Sara Q Byrd

Sara Q. Byrd serves as a key procurement professional within the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), supporting the acquisition and lifecycle sustainment of advanced naval aviation systems critical to U.S. Navy and Marine Corps air superiority. She manages complex contracting actions for guided missile systems, space vehicle components, and related avionics infrastructure, ensuring alignment with NAVAIR’s strategic modernization goals. Her work spans the full acquisition lifecycle—from requirements validation and source selection to contract administration and performance oversight—focusing on high-priority programs that enhance carrier-based and expeditionary combat capabilities. Byrd maintains consistent, long-term partnerships with leading defense prime contractors including Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, Lockheed Martin Corporation, and General Atomics, who deliver integrated weapons systems, unmanned aerial platforms, and mission-critical avionics. Her procurement approach emphasizes technical rigor and mission readiness, often engaging vendors with proven expertise in missile defense, flight control systems, and rapid prototyping. These relationships are characterized by collaborative engineering integration and performance-based contracting models designed to accelerate fielding and sustainment. Byrd’s portfolio reflects a strong preference for full and open competition, with 100% of her acquisitions conducted without set-asides, indicating a focus on capability-driven sourcing rather than socioeconomic preferences. While small business participation is not formally prioritized in her contracting actions, she ensures compliance with all federal acquisition regulations and promotes fair competition among qualified industry participants. Her primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 336414 (Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing) and 336419 (Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing), reflecting deep expertise in missile systems, guidance electronics, propulsion components, and space-enabled support infrastructure. She specializes in acquiring highly technical, classified, and dual-use systems that support next-generation naval airpower and integrated air and missile defense architectures.