Rafael Soberal

Rafael Soberal serves as a Contract Specialist within the Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division (N61340), where he plays a pivotal role in acquiring mission-critical training systems for naval aviation and maritime operations. He manages the full lifecycle of procurements for advanced simulation platforms, immersive training environments, and integrated avionics infrastructure, ensuring alignment with the Navy’s strategic goals for pilot and aircrew readiness. His acquisitions span complex, technology-driven requirements that demand rigorous compliance with defense acquisition regulations and integration with operational training doctrines. Soberal’s work directly supports the modernization of tactical combat training systems and the sustainment of next-generation flight training capabilities. He maintains enduring partnerships with key industry leaders such as STRACON SERVICES GROUP, LLC and FLIGHTSAFETY INTERNATIONAL INC, who provide specialized flight training services, synthetic training devices, and mission rehearsal systems. These relationships are characterized by long-term contract performance, technical collaboration, and adherence to stringent DoD cybersecurity and interoperability standards. Soberal consistently engages contractors with proven expertise in aviation simulation and training system integration, favoring vendors with deep domain knowledge in naval aviation operations. His contracting portfolio reflects a strong preference for open competition, with 93.3% of awards issued without set-asides, indicating a focus on technical capability over socioeconomic categorization. Nevertheless, he maintains a consistent 6.7% allocation to total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5, demonstrating a measured commitment to small business participation without compromising mission-critical performance requirements. Soberal’s primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 611512 (Flight Training) and 541330 (Engineering Services), with additional emphasis on custom computer programming (541511). He regularly acquires flight simulators, curriculum development services, real-time training software, and embedded avionics systems, requiring deep technical understanding of aviation training architectures and DoD acquisition frameworks.