Tom Bennett

Al Lambaria serves as Deputy Chief of the Requirements Division within the 763d Enterprise Sourcing Squadron of the Department of the Air Force, where he plays a pivotal role in shaping and validating acquisition requirements for mission-critical aerospace systems. Responsible for translating operational needs into precise technical specifications, he ensures that procurement initiatives align with airpower readiness objectives, particularly in flight training, communications resilience, and enterprise logistics. His division leads the requirements definition phase for complex aircraft systems, coordinating with engineering, operations, and logistics stakeholders to ensure acquisitions support pilot proficiency and sustainment readiness across combat and training domains. While specific contractor relationships are not publicly detailed, Lambaria’s procurement portfolio consistently engages prime contractors with deep expertise in aircraft manufacturing and systems integration. His team collaborates with defense aerospace firms capable of delivering certified, high-integrity platforms and subsystems, often requiring compliance with military specifications such as MIL-STD and DO-178C. Vendor partnerships are typically performance-based, emphasizing technical innovation, supply chain reliability, and lifecycle support capabilities. Lambaria’s office exhibits a strong preference for open competition, with 100% of acquisitions classified as “No Set-Aside.” This reflects a strategic focus on technical capability and mission urgency over socioeconomic categorization, prioritizing the most qualified industrial partners regardless of business size or certification status. While small business participation is not formally incentivized through set-asides, the division remains open to qualified small businesses that meet stringent technical and certification standards. The division’s procurement activity is exclusively focused on NAICS 336411 — Aircraft Manufacturing — encompassing the acquisition of manned and unmanned aerial platforms, flight simulation systems, avionics integration, and associated support equipment. Lambaria’s expertise lies in the technical evaluation of airframe design, propulsion systems, and mission-specific modifications, ensuring acquisitions meet Air Force standards for safety, interoperability, and operational durability.