Charlene Lowe

Charlene L. Lowe serves as a Contract Specialist within the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), where she plays a pivotal role in executing the lifecycle acquisition of naval aviation systems. Responsible for soliciting, evaluating, and awarding contracts under FAR and NAVAIR-specific guidelines, she supports the development, testing, and sustainment of carrier-based aircraft, avionics, weapons systems, and associated logistics infrastructure. Her procurement activities center on complex, high-stakes acquisitions requiring technical rigor and strict compliance with defense acquisition regulations, ensuring timely delivery of mission-critical capabilities to the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. Lowe maintains enduring relationships with prime contractors including Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, Lockheed Martin Corporation, and General Atomics, all of which are integral to the development and integration of advanced rotary-wing, fixed-wing, and unmanned aerial systems. Her contracting patterns reflect deep collaboration with industry leaders possessing specialized expertise in aerospace engineering, mission systems integration, and defense logistics. She frequently engages vendors with proven track records in delivering classified and export-controlled technologies under firm-fixed-price and cost-reimbursement contract types, emphasizing performance-based outcomes and risk mitigation. Her procurement portfolio is overwhelmingly non-set-aside, with 94.4% of awards issued under full and open competition, reflecting the technical complexity and scale of NAVAIR’s requirements. Only 5.6% of her awards utilize Total Small Business Set-Asides, indicating a targeted but limited emphasis on socioeconomic programs, consistent with the dominance of large-system integrators in naval aviation. While small business participation is not a primary driver, she adheres strictly to FAR Part 19 policies when applicable. Lowe’s primary focus lies in NAICS 336411 (Aircraft Manufacturing), where she procures next-generation airframes, propulsion systems, and flight control hardware. She also supports engineering services (NAICS 541330), computer systems design (NAICS 541512), and professional technical services (NAICS 541990) essential to avionics modernization, digital twin development, and sustainment logistics. Her domain expertise spans airborne radar, electronic warfare suites, and autonomous systems integration, positioning her at the forefront of naval air power modernization.