Clifford Roberts

Clifford Roberts serves as a key procurement lead within the FA4417 1 Socons under the Department of the Air Force, responsible for managing acquisitions that sustain and modernize critical airpower capabilities. He oversees the procurement of advanced communications systems, aeronautical navigation equipment, and integrated base defense technologies essential to operational readiness. His portfolio centers on mission-critical hardware and subsystems that ensure secure, resilient air operations, with a focus on radio and wireless infrastructure, avionics components, and auxiliary aircraft systems. Roberts plays a vital role in aligning acquisition strategy with the Air Force’s modernization priorities, ensuring timely delivery of technically complex, high-reliability systems under stringent security and performance standards. He maintains consistent working relationships with a core group of contractors including AANTILIA LLC, MARRERO, COUVILLON & ASSOCIATES, L.L.C., MATTHES PARKER LLC, L1 ENTERPRISES INCORPORATED, and WALCO ENTERPRISES INC. These partnerships reflect a blend of specialized engineering firms and experienced defense suppliers with proven expertise in aerospace electronics and mission-critical systems integration. Roberts favors vendors with demonstrated technical capability in niche defense domains, often engaging them through competitive sealed bidding and performance-based contract structures to ensure accountability and innovation. Roberts exhibits a strong commitment to small business participation, with 42.9% of his acquisitions structured as Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5. While the majority of awards remain open to all competitors, his consistent use of small business set-asides signals a deliberate effort to broaden the defense industrial base and foster capability development among emerging defense contractors. His contracting patterns reflect a balanced approach—prioritizing technical excellence while actively supporting socioeconomic objectives. His primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 334511 for aeronautical navigation and guidance systems, with significant activity in computer peripheral manufacturing, motor and generator production, and aircraft auxiliary equipment. He specializes in procuring hardened communication modules, precision navigation sensors, and mission-enabling electronic subsystems that operate in austere, high-threat environments, demonstrating deep domain expertise in defense electronics and aerospace systems integration.