Bryant (Lackland) Soule

Bryant (Lackland) Soule serves as a Contract Specialist within the Air Force Research Laboratory’s FA8750 organization, supporting the Department of the Air Force’s mission to advance next-generation aerospace and defense technologies. In this role, he manages the full lifecycle of complex R&D acquisitions, including research contracts, prototype development, and technical services related to autonomous systems, resilient communications, AI-enabled battle-space awareness, and quantum-enabled technologies. His expertise spans competitive solicitation, source selection, and contract administration, ensuring alignment with federal acquisition regulations and strategic innovation priorities. Soule maintains established working relationships with key industry partners including Booz Allen Hamilton, Lockheed Martin, Eaton Corporation, Technergetics, LLC, and Caelight, Inc., reflecting a balanced portfolio of large prime contractors and specialized technical vendors. He frequently collaborates with firms possessing deep expertise in systems integration, advanced materials, and defense electronics, fostering partnerships that bridge foundational science with operational capability development. His contracting approach emphasizes performance-based outcomes and technical rigor, ensuring contractor deliverables meet the high standards required for classified and unclassified aerospace innovation programs. While the majority of his acquisitions are unrestricted, Soule demonstrates a strong commitment to small business participation, with nearly 40% of his awards structured as small business set-asides under FAR 19.5, including targeted HUBZone opportunities. His socioeconomic contracting patterns reflect a deliberate effort to expand the defense industrial base by engaging capable small firms with niche technical capabilities in engineering and applied sciences. His primary procurement focus lies in specialty trade contracting, particularly electrical, plumbing, and HVAC installation services for research facilities, alongside commercial building construction and landscaping for mission-critical infrastructure. These NAICS categories support the physical environments necessary for cutting-edge laboratory operations, underscoring his role in enabling the tangible infrastructure behind aerospace R&D.