Chris A. Payton

Chris A. Payton serves as Supervisory Contracting Officer for Navfacsyscom Mid-Atlantic, overseeing the acquisition of mission-critical infrastructure projects for Navy and Marine Corps installations across the Mid-Atlantic region. In this role, he manages the full lifecycle of construction and engineering contracts, ensuring compliance with federal procurement regulations while advancing the agency’s mission to modernize aging facilities and sustain combat-ready bases. His portfolio primarily includes complex, high-stakes projects involving commercial and institutional building construction, as well as associated engineering services, requiring rigorous technical oversight and risk mitigation strategies. Payton maintains enduring relationships with a core group of experienced contractors, including RYAN CONSTRUCTION CO INC, WEEKS-CASHMAN JV, APPLEDORE MARINE - CH2M JV, W. M. JORDAN COMPANY, INCORPORATED, and MCKENZIE CONSTRUCTION & SITE DEVELOPMENT LLC. These partnerships reflect a preference for established firms with proven track records in delivering large-scale, mission-critical construction and design-build solutions. His contracting approach emphasizes performance-based outcomes, robust contract administration, and collaborative stakeholder engagement to ensure timely, safe, and compliant project delivery. His procurement strategy prioritizes small business participation, with 40% of acquisitions structured as Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5, reflecting a strong commitment to socioeconomic goals. While no set-aside remains the most frequent classification, his consistent use of small business set-asides supports the agency’s mandate to foster opportunity among qualified small contractors, particularly in construction and engineering services. Payton’s primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 236220 (Commercial and Institutional Building Construction), which accounts for 80% of his portfolio, encompassing new construction, renovations, and facility upgrades. The remaining 20% centers on NAICS 541330 (Engineering Services), including design, geotechnical analysis, and infrastructure planning. His expertise spans integrated project delivery models, design-build contracting, and performance-based acquisition methods tailored to the unique demands of military infrastructure.