Deborah Karstens

Deborah Karstens serves as a Contract Specialist at the Naval Air Warfare Center Air Division (N00421), where she plays a critical role in executing complex acquisitions for advanced naval aviation systems. She manages the full lifecycle of contracts supporting the development, testing, and sustainment of mission-critical avionics, electronic warfare suites, and aircraft subsystems. Her portfolio emphasizes engineering services, systems integration, and specialized manufacturing to ensure operational readiness across next-generation naval aircraft platforms. Karstens works closely with technical stakeholders to translate capability requirements into compliant, risk-managed procurement strategies aligned with Department of the Navy modernization priorities. She maintains enduring relationships with leading defense contractors including SABRE SYSTEMS, LLC, THE BOEING COMPANY, SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION, SYSTEMS PLANNING AND ANALYSIS, INC., and ONTIC ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING, INC. These partnerships reflect a preference for established industry leaders with proven expertise in aerospace systems engineering, mission software development, and precision aircraft component manufacturing. Karstens consistently engages these vendors through competitive sealed bidding and negotiated acquisitions, ensuring technical rigor and schedule integrity across high-priority programs. Karstens’ contracting activity is entirely focused on full and open competition, with no set-asides designated for 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, or other socioeconomic categories. Her approach prioritizes technical capability and mission urgency over socioeconomic preferences, aligning with the Navy’s need for rapid fielding of advanced capabilities. While small business participation is not formally targeted, she ensures fair competition and transparency in all solicitations. Her primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 488190 (Other Support Activities for Air Transportation) and 541330 (Engineering Services), reflecting deep expertise in airborne systems integration, avionics testing, and mission-critical software development. She also regularly procures specialized aircraft components under 336413 and 336412, demonstrating hands-on familiarity with aircraft subsystem manufacturing and propulsion support. Karstens’ work directly enables the Navy’s strategic goals in air superiority, electronic attack, and legacy platform sustainment.