Naomi Castillo-Velasquez

Naomi Castillo-Velasquez serves as a primary contracting professional at NASA Ames Research Center, where she plays a critical role in advancing the agency’s mission through the acquisition of high-technology research and engineering services. She manages a diverse portfolio of procurements aligned with NASA’s strategic priorities in aeronautics, space exploration, and advanced computing, focusing on contracts that support the development of autonomous navigation systems, high-speed flight technologies, and next-generation aerospace platforms. Her acquisitions are primarily centered on research and development, systems design, and engineering services, ensuring that NASA’s scientific and technological objectives are met through innovative, mission-critical solutions. She maintains a consistent working relationship with Aerospace & Commercial Technologies, LLC, a key contractor delivering specialized engineering and systems integration services. Her procurement patterns reflect a preference for established technical partners with proven expertise in aerospace R&D, while also maintaining a structured approach to competitive bidding and performance-based contracting. These relationships are characterized by long-term collaboration, technical alignment, and adherence to NASA’s stringent compliance and innovation standards. Castillo-Velasquez’s contracting portfolio is overwhelmingly non-set-aside, with 85.2% of awards issued under full and open competition, reflecting a focus on technical merit and mission readiness. However, she actively supports small business participation, with 14.8% of awards designated as total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5, demonstrating a balanced commitment to both capability and socioeconomic goals. Her primary NAICS focus areas include Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (541715) and Engineering Services (541330), underscoring her expertise in procuring advanced computational modeling, flight systems analysis, and systems engineering services. She also frequently acquires computer systems design (541512) and specialized space vehicle component manufacturing (336419), aligning procurement with NASA Ames’ core domains in autonomous systems, thermal protection, and high-fidelity simulation technologies.