Kristi Cole-Smith

Kristi Cole-Smith serves as a Purchasing Agent at the Naval Air Warfare Center, where she plays a pivotal role in executing mission-critical acquisitions to support the development and sustainment of advanced naval aviation systems. Responsible for managing the procurement lifecycle for technical equipment and services, she ensures alignment with the agency’s strategic priorities in airborne command and control, avionics modernization, and mission simulation technologies. Her acquisitions primarily involve complex electronics, communication systems, and integrated software solutions critical to next-generation air and maritime warfare capabilities, requiring deep technical understanding and compliance with Department of Defense procurement regulations. Cole-Smith maintains established relationships with leading defense and aerospace contractors including Lockheed Martin Corporation, Jacobs Technology Inc., and Science Applications International Corporation, consistently engaging these prime vendors for high-complexity systems integration, engineering support, and specialized technology development. Her procurement approach emphasizes performance-based contracting and risk-managed acquisition strategies, fostering long-term partnerships with vendors capable of delivering mission-ready solutions under stringent military specifications and security protocols. Her contracting activity shows no preference for socioeconomic set-asides, with 100% of awards issued under full and open competition. This reflects a strategic focus on technical capability and mission readiness over socioeconomic criteria, prioritizing the most qualified vendors regardless of business size or certification status. Her procurement portfolio is heavily concentrated in NAICS 511210 (Software Publishers) and 334118 (Computer Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing), indicating a strong emphasis on software development, embedded systems, and hardware integration for avionics platforms. She also routinely procures services under 541519 (Other Computer Related Services) and equipment under 334220 (Radio and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing), demonstrating expertise in electronic warfare systems, sensor networks, and mission-critical communication infrastructure essential to naval air operations.