Sarah McCarty

Sarah McCarty serves as a key procurement professional within the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, supporting the Department of the Navy’s mission to advance naval aviation readiness through research, development, test, and evaluation of critical aircraft systems. She manages complex acquisitions for advanced avionics, flight control instrumentation, diagnostic equipment, and maintenance infrastructure essential to high-performance naval aircraft. Her work ensures timely delivery of mission-critical technologies that enhance aircraft sustainment and operational effectiveness, aligning with the agency’s focus on next-generation airpower capabilities. McCarty maintains longstanding relationships with leading defense and aerospace contractors including Lockheed Martin Corporation, BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc., and PCI Aviation LLC. She regularly engages with specialized firms delivering precision instrumentation, control systems, and mission-critical hardware, favoring partners with proven expertise in aerospace-grade electronics and ruggedized test equipment. Her contracting approach emphasizes technical rigor, compliance with military specifications, and performance-based outcomes, fostering collaborative partnerships with vendors capable of meeting stringent defense standards. Her procurement patterns reflect a strong preference for full and open competition, with 87.9% of awards issued without set-aside restrictions. While small business participation is modest—comprising 6.1% HUBZone and 6.1% total small business set-asides—she consistently integrates qualified small businesses into subcontracting teams and supports socioeconomic goals where technical requirements permit. Her approach balances mission necessity with statutory obligations to promote competition and innovation. McCarty’s primary NAICS focus includes Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing (334519) and Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals (334515), reflecting her specialization in flight data acquisition systems, sensor arrays, and diagnostic instrumentation. She also procures industrial test equipment and specialized tooling, demonstrating deep technical fluency in avionics integration, electronic warfare support systems, and aircraft maintenance infrastructure.