2d Lt. Jeffrey Benson

2d Lt. Jeffrey Benson serves as a primary contracting professional within the Air Force Research Laboratory’s FA8750 RIK office, where he plays a critical role in advancing the Department of the Air Force’s mission to develop next-generation aerospace and defense technologies. He manages the acquisition lifecycle for high-priority research and development contracts focused on autonomous systems, resilient communications, AI-driven battle-space awareness, and quantum-enabled technologies. His work directly supports foundational scientific innovation by securing specialized technical services from industry partners capable of delivering cutting-edge solutions in physical and engineering sciences. Benson maintains consistent procurement relationships with leading defense and aerospace contractors including Booz Allen Hamilton, Lockheed Martin, Eaton Corporation, Technergetics, LLC, and Caelight, Inc. These partnerships are characterized by long-term, mission-critical engagements centered on advanced R&D, systems integration, and prototype development. His contracting approach emphasizes technical rigor, performance-based outcomes, and collaboration with firms possessing deep expertise in free-space optical communications, sensor fusion, and next-generation signal processing. Benson’s procurement portfolio reflects a strong preference for open competition, with 100% of awards issued under no set-aside classifications. This indicates a focus on technical capability over socioeconomic preferences, prioritizing mission readiness and innovation speed. While small business participation is not formally incentivized through set-asides, his awards frequently include qualified small firms that demonstrate unique technical proficiency in niche domains. His primary NAICS focus is 541715—Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences—reflecting his specialization in procuring advanced scientific services rather than commercial off-the-shelf products. He routinely acquires R&D efforts involving AI/ML algorithm development, quantum sensor prototyping, autonomous control architectures, and high-bandwidth optical communication systems, positioning him at the forefront of defense science acquisition.