Kristen Grandstaff

Kristen Grandstaff serves as a key procurement lead within the Naval Air Warfare Center Air Division, overseeing the acquisition of advanced avionics, mission systems, and electronic warfare technologies critical to naval air superiority. Responsible for managing complex contract vehicles supporting the development, testing, and sustainment of next-generation aircraft subsystems, she ensures alignment with the agency’s strategic modernization goals. Her portfolio centers on high-technology, mission-critical procurements involving sensor integration, communications networks, and navigation systems, often requiring rigorous technical evaluation and systems engineering support. She plays a pivotal role in translating operational requirements into compliant, performance-based acquisition strategies that meet DoD standards for innovation and readiness. Grandstaff maintains consistent partnerships with leading defense contractors including SABRE SYSTEMS, LLC, THE BOEING COMPANY, SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION, SYSTEMS PLANNING AND ANALYSIS, INC., and ONTIC ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING, INC. These relationships reflect a blend of prime contractor collaboration with specialized system integrators and niche manufacturers capable of delivering advanced aerospace electronics and mission-critical hardware. Her procurement approach emphasizes technical rigor, lifecycle support, and long-term sustainment, fostering enduring vendor partnerships grounded in proven performance and compliance with defense acquisition regulations. A strong advocate for small business participation, Grandstaff prioritizes Total Small Business Set-Asides, directing approximately two-thirds of her acquisitions to small businesses under FAR 19.5. This reflects a deliberate strategy to cultivate innovation from agile vendors and expand the defense industrial base. Her contracting patterns consistently favor small business eligibility, with minimal use of full and open competition, underscoring a commitment to socioeconomic goals without compromising mission capability. Her primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 511210, which encompasses software publishing for military and aerospace applications, particularly mission systems software and embedded firmware. She also frequently procures under NAICS 334519 for specialized measuring and controlling devices used in avionics and electronic warfare systems. Her technical expertise spans digital signal processing, secure communications, and sensor fusion technologies, positioning her at the intersection of software development and hardware integration in naval aviation modernization.