Jennifer L Vaccaro

Jennifer L. Vaccaro serves as a Contract Specialist at the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD), where she plays a pivotal role in acquiring mission-critical aviation systems and support technologies essential to naval airpower readiness. Her responsibilities encompass the full lifecycle of procurement—from requirements validation and market research to contract award and administration—focusing on advanced avionics, flight control systems, diagnostic instrumentation, and specialized aircraft components. She ensures compliance with federal acquisition regulations while aligning acquisitions with NAWCAD’s R&D and sustainment objectives for next-generation naval aircraft platforms. Vaccaro maintains consistent working relationships with leading defense contractors including Lockheed Martin Corporation, BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc., PCI Aviation LLC, Critical Communications, Controls and Instruments, LLC, and Aerospace & Commercial Technologies, LLC. These partnerships center on the development and integration of high-reliability aerospace systems, often involving complex technical specifications and rapid prototyping cycles. Her procurement approach emphasizes technical collaboration, performance-based contracting, and risk-mitigated acquisition strategies tailored to evolving naval aviation needs. Her contracting portfolio reflects a strong commitment to small business participation, with 36% of her awards structured as Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5. While the majority of her acquisitions are open to all competitors, she actively prioritizes small business eligibility and fosters partnerships with firms capable of delivering specialized, low-volume, high-precision components. This reflects a deliberate strategy to leverage innovation from niche suppliers while maintaining mission-critical performance standards. Vaccaro’s primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 336413 (Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing), with significant activity in 335999 (Miscellaneous Electrical Equipment) and 334413 (Semiconductor Manufacturing). She routinely procures flight-critical sensors, embedded control systems, fluid power components, and diagnostic instrumentation—products requiring rigorous environmental and electromagnetic compatibility testing. Her expertise spans aerospace engineering domains, ensuring acquisitions meet stringent military specifications for durability, reliability, and interoperability in carrier-based and expeditionary environments.