Lori F Ethridge

Lori F. Ethridge serves as a Contracting Officer responsible for managing complex acquisitions in support of national defense and aerospace systems. She plays a critical role in executing the agency’s procurement mission by ensuring compliance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) while delivering mission-critical capabilities on time and within policy. Her portfolio primarily consists of sole-source and competitive procurements for aircraft components and engineering services, with a strong emphasis on technical rigor, risk mitigation, and contract performance oversight. Ethridge routinely handles firm-fixed-price and cost-reimbursement contracts for high-integrity systems, requiring deep coordination with technical evaluators, legal counsel, and program managers. While specific contractor names are not disclosed, Ethridge maintains a consistent working relationship with a network of aerospace manufacturers and engineering service providers, particularly those with specialized expertise in aircraft subsystems and avionics integration. Her procurement approach favors established industry partners with proven technical capabilities and robust quality assurance systems, while also fostering competitive environments to ensure best-value outcomes. She engages vendors through full and open competition as well as limited-source actions under FAR Part 12 and Part 15, depending on acquisition complexity and urgency. Ethridge demonstrates a clear preference for full and open competition, with 82.6% of her awards issued without set-aside restrictions. However, she actively supports small business participation, allocating 17.4% of her contract actions to Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5. Her socioeconomic contracting patterns reflect a balanced approach—prioritizing market competition while ensuring eligible small businesses have meaningful access to opportunities in her specialty domains. Her primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 336413 (Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing), where she acquires specialized components such as flight control systems, landing gear assemblies, and auxiliary power units. She also frequently procures engineering services under NAICS 541330, including systems integration, structural analysis, and technical documentation. This dual specialization reflects her expertise in both hardware procurement and technical services essential to aerospace mission readiness.