Jessica L Nelson

Jessica L. (McGee) Nelson serves as a Contracting Officer within the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), where she manages the acquisition lifecycle for critical naval aviation systems, including aircraft, propulsion components, and mission-critical avionics. Her work directly supports NAVAIR’s mission to sustain and modernize the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps’ air superiority capabilities through end-to-end procurement of complex defense technologies. She routinely handles competitive and sole-source contracts under FAR Part 15, with a focus on developmental, production, and sustainment efforts for carrier-based and expeditionary platforms. Her portfolio emphasizes technical rigor, risk mitigation, and lifecycle cost accountability across high-stakes defense programs. Jessica maintains strong, ongoing relationships with leading defense prime contractors including Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, Lockheed Martin Corporation, and General Atomics, partnering with them on integrated systems development, maintenance, and logistics support. Her contracting approach reflects a preference for established industry partners with proven technical capability and past performance in aerospace and defense environments, while ensuring compliance with DoD acquisition regulations and performance-based contracting standards. While the majority of her acquisitions are conducted as unrestricted, she consistently allocates approximately 28% of her portfolio to Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5, demonstrating a deliberate commitment to expanding small business participation in naval aviation procurement. She actively engages with small businesses capable of delivering specialized engineering services, component manufacturing, and maintenance support, aligning socioeconomic goals with mission-critical needs. Her primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 336412 (Aircraft Engine and Engine Parts Manufacturing) and 336411 (Aircraft Manufacturing), with significant activity in engineering services (541330) and auxiliary equipment production. She specializes in procuring turbine engines, flight control systems, airframe components, and support infrastructure essential to naval aviation readiness, reflecting deep technical familiarity with propulsion, aerodynamics, and systems integration domains.