Bernard W Clemens Jr.

Bernard K. Clemens serves as a Small Business Advisor for the 56th Contracting Squadron (FA4887) under the Department of the Air Force, where he plays a pivotal role in advancing small business participation across mission-critical procurement activities. His responsibilities include advising contracting teams on socioeconomic program compliance, identifying qualified small business vendors, and ensuring alignment with FAR Part 19 set-aside policies. Clemens supports acquisitions spanning industrial maintenance, aviation component support, and facility infrastructure services, with a focus on enabling small business access to Department of the Air Force contracts that sustain airfield operations, hangar systems, and specialized equipment readiness. Clemens maintains consistent working relationships with key small business contractors including Arkose Group LLC, Silver National Corp., Blazing Aviation LLC, and Mach 2 Productions Inc., all of which provide niche technical services in aviation maintenance, facility support, and specialized equipment fabrication. His procurement approach emphasizes long-term vendor engagement, technical alignment with Air Force operational needs, and proactive outreach to firms capable of delivering specialized, mission-essential solutions under tight timelines and high reliability standards. His contracting portfolio reflects a strong commitment to small business inclusion, with nearly 48% of acquisitions structured as Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5, demonstrating a deliberate strategy to maximize participation from small firms. HUBZone set-asides account for 2.1% of awards, indicating targeted support for businesses located in economically distressed areas. While the majority of procurements remain open to all competitors, Clemens actively promotes small business eligibility, mentorship, and subcontracting opportunities to broaden the industrial base. Clemens specializes in NAICS-coded procurements centered on commercial and industrial machinery repair (811310), equipment maintenance services (811219), metal container manufacturing (332439), service establishment equipment wholesaling (423850), and other computer-related services (541519). His technical domain expertise lies in sustaining Air Force infrastructure through precision maintenance, specialized tooling, and mission-critical support systems, ensuring operational continuity through a diversified, small-business-enabled supply chain.