Payton Sutton

Payton Sutton serves as a key procurement professional within the Naval Air Warfare Center, supporting the agency’s mission to advance naval aviation systems through research, development, and evaluation of mission-critical technologies. Responsible for managing complex acquisitions in avionics, sensor systems, and engineering services, Sutton ensures that contracting strategies align with DoD innovation priorities and technical requirements. Their work directly enables the modernization of airborne command and control, avionics reliability, and mission simulation platforms, often coordinating cross-functional teams to deliver high-integrity, low-risk solutions for naval air warfare applications. Sutton maintains established relationships with leading defense contractors including Lockheed Martin Corporation, Jacobs Technology Inc., and Science Applications International Corporation, partnering with these firms to deliver integrated systems engineering and advanced manufacturing capabilities. Additional vendor partnerships with specialized firms such as Kranze Technology Solutions Inc. and Teya Support Services LLC reflect a balanced approach between large prime contractors and niche technical providers, fostering innovation through diverse supply chain engagement and performance-based contracting methodologies. A consistent 50% of Sutton’s portfolio is set aside for total small business participation under FAR 19.5, demonstrating a strong commitment to socioeconomic contracting goals. This pattern supports a robust ecosystem of small businesses, particularly those capable of delivering precision machining, electronic component manufacturing, and engineering services, ensuring broad-based industry participation and resilience in critical defense supply chains. Sutton’s procurement focus centers on NAICS 334511 for aeronautical system manufacturing, 334417 for electronic connectors, and 332710 for machine shop services, with additional emphasis on engineering services under 541330. These categories reflect deep technical expertise in the procurement of high-reliability avionics components, precision-machined nonferrous metal parts, and mission-critical software integration services essential to next-generation naval aviation platforms.