Christopher Slater

Christopher K. Slater serves as a key procurement lead within the FA2823 AFTC PZIO under the Department of the Air Force, managing acquisitions critical to the development and sustainment of advanced airborne and ground-based sensing, communication, and test instrumentation systems. His work directly supports the modernization of aerospace test and evaluation infrastructure, with a focus on procuring specialized construction, electrical, and infrastructure services that enable the integration of avionics, electronic warfare, and signal intelligence platforms. Slater oversees contracts aligned with mission-critical test range modernization, ensuring compliance with DoD technical standards and operational readiness requirements. He maintains consistent relationships with a core group of contractors including TOM HAMMONDS ENTERPRISES, LLC, STREET LEGAL INDUSTRIES, INC, SPEEGLE CONSTRUCTION, INC, DETECT INC, and THE CONTROLS COMPANY, LLC, reflecting a preference for established small businesses with proven expertise in mission-support infrastructure. His contracting patterns emphasize long-term vendor partnerships grounded in technical reliability and regulatory compliance, particularly for complex site upgrades and electromagnetic compatibility enhancements. Slater demonstrates a strong commitment to socioeconomic contracting, with nearly half of his acquisitions set aside for small businesses under FAR 19.5. He actively utilizes Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned and Women-Owned Small Business set-asides, reflecting a balanced approach to inclusive contracting that aligns with Air Force diversity goals and small business development mandates. His primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 238220 (plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning contractors), 236220 (commercial building construction), and 237130 (power and communication line construction), indicating a heavy emphasis on facility and utility infrastructure supporting high-performance test environments. He routinely procures electrical systems, structural upgrades, and communication line installations critical to sustaining electromagnetic test ranges and sensor calibration facilities, demonstrating deep technical alignment with aerospace instrumentation lifecycle support.