Michelle Tuschinski

Michelle Tuschinski serves as a Contract Specialist within the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), where she plays a pivotal role in executing the lifecycle acquisition of naval aviation systems. Responsible for soliciting, evaluating, and awarding contracts, she ensures compliance with federal acquisition regulations while supporting NAVAIR’s mission to modernize and sustain carrier-based and expeditionary aircraft fleets. Her portfolio primarily encompasses full-spectrum procurement activities for aircraft manufacturing and auxiliary aviation systems, including propulsion, avionics, and mission-critical support equipment. She works closely with program managers and technical stakeholders to align contract strategy with operational readiness requirements. Tuschinski maintains consistent contracting relationships with leading defense aerospace prime contractors, including Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, Lockheed Martin Corporation, and General Atomics. These partnerships are centered on the development and integration of advanced rotary-wing and fixed-wing platforms, unmanned aerial systems, and associated avionics. Her procurement approach emphasizes performance-based contracting and risk-managed acquisition strategies, fostering long-term vendor collaboration to ensure technical fidelity and sustainment readiness across complex naval aviation programs. Her contracting activity reflects a strong preference for full and open competition, with 100% of her awards issued under no set-aside classifications. While she does not routinely utilize socioeconomic set-asides such as 8(a), HUBZone, or SDVOSB programs, her focus remains on achieving mission-critical outcomes through established industry partners with proven technical capabilities and production scalability. Tuschinski’s primary procurement focus lies within NAICS 336411 (Aircraft Manufacturing) and 336413 (Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing). She specializes in acquiring next-generation airframes, flight control systems, weapons integration hardware, and mission support infrastructure critical to naval air dominance. Her technical expertise spans rotary-wing platforms, unmanned aerial systems, and integrated logistics support, ensuring contracts deliver interoperable, combat-ready aviation capabilities to the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps.