Ann Preece

Ann Preece serves as a Contract Specialist within the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Rocket Propulsion Division (FA9453), where she plays a critical role in executing mission-critical acquisitions for advanced space and aerospace technologies. She manages the full lifecycle of research and development contracts, ensuring alignment with the Division’s strategic priorities in space domain awareness, resilient computing architectures, and high-performance instrumentation. Her work supports rapid prototyping initiatives and foundational innovation in next-generation space systems, with a focus on securing cutting-edge technical capabilities through compliant, efficient procurement practices. Preece collaborates with a diverse ecosystem of research institutions, defense contractors, and academic partners specializing in physical and engineering sciences. While no single contractor dominates her portfolio, she consistently engages firms with proven expertise in propulsion systems, space-based sensors, autonomous control algorithms, and advanced materials. Her procurement approach emphasizes technical rigor, performance-based outcomes, and agile contracting methodologies to meet the fast-paced demands of national security innovation. Her contracting patterns reflect a balanced commitment to socioeconomic goals, with equal portions of awards structured as total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5 and open competitions. This reflects a deliberate strategy to foster innovation through small business participation while maintaining access to specialized technical capabilities. She actively promotes opportunities for small businesses with relevant STEM expertise, ensuring broad competition without compromising mission requirements. Preece’s acquisitions are exclusively focused on NAICS 541712—Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences—underscoring her specialization in advanced R&D services. She procures technical solutions in rocket propulsion, space communication payloads, real-time data processing architectures, and high-fidelity simulation tools. Her domain expertise lies at the intersection of aerospace engineering and defense innovation, ensuring that funded projects deliver transformative capabilities for U.S. space superiority.