Billy G. Sherrod

Billy Sherrod serves as a Contract Specialist within the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Rocket Propulsion Division (FA9453), where he plays a pivotal role in executing mission-critical acquisitions that support next-generation space systems and resilient aerospace technologies. He manages the full lifecycle of complex research and development contracts, focusing on high-performance instrumentation, analytical laboratory equipment, and advanced computing architectures essential to space domain awareness and autonomous satellite operations. His work directly enables rapid prototyping and foundational innovation across the Department of the Air Force’s space technology portfolio, ensuring timely delivery of cutting-edge capabilities to maintain U.S. strategic advantage in the space domain. Sherrod cultivates strategic partnerships with a diverse array of contractors, including specialized engineering firms, analytical instrument manufacturers, and systems design service providers. He frequently engages with small businesses and technical innovators capable of delivering niche solutions in high-energy propulsion diagnostics, space-qualified sensors, and secure data processing systems. His contracting approach emphasizes collaboration with vendors possessing deep domain expertise in aerospace R&D, fostering agile, performance-based acquisition strategies that align with the lab’s rapid innovation mandate. A strong advocate for small business participation, Sherrod consistently prioritizes socioeconomic set-asides, with over 50% of his acquisitions structured as total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5 and a notable emphasis on Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) opportunities. His procurement patterns reflect a deliberate effort to expand the industrial base by empowering qualified small firms with specialized technical capabilities, reinforcing the Air Force’s commitment to inclusive innovation. His primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 541712 and 541715, supporting physical and engineering research services, and 334516 for analytical laboratory instrument manufacturing. He routinely procures advanced spectrometers, radiation-hardened electronics, telemetry systems, and secure computing platforms tailored for space environments, demonstrating deep technical fluency in aerospace instrumentation and mission-critical data systems.