Mary K. Watters

Mary K. Watters serves as a Contract Specialist within the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), where she plays a pivotal role in executing the lifecycle acquisition of critical naval aviation systems. Responsible for planning, soliciting, awarding, and administering complex contracts, she supports NAVAIR’s mission to modernize and sustain carrier-based and expeditionary aircraft, weapons, and avionics. Her portfolio primarily encompasses high-technology procurement actions for aircraft components, mission-critical avionics, and supporting logistics infrastructure, ensuring operational readiness and technological superiority for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. Watters maintains consistent contracting relationships with industry leaders such as Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, Lockheed Martin Corporation, and General Atomics, partnering with prime contractors who deliver advanced aerospace systems and integrated mission equipment. Her procurement approach emphasizes performance-based contracting and risk-managed acquisition strategies, fostering long-term vendor collaboration on technically complex, mission-critical programs. These partnerships are built on rigorous compliance with defense acquisition regulations and a focus on delivering reliable, interoperable systems under strict lifecycle sustainment requirements. Her contracting activity reflects a strong preference for full and open competition, with 100% of her awards issued under no set-aside classifications. This underscores a strategic emphasis on leveraging industry-wide technical capability rather than socioeconomic set-asides, aligning with NAVAIR’s priority to source the most capable solutions for high-stakes aviation systems. While small business participation is not formally targeted in her portfolio, she ensures compliance with all applicable small business subcontracting requirements as part of prime contract obligations. Watters specializes in NAICS 336413 (Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing) and 334511 (Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing), focusing on procurement of flight control systems, radar and electronic warfare components, and mission-specific avionics. Her technical expertise lies in the integration of sensor suites, weapon delivery systems, and sustainment logistics for next-generation naval aircraft platforms.