Clarissa Kerney

Clarissa Kerney serves as a Contract Buyer within the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Propulsion Directorate (FA8650), where she plays a pivotal role in acquiring critical technical services and specialized materials to advance next-generation aerospace propulsion, hypersonics, and high-performance functional materials. Her procurement activities directly support the agency’s mission to sustain U.S. air and space dominance through rapid innovation in adaptive flight control systems and advanced propulsion technologies. Kerney primarily manages complex, non-construction service acquisitions requiring deep technical vetting, including engineering analysis, materials development, and systems integration services aligned with defense R&D priorities. She maintains consistent working relationships with leading aerospace and defense contractors including UES INC, General Electric Company, DCS Corporation, Spirit Aerosystems Inc, and Advanced Thermoplastic Composites LLC. These partnerships reflect a preference for established industry leaders with proven capabilities in propulsion system prototyping, composite material fabrication, and mission-critical systems engineering. Kerney’s procurement approach emphasizes technical excellence, performance reliability, and seamless integration of contractor deliverables into AFRL’s high-stakes research environments. Kerney’s contracting portfolio is entirely non-set-aside, with 100% of awards issued under full and open competition. This reflects a strategic focus on accessing the broadest possible pool of technical expertise rather than socioeconomic set-asides, prioritizing mission-critical capability over socioeconomic criteria. While small business participation is not formally targeted, her acquisitions remain accessible to all qualified vendors under standard FAR procedures. Her primary NAICS focus lies in administrative and general management consulting services (541611) and other professional, scientific, and technical services (541990), underscoring her role in securing high-level systems engineering, program management, and R&D support. She also frequently procures specialized electrical contracting services (238210) for facility and test infrastructure support. Kerney’s expertise centers on acquiring advanced technical services that bridge fundamental research and operational deployment in propulsion and materials science.