Charlotte Chumack

Charlotte L. Chumack serves as a key contracting professional within the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Propulsion Directorate (AFRL/PZL), supporting the acquisition of advanced aerospace propulsion systems, hypersonic technologies, and high-performance materials critical to U.S. air and space dominance. She manages complex research and development contracts aligned with the agency’s mission to accelerate next-generation propulsion innovation, integrating adaptive flight control systems and novel functional materials. Her procurement portfolio is exclusively focused on fundamental and applied R&D, ensuring seamless transition from laboratory discovery to operational capability through technically rigorous solicitation and contract administration. Chumack maintains sustained partnerships with leading defense and aerospace contractors including UES INC, General Electric Company, DCS Corporation, Spirit Aerosystems Inc., and Advanced Thermoplastic Composites LLC. These relationships reflect a preference for established industry leaders with proven expertise in propulsion systems, composite materials, and systems integration. Her contracting approach emphasizes technical excellence, long-term collaboration, and performance-based outcomes, often involving multi-year, milestone-driven R&D contracts that require deep domain knowledge and iterative development cycles. Chumack’s procurement activity shows no reliance on socioeconomic set-asides, with 100% of awards issued under full and open competition. This reflects a mission-critical focus on technical capability over socioeconomic preferences, prioritizing the most qualified vendors capable of delivering cutting-edge propulsion and materials solutions under stringent performance and security requirements. Her primary procurement focus is NAICS 541712—Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences—encompassing advanced propulsion design, hypersonic aerodynamics, thermal protection systems, and high-temperature composite manufacturing. She consistently procures specialized engineering services, prototype development, and materials characterization capabilities essential to sustaining Air Force technological superiority in next-generation aerospace systems.