Colin L Read

Colin L. Read serves as a Contracting Specialist within the FA2543 460 Cons agency under the Department of the Air Force, where he plays a pivotal role in executing mission-critical acquisitions to sustain and modernize installation infrastructure. His portfolio centers on facility construction and maintenance contracts, including commercial and institutional building systems, plumbing, heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC), and electrical installations. Read ensures compliance with federal acquisition regulations while aligning procurements with the Air Force’s goal of maintaining mission-ready facilities across operational bases. He manages the full lifecycle of solicitations, evaluations, and contract awards, often coordinating with engineers and project managers to define technical requirements and performance standards. While specific contractor relationships are not currently available in the dataset, Read’s procurement patterns suggest consistent engagement with general contractors, specialty trade firms, and small business vendors capable of delivering complex facility upgrades under tight operational timelines. His working relationships emphasize collaboration with vendors who demonstrate technical proficiency in military-grade construction standards and rapid response capabilities for urgent infrastructure needs. Read exhibits a strong commitment to small business participation, with over half of his acquisitions set aside for small businesses under FAR 19.5, including a notable 5.9% allocation to service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses (SDVOSBs). This reflects a deliberate strategy to broaden vendor diversity and enhance economic resilience within the defense supply chain. His primary NAICS focus includes 712130 (Zoos and Botanical Gardens), 721214 (Recreational Camps), 812320 (Drycleaning Services), 423210 (Furniture Wholesalers), and 335921 (Fiber Optic Cable Manufacturing)—indicating a broad, sometimes atypical, scope that may reflect ancillary or non-traditional facility support needs. This suggests expertise in managing diverse, mission-adjacent procurements that support quality-of-life and operational infrastructure beyond conventional military construction, requiring nuanced understanding of both commercial and defense-specific requirements.