Cindy Szponder

Cindy Szponder serves as a Contract Specialist within the Air Force Research Laboratory’s RDK division (FA9451), where she plays a pivotal role in executing complex research and development acquisitions critical to national air dominance. She manages the full lifecycle of contracts supporting advanced technologies in directed energy, electro-optics, laser systems, and precision instrumentation, ensuring alignment with DoD acquisition regulations and AFRL’s strategic R&D objectives. Her work directly enables the transition of laboratory innovations into operational aerospace capabilities, requiring deep technical understanding and rigorous compliance with federal procurement standards. Szponder collaborates with a diverse array of contractors, including defense primes, specialized engineering firms, and academic research partners, to secure cutting-edge solutions in physical and engineering sciences. While no single contractor dominates her portfolio, her procurement patterns reflect a preference for vendors with proven expertise in high-energy laser systems, optical diagnostics, and sensor development. She fosters collaborative, performance-based relationships that emphasize technical innovation, rapid prototyping, and mission-critical deliverables. Her contracting approach is entirely non-set-aside, with 100% of her acquisitions conducted under unrestricted competition. This reflects the highly specialized nature of RDK’s technical requirements, where domain expertise and technical capability take precedence over socioeconomic preferences. While small business participation is not formally prioritized, she remains open to qualified small entities demonstrating exceptional technical merit and mission alignment. Szponder’s primary procurement focus centers on NAICS 511210 (scientific research and development services) and NAICS 541715 (physical, engineering, and life sciences R&D), reflecting her specialization in advanced physics-based technologies. She routinely procures services related to laser vulnerability analysis, directed energy system modeling, electro-optical instrumentation, and high-fidelity testbed development—domains requiring sophisticated engineering talent and classified research capabilities. Her expertise ensures the Air Force maintains technological superiority in next-generation aerospace systems.