Marita Thompson

Marita Thompson serves as a Contract Specialist within the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), where she plays a critical role in executing the lifecycle acquisition of naval aviation systems. She manages complex contract actions for the development, testing, and sustainment of aircraft components, avionics, and mission-critical support services. Her work directly supports NAVAIR’s mission to maintain air superiority through the procurement of advanced aerospace technologies, ensuring operational readiness for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. Thompson specializes in full-cycle contracting for high-technology defense systems, including both developmental and logistics-focused procurements under FAR and DFARS frameworks. She maintains longstanding relationships with leading defense primes including Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, Lockheed Martin Corporation, and General Atomics, frequently collaborating on contracts for unmanned aerial systems, weapons integration, and aviation maintenance support. Her procurement approach emphasizes technical rigor and performance-based outcomes, fostering strategic partnerships with industry leaders capable of delivering cutting-edge capabilities under stringent military specifications. Thompson’s engagement with these contractors is characterized by consistent, long-term contract management rather than transactional interactions, reinforcing mission continuity and system interoperability. Thompson’s contracting portfolio reflects a strong preference for unrestricted competition, with 100% of her awards issued under no set-aside classifications. This reflects NAVAIR’s operational imperatives for leveraging the full industrial base to meet urgent capability gaps. While she does not prioritize socioeconomic set-asides such as 8(a), HUBZone, or SDVOSB programs, her approach ensures that all procurements are competitively sourced to achieve optimal technical performance and mission readiness. Her primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 336413 (Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing) and NAICS 541330 (Engineering Services), aligning with NAVAIR’s emphasis on advanced aerospace component development and systems engineering. She routinely manages contracts for flight control systems, sensor integration, avionics upgrades, and technical support services essential to sustaining carrier-based and expeditionary aircraft fleets. Her expertise centers on technical specifications, performance requirements, and lifecycle sustainment strategies critical to naval aviation modernization.