Kathryn L Murtagh

Kathryn L. Murtagh serves as a Contract Specialist at the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD), where she plays a pivotal role in executing complex procurements that support the development, testing, and sustainment of advanced naval aviation systems. Her responsibilities encompass the full lifecycle of contract actions—from market research and solicitation development to award and administration—for critical avionics, flight control components, diagnostic instrumentation, and mission-critical support technologies. Murtagh ensures compliance with federal acquisition regulations while aligning acquisitions with NAWCAD’s mission to enhance the readiness and technological superiority of naval airpower. She maintains established working relationships with leading defense and aerospace 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 are primarily centered on high-technical, low-volume, and mission-essential procurements requiring specialized engineering expertise and rigorous quality assurance protocols. Murtagh’s contracting approach emphasizes performance-based outcomes, technical feasibility, and supply chain resilience. Her procurement portfolio reflects a strong preference for open competition, with 93.1% of awards issued without set-asides, indicating a focus on capability-driven sourcing over socioeconomic preferences. Nevertheless, she actively supports small business participation through targeted Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5, demonstrating a balanced commitment to both mission needs and broad vendor engagement. Murtagh’s primary technical focus lies in NAICS 336413 (Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing) and 334519 (Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing), reflecting her expertise in procuring precision avionics, sensor systems, and flight instrumentation. She also engages with NAICS 334511 for navigation and guidance systems, underscoring her deep familiarity with aerospace electronics and mission-critical control technologies essential to modern naval aircraft.