Charles Harper

Charles Harper serves as a key procurement lead within the Naval Air Warfare Center, supporting the development and integration of advanced naval aviation systems through technical acquisitions in electronics, sensors, and mission-critical software. He manages contracts aligned with the agency’s mission to enhance airborne command and control, avionics reliability, and simulation capabilities, focusing on complex systems requiring rigorous testing and evaluation. His portfolio centers on high-precision instrumentation and specialized infrastructure, ensuring that cutting-edge technologies meet stringent military performance standards. Harper’s work directly enables the modernization of naval air warfare platforms through strategic sourcing and lifecycle management of mission-enabling technologies. He maintains sustained relationships with leading defense and engineering contractors including Lockheed Martin Corporation, Jacobs Technology Inc., SAIC, Kranze Technology Solutions Inc., and Teya Support Services LLC. These partnerships reflect a preference for established prime contractors with proven expertise in aerospace electronics, systems integration, and technical support services. Harper consistently engages vendors capable of delivering ruggedized instrumentation, embedded systems, and mission-planning software under strict compliance with DoD acquisition regulations, fostering long-term collaboration on multi-year development and sustainment efforts. While the majority of his acquisitions are unrestricted, Harper maintains a deliberate 20% focus on Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5, demonstrating a structured commitment to expanding small business participation without compromising technical requirements. He prioritizes small firms with demonstrated capability in electronics manufacturing and technical services, aligning socioeconomic goals with mission-critical needs while maintaining rigorous performance standards. His procurement activity is heavily concentrated in NAICS 334515 for instrument manufacturing related to electrical signal measurement and testing, reflecting deep expertise in avionics diagnostics, sensor calibration, and electronic warfare test equipment. He also oversees NAICS 236220 contracts for specialized facility upgrades supporting test ranges and laboratory environments. Harper’s technical domain expertise lies at the intersection of electronic systems engineering and mission-critical infrastructure, ensuring procurement decisions directly advance naval aviation readiness.