Shantora Bennett

Shantora Bennett serves as a Contract Specialist at the Naval Air Warfare Center Air Division, where she plays a pivotal role in executing complex acquisitions for advanced naval aviation systems. She manages the full lifecycle of contracts supporting the development, testing, and sustainment of mission-critical avionics, electronic warfare suites, and aircraft subsystems. Her portfolio encompasses high-technology engineering services and specialized manufacturing, aligning closely with the agency’s mission to ensure air superiority through next-generation airborne capabilities. Bennett routinely handles competitive and sole-source procurements under FAR and DFARS guidelines, with a focus on delivering integrated solutions that enhance fleet readiness and technological advantage. She maintains strong, long-standing relationships with key industry partners including SABRE SYSTEMS, LLC, THE BOEING COMPANY, SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION, SYSTEMS PLANNING AND ANALYSIS, INC., and ONTIC ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING, INC. These partnerships reflect a preference for established defense contractors with proven expertise in aerospace systems integration, software-defined avionics, and precision manufacturing. Her procurement approach emphasizes technical rigor, performance-based outcomes, and risk mitigation through structured contract administration and stringent compliance oversight. Bennett’s contracting activity shows a 100% preference for non-set-aside awards, indicating a focus on mission-critical capabilities requiring specialized technical qualifications rather than socioeconomic preferences. While small business participation is not formally prioritized in her portfolio, she ensures all procurements adhere to full and open competition standards, selecting vendors based on technical merit, past performance, and systems integration expertise. Her primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 541511 (Custom Computer Programming Services) and 541512 (Computer Systems Design Services), supporting embedded software and mission system development, alongside 336412 (Aircraft Engine and Engine Parts Manufacturing) and 336411 (Aircraft Manufacturing). She specializes in acquiring advanced digital architectures, real-time signal processing systems, and high-reliability hardware for naval aircraft platforms, demonstrating deep domain knowledge in airborne combat systems and lifecycle sustainment.