data fusion systems. She also frequently procures specialized instrumentation under NAICS 334515 and advanced machinery under 333310 and 333998, underscoring her technical expertise in electronic systems, sensor fabrication, and ruggedized hardware integration for maritime applications.