Eric L. Waterman

Eric L. Waterman serves as a key procurement professional within the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, supporting the Department of the Navy’s mission to advance naval aviation readiness through research, development, test, and evaluation of mission-critical aircraft systems. He manages complex acquisitions for advanced avionics, flight control instrumentation, diagnostic systems, and specialized aerospace components, ensuring alignment with operational requirements for next-generation naval aircraft. His work directly enables the integration of cutting-edge technologies into operational platforms, bridging technical innovation with acquisition compliance and lifecycle sustainment. Waterman maintains longstanding relationships with industry leaders including Lockheed Martin Corporation, BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc., and PCI Aviation LLC, among others. These partnerships are characterized by deep technical collaboration on high-integrity systems, often involving tailored engineering services, prototype development, and rapid prototyping cycles. He routinely engages with vendors possessing specialized expertise in military-grade communications, sensor integration, and aircraft auxiliary equipment, fostering long-term vendor engagement through transparent requirements definition and performance-based contracting. Waterman’s procurement portfolio is entirely open competition, with no set-asides designated under 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, or other socioeconomic programs. This reflects the highly technical, mission-critical nature of the acquisitions he oversees, where specialized capabilities and security clearances often limit the pool of qualified offerors. While small business participation is not formally structured through set-asides, he supports small business involvement through subcontracting opportunities and prime contractor mentor-protegé arrangements. His primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 334519 (other measuring and controlling devices), 334220 (radio and wireless communications equipment), and 541712 (R&D in physical and engineering sciences). He consistently procures precision instrumentation, embedded avionics, real-time diagnostic systems, and engineering services supporting flight system certification and sustainment, demonstrating deep expertise in aerospace systems engineering and defense acquisition frameworks.