Christopher N. Bigelow

Christopher N. Bigelow serves as a key procurement professional within the Naval Air Warfare Center, supporting the development and acquisition of advanced naval aviation systems. Though holding no formal title, his secondary role involves critical support in managing technical acquisitions aligned with the agency’s mission to enhance airborne command and control, avionics reliability, and mission-critical sensor integration. He routinely handles complex contracts for research, development, testing, and evaluation of aerospace and communications technologies, ensuring alignment with Department of the Navy strategic priorities. His work bridges technical requirements with acquisition execution, facilitating the fielding of next-generation air and maritime warfare capabilities. Bigelow maintains consistent working relationships with leading defense contractors including Lockheed Martin Corporation, Jacobs Technology Inc., SAIC, Teya Support Services LLC, and Kranze Technology Solutions Inc. These partnerships reflect a preference for established prime contractors with proven expertise in avionics, electronic warfare systems, and mission simulation platforms. His procurement approach emphasizes collaboration with firms possessing deep technical capabilities in systems integration, software-defined radio, and real-time data processing, often leveraging indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) and cost-reimbursement contract vehicles to accommodate evolving R&D needs. His contracting patterns show a strong preference for open competition, with 80% of awards issued without set-asides, reflecting the technical complexity and scale of requirements. However, he consistently supports small business participation through Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5, ensuring opportunities for qualified firms in engineering and specialized manufacturing sectors. This balanced approach prioritizes mission readiness while maintaining compliance with socioeconomic contracting goals. Bigelow’s procurement focus is heavily concentrated in NAICS 334511, encompassing airborne navigation, guidance, and sensor systems, with additional emphasis on radio and wireless communications equipment (334220) and engineering services (541330). He regularly procures advanced radar systems, digital signal processors, secure data links, and mission planning software, demonstrating deep expertise in aerospace electronics and integrated avionics architectures.