Mellisa Sistare

Mellisa Sistare serves as a Contract Specialist at Naval Information Warfare Center Atlantic (NIWC Atlantic), where she plays a pivotal role in executing complex acquisitions for mission-critical naval warfare systems. She manages the full lifecycle of contracts for advanced communications, electronic warfare, and command and control technologies, ensuring alignment with the Department of the Navy’s strategic imperatives in maritime domain awareness and cyber-enabled operations. Her work directly supports the integration and sustainment of sensor networks and secure tactical infrastructure, requiring deep technical understanding and strict adherence to federal acquisition regulations. Sistare maintains consistent contracting relationships with leading defense and technology contractors, particularly Amazon Web Services, Inc. and Leidos, Inc., leveraging their capabilities in cloud-based mission systems, cybersecurity architecture, and integrated electronic warfare solutions. Her procurement approach emphasizes performance-based contracting, performance metrics, and technical risk mitigation, fostering long-term partnerships with vendors capable of delivering scalable, secure, and interoperable systems for naval platforms. Her acquisition portfolio reflects a strong preference for full and open competition, with 100% of her contracts awarded without set-asides, indicating a focus on technical superiority and mission readiness over socioeconomic categorizations. While small business participation is not a primary driver in her current portfolio, her contracting decisions prioritize capability, scalability, and operational readiness above socioeconomic preferences. Sistare’s primary focus lies within NAICS 334290—Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing—encompassing the procurement of specialized radar systems, secure data links, signal processing hardware, and tactical communication networks. She routinely oversees acquisitions for next-generation maritime sensor systems, electronic attack and defense platforms, and hardened information infrastructure, demonstrating deep expertise in the technical domains of naval electronic systems and secure communications architecture.