Kristen Dix

Kristen Dix serves as a Contract Specialist within the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), where she plays a pivotal role in executing the acquisition lifecycle for critical naval aviation systems. She manages complex contracts for the research, development, testing, and sustainment of advanced aircraft, avionics, and missile systems essential to maintaining U.S. Navy and Marine Corps air superiority. Her portfolio primarily encompasses high-technology procurement actions involving electronic components and propulsion systems, requiring deep technical understanding and strict compliance with Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) requirements. Kristen ensures alignment with NAVAIR’s strategic modernization goals by facilitating timely, compliant, and mission-critical acquisitions across the full spectrum of naval air platforms. She maintains consistent working relationships with industry leaders including Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, Lockheed Martin Corporation, and General Atomics, partnering with prime contractors experienced in aerospace defense systems. Her contracting approach emphasizes performance-based outcomes, risk mitigation, and lifecycle support, often involving long-term sustainment and modification contracts for legacy and next-generation platforms. Kristen collaborates closely with engineering and logistics teams to ensure technical requirements are accurately translated into solicitation language and contract deliverables. Kristen demonstrates a strong commitment to small business participation, with approximately one-third of her acquisitions structured as Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5. While the majority of her contracts remain open to all competitors, she actively promotes equitable access for small businesses capable of supporting specialized aviation and missile system components. Her socioeconomic contracting patterns reflect a balanced approach—prioritizing capability while fostering a diverse supplier base. Her primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 334419 (Other Electronic Component Manufacturing) and 336415 (Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Propulsion Unit Manufacturing), reflecting deep expertise in avionics, guidance systems, and propulsion technologies. She routinely procures mission-critical subsystems for carrier-based and expeditionary aircraft, ensuring technical interoperability and readiness across the naval aviation enterprise.