Grace Smith-Heit

Grace Smith-Heit serves as a senior contracting professional responsible for managing complex acquisitions within the aerospace and engineering sectors. Though the specific agency is not disclosed, her role centers on executing full-cycle procurement processes for high-technical-demand projects, including aircraft systems development and specialized engineering services. She ensures compliance with federal acquisition regulations while aligning procurements with strategic national capabilities. Her portfolio typically includes competitive solicitations under full and open competition, with a strong emphasis on technical rigor and mission-critical outcomes. Her contractor relationships are primarily with prime contractors possessing deep expertise in aircraft manufacturing and systems integration, as well as engineering firms delivering design, analysis, and technical advisory services. She engages with a mix of large industry leaders and qualified small businesses, fostering partnerships that emphasize innovation, performance reliability, and supply chain resilience. Her procurement approach prioritizes clear performance metrics, risk mitigation, and contract administration excellence. Smith-Heit’s contracting patterns reflect a strong preference for full and open competition, with 100% of her acquisitions conducted without set-asides. This indicates a focus on maximizing technical capability and industry-wide competition rather than socioeconomic preferences, though she remains compliant with all applicable small business regulations. Her approach suggests a mission-driven alignment with acquiring the most capable solutions, regardless of vendor size. Her primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 336411 (Aircraft Manufacturing), where she oversees acquisitions for airframe systems, avionics, and propulsion components, and NAICS 541330 (Engineering Services), supporting design, testing, and systems engineering. She also procures services under NAICS 511210, indicating engagement with technical publishing, simulation software, and specialized data analytics platforms. Her domain expertise spans advanced aerospace systems, systems engineering lifecycle management, and defense-critical technology development.