Jessica McTaggart

Jessica McTaggart serves as a Contract Specialist within the Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division (NAWC TSD), supporting the Department of the Navy’s mission to modernize and sustain advanced aviation training systems. She manages the full lifecycle of procurement actions for mission-critical simulation, immersive training environments, and avionics integration solutions that enhance pilot and aircrew readiness. Her acquisitions focus on complex, technology-driven services requiring rigorous systems engineering, cybersecurity compliance, and interoperability with naval aviation platforms. McTaggart plays a pivotal role in translating operational requirements into executable contract strategies that align with Navy training modernization priorities. She maintains longstanding partnerships with key contractors including STRACON SERVICES GROUP, LLC, and FLIGHTSAFETY INTERNATIONAL INC, both of which provide high-fidelity flight simulators, synthetic training environments, and curriculum development services. Her contracting approach emphasizes performance-based outcomes, technical validation, and sustained support for legacy and next-generation training systems. McTaggart consistently engages with vendors possessing deep domain expertise in aviation training technology, favoring contractors with proven capabilities in real-time simulation, embedded training systems, and mission rehearsal environments. McTaggart’s procurement portfolio reflects a 100% preference for full and open competition, with no set-asides designated for 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, or other socioeconomic programs. While small business participation is not formally prioritized in her acquisition strategy, she ensures all solicitations are structured to allow equitable access and competitive pricing through transparent evaluation criteria and clear technical requirements. Her primary focus lies within NAICS 488190—Other Support Activities for Air Transportation—where she procures specialized services including flight training system integration, maintenance of training device hardware and software, and mission-specific scenario development. Her technical expertise centers on avionics interoperability, distributed training networks, and synthetic training infrastructure critical to naval aviation operational readiness.