Capt David Carte

Capt David Carte serves as Project Manager for the FA8823 Sustainment MCPNT SSC/PKL under the Department of the Air Force, where he leads the acquisition and sustainment of critical aerospace and space-based systems essential to national defense. Responsible for managing the lifecycle procurement of guided missile systems, satellite communications infrastructure, and global positioning system components, Capt Carte ensures operational readiness through technically rigorous contract execution. His role bridges engineering requirements with acquisition strategy, overseeing complex R&D and sustainment contracts that support the modernization of space and missile defense architectures. Capt Carte collaborates with a diverse ecosystem of defense contractors specializing in advanced aerospace engineering, systems integration, and mission-critical software development. While no single contractor dominates his portfolio, he consistently engages with Tier-1 defense primes and mid-tier technical firms capable of delivering high-assurance, classified-capable solutions. His working relationships are characterized by long-term technical partnerships, iterative requirement validation, and performance-based contracting models that emphasize system reliability and rapid fielding. Capt Carte’s procurement activity reflects a strict focus on open competition, with 100% of his acquisitions classified as “No Set-Aside.” He does not prioritize socioeconomic set-asides such as 8(a), HUBZone, or SDVOSB programs, instead favoring full and open competition to ensure access to the highest technical capabilities required for classified aerospace systems. This approach aligns with the mission-critical nature of his portfolio, where performance, security, and technical maturity outweigh socioeconomic preferences. His primary procurement focus lies within NAICS 541715—Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences—reflecting deep expertise in advanced propulsion, guidance systems, space vehicle sustainment, and secure command and control architectures. He procures engineered solutions requiring high-fidelity modeling, systems engineering, and classified testing environments, partnering with firms possessing DoD clearance, AS9100 certification, and experience in space domain operations.