Carl Zahn

Carl Zahn serves as a key contracting professional within the 436 Contracting Squadron of the Department of the Air Force, supporting the operational readiness of Air Force installations through the acquisition of facility maintenance, infrastructure, and mission-critical support services. He manages a diverse portfolio of contracts focused on sustaining air base operations, including specialized construction, security systems, and environmental services. His role ensures timely procurement of essential services that maintain the functionality of hangars, aircraft support systems, and security environments, directly enabling mission continuity and infrastructure resilience across the command. Zahn maintains a consistent working relationship with OSTRUM PAINTING & SANDBLASTING, INC, a primary vendor for facility preservation and surface preparation services. His contracting patterns reflect a preference for established, niche specialty contractors with proven capabilities in industrial maintenance and base support operations. He engages with a limited but reliable pool of vendors, fostering long-term partnerships grounded in performance reliability and compliance with military facility standards. A strong advocate for small business participation, Zahn prioritizes socioeconomic contracting, with over 81% of his awards designated as Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5. His portfolio consistently channels opportunities to small disadvantaged businesses, reflecting a deliberate strategy to maximize small business involvement in base sustainment efforts. While 8(a) competed set-asides represent a smaller but meaningful portion of his awards, his overall pattern demonstrates a robust commitment to broadening vendor diversity and enhancing local economic impact. His primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 238990 (All Other Specialty Trade Contractors), encompassing facility maintenance and industrial services, with additional emphasis on security systems (561621) and waste management (562111). He routinely acquires specialized services including painting, sandblasting, solid waste collection, and facility security enhancements, demonstrating technical expertise in the intersection of military infrastructure needs and commercial service delivery.