Ashley Perkes

Ashley Perkes serves as a key procurement professional within the FA8227 unit of the Department of the Air Force, supporting the sustainment and modernization of critical aerospace test and industrial infrastructure. Responsible for managing complex acquisitions of precision machinery, specialized test equipment, and industrial maintenance services, Perkes ensures the operational readiness of flight systems through timely and technically sound contracting actions. Their work directly enables the certification, calibration, and lifecycle support of high-value aircraft and missile test platforms, aligning procurement strategy with the agency’s mission to maintain cutting-edge aerospace testing capabilities. Perkes maintains consistent working relationships with specialized vendors such as North Star Imaging Incorporated and Thermo Electron North America LLC, both recognized for their expertise in industrial imaging, precision measurement, and advanced equipment maintenance. These partnerships reflect a preference for vendors with deep technical proficiency in non-automotive industrial systems, particularly those capable of supporting high-accuracy instrumentation and custom repair workflows. The contracting approach emphasizes long-term service agreements and performance-based contracts to ensure reliability and continuity in mission-critical environments. There is no reliance on socioeconomic set-asides, with 100% of awards issued under full and open competition. This reflects a procurement philosophy prioritizing technical capability and mission-critical performance over socioeconomic preferences, while still maintaining compliance with all federal acquisition regulations. Small business participation is not formally structured through designated programs, indicating a focus on capability-driven sourcing rather than mandated diversity goals. The primary procurement focus centers on NAICS 811310 and 811210, encompassing commercial and industrial machinery repair, as well as electronic and precision equipment maintenance. Additional emphasis is placed on NAICS 333310 and 333517 for the manufacturing and refurbishment of specialized machine tools and industrial test systems. Perkes’ expertise lies in procuring highly technical, low-volume, high-precision equipment essential for aerospace certification and weapons system sustainment, requiring deep domain knowledge in metrology, non-destructive testing, and industrial automation.