Payton Sutton

Payton Sutton serves as a key procurement professional within the Naval Air Warfare Center, supporting the development and fielding of advanced naval aviation systems through strategic acquisition of mission-critical electronic components. Responsible for managing complex contracting actions aligned with the agency’s R&D and test evaluation mission, Sutton oversees the acquisition of specialized avionics, sensor interfaces, and mission-critical software-enabled hardware systems. Their work directly enables the modernization of airborne command and control platforms, electronic warfare suites, and integrated communication architectures essential to naval air superiority. Sutton’s portfolio centers on high-precision, low-volume component manufacturing requiring stringent military specifications and rigorous qualification processes. Sutton maintains consistent contracting relationships with leading defense technology integrators including Lockheed Martin Corporation, Jacobs Technology Inc., and Science Applications International Corporation, as well as specialized engineering firms such as Kranze Technology Solutions Inc. and Teya Support Services LLC. These partnerships reflect a preference for established prime contractors with proven capability in delivering classified, ruggedized electronic components under tight technical and schedule constraints. The working relationships are characterized by long-term engagement, technical collaboration during requirements development, and structured performance monitoring to ensure compliance with Navy-specific engineering standards. Sutton’s contracting activity shows no use of socioeconomic set-asides, with 100% of awards issued under full and open competition. This reflects a mission-driven focus on technical capability and system integration readiness over socioeconomic preferences, prioritizing proven performance and rapid delivery of mission-critical technologies. While small business participation is not formally incentivized in this portfolio, vendors of all sizes are evaluated strictly on technical merit, past performance, and compliance with DoD quality assurance protocols. The primary NAICS classification for Sutton’s acquisitions is 334419—Other Electronic Component Manufacturing—reflecting a deep specialization in the procurement of custom-designed circuit boards, signal conditioning modules, embedded processors, and other high-reliability electronic subassemblies. These components are integral to next-generation avionics, radar systems, and data link architectures, requiring expertise in MIL-STD-810, MIL-STD-461, and IPC-A-610 compliance. Sutton’s technical acumen ensures that procured components meet the extreme environmental and electromagnetic interference requirements of naval aircraft and maritime surveillance platforms.