Steven C. Hedgepeth

Capt Steven Hedgepeth serves as a primary contracting representative for the FA6800 AFICC 767 ESF under the Department of the Air Force, where he manages complex acquisitions to sustain advanced aviation systems and mission-critical aerospace capabilities. His portfolio centers on technical order management, airborne instrumentation, and flight training infrastructure for legacy and next-generation platforms. He plays a pivotal role in ensuring operational readiness through timely procurement of specialized engineering services, systems integration, and technical support, aligning acquisitions with the agency’s modernization goals and mission assurance priorities. His work directly enables the Air Force’s ability to maintain high-readiness flight operations across evolving aerospace domains. Capt Hedgepeth cultivates partnerships with a diverse range of contractors, including defense systems integrators, aerospace engineering firms, and technical services providers specializing in flight data analysis and avionics sustainment. While no single contractor dominates his award profile, he consistently engages vendors with proven expertise in guided missile systems, flight simulation, and facilities support for aerospace test ranges. His contracting approach emphasizes performance-based outcomes, requiring rigorous compliance with technical orders and airworthiness standards, fostering long-term vendor relationships grounded in technical precision and mission alignment. His procurement strategy reflects a balanced commitment to small business participation, with approximately one-third of his acquisitions structured as Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5. He actively leverages socioeconomic programs to expand access for qualified small businesses, particularly in technical service and R&D categories, while the majority of his contracts remain open to full and open competition. This pattern demonstrates a deliberate effort to broaden the supplier base without compromising mission-critical performance requirements. Capt Hedgepeth’s primary NAICS focus includes Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (541715), Facilities Support Services (561210), and Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414). He routinely procures advanced flight test instrumentation, technical documentation systems, and aerospace maintenance support services, demonstrating deep expertise in aviation systems engineering and operational sustainment. His work bridges cutting-edge R&D with field-deployed capabilities, ensuring seamless transition from innovation to mission execution.