Alex Blake

Alex Blake serves as a key procurement lead within the Air Force Research Laboratory’s FA8750 division, overseeing the acquisition of advanced aerospace and defense technologies aligned with the Department of the Air Force’s strategic R&D priorities. Responsible for managing complex research and development contracts, Blake focuses on enabling next-generation capabilities in autonomous systems, resilient free-space optical communications, AI-driven battle-space awareness, and quantum-enabled sensing. Their procurement portfolio is centered on foundational scientific innovation, ensuring that cutting-edge technologies transition from laboratory prototypes to operational readiness through rigorous contract execution and technical oversight. Blake maintains consistent working relationships with leading defense and aerospace contractors including Booz Allen Hamilton, Lockheed Martin, Eaton Corporation, Technergetics, LLC, and Caelight, Inc. These partnerships are primarily technology-driven, involving high-risk, high-reward R&D efforts in satellite communications, signal processing, and secure data architectures. The contracting approach emphasizes performance-based outcomes, technical innovation, and iterative prototyping, often utilizing Other Transaction Authority (OTA) and Basic Ordering Agreements to accelerate development cycles and foster agile collaboration. There is no set-aside preference in Blake’s procurement activity; all acquisitions are conducted under full and open competition, reflecting a mission-driven focus on technical superiority over socioeconomic categorization. While small business participation is not mandated, vendor selection is determined by technical merit, proven capability in advanced domains, and capacity to deliver under demanding R&D timelines. The primary NAICS classification for all acquisitions is 517410—Satellite Telecommunications—indicating deep specialization in space-based communication systems, secure waveform development, and resilient space architectures. Blake’s expertise lies in procuring advanced payloads, ground station interfaces, quantum-secure transceivers, and AI-enhanced network management systems critical to future contested environments.