Colby Gentry (Contracting Officer)

Colby Gentry serves as a Contracting Officer within the FA8138 Aflcmc Wbk, a critical unit of the Department of the Air Force responsible for sustaining the B-1B Lancer fleet. In this role, Gentry manages the acquisition of specialized engineering services and forward intermediate fuselage repair capabilities essential to maintaining operational readiness of legacy airborne platforms. Their procurement portfolio centers on lifecycle sustainment rather than new acquisition, ensuring continued mission capability through technical support, structural maintenance, and radar systems engineering. Gentry’s work directly enables the agency’s mission to extend the service life of critical aircraft through precision engineering and depot-level repair solutions. Gentry cultivates strategic partnerships with engineering firms specializing in aerospace structural integrity and avionics integration, typically engaging contractors with proven expertise in military aircraft maintenance and FAA/DOD-compliant repair methodologies. While no specific contractor names are available, their contracting patterns indicate a preference for vendors with deep domain knowledge in B-1B systems, including those certified in military aircraft structural repair standards and FAA Part 145 repair station qualifications. Relationships are built on technical credibility, past performance in sustainment environments, and adherence to rigorous defense quality assurance protocols. Gentry demonstrates a balanced commitment to small business participation, with approximately one-third of contracts awarded under Total Small Business Set-Asides per FAR 19.5. While the majority of acquisitions are open to all competitors, the consistent use of small business set-asides reflects a deliberate effort to broaden the industrial base and leverage innovative capabilities from niche providers. No evidence suggests preferential treatment for 8(a), HUBZone, or SDVOSB programs specifically, but the agency’s overall socioeconomic strategy aligns with DoD-wide goals to enhance small business engagement in complex sustainment markets. The primary technical focus of Gentry’s acquisitions falls under NAICS 541330 (Engineering Services), encompassing radar system support, structural analysis, and aircraft maintenance planning. A secondary focus on NAICS 333120 (Construction Machinery Manufacturing) indicates procurement of specialized ground support equipment used in aircraft repair bays and structural testing rigs. Gentry’s expertise lies in bridging advanced engineering requirements with practical depot maintenance execution, ensuring procurement decisions align with the unique demands of sustaining a decades-old strategic bomber fleet.