Cheryl A. Abele

Cheryl A. Abele serves as a Contract Specialist at the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD), where she plays a pivotal role in procuring mission-critical aviation systems and support technologies for the Department of the Navy. Her responsibilities encompass the full lifecycle management of complex acquisitions, including solicitation, evaluation, negotiation, and award of contracts for advanced avionics, flight control systems, diagnostic instrumentation, and maintenance infrastructure. She ensures compliance with federal acquisition regulations while aligning procurements with NAWCAD’s mission to enhance naval airpower through research, development, test, and evaluation. Her portfolio primarily consists of engineering services, specialized manufacturing, and precision instrumentation contracts supporting next-generation naval aircraft readiness. Cheryl maintains longstanding relationships with key industry partners including Lockheed Martin Corporation, BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc., PCI Aviation LLC, Critical Communications, Controls and Instruments, LLC, and Aerospace & Commercial Technologies, LLC. These partnerships reflect a focus on high-technology suppliers capable of delivering integrated avionics, communication systems, and mission-critical components under stringent military specifications. Her contracting approach emphasizes technical rigor, performance-based outcomes, and long-term sustainment considerations, fostering collaborative relationships with vendors who demonstrate proven expertise in defense aviation environments. Her procurement patterns show a strong preference for open competition, with 84% of awards issued without set-asides, reflecting the technical complexity and limited vendor base for specialized aviation systems. Nevertheless, she actively supports small business participation, with 12% of awards designated as Total Small Business Set-Asides and 4% awarded to Women-Owned Small Businesses, demonstrating a balanced commitment to socioeconomic goals without compromising mission requirements. Cheryl’s primary NAICS focus areas include Engineering Services (541330), Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336413), Machine Shops (332710), Radio and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing (334220), and Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing (334519). She specializes in procuring precision-engineered components, embedded systems, test equipment, and mission-critical instrumentation essential to naval aviation system performance and sustainment.