Anita Bailey

Anita M. Bailey serves as Contracting Officer and Branch Chief within the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Propulsion Directorate (FA8650), where she leads the acquisition of advanced aerospace technologies critical to U.S. air and space dominance. She oversees the full lifecycle of complex R&D contracts, including those for hypersonic propulsion systems, adaptive flight control technologies, and high-performance functional materials. Her portfolio supports mission-critical innovation by bridging fundamental research with operational deployment, ensuring timely delivery of next-generation propulsion solutions through competitive, performance-based contracting practices. Bailey maintains enduring relationships with leading aerospace and defense contractors, including UES Inc., General Electric Company, DCS Corporation, Spirit Aerosystems Inc., and Advanced Thermoplastic Composites LLC. These partnerships reflect a focus on technical excellence in propulsion engineering, materials science, and systems integration. Her procurement approach emphasizes collaboration with industry pioneers capable of delivering cutting-edge capabilities under tight technical and schedule constraints, often involving cost-reimbursement and incentive-based contract structures. Her contracting patterns show a strong preference for open competition, with 93.3% of awards issued without set-asides, indicating a mission-driven emphasis on technical capability over socioeconomic preferences. While small business participation remains a secondary consideration at 6.7%, it is strategically applied to ensure innovation diversity without compromising technical rigor or program timelines. Bailey’s primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 541712 (Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences), reflecting her core work in advanced propulsion and materials innovation. A secondary concentration in NAICS 622110 suggests limited but critical acquisitions related to biomedical testing or human performance systems integrated into propulsion platforms. Her expertise spans high-fidelity simulation, composite material development, and hypersonic test infrastructure—domains requiring deep technical understanding and stringent compliance with DoD acquisition regulations.