Richard Bend

Richard Bend serves as a key procurement lead within the Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division (N61340), overseeing the acquisition of advanced simulation and training systems critical to naval aviation readiness. He manages a portfolio of engineering and technical services contracts focused on modernizing tactical flight simulators, immersive mission training environments, and integrated avionics infrastructure. His work directly supports the Navy’s mission to enhance pilot and aircrew proficiency through high-fidelity, mission-critical training solutions, ensuring alignment with current and future operational requirements across maritime aviation domains. Bend maintains a consistent working relationship with STRACON SERVICES GROUP, LLC, and FLIGHTSAFETY INTERNATIONAL INC, both of which provide specialized engineering, simulation development, and training system integration services. These partnerships reflect a preference for established industry leaders with proven expertise in defense-grade training technologies. His contracting approach emphasizes performance-based outcomes, technical compliance, and sustained system support, fostering long-term vendor collaboration rather than transactional procurement. There is no preference for socioeconomic set-asides; all acquisitions are conducted as full and open competitions, indicating a focus on technical capability and mission suitability over socioeconomic criteria. This reflects a strategic prioritization of operational readiness and system interoperability, with no formal targeting of 8(a), HUBZone, or SDVOSB programs. Bend’s procurement activity is exclusively aligned with NAICS 541330 (Engineering Services), underscoring a deep specialization in systems engineering, simulation modeling, and avionics integration. He procures services related to real-time training system architecture, embedded software development, human-in-the-loop testing, and mission rehearsal environments—technical domains requiring advanced domain knowledge in naval aviation tactics and training doctrine.