James M. Smith

James M. Smith serves as a Procuring Contracting Officer within the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), where he is responsible for managing the full lifecycle acquisition of critical naval aviation systems. His portfolio encompasses the procurement of advanced aircraft platforms, avionics, mission-critical subsystems, and supporting logistics infrastructure essential to maintaining air superiority for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. He executes complex contract actions under FAR and DFARS frameworks, specializing in sole-source, competitive, and performance-based acquisitions for high-technology defense systems. His role is pivotal in aligning procurement strategy with NAVAIR’s mission to modernize carrier-based and expeditionary aviation capabilities while ensuring operational readiness and sustainment. Smith maintains consistent, long-term contracting relationships with leading defense prime contractors including Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, Lockheed Martin Corporation, and General Atomics. These partnerships center on the development and integration of next-generation rotary-wing and unmanned aerial systems, precision-guided munitions, and mission support technologies. He frequently engages with vendors possessing deep technical expertise in aerospace engineering and systems integration, fostering collaborative acquisition environments that prioritize innovation, risk mitigation, and timely delivery of mission-critical capabilities. Smith’s contracting activity reflects a strong preference for full and open competition, with 100% of his awards issued under no set-aside categories. This underscores a focus on leveraging industry’s broadest capabilities to meet urgent operational requirements, rather than socioeconomic set-asides. While small business participation is not formally prioritized in his portfolio, he ensures compliance with all applicable small business subcontracting plans mandated by prime contractors. His primary procurement focus lies within NAICS 336411 (Aircraft Manufacturing) and 336413 (Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing), with significant activity in 488190 (Other Support Activities for Air Transportation) and 334511 (Aeronautical System and Instrument Manufacturing). He specializes in acquiring integrated flight systems, propulsion components, avionics suites, and sustainment services for naval aircraft, demonstrating deep technical fluency in aerospace engineering and defense systems acquisition.