Chris Burchett

Chris Burchett serves as a Procuring Contracting Officer at the Naval Air Warfare Center (N68936), where he manages complex acquisitions supporting the development, testing, and integration of advanced naval aviation systems. His portfolio encompasses mission-critical technologies including avionics, sensor systems, mission planning software, and airborne command and control infrastructure. Burchett plays a pivotal role in executing the agency’s strategic mission to modernize naval air warfare capabilities through rapid acquisition of cutting-edge electronics, software, and engineering services, ensuring alignment with Navy innovation priorities and defense acquisition regulations. He maintains longstanding contracting relationships with leading defense and aerospace contractors including Lockheed Martin Corporation, Jacobs Technology Inc., and Science Applications International Corporation, frequently partnering with these firms on large-scale R&D, systems integration, and technical evaluation efforts. His procurement approach emphasizes performance-based contracting, technical risk mitigation, and iterative development cycles, often utilizing Indefinite-Delivery, Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) and Other Transaction Authority (OTA) mechanisms to accelerate delivery of innovative solutions. Burchett’s contracting patterns reflect a strong preference for open competition, with approximately 90% of awards issued without set-asides. However, he consistently supports small business participation, with roughly 10% of awards structured as Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5, demonstrating a measured but intentional commitment to socioeconomic contracting goals without compromising mission readiness. His primary NAICS focus areas include 333316 (Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing), 541512 (Computer Systems Design Services), and 541380 (Testing Laboratories and Services), reflecting deep expertise in procuring avionics hardware, software development, and independent verification and validation services. Burchett’s technical acumen spans embedded systems, digital mission systems, and test instrumentation, positioning him as a key enabler of next-generation naval air capabilities.