Tamiko C. Blackson

Tamiko C. Blackson serves as a Contract Specialist within the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), where she plays a critical role in executing the acquisition lifecycle for advanced naval aviation systems. She manages complex procurement actions for aircraft, avionics, mission systems, and associated logistics support, ensuring alignment with NAVAIR’s mission to maintain air superiority through integrated lifecycle management. Her work spans the full spectrum of defense acquisition phases—from requirements validation and source selection to contract award and performance oversight—primarily supporting carrier-based and expeditionary aviation platforms. Blackson’s expertise lies in navigating the technical and regulatory complexities of defense contracting to deliver mission-critical capabilities to the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. Blackson maintains consistent procurement relationships with leading aerospace and defense prime contractors, including Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, Lockheed Martin Corporation, and General Atomics. These partnerships center on the development, integration, and sustainment of high-performance aircraft systems, weapons integration, and mission-critical avionics. Her contracting approach emphasizes long-term vendor collaboration, performance-based contracting, and risk mitigation through robust contract administration, ensuring technical fidelity and operational readiness across evolving platforms. Blackson’s procurement portfolio reflects a strong preference for full and open competition, with 100% of her awards issued under no set-aside classifications. This indicates a focus on maximizing technical capability and industrial base efficiency rather than socioeconomic set-asides, aligning with NAVAIR’s mission-critical needs where specialized expertise and scale are paramount. While small business participation is not formally prioritized in her award patterns, she ensures compliance with all applicable small business subcontracting requirements as part of prime contract obligations. Her primary procurement focus lies within NAICS 334511 (aeronautical and navigation system manufacturing) and 336411 (aircraft manufacturing), reflecting deep expertise in radar systems, electronic warfare suites, flight control systems, and airframe integration. She regularly procures mission-critical hardware and software solutions that enable next-generation naval aviation platforms, demonstrating specialized knowledge in systems engineering, cybersecurity integration, and defense technical standards.