Andrew S. Clark

Andrew Clark supports the Air Force Research Laboratory’s FA8750 mission by managing complex research and development acquisitions focused on next-generation aerospace and defense technologies. He oversees procurements for foundational scientific innovation in physical and engineering sciences, with a strong emphasis on autonomous systems, resilient communications, AI-driven battle-space awareness, and quantum-enabled capabilities. His contracting portfolio centers on high-tech R&D services and specialized hardware development, ensuring alignment with the Department of the Air Force’s strategic imperatives for technological superiority and operational resilience. Clark maintains consistent partnerships with leading defense and aerospace contractors including Booz Allen Hamilton, Lockheed Martin, and Eaton Corporation, alongside specialized small businesses such as Technergetics and Caelight, Inc. These relationships reflect a balanced approach between leveraging large-system integration expertise and engaging niche innovators capable of delivering advanced solutions in optical communications, sensor systems, and embedded computing. His procurement patterns indicate a preference for collaborative, performance-based contracting models that emphasize technical agility and rapid prototyping. His set-aside preferences reveal a structured commitment to socioeconomic diversity, with over 44% of awards directed toward small business categories, including Total Small Business, Economically Disadvantaged WOSB, and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business set-asides. This pattern underscores a deliberate strategy to cultivate a robust innovation ecosystem by integrating capable small firms into critical R&D pathways while maintaining flexibility for large-scale system integration needs. Clark’s primary NAICS focus lies in physical and engineering R&D (541715 and 541712), complemented by significant activity in electronic computer manufacturing (334111) and telephone apparatus production (334210). His acquisitions target advanced computing hardware, secure communication devices, and specialized test and evaluation systems, reflecting deep technical expertise in aerospace electronics, signal processing, and resilient system architectures essential to modern air and space operations.