Andy Thompson

Andy Thompson serves as Program Manager at U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), where he leads the acquisition and integration of advanced aerospace systems critical to special operations missions. In this role, he oversees the full lifecycle of procurement activities for mission-critical aircraft and airborne platforms, ensuring rapid fielding of technologically superior capabilities that enhance situational awareness, endurance, and operational agility. Thompson works closely with engineering, operational, and logistics teams to translate warfighter requirements into precise solicitation strategies, prioritizing rapid prototyping, modular open systems architecture, and field-deployable solutions that meet the unique demands of SOF environments. Thompson collaborates with a network of Tier 1 aerospace prime contractors and specialized systems integrators experienced in classified and expeditionary aviation platforms. His procurement approach emphasizes long-term vendor partnerships grounded in technical innovation, agile development cycles, and secure supply chain management. He frequently engages with firms possessing ITAR compliance, TS/SCI clearance capabilities, and experience in modifying commercial airframes for military-specific payloads, fostering collaborative relationships that enable iterative testing and rapid iteration in operational settings. Thompson’s acquisition portfolio is entirely non-set-aside, reflecting the specialized nature of USSOCOM’s requirements and the limited pool of vendors capable of meeting the stringent performance, security, and certification standards for advanced aircraft systems. While small business participation is not formally prioritized through socioeconomic set-asides, he remains open to qualified small businesses that demonstrate proven technical expertise in avionics, sensor integration, or rapid aircraft modification. His primary procurement focus is on NAICS 336411 — Aircraft Manufacturing — with an emphasis on manned and unmanned tactical aircraft, rotary-wing platforms, and specialized aerial systems equipped with electro-optical/infrared sensors, secure datalinks, and electronic warfare suites. Thompson’s domain expertise lies in integrating next-generation avionics and mission systems into platforms that operate in denied, degraded, or contested environments.