Susan McKenzie

Susan McKenzie serves as a Contract Specialist at the Naval Air Warfare Center, where she plays a pivotal role in executing mission-critical acquisitions that support the development and sustainment of advanced naval aviation systems. Her responsibilities include managing the full lifecycle of procurement actions—from solicitation and source selection to contract award and administration—for technical services and specialized equipment essential to airborne command and control, avionics modernization, and mission simulation. She works within the Department of the Navy’s acquisition framework to ensure compliance with federal regulations while aligning contract outcomes with strategic R&D priorities in electronic warfare, sensor integration, and software-defined systems. McKenzie maintains established working relationships with leading defense and aerospace contractors, including Lockheed Martin Corporation, Jacobs Technology Inc., and Science Applications International Corporation, as well as specialized support firms such as Teya Support Services LLC and Kranze Technology Solutions Inc. These partnerships reflect a preference for experienced industry players capable of delivering complex engineering, test, and facilities support services under stringent military standards. Her contracting approach emphasizes performance-based outcomes, technical rigor, and long-term vendor collaboration to meet evolving operational requirements. Her procurement patterns show a strong emphasis on open competition, with 88.9% of acquisitions conducted without set-asides, reflecting the technical complexity and scale of requirements typically beyond small business capacity. Nevertheless, she consistently allocates 11.1% of awards to total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5, demonstrating a measured commitment to small business participation where feasible. Her primary NAICS focus areas include Facilities Support Services (561210), Engineering Services (541330), and Instrument Manufacturing for Electrical Measurement (334515), indicating deep engagement with infrastructure support, systems engineering, and test instrumentation. She routinely procures services related to avionics integration, mission planning software, and test facility operations, underscoring her expertise in supporting the Navy’s next-generation air warfare capabilities.