Carlos A. Barrera

Carlos A. Barrera serves as a secondary procurement liaison within the FA9304 AFTC PZZ unit of the Department of the Air Force, supporting the acquisition of critical flight training and avionics test systems. While not the primary contracting officer, Barrera plays a vital role in facilitating contract execution, coordinating technical requirements, and ensuring alignment with the agency’s mission to modernize test pilot infrastructure and enhance pilot proficiency through advanced simulation and instrumentation. His responsibilities include reviewing solicitation packages, validating technical specifications, and liaising with program managers to ensure acquisitions meet operational readiness goals for flight testing and aviation systems development. Barrera maintains consistent engagement with SLM CONTRACT FURNITURE, INC., primarily supporting the procurement of specialized test facility furnishings and mission-critical ergonomic equipment for flight simulators and evaluation labs. His working relationships reflect a preference for established vendors with proven capabilities in government-compliant, high-reliability environments, though he also supports smaller firms through targeted set-asides. His procurement patterns indicate a focus on reliability, compliance, and long-term sustainment over rapid turnover. His contracting activity shows a strong preference for open competition, with 79.4% of acquisitions conducted without set-aside restrictions. Nevertheless, he actively facilitates 17.6% of awards under Total Small Business Set-Asides and supports 2.9% to Women-Owned Small Businesses, demonstrating balanced compliance with federal socioeconomic goals without prioritizing niche categories like 8(a) or HUBZone. Barrera’s procurement focus is heavily concentrated in NAICS 611512 (Flight Training), reflecting the agency’s core mission to deliver advanced pilot and test evaluator instruction. He also regularly procures audio-video equipment (334310), flight simulation software (513210), and mission-critical communications and computer hardware (334220, 334111), underscoring deep technical expertise in integrated avionics, training systems, and instrumentation infrastructure essential to Air Force test and evaluation operations.