Cheri L. Thetford

Cheri L. Thetford serves as a Contract Specialist responsible for managing the full lifecycle of complex acquisition programs, from requirements definition through contract award and administration. She plays a critical role in ensuring compliance with federal acquisition regulations while aligning procurement activities with agency mission objectives. Her portfolio primarily encompasses high-technical acquisitions in aerospace and engineering services, requiring deep subject matter expertise and rigorous market research. Thetford routinely handles competitive sealed bidding and negotiated procurements under FAR Part 15, with a focus on delivering mission-critical capabilities through sound contracting practices and risk mitigation strategies. Thetford engages with a diverse range of contractors, including prime contractors with specialized capabilities in aircraft manufacturing and systems engineering, as well as technical service providers offering design, analysis, and integration support. While no single vendor dominates her award portfolio, she consistently fosters collaborative relationships with firms possessing proven technical credibility and past performance in defense and aerospace domains. Her contracting approach emphasizes transparency, fair competition, and performance-based outcomes, encouraging innovation while maintaining strict adherence to regulatory standards. Thetford’s procurement activity reflects a strong preference for open competition, with 100% of her acquisitions classified as “No Set-Aside.” This indicates a strategic focus on selecting the most qualified offerors based on technical merit and value, rather than socioeconomic classifications. While she does not prioritize 8(a), HUBZone, or SDVOSB set-asides, her process remains fully compliant with small business goals and includes opportunities for small businesses to compete on an equal footing within full and open competitions. Her primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 336411 (Aircraft Manufacturing) and 541330 (Engineering Services), reflecting deep expertise in aerospace systems development, avionics integration, and technical engineering support. She procures advanced hardware, software-enabled systems, and engineering analysis services critical to national defense and aviation infrastructure, demonstrating specialized knowledge in technical specifications, test and evaluation protocols, and systems engineering lifecycle management.