Team members from Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) Lakehurst met with current and potential partners during the annual Small Business Industry Day event, held this year at Stockton University on June 11.  

The day-long event is part of the Warfare Center's ongoing efforts to integrate small businesses into its mission of supporting the warfighter. While NAWCAD Lakehurst has regularly met and exceeded most of its goal of awarding contracts to small businesses, Patrick Smith, Chief of Lakehurst's Contracting Office, said they are always looking for mutually beneficial partnerships.  

“Small businesses are not just a part of, but essential to, NAVAIR's mission of delivering integrated air warfare capabilities to the fleet. They provide innovation, agility, and specialized expertise that enhance operational effectiveness and readiness," Smith said, underlining the crucial role of small businesses. “By engaging small businesses through events like the NAWCAD Lakehurst Small Business Roundtable Industry Day, NAWCAD Lakehurst promotes competition, drives cost efficiencies and strengthens a diverse and resilient industrial base.”  

During his presentation, Smith noted that Lakehurst has more than $600 million eligible for small business awards in 2025. Looking to the year ahead, Smith said his office plans to utilize more Blanket Purchase Agreements, with a greater focus on leveraging innovation and technology to help achieve their goals. That includes leveraging Small Business Innovation Research and Other Transaction Authority to expedite the contracting process.  

Other presenters from NAWCAD Lakehurst at the event included Dawn Chartier, Site Director of Lakehurst’s Small Business Program; Future Capabilities Lead Matthew Morgan from the Support Equipment Department; Mariam Givelekian, a program manager in the Aircraft Launch and Recovery Equipment Department; Thomas Myslinski from the Mission, Operations and Integration Department, and Kellie Borrero from the Prototype, Manufacturing and Test Department.  

During their time addressing the attendees, the presenters shared key information about their departments, including what they do, who is involved, and potential opportunities to partner with small businesses.  

“This year’s event offered a valuable platform to discuss recent acquisition updates and reaffirm the critical role small businesses play in maintaining warfighter readiness,” Smith said.  

More information about the Small Business Program can be found by email at [email protected].